OK so I've read a million of the "Model X or Model Y?" threads and now I'm posting my own.

I've been riding for about 7 years, most of which was spent on a Yamaha FZ6 (quarter-faired sport tourer). I also had a H-D Nightster, but I only owned it for about two months before I traded it in. I hated that it had so little lean angle, especially on the right where the exhaust touched down early and often. Dragging hard parts scares me and after a couple of near-misses caused by it I decided to move on. Now I've had a Hayabusa for a couple of months. It's a good bike, but the riding position is a little uncomfortable and I'd just plain rather have a Harley!


My objective is to get a bike that I can keep forever. I don't like playing musical vehicles. My wants are as follows:

• As stated, longevity/little "upgrade-itis"
• Reasonable cornering clearance and no hard parts touching down first. Pegs/boards touching is OK if it's not super early like on some of the Softails.
• Comfort is important, but I don't want an Electra Glide/mega bagger. I am going to test ride the Street Glide and I don't like the looks of the Road King.
• As an addendum to the previous, solo all-season comfort. I ride all year round in any weather except snow, and I'm doing about 12k per year, mostly highway but some city and bumper-to-bumper (DC area traffic is notoriously awful). My wife has a car (mandatory with kids!) but I don't use it unless snow is on the ground. I don't take passengers.
• I don't want a Sportster.
• I prefer mid controls but I might make an exception for the perfect bike.
• I don't want to modify my bike so I want it to meet my wants stock!

The models that appeal to me on paper/visually, in no particular order, are:

1. Street Glide
2. Softail Slim
3. Super Glide
4. Street/Fat Bob

This week I am going to have the opportunity to test ride all except the Fat Bob (and maybe the Street Bob, but we'll see).

What do you think I'll like best?

 

Breakout maybe

 

I think the Breakout is meh. It's too expensive for what it is, it's too raked out for my taste, and, most importantly IMO, has the least cornering clearance of any H-D at 23.4* - beating out the SuperLow. Admittedly the Slim is only a bit better at 24 and 24.9 but I'm even hesitant about that.

 

"Reasonable cornering clearance and no hard parts touching down first" The slim should not be one of your options.

 

Fair enough: thanks. I guess that puts it down to the Glides and the Bobs!

 

The best handling Dyna is the the Street Bob. A little more fork and rear shock travel. It will corner at an impressive angle without scraping.

The 14's with the high output 103 will hang with the VTX1800's.

Priced just a little over the XL1200C's.

But, have you considered test riding a Vrod. Do it before you decide.

 

I'll look at it, but I wasn't into the V-Rod that much because of the weird engine. It doesn't have the signature sound and it requires valve adjustments which I can't do myself, unlike the Twin Cam.

 

You might want to look at a V-Rod

 

Hmmm...first of all, a Hareley is NOT a sport bike. Never was meant to have the lean angle of those bikes. But if you know how to ride it there aren't many things it won't do...

Look at the streetglide. Your gonna drag boards and exhaust of that's the way you ride, or you can adjust your riding habits and still get great handling out of the SG or a Fatboy or a Heritage. But if lean angle is your thing, ride a v-rod and see what you think...if nice ride and great handling after learning to ride it like what it is, a touring/cruiser and not a "throw it over and stand on it" sports bike, what ever you feel most comfortable on is the one to go with.

 

[[ My objective is to get a bike that I can keep forever. ]]

They don't last forever, although I kept my FXRS-sp (Low Rider Sport) for 18 years.

Sooner or later, you're going to see another one you want.

And BAS will set in! (bike acquisition syndrome)