Looking to buy my first Harley Davidson. I am coming from an '85 Honda VF1000R, which was my first bike I began riding about a year ago. The bike is about to hit the big 40K and I was looking into a different bike to keep the miles off of it. Over the summer I will be continuing my education in trade school for paint & bodywork. I will be working with a landscaping service that a family member owns earning $10/ yard. We do approximately 5-10 yards per week. I will also be doing a little collision work on my own to earn a little on the side. I will put all of the profits into a savings account and at the end of October, I will see where I stand financially. I estimate earning $1,600 from mowing. I would like to purchase the bike at the end of this year when people usually sell them off. I would use the account to keep the payments fulfilled until March of 2019. By the end of summer semester 2018 I should qualify to work part-time with a body shop for a semester for 10-20hrs a week (Paid $10-15/hr).

I am looking for a bike for under $10k new or used. If used than the mileage needs to be under 15,000 miles and newer than 2001. I am about 6'0 tall 250lb football player build. I commute 50 miles per day for school, about half of that on the highway. Three of Harley Davidson's lines appeal to me. The Sportster's, Dyna's which are now discontinued , and the Softail's. I like the Sportster the most so far. The Iron 883 seems to be the only new bike option available to me. I heard they are a dog unless you convert to a 1200cc, which are more powerful than a stock 1200. A wide variety of aftermarket parts and the look of the flat dark denim. The older models don't look as nice as the newer ones and heard they lack the performance of the newer models. Used Sportster's in my area are mostly 03-06 models with 10k miles for about $3k. Since the Dyna's are a larger bike I feel it will be more suited for highway use.I live in the country with mostly 55mph until you hit city limits. Once I finish interstate driving to school the speed limits are 45 and under. They have a 6th gear and a larger engine that would suit my size.

Used Sportster 2001 and up 883 or 1200:
$3-5k Making payments low for 3 yrs or less
2,000-10,000 Miles
Insurance Costs are Low
Holds Value Well

If I purchase this bike I would do little to no modification and would ride until I could afford a larger bike. Would sell for approximately what I paid and use as a down payment for a new Softail lowrider.

2018/2019 Iron 883:
New for $8,999 (about the same price as a used Softail/ Dyna
No risk of neglect/problem from the previous owner
1200cc Conversion Kit Available
Blacked Out Look instead of overwhelming chrome
Fuel Injected

If I decided to purchase this bike I would do the 1200cc conversion, get a 30 or 32 front sprocket to compensate for 5 gears, and customize to a drag bike style look. Not sure if it could be considered a lifetime bike or if I will outgrow it.

Used Dyna or Softail:
$5-10k but budget allows for $6k max.
8,000-15,000
More In-tune with potential riding situation
Larger engine/6 speed
More fit to my size
More of a Lifetime bike

I prefer to ride at a slower speed but want a bike adequate enough to perform on the highway. I would like to have a few different types of bike in the future since each has something different to bring to the table. I like the new CBR1000RR but it's more tuned for faster riding. Do you believe an upgraded Iron 883 would be worth the investment or try to find a used Dyna/Softail because they aren't really grown out of often? I would like my budget close to $6,000 max for a used bike with less than 15,000 miles.

Pic 1: Used 2001 883 with 10,500 miles for $3,000 within 50 miles of me.
Pic 2: New Iron 883 with the look/style I am looking for.
Pic 3: Used 2005 Super Gilde with 16,500 miles for $5,000 within 50 miles of me.

 

 

Buy the ride that moves YOU and that YOU can afford.

 

Get a bike that fits you the best and then buy it. 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 agree on the Sportster being too small and they are at times difficult to resell, they are a great starter bike but that is not what you need. I would try and find a used Road King then you have the advantage of wind and rain protection as well as being able to bring extra gear and things with the saddlebags.You should be able to find a good one for around $8-10K maybe even less. Here is an 02 in your area with a lot of life left in it. https://greensboro.craigslist.org/mc...493145122.html

 

At your pay grade, you may want to hold off on this expendature until you've built up a cash reserve that is large enough to have a mechanical breakdown not effect you.
Have you checked insurance/registration projected costs for the various bikes you're looking at?
Since you're coming from the VF, you DO understand that everything Harley makes is slower and sloppier?
For suitability purposes, I'd say go RENT a few different models. See which one works best for you. Here comes my tagline-
It's better to make a $200 investment, rather than a $24,000 mistake.

Yes, I know you're only looking at a $5k-$6k budget, but this still holds water for your next bike, and your next bike, and your next bike, and your nex....

 

I chose other, grab yourself the new gunship grey CVO!

 

Eh, who the hell would want one of those?!?

To the OP - sounds like you want to keep your Honda, too. My advice? Stick with one bike or the other until you’re more established financially. If you’re dead set on getting a second bike to keep the miles off of your Honda, just pick up a beater 600/650 Jap bike for under $2,000 somewhere and ride that one. It’ll be cheaper in the long run, less maintenance, and when it dies you won’t care.

If you’re dead set on getting a Harley, just get rid of the Honda and get a Dyna - you’ll enjoy that more than a Sporty, I think.

 

This is just my opinion and one I would give my son or daughter in the same situation as yours. Why not just keep riding your Honda? Is an '85 with 40K, is not really worth much and putting more miles on it, won't depreciate it anymore. Wait until you are in a better financial standing before buying a Harley. With a $6K max, it would be at least 10 years old, and a breakdown will not be cheap and probably force you back on your Honda until you could afford to fix it, but if you really want to go this route, I would suggest not to buy a Sporty.

 

I agree with this, keep yourself debt free and start working on your savings if you haven't already. You have a good bike that should be good for awhile longer. I can certainly understand the appeal of something new or new to you, but make sure it makes sense with your finances. If you have to have a HD I'd also say the dyna as well. It is a bit bigger and I'm tall myself and am more comfortable than on the sportster. Keep in mind the gas tank, if you are riding 50 miles a day the sportster might have you at the gas station on a near daily basis.