Anyone Own a Harley? Looking to buy one..

on-ramp · 04:24 PM

any suggestions? models, etc?
who owns one and let's see some pics.

I'm 5 10, 185 lbs and fit. the bike should not be too heavy..
while i'm at it, a few tattoos might be in my future.

just for the record, I've never owned a motorcycle and never
even ridden one, except maybe a moped...
Thanks in advance.

LakeCleElum · 08-07-2007, 04:23 PM

My suggestion is to buy some other model. If you are a true m/c enthusiast, you will appreciate a bike that handles well, is light, powerful, with good brakes and suspension.

Harleys are all about image, bling, sound, etc. based on a very outdated design. I used to get paid to ride a Harley and I'm lucky to have have lived thru it......

Nostril Cheese · 08-07-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on-ramp

I'm 5 10, 185 lbs and fit. the bike should not be too heavy..
while i'm at it, a few tattoos might be in my future.

Why not get the harley logo tattooed on your forehead? Show the world what a rebel you can be.

Honestly, go test ride a variety of different bikes before you consider HD. They are heavy and overpriced.

on-ramp · 08-07-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Why not get the harley logo tattooed on your forehead? Show the world what a rebel you can be.

Honestly, go test ride a variety of different bikes before you consider HD. They are heavy and overpriced.

yeah, i'm looking at some on ebay now, and they do look heavy, don't they...

scottmandue · 08-07-2007, 04:33 PM

Oh Bob you are so going to get flamed by the Harley guys here!

Having said that, I have nothing against Harleys BUT I don't think they make a good first bike IMHO you are better off with a used multi-purpose 350-500cc bike for a starter that you can turn around and sell for about what you paid after a few years THEN get a Harley.

FWIW there are places that rent Harleys, if you must have one you might want to try it before you buy it.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I would do the same thing for a HD that I would do for a Porsche. Talk to the local clubs (in our town the local coffee shops are full of Harleys and their owners every evening) and find a few nice folks that will tell you about the models and their characteristics. I've noticed that good deals on used HD's can be found because many of the people who bought them brand-new are now getting artificial knees, hips, various health issues, etc... and are looking to sell the HD and buy a "less active" lifestyle. Look around, talk to people and do some Internet research (like you're doing here) and you're bound to get some good info! Good luck!

island_dude · 08-07-2007, 05:17 PM

On-ramp,
If this is your first bike, you would be well served to start much smaller. I see a lot of new riders who have no idea what they are doing on big bikes and it usually doesn't end well. Buy something small and forgiving and learn to ride for a year, then consider what you really want. It does not impress the babes to drop a bike with them on the back.

I would seriously recommend the MSF basic class. They are offered in every state and often it is a way of avoiding taking a state administered road test. They are a few things about motorcycle dynamics that you need to learn. Almost any reaction you have in a crisis situation on a bike is going to make things worse. If you have to learn by crashing, a smaller bike will hurt much less and cost a lot less too.

Good luck

widgeon13 · 08-07-2007, 05:40 PM

Figure out what you will use the bike for, touring w/ 2nd person, weekend rides, long cross country rides. HD's are not the best bike for any of these applications unless you are ready to deal with some concessions in comfort. My opinion.

Go out and ride some different bikes, weight, power, you will develop a feel for what you want and can go from there.

If I was getting my first bike, it would not be a HD. There are many other good options but you have to find what makes you happy in a bike.

greglepore · 08-07-2007, 05:51 PM

Have both a true sportbike (Ducati) and an 1100 Sportster. The Sportster is like a very fast farm implement, but its plenty of fun, so long as you're accepting of its limitations, ie poor brakes and marginal handling. Riden as a cruiser or slow in turns, blast down straights, its fun. Its also much better as a in traffic bike than a sportbike, which is pretty much intolerable.

Jeff Higgins · 08-07-2007, 06:01 PM

Take it from a lifetime Harley rider; you are getting great advice here. Start on something else that is much smaller and lighter. Get some miles under your belt and decide how you like to ride, and why you really want a bike. Maybe after a year or two you will decide you don't really want one, or your needs tastes will be more defined.

The opinions expressed about Harleys here are typically outdated. While at one time you probably couldn't pay most people enough to ride one (with the notable exception of Bob), they have improved in leaps and bounds in the last decade or so. They are still no hot-rods by any stretch, and if that is your sole measure of the worth of a motorcycle, they will dissapoint you. Look elsewhere.

As far as comfort and reliability, however, they are on a par with any bike made today. They are unbelievably reliable now; my 2000 Road King has damn near 80,000 absolutely trouble-free miles on it. Show me any car that can claim that and I will be impressed, much less other motorcycles. Comfort is more model dependant, with some that very much (as Snoopy used to say) "sacrifice comfort for style". Be aware of that, when the time comes (if it comes) and shop accordingly. Most of the touring range and the soft tail range are quite comfortable. I regularly log 500+ mile days on my Road King with a buddy on a Heritage Soft Tail, with some days going far longer than that. The ones that try to emulate that bad-ass chopper look are good for nothing more than bar hopping and posing. Decide how you like to ride, if you really want to ride, then go looking for that Harley. Or other bike, if it turns out they are not for you.

VaSteve · 08-07-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island_dude

I would seriously recommend the MSF basic class. They are offered in every state and often it is a way of avoiding taking a state administered road test. They are a few things about motorcycle dynamics that you need to learn. Almost any reaction you have in a crisis situation on a bike is going to make things worse. If you have to learn by crashing, a smaller bike will hurt much less and cost a lot less too.

Good luck

They recommended that to me as well when I posted a similar thread. It's worth it.

Flatbutt1 · 08-07-2007, 06:31 PM

good call by Jeff. The HDs are much better noe but very pricey as are BMWs,Ducatis and some of the Guzzi's. Get a Japanese throw away to learn on, then decide how you wish to ride(cruiser or carver) and buy accordingly.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

if you go to check out a used one from Craigslist, make sure you actually show up.

MSF class. And lot's of insurance. You're going to need it.

HardDrive · 08-07-2007, 08:06 PM

If you insist on getting a harley as your first bike, why not pick up a standard 883 sportster (2005 or later). These bikes are inexpensive, and will get you started. You can 'stage one' the bike to give it a good harley rumble. The reality is that many folks drop bikes when they are first starting to ride. Even a tip over in parking lot would be a nasty repair bill on big twin. Hell, maybe you should look for a sportster that has already been tipped over.

A Fat Boy would be nice, but you need to get the business of learning to ride out the way first......

ErVikingo · 08-07-2007, 08:17 PM

I think you must consider not only total weigt but center of gravity. Our K100 BMW is lighter than our VRod but the center of gravity on the VRod is so low it feels years lighter.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I know where there is a yamaha 750 for sale that rides real nice if you are anywhere near oklahoma and would be interested

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Is this a serious thread OR? I can see the honesty in asking about purchasing a HD, but then you mention the tatoos, like they are required for owning a HD. I don't mind helping you at all if you are seriously asking about getting a HD, but I really don't want to waste my time if this is some sort of smart ass thread.

For the record, I rode mine up to South Dakota for Sturgis on Friday, and back home basically one day later on Sunday. I saw every type of person there, as long with every type of bike. I even sold some old BMW parts I still have that went on my R1150GS to a guy in the campground.

If you reply, and are serious, I'd be more than happy to help you out.

Bill

cool_chick · 08-07-2007, 09:10 PM

I owned a 72 FLH (panhead) in a former life....

Engine is simple to work on...and quite the beaut to boot.....

Hugh R · 08-07-2007, 09:24 PM

On-Ramp, aren't you in Boston? I'd never ride a motorcycle in Boston, rode a bicycle there in college and ended up getting a racing handle bar jammed in my groin, went into the bag and came out just below the navel. I almost died. What Todd (Nostatic) said about medical insurance. Start off with a smaller bike first. BTW, I used to own a motorcycle or two, but won't ride on the freeways in Los Angeles.

HardDrive · 08-07-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh R

On-Ramp, aren't you in Boston? I'd never ride a motorcycle in Boston, rode a bicycle there in college and ended up getting a racing handle bar jammed in my groin, went into the bag and came out just below the navel. I almost died. What Todd (Nostatic) said about medical insurance. Start off with a smaller bike first. BTW, I used to own a motorcycle or two, but won't ride on the freeways in Los Angeles.

I am a road bicycling lover, but I stopped riding for a year when I was in Boston. It was ****** suicide. The roads are horrible, and people drive like maniacs. I can't imagine driving a motorcycle in Boston proper.