I'd love to try it sometime. I'm glad you think you know what my job is like though.

 

Well, it seems you already know about everyone else's...

 

Just a note to say thanks for all the great comments and advice. Got a pretty thick skin, so even the trailer comments were good for a chuckle. For what it's worth, the only reason I mentioned a trailer is because I have heard some bikes/models are simply more comfortable for a long ride lasting a couple days, or more, than others. Thanks, again.

 

fellas please.... you're gonna scare the new guy away...

he didn't say that all people that work full time can't do it, he said 'some'. obviously, some can. then there's some that don't want to and choose to trailer somewhere, 'just because'. everyone has their own needs, wants, desires, and makes their own choices. for them, it's the right choice. for others, maybe not so much.

from the sound of it, it doesn't sound like you're gonna need a full on tourer, so go to the dealer and check out the fit of all the bikes. including tourers. just because you have one doesn't mean you have to ride 1000 mile days. pick the one that speaks to you. you will know which one it is. (after you get some experience under your belt)

 

The typical buying chain goes something like this.

Sportster > Dyna or Softail > Touring bike

 

The great thing about HD is many dealerships have rental bikes. You really should ride several before plunking down your hard earned money. Also, there are many, many used bikes on the market and as many of us who bought new know all too well the resale market is in the buyer's favor. Take your time.

 

Wife and I have 3 HDs. 17 Limited,12 Heritage and an 09 TriGlide. I enjoy riding all of them. Between the Limited and the Heritage Ive got to say the Heritage is much more easy to manuever around and I feel more connected to it. I attribute that to the feeling of sitting in it rather than on it and the less weight. Anyway....I have and wouldnt hesitate to take it anywhere that I would the other two. I added the fork fangs to it and it provides just as much reduction in turbulence as the batwing on the Limited and TriGlide. Two up on the Heritage sure not as compfy as the others Ill say. Just my opinion.

 

To me, your question is either "which Harley to get" or "which bike to get"? I am on my second HD after 8 years ('09 RK and '17RK). When I decided to re-enter riding ten years ago, my wife pointed out one thing. She said start with a low cost bike. If you wind up not liking motorcycles, you did not invest too much. If it kills you (literally), you will not hurt the family estate. I bought a metric soft tail (V-Star 1100 for $6500). After riding it for two years and 13,000 miles, I up grade to the Road King.

For me, all soft tails, including HDs, were too low to the ground (long legs). The touring frame was perfect BUT it was a lot more bike (heavy) and I had to learn a few things all over again.

If you are starting out, the Heritage is great but it still is a large financial investment and if you are still learning to love bikes, there are cheaper ways to test the waters. A good used Metric bike will cost less and give you the feel of a "real" bike, until you are ready for the jump up to the touring bikes. Most/all 1000cc or larger bikes from any brand will take you on all day/multiple day rides. Jump up to the big dogs only when you are ready.

 

So I got back on a bike 2 years ago after a prolonged layoff. I first had a heritage and really loved that bike however, I found myself wanting to take longer cruises. I know you can take a heritage cross country but at my age, I wanted better suspension plus I wanted hard bags that locked. Yup....I could have done the upgrades but once I took the 17 road king out, it was an easy call to make the trade. That's just my experience. My thoughts, test ride LOTS and pick a bike you know will fit your needs further down the road. Good luck!

 

Yeah they sure do. And, it's standard on the Heritage now.