55 year old and buying a Harley. Need advice!!
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Moving to Austin
Hello friends,
I became fully disabled after a bad accident (not motorcycle) and just settled a small lawsuit. I live in NY but moving to Austin TX in 3 weeks. I have had 4 Harleys in my life. 883, Wideglide, Softtail Deluxe, StreetGlide. I have not ridden in 10 years.
My question is which model would be better suited for me because as I got older and recovered from my accident, I have have lost some strength but plan on getting back into the gym and working out everyday.
I was at Cowboy Harley In Austin and I saw the streetglide with new 107 engine. I never liked going fast but always wanted to get to 60 miles an hour as quickly as possible as i like torque. The dealer said I may be better of with a softail deluxe with the 110 engine as it is lighter than street glide and will give me all the torque I need. I always dug listening to music on the streetglide as i am a pro musician, and never liked the idea of wearing ear buds as I like to hear what is going on around me.
So question is whether I could handle the extra 150 lbs of street glide. I also am a bit confused as to which is a better engine. The new M8 or 110.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Be safe people!!
I want to add that Austin has great areas to ride to and I am going to hook up with local hog chapter. Something tells me the streetglide is the way to go yet the lighter bike with 110 engine would be a kick in the tail. My last bike had the 88 CC engine with a stage 2 upgrade. I never did like the torque so I can only imagine how much more enjoyable the M8 or 110 engine would be.
I forgot to mention that my DR said I was too old to ride a heavy Harley which I think is not the case. I only weigh 150 lbs so maybe the dealer was right about getting the softail deluxe. Lower to ground and easier to handle. I am 5'9" if that mean anything.
Thanks again.
I became fully disabled after a bad accident (not motorcycle) and just settled a small lawsuit. I live in NY but moving to Austin TX in 3 weeks. I have had 4 Harleys in my life. 883, Wideglide, Softtail Deluxe, StreetGlide. I have not ridden in 10 years.
My question is which model would be better suited for me because as I got older and recovered from my accident, I have have lost some strength but plan on getting back into the gym and working out everyday.
I was at Cowboy Harley In Austin and I saw the streetglide with new 107 engine. I never liked going fast but always wanted to get to 60 miles an hour as quickly as possible as i like torque. The dealer said I may be better of with a softail deluxe with the 110 engine as it is lighter than street glide and will give me all the torque I need. I always dug listening to music on the streetglide as i am a pro musician, and never liked the idea of wearing ear buds as I like to hear what is going on around me.
So question is whether I could handle the extra 150 lbs of street glide. I also am a bit confused as to which is a better engine. The new M8 or 110.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Be safe people!!
I want to add that Austin has great areas to ride to and I am going to hook up with local hog chapter. Something tells me the streetglide is the way to go yet the lighter bike with 110 engine would be a kick in the tail. My last bike had the 88 CC engine with a stage 2 upgrade. I never did like the torque so I can only imagine how much more enjoyable the M8 or 110 engine would be.
I forgot to mention that my DR said I was too old to ride a heavy Harley which I think is not the case. I only weigh 150 lbs so maybe the dealer was right about getting the softail deluxe. Lower to ground and easier to handle. I am 5'9" if that mean anything.
Thanks again.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; May 16, 2017 at 03:03 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
What did you hurt? After crushing my spine and hip(I'm 150lbs too) my 600lb dyna is kinda too heavy. Your Dr may be right.
Also it's a rule at harley you have to be at least 65 to ride a bagger... Hahaha just kidding.
Also it's a rule at harley you have to be at least 65 to ride a bagger... Hahaha just kidding.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1,412
From: Northern NJ
I have looked for side by side comparisons of the 107 and 110, and have not found them. The M8 is smoother, quieter, cooler and delivers power more consistently through the range, for example, some reviewers have said "power just rolls on where you are, you don't even need to downshift to pass."
I have read that the M8s are smoother, but that is comparing them to '16 and older touring bikes (which were not counter balanced). I don't really know if an M8 is smoother than, for example, the 110B in a Fatboy S.
I have read that the M8s are smoother, but that is comparing them to '16 and older touring bikes (which were not counter balanced). I don't really know if an M8 is smoother than, for example, the 110B in a Fatboy S.
Last edited by hairymoth; May 16, 2017 at 03:54 PM.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Moving to Austin
I may just have to throw a windshield on softail and use an ear bud when I want music. Do a stage 2 to the 110 engine and I am off to the races. Not sure which pipes to use. I always wanted a Thunderheader but had vance and hines on my last two bikes. Not sure if I should throw Screaming Eagle slip ons or change the entire pipe. Any thoughts would be welcomed.
Thanks for the advice.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 8
From: Somerset, England
I'm 53 and have just converted to the Harley dark side after getting back in the saddle about 6 years ago.
I have a few mobility problem and am also about 5ft 9 inches and weigh 150+ pounds.
I went for the Softail Deluxe with the 103 HO engine with a stage one kit.
I am loving every minute on it and find it quite manageable considering it is heavier than my last bike.
On my other bikes I had to use a 'kliktronic' device (basically a device that changes gear using buttons on the handlebars. Amazingly I don't have to use this device on the new harley as I can change gears without it. I did have the floorboards taken off and forward pegs installed with a different seat.
Finding it very comfortable
I have a few mobility problem and am also about 5ft 9 inches and weigh 150+ pounds.
I went for the Softail Deluxe with the 103 HO engine with a stage one kit.
I am loving every minute on it and find it quite manageable considering it is heavier than my last bike.
On my other bikes I had to use a 'kliktronic' device (basically a device that changes gear using buttons on the handlebars. Amazingly I don't have to use this device on the new harley as I can change gears without it. I did have the floorboards taken off and forward pegs installed with a different seat.
Finding it very comfortable
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Moving to Austin
I'm 53 and have just converted to the Harley dark side after getting back in the saddle about 6 years ago.
I have a few mobility problem and am also about 5ft 9 inches and weigh 150+ pounds.
I went for the Softail Deluxe with the 103 HO engine with a stage one kit.
I am loving every minute on it and find it quite manageable considering it is heavier than my last bike.
On my other bikes I had to use a 'kliktronic' device (basically a device that changes gear using buttons on the handlebars. Amazingly I don't have to use this device on the new harley as I can change gears without it. I did have the floorboards taken off and forward pegs installed with a different seat.
Finding it very comfortable
I have a few mobility problem and am also about 5ft 9 inches and weigh 150+ pounds.
I went for the Softail Deluxe with the 103 HO engine with a stage one kit.
I am loving every minute on it and find it quite manageable considering it is heavier than my last bike.
On my other bikes I had to use a 'kliktronic' device (basically a device that changes gear using buttons on the handlebars. Amazingly I don't have to use this device on the new harley as I can change gears without it. I did have the floorboards taken off and forward pegs installed with a different seat.
Finding it very comfortable
Thanks for chiming in.
Be safe brother man
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 8
From: Somerset, England
Floorboards
Did you remove the floorboards because they were scraping the ground? I know that is an issue for some people but I am not an aggressive rider so not too worried about that. I see you do not have a windshield on your bike. You must wear a full helmut I am guessing. In Austin, I do not think they have helmut laws because I saw many bikers riding without one. To be frank, I wore a $10 plastic helmut in NY which was only to not be stopped by cops. Would have done nothing in accident. . I know I am an idiot, but I will probably ride without a helmut so a windshield and glasses is all I will need.
Thanks for chiming in.
Be safe brother man
Thanks for chiming in.
Be safe brother man
The windshield was taken off as I prefer the look without it. However I do use it for longer runs.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,722
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From: Georgia
You have experience on all models, and know how you feel better than anyone. You are the only person that can answer this question well. 150 lbs is a big difference if you are bench pressing the bike, but if you're riding it correctly, the tires do the majority of the work. All you have to do is stand it up off the kickstand. You don't even have to test ride to figure out how comfortable you are doing that.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 679
From: San Francisco
Funk I have owned a 110 on my Slim S and now my M8 StreetGlide. If you look at dyno numbers they are very close. From my experience my stg1 slim S with a basani 2-1 exhaust, arlen ness stg2 intake a a tune from FuelMoto via powervision is faster than my stock M8 SG. Keep in mind the SG is heavier and is stock.
Not sure how you are physically but the Slim S is lighter and is easier to toss around.
Not sure how you are physically but the Slim S is lighter and is easier to toss around.
