What led me to the superglide was the lighter weight (vs the softail) and the 29° rake. There are a lot of eexhaust systems available that are only loud when you want them to be.

 

Since I don't know you, your size, your financial situation or what you can handle bike wise, go to a dealership and test ride every bike you like, fit on and can afford. Then decide for yourself.

 

While not "nimble" My first thought was a heritage softail. Comfortable, stable and in my opinion, easier to handle than a sportster. Looks nice, will cruise all day. Lots of them out there used. If you're buying a twin-cam pre 07, do research regarding the cam chain tensioners and be sure they've been replaced if you're buying something from that era.

You could always go to the dealer and test ride some if you want to put up with the sales pressure to see what platform you'd like best even if you're not buying new.

Happy Motoring!

 

Harley (All of what follows is my opinion, Other may differ) has basically 5 families of bikes:

1. Sporster, small, light weight, smaller motor, rubber mounted motor, quick. not good for long trips or extended high speeds. rode one for year. 883 and 1200 cc's.

2. Dynas, smallest of the BIG bikes, relatively light weight, geared for around town riding. I rode one for years on long interstate trips and thought it was ok.

3. Softtails, has old rigid frame look, no visable shocks (they are under the frame), solid mounted motor.

4. Touring bikes, large, heavy, not as quick as smaller bikes, good for extended long trips at high speed. (Now that I have a road glide i can't believe I rode the super glide all over! LOL)

5. V_rod, Harleys version of a crotch rocket. FAST.

each family has several versions availble. big bikes start with basically same motor. But modifications available. 80, 88TC, 96, 103, 110 ci's.

Prices go up and you go down the above list.

Based upon original post I would guess dynas would be place to start. Test Ride is your friend!!!!!

Good luck

 

If you have a good inseam it will be fine for you. I am guessing here but I think you need around 31 inch inseam for the forwards to be comfy.
I'm 5'7" so the forwards with reach kit is a bit much for me. I get cramps but I am older.
Don't worry about exhaust yet, find the bike you like then find the exhaust you want.

 

I test rode a Wide Glide once. Thought it was really hard to handle. But I am used to mid controls. I think a Superglide would be a good bike.
Once you get comfortable 45 will feel slow.

 

I would suggest go to the dealer and spend some time sitting and looking at all of them. After u have narrowed it down to a few, then test ride, as many others have suggested.

 

Yeah I just picked 35-45mph out of my head. Basically I was just getting at that I'm not after speed or tight cornering now that I'm in my 40s. I just want something laid-back, easy, and "fun" to cruise back country roads. I remember riding a big heavy monster of a bike one time in the late 90s and it was not nimble at all. It just felt really heavy and vague when I rode it. I weighed 160 back then so that probably made it worse. I know I need to test-ride a few bikes for sure, I was just trying to learn what bikes to try and which models to completely avoid. Before I got my endorsements, I went into a Harley dealer to look around. The guy there said that at at 5'10" 200lbs, a low-rider was not the right bike for me and he tried to steer me into a touring bike with a huge windshield and batwing fairings. I really wanted something without all the wind deflection stuff.

 

Here is a great bike for you. I would buy it if I was single. Would be a great garage mate for my bike.

http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2...lide-114689974

If the tires are original, replace them.

 

Tell the salesman to go back to his little cubicle and let you pick whichever bike you want or you'll go somewhere else. Some places push the touring bikes because they are more expensive.