Harley's....

[Dottore]

I've been riding bikes all of my life, but hung up my helmet a few years ago after taking a nasty spill on my Duc. Of course riding never really gets out of your system, and today a good friend of mine dragged me to the Harley dealer. This friend has a Harley himself and is very keen to have me get one so that he will have someone to ride with over the summer. We would be cruising in a very relaxed way, doing mainly day trips—but also occasional weekend trips.

Two bikes appealed to me particularly from purely an aesthetic standpoint and they are:





I'd be very interested to hear from Harley owners about the differences between these two—particularly the difference between the Sportsters "Evolution" engine and the twin cam engine of the "Street Bob".

I've been riding European bikes all of my life, and don't see myself as getting into the Harley crowd in a big way, but these two Harley's have huge curb appeal to me and I'm thinking they may just be conducive to a more relaxed style of riding.

At this point I'm leaning towards the Street Bob with a shorter set of handlebars, and a couple of bags on the back. But I'd love to have your comments.

[kaisen]

I just followed a Nightster (top pic) home about ten minutes ago. Looked like a very relaxed riding position. A very narrow bike by Harley standards too. Not my cup of tea, but not the fat hog you might think of other Harleys.

[m21sniper]

I love the top bike, really cool looking.

[Chocaholic]

I own a BMW K1200S (sport bike) and just a few weeks ago bought an 09 Super Glide Custom(very similar to the bike in your second pic). I can tell you, if you buy the Sporty...you'll be trading it in on the Glide within the year. With mid and forward pegs on the Glide it is significantly more comfortable and the twin cam 96 engine mated to their 6 speed gearbox is hard to beat for a slow cruiser. I also found the SGC stock buckhorn bars much more comfortable and attractive than those on the bob above. A matter of personal taste I guess. It's not a fast bike or particularly good handling...but that applies to all HD's (yes, including the V-rod). For the kind of riding you are considering, I'd recommend any of the dynas.

[Tobra]

+1 on this, if you get a Sportster, you will want to trade up in relatively short order, just what happened to my brother.

[pwd72s]

"we would be cruising in a very relaxed way". I think you answered your own question. Go for the comfort.

[jyl]

One of my friends did exactly the same. Stopped riding after yet another wreck on his Ducati (think it involved high speed, a winding mountain road, and a deer). After a few years, he decided to get back into riding, mellow-like, and bought a Harley. Less than a year later he part-traded the Harley for a kitchen remodel, and now rides a Ducati again. No deer yet.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by jyl

One of my friends did exactly the same. Stopped riding after yet another wreck on his Ducati (think it involved high speed, a winding mountain road, and a deer). After a few years, he decided to get back into riding, mellow-like, and bought a Harley. Less than a year later he part-traded the Harley for a kitchen remodel, and now rides a Ducati again. No deer yet.

Yes. I can see this happening to me. Ease back in with a Harley, and then next thing you know there's another Duc. in the garage.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I own a BMW K1200S (sport bike) and just a few weeks ago bought an 09 Super Glide Custom(very similar to the bike in your second pic). I can tell you, if you buy the Sporty...you'll be trading it in on the Glide within the year. With mid and forward pegs on the Glide it is significantly more comfortable and the twin cam 96 engine mated to their 6 speed gearbox is hard to beat for a slow cruiser. I also found the SGC stock buckhorn bars much more comfortable and attractive than those on the bob above. A matter of personal taste I guess. It's not a fast bike or particularly good handling...but that applies to all HD's (yes, including the V-rod). For the kind of riding you are considering, I'd recommend any of the dynas.

Thanks. That's what I was thinking, more or less. I liked the SGC you bought very much as well. I gather the bars just swap out. I really liked the black wire wheels on the Street Bob.

[nostatic]

If you get a GS, you have a comfy riding position as well as the ability to tour, do dirt, and keep up with Ducs in the twisties depending on your mood.

[Gogar]

Harley's What?

[varmint]

one is slow and heavy. the other is slow and heavy, and for girls.


you have options. even if you insist on an american twin. victory makes anvil tough bikes. and there are a lot of custom builders willing to deal right now.

[Mr_Wizard]

+1 on this, if you get a Sportster, you will want to trade up in relatively short order, just what happened to my brother.

Sorry, that's just not true. I am on my 3rd Sporty (99 1200 Custom) and would
not trade it for a bigger Harley. Was going to trade in my second for a Duce a few years back but after taking a test ride tossed the dealer back the key. Boring to all end. Plus I love the fact that I can eat just about every other Harley on the road (with a few exceptions SE 103's for example).

Oh yeah, Go Wings. Three to go!

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by Gogar

Harley's What?

Ah yes. The apostrophe.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Dottore

Ah yes. The apostrophe.

I approve of this message

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by nostatic

If you get a GS, you have a comfy riding position as well as the ability to tour, do dirt, and keep up with Ducs in the twisties depending on your mood.

I had a GS for 4 years. Put countless miles on it. Brilliant bike.

I guess I've been rationalizing a Harley purchase as somehow not getting back into "serious" riding, and that somehow appealed to me. Like the alcoholic who falls off the wagon for a few beers because they aren't "serious" drinks.

[nostatic]

I was in a similar situation, and at this point I find it a lot easier to rationalize the risk from a bike that has brilliant handling, ample power, ABS, etc.

[Jeff Higgins]

The only reason so many trade up so soon from a Sporty to a "real" Harley is the peer pressure within Harley circles. If you are not entering those circles, you will not feel that peer pressure. The Sporty, in today's Harley world are most certainly "girls"" or "beginners'" bikes. Real men ride Big Twins...

Bullshyte. Unless you are considering a full-on touring Harley, the Sporty is the best bike they make today, bar none. They are way more fun to ride than the lumbering big twins, and far closer to what you are used to riding (even if it has been awhile). No Harley is "fast" by Duc (or many other...) standards, but the Sporty comes the closest. It will out-run the heavier big twins in any test of performance.

I see Harleys in three distinct catagories - touring, Sportster, and bad ass wannabe. IMHO, they make the best touring motorcycle, in the purest sense of the word, available today (Road King, Electra Glide, and such). The Sportster is a damn good bike, if you pick the right one. All the rest are bar-hoppers for the poseur crowd, compromising a great deal in performance and comfort for "the look". The Dyna line falls squarely into this category.

[HardDrive]

why, Why, WHY must you people torture me this way?

My Monster is one week gone as of today (BEAUTIFUL summer day I might add....) and I am missing it. Big time.

.....I've always loved the look of a Dyna Low Rider....hmmmmmm.....

EDIT: LOL, well OK then, after reading Higgins comments, I just run along now....

[ramonesfreak]

youll do better with a Dyna. better suspension, stronger engine. i like the top bike but..your gonna be searching for another gear that aint there when your cruising on the highway, even at 60. tops out quick and suspension in the rear blows...