Hi. I'm new to the board. Have read a little bit here and figured I'd pop a question asked probably more than once!

After 4 years of riding metrics, I'm wanting to jump into the Harley world. I"ve done a bunch of research and test rides and have it narrowed down to what I want that is within my budget. A street bob or a low rider.

So here it is. I've got two bikes within reach.

A 2005 Low Rider. Tutone paint. Fuel injected. Loaded (Saddle bags, sissy bar, chrome, etc.) And a 2007 Street Bob (pewter denim) with sissy bar and aftermarket seat.

I'm torn a bit between the two. I love the street bob's simplicity and lack of polishing/waxing requirements, yet still love the look of a fine chromed up and polished bike. I guess for me it comes down to reliability. I don't have a ton of knowledge regarding mechanical reliability of harleys, so I'll ask you guys.

I feel comfortable on both, but which one can I rely on mechanically for a good few years down the road? (both bikes have 10k miles).

What would you choose?

Thanks!!

 

The 07 has the better cam setup. Less prone to fail, much less maintenance. Elsewise, about the same. I'd go 07 myself.

 

I'd go with the Bob . Simply because of the 96" motor . It has the hydraulic cam tensioners vs. the spring tensioners . Plus the six speed .

 

If you want reliability stick with Honda;you'll have to work on a Harley;but once you get one;there's no way you would ride anything else.

 

+1 on the 07 cam setup and reliability. Street Bob is the way to go IMO.

 

Good to have you 'aboard'. You might want to spend a few days/weeks reading the posts here to get a better feel for what you really like.

 

'07, besides what's already been said, it has the new frame with wider back wheel/tire and the 49mm mid glide front end versus the 39mm narrow glide of the '05. If you want chrome you can always add it to the Street Bob.

 

street bob!
not that a motorcycle is big or anything but the denim paint is one less thing i have to wash and wax.

 

Before choosing a bike rent a Dyna for a trip.You might not like Harleys...
I'm not kidding and i got no intension of being offensive but if you were riding Jap bikes you might find out that Harleys do not have the best suspensions, brakes or even stability...Imo you have to put some dollars on them to be able to make long comfortable rides.
But what seems to be bad for some are great for others!
My Jap riding friends can't stand my dyna's vibrations at iddle speed...I love it! They can't stand going 60 mph...i had enough of 200 mph so now 60 feels pretty nice!!
Just be sure first!

 

I would go with new. With the bike industry hurting, incredible deals can be had on motos. There is not a big enough difference to persuade me to used. New metric cruisers are $5k off in SW Fl and HD can be had with discounts. Several months ago I was debating on a 08 StreetBob for $10,650 with 800 miles and forward controls and 2 up seat. Bought a new 09 SuperGlide Custom with 2 tone and security for just a tiny tad more. If the 05 is in the $5K range and the 07 in the $7k range and both are perfect, that would peak my interest.