Harley purchase need some advice

[Todd T]

I cant believe I'm typing this, but I've decided to buy a Harley. I have never given them the time of day but am looking for something in the cruiser touring department and they seem to fit the bill. The VFR has to go



I think I've decided on the FLSTN Softail Deluxe. At first I was looking at the the heritage but I didnt like the studded saddle bags. So we then turned our attention to bagging a deluxe and the more I looked at it the more I liked the looks without it and the Solo look is flat out awesome IMO. I priced out a bigger pillion seat, sissy bar and removable windshield. I actually found the exact bike i like on ebay but the timing is just not right for me. looky



I want the deep cobalt blue and white gold pearl like the one above. I've seen several FLSTN's on the net but cant find any in those colors in a showroom (new or used).



I cant find what year the six speed came out is it brand new for 07 or what other years have it? also the older ones look to have an 88CI engine and I've seen a few listed as 95's is that the 88 with a big bore kit? anything or any years I need to look out for? what is considered high mileage? (per yr. )



Thanks in advance

Todd

 

[J Shocik]

Hi Todd, the 6 spd. transmission is new on the softail deluxe on the 07's, along with the new 96" FI motor. IF you're looking at the 07's be careful of some noise in the transmission while in 5th. I hear they're all doing it. The power increase witht the new motor might be worth a little extra noise. The 05's & 06's have factory 5 spd's & 88 CI motors, which can be beefed up to either 95 or 103 CI's. I believe 05 was the first year of the deluxe. I personally like the FI motors, no problems when cold starting. As for high milage, it depends on where you call home. An old buddy of mine has a deluxe, the only problem he had was with the transmission. It had a problem with the shift lever when shifting.

As for finally deciding to buy a Harley, I know how you feel. I had my share of Japanese bikes & swore I would NEVER pay $20K for a bike. That was until I bought my '04 Ultra Classic. I have more fun & comments with that than I've had with Corvettes for 20 yrs.

Good luck with the Harley, John

 

[BigEasy]

After having one harley, I will never own another...



a Suzuki Hayabusa is coming to my garage soon

 

[GFritsch]

After having one harley, I will never own another...



a Suzuki Hayabusa is coming to my garage soon

That's helpful



Hey Todd,



I will echo J Shocik comments. He is correct on the technical info. I have owned various bikes over the years and none are more satisfying to own and ride than my Road King. Looking at buying a Road Glide now, and the wife is thinking about a V-Rod (dear god)



Have fun with whichever bike you get and post some pics!



Greg

 

[DKayser]

The best bang for the buck is.......

an Electra Glide Standard. Less money than a softtail, rubber mounted, & a modest sized fairing. Very cool on the cheap, for Harley prices. I ride a 1993 FLHS, basically a Road King. My third Hog, first bagger. It replaced the Aspencade I was run over on. Go down to the dealer,show him you are serious, & ride everything that interests you. Baggers Rock. Anybody see the Biker Build Off where the Bagger won? Very trick scoot. DK.

 

[Carlsummers]

JMHO... . Kawasaki Vulcan... half the money, virtually no down time. Rock solid engine.

 

[J Shocik]

Hey Big Easy, As a card- carrying member of the Teamsters, why are you buying anything but American??? A Sissy-sucky Hay-ride-pukeya!! Isn't that what screwed up the Steelers Big Ben?? I'll have to remember this when my local Teamsters tell me to" Buy American"!!! PS Only kidding BE. Suzuki was thinking of the proverbial "raped ape" when they thought of this beast! I still have more fun on my Harley though...

 

[FDavid]

I think BMW is the best

 

[DKayser]

I believe the question was.......

Which Harley. Not which alternative or clone. DK

 

[Carlsummers]

DKayser

Just trying to enlighten the gent so that he doesn't make a terrible mistake and by a HD.

 

[BigEasy]

Hey Big Easy, As a card- carrying member of the Teamsters, why are you buying anything but American??? A Sissy-sucky Hay-ride-pukeya!! Isn't that what screwed up the Steelers Big Ben?? I'll have to remember this when my local Teamsters tell me to" Buy American"!!! PS Only kidding BE. Suzuki was thinking of the proverbial "raped ape" when they thought of this beast! I still have more fun on my Harley though...

Ummmm... the stickers and tags all over my Softail said 'Made in Taiwan' 'Made in China' etc.



I had a couple close calls, and I felt very unsafe after that, due to the Harley's inability to stop or turn when I really needed it to. Comparatively, HD's power sucks, handling is awful, brakes are terrible, tires are too small, price is too high, and they're starting to lose value like all the rest of the bikes because of all the yuppies being done with their mid-life crisis(which was the ONE reason I did buy it, because it was a sound investment )



I'd rather have a bike with good power, great tires, handling and brakes, that costs half as much...



Oh dear, what will I do? I will be shunned by all of the 'rugged individualists' who all hang out together, buy the same bikes, ride together to the same bars together, because they're all 'rugged individuals'



For a great touring cruiser, check out the Honda VTX!

 

[PC12Driver]

Oh dear, what will I do? I will be shunned by all of the 'rugged individualists' who all hang out together, buy the same bikes, ride together to the same bars together, because they're all 'rugged individuals'

Rugged individualists:

#ad

 

[J Shocik]

Hey B. E. The Hayabusa & Ultra Classis (my bike) are 2 totally different bikes for 2 totally different styles of riding. Personally I'm tired of racing around town worrying who will cut in front of me at the next intersection because "they didn't see me because I flew up on them" (ask Steelers Big Ben).

I'm perfectly happy cruisin' the roads at legal speeds (most of the time... ) with plenty of lights & sound (extra loud horn) when, and I say when the inattentive idiot cuts in front of me. He then gets a display of the horns in action (along with some "hand gestures").

Hayabusas are made for those who want to go, and go fast!

I did say in my reply to you "only kidding". I'm not the kind of HD rider who looks down on other brands, but I do like to joke about them.

 

[GFritsch]

Hey B. E. The Hayabusa & Ultra Classis (my bike) are 2 totally different bikes for 2 totally different styles of riding. Personally I'm tired of racing around town worrying who will cut in front of me at the next intersection because "they didn't see me because I flew up on them" (ask Steelers Big Ben).

I'm perfectly happy cruisin' the roads at legal speeds (most of the time... ) with plenty of lights & sound (extra loud horn) when, and I say when the inattentive idiot cuts in front of me. He then gets a display of the horns in action (along with some "hand gestures").

Hayabusas are made for those who want to go, and go fast!

I did say in my reply to you "only kidding". I'm not the kind of HD rider who looks down on other brands, but I do like to joke about them.

Good points. This guy asks for a little advice about Harley's and gets to listen to all this crap. I guess it is just human nature to competatively compare each other and our possesions. Too bad ALL bikers can't make a common voice and ride together on the road and fight the common political issues. As I have noted earlier I have owned different bikes over the years and like my Harley the best, but that doesn't mean that I won't like a different brand later in life.



One things for sure, I had to get away from the crotch rocket scene. If I was a cat I would have 1 life left. About a month ago I ran over a 4x4 in the road at about 60. Had I been one one of my old bikes I probably would have been going twice that fast and launched for sure. Low and slow is just fine for this middle aged biker. :-laf



Todd, If you are still around let us know which bike you picked.



Greg



Happy trails

 

[DKayser]

Good Points.

ANYTHING on 2 wheels is fun. I like how my bagger looks, rides,& runs. Comparing a Hayabusa to a Hog is ridiculous. A top Fuel car will out run a Caddillac. The original question was put to Harley-Davidson owners as to which model they would recommend. I think that is the input he was seeking. No offence intended. DK.

 

[BigEasy]

Ok, I need to set a few things straight... I'm not buying a 'busa for it's speed, I'm buying it for its chassis, which is quite a bit bigger than the typical sportbike. I'm 6'6" 300#, so comfort is an issue with the smaller bikes. If they'd put the GSXR 750 engine into the 'busa chassis, I'd be on it! I'm not saying I won't like the power, but I could do without it.



And I wasn't comparing the two like a dragster and a caddy... more like a farm tractor and a pontiac grand prix. To me, its about stopping and turning, and not draggin pegs or framerails IN TOWN. I've got an arthritic ankle for the rest of my life, because I couldn't stop or turn when I needed to, and I was going about 20mph when the girl hit me. I did $6500 damage to her VW bug with my body, my bike was ok with a few custom additions (I was between it and the pavement), but the foot sugery and costs associated are now over $35k, thank God for insurance; it all could have been avoided with a different bike, though.

 

[BigEasy]

Ok, I need to set a few things straight... I'm not buying a 'busa for it's speed, I'm buying it for its chassis, which is quite a bit bigger than the typical sportbike. I'm 6'6" 300#, so comfort is an issue with the smaller bikes. If they'd put the GSXR 750 engine into the 'busa chassis, I'd be on it! I'm not saying I won't like the power, but I could do without it.



And I wasn't comparing the two like a dragster and a caddy... more like a farm tractor and a pontiac grand prix. To me, its about stopping and turning, and not draggin pegs or framerails IN TOWN. I've got an arthritic ankle for the rest of my life, because I couldn't stop or turn when I needed to, and I was going about 20mph when the girl hit me. I did $6500 damage to her VW bug with my body, my bike was ok with a few custom additions (I was between it and the pavement), but the foot sugery and costs associated are now over $35k, thank God for insurance; it all could have been avoided with a different bike, though.



and DKayser, as a previous HD owner, I would recommend a better bike. Maybe my 2 cents worth doesn't matter, because I'm no longer a Harley guy... so be it. It just proves my point.

 

[J Shocik]

I was just giving my $. 02 worth when I saw Big Easy's 1st reply. Sorry, but I couldn't resist poking some HD vs. other bike fun at him. I didn't mean to offend him, or anyone else, and I stated that in my 1st. "poke" at B. E. I learned to ride on Japanese bikes & had my fun "poking" fun at the HD riders at that time. Times are different now, I have the HD, and am the butt of some of my friends jokes. But, when all is said & done, that is all they are, jokes... something to laugh at.



Big E. I didn't know of your problems, and am very sorry if I offended you. But I never disrespected you for your decision to ride whatever you want, where ever it is made. Please accept my apologizes. John

 

[DKayser]

No problem

As a former bike accident victim, I understand what you`re saying. I was riding a 1200 Aspencade, but the bike was not the cause. I once read that 90% of bike wrecks were the fault of the automobile involved. We just can`t avoid them, they outnumber us. My brother bought some ZX12 Kawie thing. I rode it; I don`t like it. He sold it after a year or so. Just plain uncomfortable for more than an hour or so. I didn`t like his 1000 interceptor either. I`ve spent time at the chiropractor before. Don`t need to volunteer for more visits. I DID like my old Honda Sabre. You sat upright. They used to call bikes like that a Standard. Where did they go? Nobody wants them. My Aspencade was comfortable, but I occasionally got a pain in the hip/leg from spreading my feet/legs so wide. The Sabre AND the FLHS don`t cause that pain. I like my Hog, you like your Hayabusa. No problem . Lets go riding. DK.

 

[Bill Lins]

DK asked: "They used to call bikes like that a Standard. Where did they go? Nobody wants them. "



That's why I hang on to my CB750. Don't like the (lack of) reliability of a Sportster & can't afford a Gold Wing or BMW. Everything else is a cruiser or a crotch rocket. :-(