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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 05:56 PM
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Default Soon to be, new Harley Davidson rider.

Hey everyone,
I am 24, fresh out of the Marines and just starting up college. I loved riding but hated what I started on, a CBR 600 RR. It did not fit my riding style and I didn't enjoy the hunched over position. I'm looking at getting a cruiser now that I'm back home and closer in proximity to my dad who is on a Road Glide Special.

What I am trying to get out of this bike is a smooth enjoyable ride that he and I would be able to go on longer rides together like the Run for the wall.

Most of the bikes I'm looking at are on the older side and I was hoping to get some wisdom in making a sound choice.
What should I be concerned about with an older bike?
Is a Softail slim or fat boy to small to make a trip like that?
General advice in moving forward?

Thanks everyone and ride safe.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 06:08 PM
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Welcome, and thanks for your service. If you enjoy working on your ride, then the evos and twin cams are what to look at. Touring models. Just my 2 cents. Ken
 
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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 06:11 PM
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I'm not saying you won't get some worthy advice here, but I wonder why you aren't asking your Dad for advice?

Having said that, how much are you looking to spend?
 
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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 06:16 PM
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Road King, Road Glide, Street Glide, Ultra... Get something from the Touring line 2009 or newer.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Colton Gerdes
Hey everyone,
I am 24, fresh out of the Marines and just starting up college. I loved riding but hated what I started on, a CBR 600 RR. It did not fit my riding style and I didn't enjoy the hunched over position. I'm looking at getting a cruiser now that I'm back home and closer in proximity to my dad who is on a Road Glide Special.

What I am trying to get out of this bike is a smooth enjoyable ride that he and I would be able to go on longer rides together like the Run for the wall.

Most of the bikes I'm looking at are on the older side and I was hoping to get some wisdom in making a sound choice.
What should I be concerned about with an older bike?
Is a Softail slim or fat boy to small to make a trip like that?
General advice in moving forward?

Thanks everyone and ride safe.
Fatboy or Softail Slim too small?
Guys are gonna have you on touring platform bikes. Man I hate to see a 24 YO on an old man's bike. Have some fun. Folks used to ride solid mount shovels all over God's green earth. The only difference between an FX and an FL was the amount of bags that came stock and a fat front tire.

Thanks for your service.
 

Last edited by AJSHOVEL; Aug 17, 2019 at 06:29 PM.
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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by AJSHOVEL
Fatboy or Softail Slim too small?
Guys are gonna have you on touring platform bikes. Man I hate to see a 24 YO on an old man's bike. Have some fun. Folks used to ride solid mount shovels all over God's green earth. The only difference between an FX and an FL was the amount of bags that came stock and a fat front tire.

Thanks for your service.
And it's also been my experience that if a person starts out on too big of a bike, it might be more than they can handle but to each their own. Heck, at the first of the year I'll turn 69 and I still ride my 05 Springer and it's very comfy for this old body. lol
s s
 

Last edited by SPRINGER; Aug 17, 2019 at 09:17 PM.
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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 06:43 PM
  #7  
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Welcome and thanks for your service! I agree with GTG. If your Dad is typical Harley owner, he will be glad to talk bikes. General advice-Test ride as many as possible. Any of the FL platforms would meet your long ride needs. You won't be running to the Wall every weekend, so consider what your daily/weekly needs are. Just running around town? Radio? Storage? Road King and Heritage are nice (removable Shield) The Arizona heat is something to consider. Full baggers are nice for putting down some miles. But when all is said and done the bugs all taste the same no matter what you are riding.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 06:46 PM
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Semper fi brother, I rode sport bikes up until this year and still have 2 in the garage, 15 ZX10R and an 06 636. I bought a street glide and I've never thought about it as being an old mans bike, its sleek, low, and fun to ride. It's my first cruiser so my opinion may be bias, but you wont be disappointed in a street glide or road glide.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 07:10 PM
  #9  
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Yeah, don't let the "old man's bike" crap steer you away from touring bikes. That's just jibber jabber from the haters.
 
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Old Aug 17, 2019 | 07:46 PM
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talk to your old man, and see if you can con him into a test ride. If you like it, and it fits your style, get one that matches. If not, at least you have a baseline to compare to. Folks like to deride the ElectraGlide platform as an old mans bike, but there is also a reason they are so popular. They ride well, and can do about anything you ask of them, from bar hopping to cross country travel. Not saying you cant do the same on a Sportster, but your *** may have something to say about the issue after a while
 
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