(Alert: Long post below)

Greetings, everyone!

I’m new to this forum and a just-hurdled-beginner-stage intermediate rider.

Anyhow, just wanted to confer with y’all on a passion we commonly share:

Motorcycles.

Preliminarily, and at the risk of violating forum etiquette, I currently ride a Ducati Monster (796) S2R. Not without its issues (there's almost always a part or process requiring servicing or repairs). But I love the riding experience! It affords (relatively) aggressive riding and handles really well (because of the weight).

Anyhow, I've been obsessing over Harleys lately. And I mean losing sleep over the mere thought of getting a Harley. And I intend to make my first purchase anytime within the last quarter of this year.

I love the look of the Softail Slim (especially the "S" variant), but lean angle is pathetic (with floor boards scraping all the time). Further, aggressive riders (e.g., Lemmy of Revzilla) claim that Softails aren't responsive to aggressive riding.

Which made me consider Dynas instead.

The Low Rider S appears to have the best reviews thus far, but, if I were to purchase my first-ever Harley anyway, I'd like to get something that evokes bare-knuckle aggression (the way the Fat Bob does).

All of which lead me to this (ultimate) query:

Considering the motorcycle I currently own (and, if it matters, the fact that I’m 6’0”), what Harley-Davidson bike would you recommend for me?

I’m very much aware that there’s no better way to answer this than by trying out a Harley myself. But, where I come from, test bike variants are limited. So, if I were to try out a Harley, and short of trying out all bikes, I feel it’d be great to limit the variants I might need to test-ride. Intuitively, I feel I’d be getting either a 2017 Softail Slim (again, likely the “S” variant) or 2017/2018 Fat Bob. The Sportster Forty-Eight also has an aggressive look and, presumably, also allows aggressive riding. But the tiny peanut tank is such a deal breaker, especially since I intend to (also) go on long trips on my bike.

(Parenthetically, I don't mind not getting any of the 2018 Softails, by the way. I'm no cruiser rider—yet—but the Motor Company seems to have watered down the raw-classic look on the new bikes—the look that drew me to Harleys in the first place.)

Sincerest apologies for the lengthy post.

I’d appreciate your constructive responses nonetheless!

All the best, ya’ll, and ride safe!

 

I kind of think what you want is a VROD. A Roadster would also be a good choice.

Your height, weight, inseam, overall build, etc comes into play.

You don't want to be an elephant trying to ride a mouse.

 

From the looks of your post I would suggest the new 2018 softail slim. The Dynas are fixing to become a thing of the past, Harley has quit making them, 2017 is the last year for the Dyna. Here is the 18 slim I would pick if i was in your shoes. Welcome To the forum central Texas
https://motorcycles.harley-davidson....ail-slim.html#

 

Welcome to the Forum lots of great info here enjoy from, Wellington Florida

 

Go to a dealership and see which one looks good, that fits you the best and buy it. Another way is if a dealership has a demo day and test ride every bike that you like and choose it that way. After all, it's your choice and I can't and won't tell you which one to get because everybody has their own preference on which one feels and looks the best to them and that they can afford. Good luck.

 

I went with a Fat Bob because it handled the best of all the Harleys.
I spend most of my time on my Kawi N1K, so don't feel bad about riding a Ducati.

 

Welcome to the forum, and don't apologize for your questions.

You've gotten good advice so far, but what i would add is- you need ask yourself WHY you want a Harley and accept that. HDs and Ducatis are two different bikes that do two different things and they both do those seperate things well. You might want to keep the Ducati AND get the HD.

I have a Harley Davidson Touring bike and a Ducati. The Ducati is an incredible motorcycle. The HD is VERY handy, very comfortable, does everything pretty well, and I've found I end up riding it most of the time. But it's nice to know that I don't HAVE to scrape footboards if i don't want to. But about ten minutes of tossing a Ducati around is about all my talent capacity can handle and i soon realize i will run out of talent if i don't kool it. The HD doesn't do that to me. As much.

 

Welcome. I had a ducati multistrada 1200s for a bit. As well as an Aprilia Tunono so I know where you are coming from. The 2018 Fat Bob with the 114 in it would be a good one to take a long look at. It also has the dual disk front brakes.

 

You sound like a Breakout kind of dude or maybe the Low Rider S if you can find one.

 

The new Fat bob looks like a real rider. I drug the crap out of the floorboards on the Slim also.