Which model to go for?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 733
From: Pennsylvania
Personally I would suggest a Heritage or a Road King. Both are simple-looking old-school kind of bikes. Not a lot of bells and whistles. No fairing, no GPS, no radio. Just get out there and ride kinda bikes. I recently had a tailbone injury and coupled with the fact that my Wide Glide was getting increasingly uncomfortable after 80 or so miles, I was on the search. As much as many Harleys appear the same, they are most certainly not.
I wanted to like the Road King, but just couldn't. Ironically I do like to sit back a bit with my legs forward and the RK kept my posture too straight. Much like sitting in a dining room chair. And then I kept hitting leg with the passenger floor board. I test rode the late-model Heritage twice and also had one for a 500-mile long weekend rental and I just knew. The older Heritage has nicer colors and the much better twin cam sound. But, again in my opinion, they are "heavy" the seat is extremely hard and too wide for me. I finally chose a 2019 114
Bottom line you just have to get out there try them. Riding-season demo days are coming. Granted they are, of course, only the new 2023 bikes. But it's a start. You may eliminate some just by sitting on them.
Just remember, to certain extent, the windshield, seat and bars are cosmetic and easily changed. You gotta be happy with the overall feel - putting those things aside
I wanted to like the Road King, but just couldn't. Ironically I do like to sit back a bit with my legs forward and the RK kept my posture too straight. Much like sitting in a dining room chair. And then I kept hitting leg with the passenger floor board. I test rode the late-model Heritage twice and also had one for a 500-mile long weekend rental and I just knew. The older Heritage has nicer colors and the much better twin cam sound. But, again in my opinion, they are "heavy" the seat is extremely hard and too wide for me. I finally chose a 2019 114
Bottom line you just have to get out there try them. Riding-season demo days are coming. Granted they are, of course, only the new 2023 bikes. But it's a start. You may eliminate some just by sitting on them.
Just remember, to certain extent, the windshield, seat and bars are cosmetic and easily changed. You gotta be happy with the overall feel - putting those things aside
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
You need a Pan America. Best performing and handling Harley ever built, comfortable for long or short trips, plenty of luggage options. Nice and light. It'll walk all over your riding buddies' traditional Harleys. Oh - and it'll go anywhere off road you feel brave enough to take it, so you can relive some of your dirt bike days too.
But....go test ride them all!
But....go test ride them all!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,837
Likes: 1,430
From: NJ
You need a Pan America. Best performing and handling Harley ever built, comfortable for long or short trips, plenty of luggage options. Nice and light. It'll walk all over your riding buddies' traditional Harleys. Oh - and it'll go anywhere off road you feel brave enough to take it, so you can relive some of your dirt bike days too.
But....go test ride them all!
But....go test ride them all!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 203
From: Susanville CA
Hi All
In the market to buy my first Harley, and feeling overwhelmed at the vast array of choices.
Background and experience level
Raced state level Motocross as a teenager, but have not owned or ridden a cruiser/road bike.
Type of riding
This is the hard part - the type of riding I do will be varied! Could be anything from a quick 30 min trip around my town to take my mind off a busy day, to a weekend long ride around the state and anything in between. I'll be doing a combination of solo and group rides. Group companions have ranging bikes, from Street Bob to Road King. Roads we ride would be a combination of highway and twisty.
The bike
I have a bad lower back (burst disc with sciatica), so the comfier the better. I would like to have something that is both comfortable, but can handle the turns without feeling like a semi truck. I don't like bikes with gauges in the fairing/windshield that restrict your vision. I don't know whether I would like a windshield (perhaps removable, for the best of both worlds?).
I don't mind what the price is, they vary between 25k and 50k here in AUS.
Ultimately, I will head to my local dealer to test and see what feels right. If I can get some help from the knowledgable folks in here, will assist me when I head into the dealer and potentially make a very expensive mistake.
Cheers
In the market to buy my first Harley, and feeling overwhelmed at the vast array of choices.
Background and experience level
Raced state level Motocross as a teenager, but have not owned or ridden a cruiser/road bike.
Type of riding
This is the hard part - the type of riding I do will be varied! Could be anything from a quick 30 min trip around my town to take my mind off a busy day, to a weekend long ride around the state and anything in between. I'll be doing a combination of solo and group rides. Group companions have ranging bikes, from Street Bob to Road King. Roads we ride would be a combination of highway and twisty.
The bike
I have a bad lower back (burst disc with sciatica), so the comfier the better. I would like to have something that is both comfortable, but can handle the turns without feeling like a semi truck. I don't like bikes with gauges in the fairing/windshield that restrict your vision. I don't know whether I would like a windshield (perhaps removable, for the best of both worlds?).
I don't mind what the price is, they vary between 25k and 50k here in AUS.
Ultimately, I will head to my local dealer to test and see what feels right. If I can get some help from the knowledgable folks in here, will assist me when I head into the dealer and potentially make a very expensive mistake.
Cheers
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 849
From: The High Plains, USA
Agree that the Heritage or Road King are your best bet but beware-- oftentimes you go in thinking you know what you want and a completely different bike jumps out at you because it looks cool. Be careful if this happens. What looks cool in the showroom doesn't always check the boxes out on the road. You'll start making rationalizations and figuring out ways you can modify or customize the new cool bike to fit your needs. This is often an expensive and futile proposition.
If comfort and versatility are your main priorities, it would be 1) Heritage 2) Road King in my opinion.
If comfort and versatility are your main priorities, it would be 1) Heritage 2) Road King in my opinion.
Last edited by Gizmo83; Jan 23, 2023 at 04:19 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,850
Likes: 8,760
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Everything you need and nothing you don't.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Victoria, Australia
Thanks all. I'm 37 and 5'9".
On the shortlist to test:
Heritage
Road King
Pan America
Will also test, to see how they compare:
Fat Boy (love the look)
Street Bob
Lowrider ST
On the shortlist to test:
Heritage
Road King
Pan America
Will also test, to see how they compare:
Fat Boy (love the look)
Street Bob
Lowrider ST
Last edited by benny3; Jan 23, 2023 at 09:45 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,654
Likes: 4,147
From: Virginia
Hi All
In the market to buy my first Harley, and feeling overwhelmed at the vast array of choices.
Background and experience level
Raced state level Motocross as a teenager, but have not owned or ridden a cruiser/road bike.
Type of riding
This is the hard part - the type of riding I do will be varied! Could be anything from a quick 30 min trip around my town to take my mind off a busy day, to a weekend long ride around the state and anything in between. I'll be doing a combination of solo and group rides. Group companions have ranging bikes, from Street Bob to Road King. Roads we ride would be a combination of highway and twisty.
The bike
I have a bad lower back (burst disc with sciatica), so the comfier the better. I would like to have something that is both comfortable, but can handle the turns without feeling like a semi truck. I don't like bikes with gauges in the fairing/windshield that restrict your vision. I don't know whether I would like a windshield (perhaps removable, for the best of both worlds?).
I don't mind what the price is, they vary between 25k and 50k here in AUS.
Ultimately, I will head to my local dealer to test and see what feels right. If I can get some help from the knowledgable folks in here, will assist me when I head into the dealer and potentially make a very expensive mistake.
Cheers
In the market to buy my first Harley, and feeling overwhelmed at the vast array of choices.
Background and experience level
Raced state level Motocross as a teenager, but have not owned or ridden a cruiser/road bike.
Type of riding
This is the hard part - the type of riding I do will be varied! Could be anything from a quick 30 min trip around my town to take my mind off a busy day, to a weekend long ride around the state and anything in between. I'll be doing a combination of solo and group rides. Group companions have ranging bikes, from Street Bob to Road King. Roads we ride would be a combination of highway and twisty.
The bike
I have a bad lower back (burst disc with sciatica), so the comfier the better. I would like to have something that is both comfortable, but can handle the turns without feeling like a semi truck. I don't like bikes with gauges in the fairing/windshield that restrict your vision. I don't know whether I would like a windshield (perhaps removable, for the best of both worlds?).
I don't mind what the price is, they vary between 25k and 50k here in AUS.
Ultimately, I will head to my local dealer to test and see what feels right. If I can get some help from the knowledgable folks in here, will assist me when I head into the dealer and potentially make a very expensive mistake.
Cheers
