| Author | Message | ||
     Mwellm |
My question is simple: what cruiser might you get as a companion to your Buell? My M2 needs a sibling for more relaxed riding. I ask this group because most of the attitudes towards motorcycles displayed here are very close to my own. Just to get things started here are some of my ideas on the subject. 1) HD Dyna: love the overdrive, fork size and 96 inch motor (downside HD posers, forums seem lame - I mean there was a four page thread about wearing shorts when you ride) 2) HD Sportster: familiar with the motor, great heritage, the XL forums not that lame 3) Yamaha Roadstar 1700: would seem easy to work on for the most part, good value 4) Triumph Bonneville America: not an HD, love the attitude of the company, heritage, concerned about power with these bikes. So what do you think? | ||
| Djkaplan |
"2) HD Sportster: familiar with the motor, great heritage, the XL forums not that lame." I'm getting a Sportster one day. I passed up a great deal on a 69 XL in perfect shape because I wanted to get one with the same generation engine as my tuber. I'm probably one of the few people out there that wants a solid mount Sporty! Sounds like you really want something more comfortable than a solid mount. The newer rubber mounts don't handle as well and are a lot heavier, but they carry their weight well and are so much more comfortable than the old shakers. An issue with some HD riders is the idea that Sporties are girls bikes. I couldn't care less. To me, it's the quintessential Harley, the one that greasers rode in the late 50's and 60's and battled for suprecmacy on the streets and dragstrips against the British invasion (and themselves). And it does have that familial relation (if not in parts) to the old KR and XR racers. I hate to sound like an advertisement for Harley, but the heritage of the Sportster and the fact that the newer ones do everything a modern bike is supposed to makes them hard to pass up. Just my 5 cents (inflation you, know). | ||
| Road_thing |
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| Ratbuell |
I have to second Road Thing's post. Next to my S1W and S2 is a 96 FLHP with OEM police air shock seat. Awesome ride. Although, the S2 is fast taking its place as the "cruiser" bike.... | ||
| Warlizard |
Is this for solo or passenger riding? For solo, I would say the Sportster ( best bike ever made in my opinion ) then again you basically already have one in the M2. For solo and or passenger I would say the Dyna, heavier, more comfortable for pass. Plus you could load it up w/ bags and other touring gear w/ out looking overloaded. Victory makes some nice cruisers as well. | ||
| Bartimus |
To complement my Buell(s), I also ride a '93 FXRC...  | ||
| Mwellm |
I would guess most of my riding would be solo..as my wife hates motorcycles. Now that the 2008 Sportster Roadster has the 4.5 tank it is near the perfect bike. I had to reserve my real opinion on the Sportster as the best all around motorcycle. I figured many on this forum would like that one... I am 6'2" 200 lbs I always wonder if I should back off perfection and get the Dyna...maybe the Sportster is too small for me??? I envy my shorter friends... I like Victory but am concerned the look of those bikes may become dated..great motor in those.... | ||
| Warlizard |
I had a 2005 1200R. I am 6' 185# and I did feel a little big and when I could catch my reflection I felt I looked too big. I loved the bike though. I would also say that the 1200R, of all Sportsters, is most closely related to the M2. The Dyna may be the ticket. They actually have a new model, the Fat Bob, looks pretty tough. Kinda like a FatBoy, but better as I like to see my shocks. I also imagine it would handle better as well. Real beefy,muscular bike. Would love to have one myself. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
A new Harley Sportster Nightster.  My immidiate Modifications would include: Larger paint matched gas tank Paint matched quick relase hard saddle bags Much more comfortable (and 2 person) seat with backrests for both people Later I'd have to install better rear suspension, and some basic bolt on go-fast goddies. | ||
| Ryker77 |
r1200clc Still a twin power plant. All of the luxery items you'd want. Heated seats, grips, Cd player, good lights. etc etc But for thousands less than a HD. | ||
| Ryker77 |
or just get you some s3 handle bars, custom seat and a aftermarket windscreen. Buell Tubers are an awesome platform to work with. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Oh, in reality, Buell is it for me. I've stared at that Nightster a bunch, but like I listed, it would take a bunch of money to make it for me: -Larger paint matched gas tank -Paint matched quick relase hard saddle bags -Much more comfortable (and 2 person) seat -Go fast goodies The Uly comes with all of that stuff, PLUS triple the available lean angle, arguably more comfortable driver and passenger seats, 10x the fun ride, and the ability to go off road or to the race track. | ||
| 98s1lightning |
S3T, what more do you need, the Uly sets up very high and is pricey. You can get into a S3T for under 5000 and it has all the same stuff, hell if you put a set of dual sport tires on it you could off road it also. I would buy the Works shock first. | ||
| Jackbequick |
If you want more comfort, maybe an occasional passenger haul, and something that you can commute with and also ride briskly occasionally, I'd recommend the Dyna over the Sportster. The Sportsters come a little short in the comfort area compared to the Dyna and the extra weight and lower center of gravity on the Dyna just seem to make it a better ride. See if you can get a test ride at a dealer on something in the FX... series. Look for something with center controls and fairly close to stock, I think the forward controls only setup is just too weird for someone that rides a normal configuration too. And the standard mid controls and a set of highway pegs are what make the Dyna so comfortable for me. I can move my legs around and get the kinks out. You can find some pretty killer deals on used Dynas and I'd probably be inclined to hot rod an older CV-40 carburated Dyna a little before I dropped the cash they want for the new Dynas. But I'm perfectly happy with my 48 or so RWHP I get out of mine. I'm a geezer, its a geezer glide, life is good. Jack | ||
| Mwellm |
The Nightster looks cool I love the fork gaiters and other stuff. However way, way too low for me. The Roadster with the tach and dual disks is more what I would be after.... I had in many ways decided on the Dyna some time ago for some of the many reasons you have all stated. The Sportster is still my favorite but I have to be practical with my height and I know I will want to load it up. Has anyone considered the Triumph America great size and handling...stock maybe a little under powered....but with the 904 big bore they are fast and sound awesome.. | ||
| Chasespeed |
Sporty or Road King... Depends on what I have currently.... Chase | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I sat on this one thinking it was the "bigger better" version of the sporty posted above:  But I was not a fan. The seat on the Sporty felt like cardboard, but it seemed to be shaped alright, the seat on this thing (and position all together) seemed VERY uncomfortable for me. I should've prefaced that sporty post with "I'M SHORT, SOooooo I like this:" I forgot that most people on here are of normal height, and probably wouldn't like their knee's being higher than the gas tank. | ||
| Jackbequick |
The Dynas are pretty friendly to the folks with shorter inseams too. I bought my Dyna from a lady that was about 5' 6" or so. She had put a slightly lower solo saddle on it (it is seen in the photo on my profile) and was otherwise perfectly comfortable with it. She'd had the bike for 9 years and about 48,000 miles. I put a higher/larger Mustang solo saddle on my Dyna to better accommodate my generously proportioned derriere and 32" inseam. Then there are the FXDL low riders in the soft tail models for the shorter legs. I shunned the low riders when looking at Dynas because I'd heard there is some unnecessary complexity and marginal performance in that rear suspension when it is compared to the standard Dynas. Jack | ||
| Mikef5000 |
It's true, My fathers Dyna Wide Glide is loooow. It just feels so much larger and heavier than the Sporty... which I don't like! He has it set up so it's like you're sitting in a lazyboy. He absolutely loves the thing. Bought it new in 99, and just turned over 82k miles. | ||
| Djkaplan |
The first big Harley I ever rode was a friend of mines Dyna Wide Glide in Chicago traffic with no helmet. It was the first time I ever rode a bike with forward mount controls and I accidentally rode for awhile with my left wingtip dress shoe on the primary and my right shoe on top of the exhaust pipes. My shoe was smoking hot when I made back to the garage and he was laughing pretty good. | ||
| Buellistic |
Question ??? If a "REAL BIKER"(not me) put forward controls and ape hanger handle bars his BUELL, would you ride ride through the twisties with him ??? Where you perfer to ride, in front or behind him ... Not at all also is an option ... | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
I'd follow behind to show the medics where he was laying in the weeds. | ||
| Ryker77 |
do a ebay, cycletrader, and craiglist search for "confederate" bikes. Often you can get killer deals on them. Allready setup with killer engine,tranny, suspension, wheels, brakes etc etc. 500lbs and 120+hp! Problems areas on them was the carbonfiber gas tank. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'd race him on my other motorcycle...  | ||
| Ducxl |
Dj those are crazy high apes'. I saw a guy last week almost as stretched.Stoopid. Oh yeah...go with a Dyna.New and larger twin cam engine.A Sportster would disappoint along side a Buell.Dyna..FXDW | ||
| Warlizard |
That guy looks like a complete fool. I would follow him all day just to laugh. Probably has every penny invested in that POS. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Talk about a stretch. Geez, looks very uncomfortable. | ||
| Mwellm |
Could be the stupidest thing I have ever seen...no question it is. | ||
| Jackbequick |
I just want to follow him to a parking lot or the next fuel stop so I can watch. That thing has to be barely manageable/maneuverable at low speeds. Jack | ||
| Sooner |
I bet he can't feel his hands after two minutes. That is nuts. |
