Good Options For Me?
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Good Options For Me?
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
Last edited by Colt1911; Apr 21, 2015 at 10:04 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 682
Likes: 197
From: Raleigh, NC
Nope.
Everyone on this forum has a preference, and they are all irrelevant to your situation.
Go to the dealer, and test ride a few bikes. Once you've got a few miles under your belt, you'll have a better idea of which bike is right for you.
Until then, ignore us.
GM
Everyone on this forum has a preference, and they are all irrelevant to your situation.
Go to the dealer, and test ride a few bikes. Once you've got a few miles under your belt, you'll have a better idea of which bike is right for you.
Until then, ignore us.
GM
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
Nope.
Everyone on this forum has a preference, and they are all irrelevant to your situation.
Go to the dealer, and test ride a few bikes. Once you've got a few miles under your belt, you'll have a better idea of which bike is right for you.
Until then, ignore us.
GM
Everyone on this forum has a preference, and they are all irrelevant to your situation.
Go to the dealer, and test ride a few bikes. Once you've got a few miles under your belt, you'll have a better idea of which bike is right for you.
Until then, ignore us.
GM
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 675
Likes: 17
From: Broken Bow, Oklahoma
I would say a lot start with one bike and end up gravitating to another. I started on a Fat Boy Lo and am now on a Street Glide. But I do travel cross country and two up most of the time.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
Get to know the used Harley market and find a good deal on a mostly stock Dyna.
If you want more bike after riding the Dyna for a while, there are Softails and Touring bikes. If you want less bike, there are Sportsters.
If you want more bike after riding the Dyna for a while, there are Softails and Touring bikes. If you want less bike, there are Sportsters.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
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?
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
Your question has best been answered by "go test ride different bikes". Do you want us to ride it for you after you buy it as well? Not trying to be an *** but no better answer can be given. You obviously have an endorsement (I hope) so go to a dealership and explain to them your situation.
Now I hope the next time we hear from you I hope it is telling us about the Harley you just bought and how stoked you are!!!!
Now I hope the next time we hear from you I hope it is telling us about the Harley you just bought and how stoked you are!!!!
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
Colt, in your list of "normal" riding, number one is day rides only. Have you asked yourself why? Maybe from the experience of riding humped over on a sport bike all day effected your list.
Many years ago I found that Harleys sang a call for the open road. You may find that with low revving comfort comes a desire to see the next state. How about a circle tour of Lake Superior? The Blue Ridge Parkway? The Natchez Trace? I know back roads to all of these from Ohio.
At the bottom of your list is "do it all cruiser" Test ride a Road King and check how fast you can strip it down. The RK is the do it all H-D.
No, I don't own one, but then, I have more than one bike.
Many years ago I found that Harleys sang a call for the open road. You may find that with low revving comfort comes a desire to see the next state. How about a circle tour of Lake Superior? The Blue Ridge Parkway? The Natchez Trace? I know back roads to all of these from Ohio.
At the bottom of your list is "do it all cruiser" Test ride a Road King and check how fast you can strip it down. The RK is the do it all H-D.
No, I don't own one, but then, I have more than one bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 210
From: Montana
test ride
Harley Davidson has test rides all the time and it helps! But you are going to want one of each anyway so just get your check book out and get er done! Lol now you have a even bigger problem what color do I get! lol Have fun with picking your bike.I have had the right one 4 times in 4 years and now I think I got it right! 2015 CVO Street Glide fits the bill best for me!