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Warlizard
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 04:25 pm: | 
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The more I think about, that can't be his bike, he's too little. I bet it belongs to his husband and he's getting it washed. |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 06:05 pm: |
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I'm with DJ on the old Sporty, but first I'd have to have a nice new Road King. But mine would be much more powerful and cool looking than the one shown above that is sitting in the ditch. |
Nevrenuf
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 06:19 pm: |
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the nice thing about having the ultra also is having the best of both worlds. i couldn't go from tampa to daytona on the fxd that we had first got for the wife. but that's me and my back couldn't put up with it. you need to just go down and rent one of each type and try it for yourself if you don't know anyone that might have what your thinking about. it might cost a few bucks to just check it out but you wouldn't be selling it 4 months down the road because you made a mistake. if nothing else see if they'll let you test ride them. some dealers do that once in a while. |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 07:35 pm: |
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This is the closest to a cruiser I'd wanna get
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Buellistic
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 07:47 pm: |
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My son-in-law is HEAVY into the "BIKER IMAGE" ...
He raised the BUCKHORN HANDLEBARS about 5 inches and installed FORWARD FOOT CONTROLS ...
The bottom line of the story is he has been home off from work for 2 months now ... And "i" told him he was making a BIG MISTAKE before he did it !!!
In Buelling
LaFayette |
Mwellm
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 07:59 pm: |
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My problem is I like the HD bikes, but I know so many people that would never own a motorcycle if HD didn't make one. What do I do if one of them tries to talk to me about their new chrome horn cover? I'll have no choice but to put my head under the tire....I may need medication for the first few months of ownership.
Please tell me I'm just being too dramatic...
Thanks for all the great feedback by the way... |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 10:01 pm: |
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much more powerful and cool looking than the one shown above that is sitting in the ditch
Dude, that's not a ditch, that's a scenic roadside runoff dispersion conduit!
rt |
Jackbequick
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 11:14 am: |
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Even an iron horse needs top get put out to graze occasionally, right?
"..Please tell me I'm just being too dramatic..."
You might be. My Dyna came with some extra chrome, a nice set of wheels, aftermarket Screaming Eagle pipes, etc., that reflected the previous owner's "vision". But it all looked okay to me and I've left it pretty much alone.
When I go over to the local H-D dealer and there is some sort of gathering, I just present myself as friendly, confident, and emotionally secure.
I sense that some of them are initially taken aback by a guy that has a ride that sort of "looks right" but who presents himself in a ATGATT posture by wearing an Aerostich Darien jacket and HJC SyMax helmet.
But when I mingle in with them, they are just like any other cross section of motorcycling society other than some of their costumes. And some are worth talking to and knowing and some are not...
Jack |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 01:01 pm: |
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I've recently turned a fan of Harley's. I know you can get similar bikes for cheaper... But I really like to ride, and the dealer network has no comparison.
This was confirmed driving to Sturgis this year. We passed over 20 Harley dealerships, and 4 dealerships of any other bike companies. |
Mwellm
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 10:11 pm: |
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I have been a fan of Harleys ever since I was a kid (even though my first bike was an Indian...ha..ha..).
The dealer network while traveling is very comforting for sure and is a big reason to get one I agree all the way.
Jackbequick I've had similar thoughts to you on this topic, don't get involved in the costumes and ride the bike. |
Warlizard
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 - 03:16 am: |
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I agree that nobody has the network Harley does, but to me thats the problem. Thats why you cant go more than a few blocks w/ out seeing one. Talk about played out. I guess it all comes down to whether or not you need to be part of the crowd or are strong enough to go another direction. |
Mwellm
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 - 02:15 pm: |
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War,
There in lies the problem....I like certain bikes HD makes for the bike alone....not to be part of anything larger than that.
What it comes down to is this; buy the bike you want to ride nothing else really matters. It all comes down to the motivation of the purchase by a certain individual to weather it is a lame move or not.... |
Krash
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 - 04:31 pm: |
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In addition to my S3T, I have two HDs.
One is an Electraglide. That is the main traveling bike. As much as I enjoy the Buell, the farthest I've taken it was about a 1,300 mile round trip. The Electraglide has seen 10,000 mile ones. Plus, my wife would not hop on the back of the Buell for a long distance ride. When I got the Electraglide, I compared it to the Goldwing, the Venture and a couple other similar types. I prefer the characteristics of the Electraglide. It is probably the slowest of the big touring bikes, but it also is quite capable and has better luggage capacity and the best mpg. About the same results as when I compared the Buell to the UJSBs.
No attitude, just preference. |
Warlizard
| | Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 01:46 am: |
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Thats the problem w/ Harley. These days you can't JUST buy the bike. You get all the baggage that comes w/ it. You have to buy the HD wardrobe from head to toe, get yourself a good vest, some meaningless patches and off to the HOG rally. It's a shame because I do like a lot of their bikes. If I were looking for a tourer, I would have to go with the best - BMW. Basically, I would take the Harley that I liked and find a comparable European bike. Can't go wrong w/ Triumph,Moto Guzzi , BMW etc etc. For a cruiser, Victory makes some nice rides. As much as I love the X1, if I could have any bike it would be the Augusta Brutale. This bike is a masterpiece, a true work of art. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 08:35 am: |
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Actually, you can just go buy the bike!
Just because lots of people choose to buy the costume, doesn't mean you or I have to!
Must be different around here, because only about half the harley riders around here are into the costume, and the other half are in it for the riding.
My problem with your suggestions (Triumph, Moto Guzzi, BMW, Victory, etc) is the severe lack of dealership network. Cost of those bikes versus the Harley's really isn't much different either. |
Djkaplan
| | Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 01:29 pm: |
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I always wear the bib when I go to Red Lobster. |
Krash
| | Posted on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 06:48 pm: |
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Shoot, I got so lengthy into why I got the Electaglide, I never mentioned what my 2nd HD product is. The bad part is that is really my cruising bike.
It's a Dyna Custom Army Patriot edition, my personal USAR retirement present. With a short skinny front fender that doesn't even cover the front tire it's not really good for all weather riding but on a nice day it's a great secondary road cruiser. Plus, I never thought a big twin would encourage me to go faster through the curves than the XLs I've had, but this bike does just that.
For me, I don't want to have one all purpose bike.
The Electraglide is for long distance trips and when the weather is crappy. It does what I ask of it and for me the mpg on a trip means I don't have to stop as often as some of it's competition. That's more important to me than the higher power it's competition offers, with less mpg.
The S3T is for fun, shorter distance solo trips and doesn't do bad in the rain. It has shown me that it is no good under 40 degrees. The tires won't stick and the FI doesn't like cold weather. It also dusts it's competition in the mpg department and, call me a wimp if you like but it has all the power I need to have fun.
The Dyna is good for getting lost on the backroads, forgetting life's stresses and mellowing out. That's what I consider cruising. |
Mwellm
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 01:00 pm: |
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I just made a big mistake and went to my local HD dealer really just for lunch....but the 2008 bikes are in. The Sportster Roadster looked and felt great when I sat on it....I know it was a mistake to set on it. I didn't feel like it would be too small for me, it seemed larger than the older Sportsters. The performance heritage of these bikes is a strong pull for me...one of the main reasons I own the M2 today. |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 05:50 pm: |
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The performance of the new sportsters isn't great. On my demo ride I was romping the p!ss outa the thing, and it didn't even phase me. (unlike my M2)
Plus, I rode the Nightster, which is the lowest version, but the pegs dragged very easily! (which I found out first hand... on the demo ride )
Still a very fun bike, with plenty of power for normal abusing. |
Mwellm
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 07:57 pm: |
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Good feedback I have never ridden a rubber mount Sportster. I am used to tons of power with my M2.
Not interested in the Nightster on any level. Looking for a more functional bike like the Roadster.
Then again anything I look at in the cruiser line up is going to be a speed let down from my Cyclone. |
Jackbequick
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 10:40 pm: |
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The big difference? Mid controls and highway pegs = comfortable!
I spent four hours on the Dyna today, 207 miles of US 1 and Maine secondary roads, was ready to go around again when I got home.
It was so good I pulled all the drain plugs and treated her to fresh oil all around!
I already endorsed my Metzler ME-880's for use on the Dynas, but these tires are getter all the time. Now I find my fuel mileage increased from 41 MPG to 46 MPG with them too! I couldn't believe it at first but after three refills the numbers are consistent.
Jack |
Mwellm
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 09:39 am: |
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The way you describe the use of your Dyna is what I am after. I am looking for a reason to slow down a little, my Cyclone gives all the reasons to the opposite. Not that it can't be a very relaxing ride, just not it's primary focus. |
Jackbequick
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 09:55 pm: |
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I did not ride my M2 aggressively, its just not my nature. I think I'm actually riding the Dyna a little faster than I did the M2.
Part of that goes to the fact that I can whack the throttle pretty hard on the Dyna and not have to worry about the back tire losing traction or the front end getting light.
The Dyna is just about right for me in every respect. If I keep it long enough that it ever needs a rebuild, I'll probably take it up to about a Stage I or Stage II state of tune. That would increase the rear wheel HP from 48 to about 65 (Stage 1) or 74 (Stage II).
The Dynas are bikes that are pretty easy to work on and add power to, here is a good site with some ideas on their potential and how to do it:
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/hdbuildstage1.h tm
Jack |
Warlizard
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 12:45 am: |
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The only decent Sportsters are the "R" models. The customs try too hard to look like softails. I still believe the Sporty will disappoint you in the long run, as it did me. The M2 is close enough. Go w/ the Dyna. More weight, more comfortable, you can load it up w/ bags, nice big motor ( albeit w/out HP) can easily carry a pass. I see no need to have an M2 and a Sportster, they are fairly similar and neither is designed for touring. |
Krash
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 08:09 am: |
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When I got my Buell, I had been planning on getting my Sporty motor hopped up. I looked at the Buell and faced this: I could get the Sporty motor up to the level that the Buell was stock, but I could never get the Sporty to handle like the Buell. So I got the Buell. I still liked the Sporty for cruising, but if I wanted to play I took the Buell out. That's why I like having more than one bike, not sacrificing one aspect of the bike for another purpose.
I was a little hesitant giving the Sporty up for the Dyna, but since I did I haven't looked back once. The Dyna does everything the Sporty did, only better.
 |
Ryker77
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 08:38 am: |
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Don't understand the HD market. A new Sporty will cost 9-10k. But a very very low milage (older years) can be bought for the same price. Sportsters are way over priced IMO<>
But then again people do this all the time on the car market. Pay 30k for a new Toyata FJ SUV but a very very low milage Benz ML's can be bought for thousands less. |
Warlizard
| | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 05:06 pm: |
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I agree w/ Krash. I got rid of my 1200R because it lacked HP, handling was good ( for a Harley ), but not great. I really couldn't tour on it, and the bike was too small for me a 6ft. In spite of all that, I still liked the bike. I kicked myself for not getting the Dyna, though if I had the Dyna I wouldn't have the X1 ( can't afford 2 bikes ). In the end I couldn't be happier, but if I wanted a Harley for a second bike/touring/cruising, it would be the Dyna. Check out the new Fat Bob, tough looking bike. |
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