Getting Ready To Buy
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Chicago, Ill.
Getting Ready To Buy
Last time I had a bike was a Honda SL-350 back in the 70's. I'll soon be done paying for my daughters college and now comes my turn -a Harley.
I'm 6', 235 lbs and 'Da wife' is about 160 pounds and tall. Although I really like the 1200C, I think we're a little oversized for it, so I'd like to go with the Dyna's.
Most of my cruising will be around town, short day trips up to Wisconsin, things like that. Decent roads. Just cruising, nothing extreme. Probably about half the time, Da wife will be with me. The Low Rider would be the bike of choice (I like lots of chrome and slim lines), but would the shocks have enough travel with the two of us on it. I think the mid-mounted controls would be OK, it comes with highway pegs to stretch out. The next choice would be the Wide Glide, but that's another grand or so.
I'd appreciate any opinions out there.
I'm 6', 235 lbs and 'Da wife' is about 160 pounds and tall. Although I really like the 1200C, I think we're a little oversized for it, so I'd like to go with the Dyna's.
Most of my cruising will be around town, short day trips up to Wisconsin, things like that. Decent roads. Just cruising, nothing extreme. Probably about half the time, Da wife will be with me. The Low Rider would be the bike of choice (I like lots of chrome and slim lines), but would the shocks have enough travel with the two of us on it. I think the mid-mounted controls would be OK, it comes with highway pegs to stretch out. The next choice would be the Wide Glide, but that's another grand or so.
I'd appreciate any opinions out there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,679
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From:
RE: Getting Ready To Buy
Welcome!!! I think if you got a Sporty and did much riding with your wife on the bike you might be disappointed. I would recommend a Dyna or Softail (Deuce, Night Train, etc.) and be sure to let the passenger have as much input as possible (it makes your rides much more comfortable... trust me...)
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,529
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From:
RE: Getting Ready To Buy
Have the Dyna Super Glide here, and very happy with it. Not quite as tall as you, but I find it very comfy. Only change I'll be making over the winter is to pull back the handle bars just a touch. By the way, NW Burbs of Chicago here. See ya up at the Broken Oar!
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,226
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From: The dream that woke you up in tears.
RE: Getting Ready To Buy
Personally, when I started shopping I wanted to get what felt best....whatever that was.....I just knew I did not want a geezer-glide.
I looked at everything Harley had to offer in the non-touring range and settled on the Dyna LowRider. For me it embodied everything I had ever loved about bikes and Harley in general......classic looks, low and stretched out and tons of factory chrome [of course I added tons more]..... I wound up with a new black and silver 03.
I don't think Harley makes an ugly bike...and everybody has different opinion but I have been riding for 33 years and simply love the way the Dynas hug the road and the way they handle both in stop and go, on a long haul or particularly in the twisties. FXDL, FXDWG, FXST..........I am just simply a Dyna fan.
I bought the Gold Key package from my dealer which added a windsheild, leather bags, different grips.....and maybe a few other goodies I can't recall right now. I also had the SE stage I kit, Vance&Hines staggered BigShots, SE plugs and SE wires added before she even left the floor. These mods alone turned an already hot 1450 bike into a real screamer......simply put, this bike is very very fast now.
Most of my riding is two-up as the wife loves riding as much as I do. We take long trips...........as much as 400 plus miles a day at times and have over 17,000 miles on our Dyna right now........the final addition of a taller sissy bar, wider backrest and luggage rack along with a sundowner seat for our rear ends [all HD] and we have ended up with a bike that is just about perfect [for us anyhow].
I agree with the above statement....Dyna series or the softtail in the form of Deuce, Night Train or Standard..............
Good luck!!!
BTW.........I am 6'1" and weigh 200.............the wife is 5'10" and weighs about 130.........the LowRider handles us just fine.............
I looked at everything Harley had to offer in the non-touring range and settled on the Dyna LowRider. For me it embodied everything I had ever loved about bikes and Harley in general......classic looks, low and stretched out and tons of factory chrome [of course I added tons more]..... I wound up with a new black and silver 03.
I don't think Harley makes an ugly bike...and everybody has different opinion but I have been riding for 33 years and simply love the way the Dynas hug the road and the way they handle both in stop and go, on a long haul or particularly in the twisties. FXDL, FXDWG, FXST..........I am just simply a Dyna fan.
I bought the Gold Key package from my dealer which added a windsheild, leather bags, different grips.....and maybe a few other goodies I can't recall right now. I also had the SE stage I kit, Vance&Hines staggered BigShots, SE plugs and SE wires added before she even left the floor. These mods alone turned an already hot 1450 bike into a real screamer......simply put, this bike is very very fast now.
Most of my riding is two-up as the wife loves riding as much as I do. We take long trips...........as much as 400 plus miles a day at times and have over 17,000 miles on our Dyna right now........the final addition of a taller sissy bar, wider backrest and luggage rack along with a sundowner seat for our rear ends [all HD] and we have ended up with a bike that is just about perfect [for us anyhow].
I agree with the above statement....Dyna series or the softtail in the form of Deuce, Night Train or Standard..............
Good luck!!!
BTW.........I am 6'1" and weigh 200.............the wife is 5'10" and weighs about 130.........the LowRider handles us just fine.............
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
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From:
RE: Getting Ready To Buy
Howdy, welcome to the forum. I feel that choosing a new Harley is a personal thing. You have been given some good advice as to what to do. Try going to your local dealership and test driving a few. I think that it's always best to try before you buy. I'm 6' 240lbs and I feel very comfortable on my Springer but I just have a thing for Springers. Good luck
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Getting Ready To Buy
Hi, I am 5'10" 155lbs, I bought an '06 Dyna Wide Glide and I love it. My inseam is 36" and the bike fits me to a tee. I tried a soft tail and the other dynas, but none of them had the leg room that the Wide Glide offered. My wife weighs about 120 and this is the most comfortable bike we've ridden. The forward controls and the mini-apes is just the super-comfortable setup for me. I think you should go visit the dealer and sit on a bunch of bikes. See what fits you best. If you guys do a lot of long rides, make sure you've got some legroom.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 7
From: FL & SoCal
RE: Getting Ready To Buy
Hello Chicago Ski....
As previously mentioned here, all the HD bikes are awesome. It simply depends on what feels most comfortable to you and what you like the best. I tend to think you might fare off a little better with one of the Softail models. I'd recommend you check out the Heritage Softail touring bike. It's not a true touring bike and still has that Softail sporty and classic look to it. I think it costs a little more than a Dyna, but it might give you and your wife a little more room. Just my two cents and it might be worth just checking it out of anything. Good look in your decision.
As previously mentioned here, all the HD bikes are awesome. It simply depends on what feels most comfortable to you and what you like the best. I tend to think you might fare off a little better with one of the Softail models. I'd recommend you check out the Heritage Softail touring bike. It's not a true touring bike and still has that Softail sporty and classic look to it. I think it costs a little more than a Dyna, but it might give you and your wife a little more room. Just my two cents and it might be worth just checking it out of anything. Good look in your decision.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 567
Likes: 11
From: San Diego
RE: Getting Ready To Buy
Hi Chicago Ski, Welcome to the forum. I have an 03 low rider and simply just love the bike. I am 6' and 250, the wife is 5'8" and about 150. Going two up is not a problem. You can always get a stiffer aftermarket shock, I still have the stock shocks. You can't go flying over speed bumps on a low rider anyway. We have been thru the twisties on some poker runs and have not had any problems. The low rider is easy to handle and can handle more then I can push at it. I'm more into just cruising down the road enjoyng the sceneary. The extended forward controls are great. They are the best mod I've done so far. Good luck with your decision. You can't go wrong with any Harley!
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 102
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From:
RE: Getting Ready To Buy
Go with what fits you, but I think you will find being a taller man, kinda hurts you in the softtail model. i have long legs myself and found the softtail didnt fit me very well. Might feel better on you as i dont know how long your legs are. Take a digital camera and take a oicture of you setting on the bikes you are interested in and it will help you see what looks comfortable on you. I looked way too big for the safttail so i went with a dyna wide glide and I love it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Getting Ready To Buy
Im 6'2, 220lbs. I ride a DYNA Superglide. I bought the Harley forward controls, and I have plenty of room! When I want to stretch my legs out farther, I simply rest my legs on the top of the pegs. Works great!
The rear shocks pre-load can always be turn up if necessary for additional weight being added....
Plan on getting a windscreen, some lower wind deflectors
, a backrest, and some saddlebags!
joe
The rear shocks pre-load can always be turn up if necessary for additional weight being added....
Plan on getting a windscreen, some lower wind deflectors
, a backrest, and some saddlebags!joe