Good Options For Me?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Hey everyone,
I'm new to the forums and am looking for some guidance on which Harley motorcycle would be a good option for my riding style. Is there one bike or line up that is the obvious choice here for me?
Background:
- 5'9"
- 175 lbs
- 30" inseam
- 33" sleeve length
- 15 years off road experience
- 3 years on road experience (coming from sport bikes)
- between 25-35 years old
I began my on road riding on sport bikes and enjoyed the acceleration rush that came along with inline 4 engines. Quickly, the acceleration rush wore off and I found myself cruising the straight back roads of Ohio at 4.5k RPM when the tach redlined at 16k RPM. I had no desire to weave in and out of traffic, pull wheelies, or drag my knee around corners...I never did. On longer rides, my back, knees, and wrists would begin to bother me. I realized that a cruiser style motorcycle is better suited for me.
Naturally, Harley Davidson is my number one choice when it comes to cruiser style motorcycles. They offer so many models that I'm not sure which is best suited for me. My normal rides consist of the following:
- day riding only
- primarily rural back roads (55 MPH average posted speed limit)
- avoid highways
- avoid city stop and go traffic
- mostly straight roads
- speed is not my concern, but don't want a slug of a bike either
- 90% solo riding
- longest anticipated day ride would be 300 miles round trip
- overall solid "do it all" cruiser
I would like something that is smooth while going down the road, not a pig when maneuvering at slow speeds, has smile inducing acceleration, and can provide all day comfort.
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts.
Ride safe,
Kevin
I'm new to the forums and am looking for some guidance on which Harley motorcycle would be a good option for my riding style. Is there one bike or line up that is the obvious choice here for me?
Background:
- 5'9"
- 175 lbs
- 30" inseam
- 33" sleeve length
- 15 years off road experience
- 3 years on road experience (coming from sport bikes)
- between 25-35 years old
I began my on road riding on sport bikes and enjoyed the acceleration rush that came along with inline 4 engines. Quickly, the acceleration rush wore off and I found myself cruising the straight back roads of Ohio at 4.5k RPM when the tach redlined at 16k RPM. I had no desire to weave in and out of traffic, pull wheelies, or drag my knee around corners...I never did. On longer rides, my back, knees, and wrists would begin to bother me. I realized that a cruiser style motorcycle is better suited for me.
Naturally, Harley Davidson is my number one choice when it comes to cruiser style motorcycles. They offer so many models that I'm not sure which is best suited for me. My normal rides consist of the following:
- day riding only
- primarily rural back roads (55 MPH average posted speed limit)
- avoid highways
- avoid city stop and go traffic
- mostly straight roads
- speed is not my concern, but don't want a slug of a bike either
- 90% solo riding
- longest anticipated day ride would be 300 miles round trip
- overall solid "do it all" cruiser
I would like something that is smooth while going down the road, not a pig when maneuvering at slow speeds, has smile inducing acceleration, and can provide all day comfort.
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts.
Ride safe,
Kevin
Test ride, test ride, test ride seems to be the answer. I will have to look into that.
Could someone that has rode the Sporters, Dynas, Softails, and touring models give a summary of the handling and ride quality?
Is it as simple as the Sportster is the harshest and the touring models are the smoothest...the Dynas and Softails are somewhere in between?
Could someone that has rode the Sporters, Dynas, Softails, and touring models give a summary of the handling and ride quality?
Is it as simple as the Sportster is the harshest and the touring models are the smoothest...the Dynas and Softails are somewhere in between?
Curious about something. Not everybody rides/handles a bike the same as the next person, so wanting to know how a certain bike feels to one person probably wouldn't be the same for you. I totally love my Springer but I know some that wouldn't ride one but it's comfy for me. Like I've told others, there's a bike out there for everybody, you just have to take the time to look and sit on as many bikes that you can and find that one bike that fits you the best because no 2 people are built exactly alike.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 53
From: Myrtle Beach,SC
We are about the same size and apparently do the same kind of riding. Although I mostly ride in town. No touring rides anymore. Maybe 200 miles RT on a good day.
I had an Ultra Classic = Barge, too big too heavy,, too much distracting tech, and not very maneuverable in parking lots when compared to Dynas and Sportster. This bike wants to be a Miata on the open road and gets there.
Also had a Heritage Softail both in the past year. This one was too hot with the 103. Basically a slug but extremely comfortable and much better handling as I sat lower in the bike. But I realized I still didn't need that much bike. My wife does NOT like to ride. So I am an exclusively one up rider.
Skipped the Dyna because I also decided I did not need a big Twin after riding a 1200 Sportster. The advantage to the Sportster is a bullet proof motor, Much cheaper accessories and maintenance, runs cool, fits in my garage easily . It feels like a Sporty bike. has great acceleration. Many here have toured on them after doing some suspension upgrades. I don't see me going back to a Big Twin ever.
It just fits me and my lifestyle better than any Harley.
Coming from Sport bikes you might want to go for a ride on a V Rod....
I had an Ultra Classic = Barge, too big too heavy,, too much distracting tech, and not very maneuverable in parking lots when compared to Dynas and Sportster. This bike wants to be a Miata on the open road and gets there.
Also had a Heritage Softail both in the past year. This one was too hot with the 103. Basically a slug but extremely comfortable and much better handling as I sat lower in the bike. But I realized I still didn't need that much bike. My wife does NOT like to ride. So I am an exclusively one up rider.
Skipped the Dyna because I also decided I did not need a big Twin after riding a 1200 Sportster. The advantage to the Sportster is a bullet proof motor, Much cheaper accessories and maintenance, runs cool, fits in my garage easily . It feels like a Sporty bike. has great acceleration. Many here have toured on them after doing some suspension upgrades. I don't see me going back to a Big Twin ever.
It just fits me and my lifestyle better than any Harley.
Coming from Sport bikes you might want to go for a ride on a V Rod....
Test ride, test ride, test ride seems to be the answer. I will have to look into that.
Could someone that has rode the Sporters, Dynas, Softails, and touring models give a summary of the handling and ride quality?
Is it as simple as the Sportster is the harshest and the touring models are the smoothest...the Dynas and Softails are somewhere in between?
Could someone that has rode the Sporters, Dynas, Softails, and touring models give a summary of the handling and ride quality?
Is it as simple as the Sportster is the harshest and the touring models are the smoothest...the Dynas and Softails are somewhere in between?
I rode a Sportster for 2 weeks and didn't like it. But, I recently rode the Softail Slim and the Dyna Low. I posted the reviews here: http://www.marriedwithmotorcycles.co...-slim-and-low/
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
Any Harley can fit those needs and you may find that your riding style and length of rides will change once you get on a bike that is more comfortable. I knew that I wanted basically what you want, but the capability to do easily do long road trips. I ended up with a RKC. It's the best of both worlds for me. It's great around town and on short rides, but handles the distance with comfort and style.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 5,149
From: Robbm sucks
I bought a Sportster 883, rode it a season then traded it for a Dyna Street Bob.
I personally found that the Dyna handles better and is more balanced. I like the gear ratio on the Dyna, and it has 6 as opposed to 5. I feel more comfortable on the Dyna all around, despite the extra 100 pounds.
Plus that 103 ci engine..
I personally found that the Dyna handles better and is more balanced. I like the gear ratio on the Dyna, and it has 6 as opposed to 5. I feel more comfortable on the Dyna all around, despite the extra 100 pounds.
Plus that 103 ci engine..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
I've never done it myself, but I have known some that have rented different bikes to see which one felt the best to them and if they decided to buy the bike, the rental feel was applied to the purchase price. At my dealer, they have also had demo bikes brought in and people could choose which one they wanted to test ride and at a certain time, all of them would take their bikes, with a factory rep to lead them and go on a short run around town and back to the dealership. some would take advantage of this and test ride as many bikes as they had time for. Maybe you should check with your local dealer to see what they offer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 67
From: Phoenix
Each dealer is independently operated, so yes, they're all different. Some don't allow test rides at all, some will let you think if you convince them you're serious about buying, and some won't let you leave until you've ridden half the showroom. Most dealers have rentals available, though it varies pretty widely which bikes they rent out. I've seen some only rent touring bikes, and plenty rent a good sample of all the families (Sportster, Dyna, Softail, Touring, V-rod). Harley also has demo days, where they'll send a team with a truck full of bikes to visit a dealer and let customers sign up to ride various bikes. That's a good way to get a quick sample of a wide variety of bikes.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 145
Likes: 7
From: Houston
H-D does Demo Days with a big truck that brings every model they have to different dealers. To check the schedule for one near you look at http://www.harley-davidson.com/conte...mo-events.html You can ride as many bikes as you have time for and hang out with a bunch of fellow riders for the day. it's a pretty good way to figure out what you want.
