Friendly Opinions needed
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 2
From: DUNDALK,MARYLAND
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
I have the dyna lowrider and you can beat the 96" engine. But they are fun in the city and more work on road. The softtail are nice on the open road. They have more weight that is great at hi speeds.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
What ever you do, check out 2-4 year old, low mileage bikes that are in pristine condition. There are alot of them out there and their prices are more than reasonable now that most dealers are selling at MSRP.
Check out ebay just to get an idea what's selling for what. Buy the model that you think of the most. Personally I prefer softails over Dynas but if a Dyna lights your fire, that's the way to go. Not the way that someone else recommends.
Check out ebay just to get an idea what's selling for what. Buy the model that you think of the most. Personally I prefer softails over Dynas but if a Dyna lights your fire, that's the way to go. Not the way that someone else recommends.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 269
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From:
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
Lotta good advice here. As you can see, the answer is..it depends. You want comfort on long trips, go for a bike with a wider front tire. Want to strip off the bags for bar hopping, go softail with removable bags, etc. Softails like the Deluxe have a wide tire and are almost as heavy as a Road King, but the Deluxe carries the weight real low so it's a very easy bike to maneuver. So is the Heritage Softail. If you buy2-3 years old (will have to based on your price range), you can prob find a bike that's already been fitted with bags, sissy bar, aftermarket seats.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
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From:
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
My biased opinion is the Wide Glide. Love mine and never regretted the decision. Rides great. Looks great. The only thing is that it seems to be fewer options available for new parts. Not enough to make me wish I didn't get it but enough that it has annoyed me from time to time.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 300
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From:
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
Thanks for all replys folks... I suspect that this horse has been beaten numberous times already, but I'm trying to get a fresh prospective on a good used touring bike or something that isn't going to beat me to death.
I knew the windsheild made a difference, but didn't really think about a fairing making that much of a difference.
I am wanting to buy used 2-3 yr old model with low mileage... I know some are pretty sweet... however I can't help but to motice a lot of 06 models for sale... It makes me wonder if they are lemons.
I knew the windsheild made a difference, but didn't really think about a fairing making that much of a difference.
I am wanting to buy used 2-3 yr old model with low mileage... I know some are pretty sweet... however I can't help but to motice a lot of 06 models for sale... It makes me wonder if they are lemons.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
Here's a suggestion that no one has touched on, at least in this thread on the subject, Depending on where you are, you can either ride anything you are interested at a dealer open house/demo ride which is admitedly a short time, or better yet, find a dealer with daily rentals and take one out for the day, it's about $135.00/day here in the NY/NJ area, not too bad for a 6-7 hr. rental when you can ride your butt off and get a good feel for what kind of bike you want.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
You may also check to see if some dealers still have some '06's left, at a deep discount!
I know Destination in Tacoma, WA had some Heritage's a few months ago when I was looking at them.
I know Destination in Tacoma, WA had some Heritage's a few months ago when I was looking at them.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 300
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From:
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
ORIGINAL: DGlide04
Here's a suggestion that no one has touched on, at least in this thread on the subject, Depending on where you are, you can either ride anything you are interested at a dealer open house/demo ride which is admitedly a short time, or better yet, find a dealer with daily rentals and take one out for the day, it's about $135.00/day here in the NY/NJ area, not too bad for a 6-7 hr. rental when you can ride your butt off and get a good feel for what kind of bike you want.
Here's a suggestion that no one has touched on, at least in this thread on the subject, Depending on where you are, you can either ride anything you are interested at a dealer open house/demo ride which is admitedly a short time, or better yet, find a dealer with daily rentals and take one out for the day, it's about $135.00/day here in the NY/NJ area, not too bad for a 6-7 hr. rental when you can ride your butt off and get a good feel for what kind of bike you want.
Thanx
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
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From:
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
Howdy,
As I was looking at the replies that you got, I was just about to say something when I saw that someone else already beat me to it. I usually try to tell people, Try Before You Buy. If a person has a question about what bike would best suit them, asking questions is a great way to learn. Ultimately, it is your money that you will be using to buy the bike with so I would find a dealer or two that have what you want and rent them for whatever time they will allow you to do so. Renting a bike and riding it for awhile is definitely cheaper than buying the bike and finding out later that you really don't like it after all. I would definitely want to ride a bike first that costs as much as our Harleys do. Hope this helps.
p.s. don't worry about beating a dead horse, as large as this forum is, it is pretty hard to ask a question that hasn't been asked several times before. Good luck
As I was looking at the replies that you got, I was just about to say something when I saw that someone else already beat me to it. I usually try to tell people, Try Before You Buy. If a person has a question about what bike would best suit them, asking questions is a great way to learn. Ultimately, it is your money that you will be using to buy the bike with so I would find a dealer or two that have what you want and rent them for whatever time they will allow you to do so. Renting a bike and riding it for awhile is definitely cheaper than buying the bike and finding out later that you really don't like it after all. I would definitely want to ride a bike first that costs as much as our Harleys do. Hope this helps.
p.s. don't worry about beating a dead horse, as large as this forum is, it is pretty hard to ask a question that hasn't been asked several times before. Good luck
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 300
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From:
RE: Friendly Opinions needed
I agree Springer, the problem is that the Closest HD is 45 miles from me one way...
I have been leaning towards the Dyna Wide Glide for the simple reason that is sits good, but on the other hand I am wanting something that is comfortable in the long haul, something that me and a passanger can travel for a couple days and be able to enjoy the scenery rather than focusing on our sore butts or at the end of the day feel like we've been put thru the ringer, like my sporty does with me.
However I have to consider finances as well. I suppose I could buy a dresser, but I already have a new Dodge PU that I'm paying for and I hate to have 2 major payments along with the house note and a couple CCards.
I realize thatbuying a new bike doesn't do much for trying to pay off current debts, but an extra $100 a month on a bike notewon't matter much to me... However I do need to sell the sporty in the process.
In a perfect world, I would have a nice E-Glide for cuising and have a chopper for local bar to bar running... I love choppers
I figure if I can afford a good used bike if I found what I want with the mods already made.
I have been leaning towards the Dyna Wide Glide for the simple reason that is sits good, but on the other hand I am wanting something that is comfortable in the long haul, something that me and a passanger can travel for a couple days and be able to enjoy the scenery rather than focusing on our sore butts or at the end of the day feel like we've been put thru the ringer, like my sporty does with me.
However I have to consider finances as well. I suppose I could buy a dresser, but I already have a new Dodge PU that I'm paying for and I hate to have 2 major payments along with the house note and a couple CCards.
I realize thatbuying a new bike doesn't do much for trying to pay off current debts, but an extra $100 a month on a bike notewon't matter much to me... However I do need to sell the sporty in the process.
In a perfect world, I would have a nice E-Glide for cuising and have a chopper for local bar to bar running... I love choppers
I figure if I can afford a good used bike if I found what I want with the mods already made.