looking for advise
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
looking for advise
 \\;am a new member and rider. I am looking to buy my first bike but am not sure what to get. I want honest opions and remember its my first bike please.... I am debating on weather to buy a older harley or newer sportster for "ok" money (i am talking like 5 grand, I know they are out there I have seen them so thats good)
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or I may go with a kawasaki vulcan 800. My dad had one (now owns a harley) \\;and I know they are a great bike and for a little less money I can pick one up. the question is what do you guys think.
Now I live in new hampshire but durring the week im in CT. for work so I want a bike that is comfortable on longer rides, do you guys think a sportster in good enough. (I am 6'3" and weigh 240 lb. so im not a small guy) I know the vulcan is comfy cause I have riden one. I am fresh out of college so i don't have the the money in the world to cusitmize so I want something reliable . \\;
 \\;
I'm just wondering what you guys think, I really would appreciate the help! \\;
 \\;
Thanks
 \\;
or I may go with a kawasaki vulcan 800. My dad had one (now owns a harley) \\;and I know they are a great bike and for a little less money I can pick one up. the question is what do you guys think.
Now I live in new hampshire but durring the week im in CT. for work so I want a bike that is comfortable on longer rides, do you guys think a sportster in good enough. (I am 6'3" and weigh 240 lb. so im not a small guy) I know the vulcan is comfy cause I have riden one. I am fresh out of college so i don't have the the money in the world to cusitmize so I want something reliable . \\;
 \\;
I'm just wondering what you guys think, I really would appreciate the help! \\;
 \\;
Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
RE: looking for advise
If it's ADVICE you need..........
You are WAY too big for any Sportster. \\; Even a Vulcan 800 might be too small. \\; You need some room to stretch out....some kind of highway pegs or forward controls are a must. \\; If I were you, I'd be looking at used bigger bikes, LowRiders, Wide Glides, Softails.......... \\; \\; Even though you surely could handle the weight of a bagger, I still wouldn't start with that big and heavy of a bike. \\; Remember, you need to still be comfortable a hundred miles down the road. \\; If you've actually put some miles on your Dad's bike, no problem. \\; There are some 800 class bikes that aren't very big, but some are built on the same frame as bikes with much bigger engines.
Take it easy as you learn and then have many happy miles.
You are WAY too big for any Sportster. \\; Even a Vulcan 800 might be too small. \\; You need some room to stretch out....some kind of highway pegs or forward controls are a must. \\; If I were you, I'd be looking at used bigger bikes, LowRiders, Wide Glides, Softails.......... \\; \\; Even though you surely could handle the weight of a bagger, I still wouldn't start with that big and heavy of a bike. \\; Remember, you need to still be comfortable a hundred miles down the road. \\; If you've actually put some miles on your Dad's bike, no problem. \\; There are some 800 class bikes that aren't very big, but some are built on the same frame as bikes with much bigger engines.
Take it easy as you learn and then have many happy miles.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
RE: looking for advise
Thanks,
 \\;
My dad had a 800 classic with 12 inch bars and forward control. set up real nice. \\;The thing is I know what I like. I don't want the FL set up only because I am a fan of smaller front ends (just a preferance thing) the thing is can if I buy an older little bit bigger bike like a dyna would it be reliable. I have heard mix reactions about the shovelhead and its maintenance. Do you think it would be worth it though to get an older harley over a newer vulcan?
 \\;
My dad had a 800 classic with 12 inch bars and forward control. set up real nice. \\;The thing is I know what I like. I don't want the FL set up only because I am a fan of smaller front ends (just a preferance thing) the thing is can if I buy an older little bit bigger bike like a dyna would it be reliable. I have heard mix reactions about the shovelhead and its maintenance. Do you think it would be worth it though to get an older harley over a newer vulcan?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 606
From: Raleigh NC
RE: looking for advise
for $5g you should be able to pick up a 1500 or 1600 classic used.... great bike, trouble free bikes.... and you won't bust the bank.... if you HAVE to have a harley??? then ride the Kawasaki until you can afford one...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
RE: looking for advise
 \\;Don't use engine size as the only guide in selecting a bike, get one that fits you and the type of riding you want to do.
Touring, bar hopping, racing through the curves, 2 up?
Older bikes \\;usually require more \\;maintenance. Many dealers won't work on them and getting parts can be difficult if you don't know where to look.
 \\;Vulcans \\;and Sportsters are very different types of bikes, I don't \\;know what type of older Harley you are thinking about. \\;
Most twin cylinder \\;cruisers in the 750-1100 cc range will have plenty of power for you.
 \\;
You may want to look at the 900 Vulcans as well. Physical size should fit you better than a Sportster.
 \\;
Plan on getting a different bike in a year or 2 for a first bike a little too small is better than a little too big.
 \\;
The whole Harleys hold or increase in value and Metrics have no resale value is mostly myth. \\; \\; \\;
 \\;
 \\;
Touring, bar hopping, racing through the curves, 2 up?
Older bikes \\;usually require more \\;maintenance. Many dealers won't work on them and getting parts can be difficult if you don't know where to look.
 \\;Vulcans \\;and Sportsters are very different types of bikes, I don't \\;know what type of older Harley you are thinking about. \\;
Most twin cylinder \\;cruisers in the 750-1100 cc range will have plenty of power for you.
 \\;
You may want to look at the 900 Vulcans as well. Physical size should fit you better than a Sportster.
 \\;
Plan on getting a different bike in a year or 2 for a first bike a little too small is better than a little too big.
 \\;
The whole Harleys hold or increase in value and Metrics have no resale value is mostly myth. \\; \\; \\;
 \\;
 \\;
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
RE: looking for advise
I have my eye on a few bikes that I know are on the markey by me. A 2000 xl 1200, an 89 FXRS, an 81 FXE superglide and a 95 vulcan 800A. I have been riding dirtbikes and anything that has wheels and a motor for most of my life, so i am more experienced than a new rider but street riding I don't know what is reliable and comfortable.
 \\;
I've always been a harley lover but I want to be practicle too (not one of my better qualities). \\;As for what kind of riding I live in NH and \\;CT (the woods) \\;so back road \\;riding is one of my favorites. but \\;I also need a bike that will make the 200 mile trip from here to there and be able to walk afterward. \\;another question is \\;would an after market seat make a difference in comfort on one of the \\;smaller bikes?  \\; \\;
 \\;
I've always been a harley lover but I want to be practicle too (not one of my better qualities). \\;As for what kind of riding I live in NH and \\;CT (the woods) \\;so back road \\;riding is one of my favorites. but \\;I also need a bike that will make the 200 mile trip from here to there and be able to walk afterward. \\;another question is \\;would an after market seat make a difference in comfort on one of the \\;smaller bikes?  \\; \\;
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
RE: looking for advise
If the FXRS is in good shape, I know what I'd get.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 3
From: Nice home on the NorCal Coast
RE: looking for advise
Be careful asking for advice, everyone with an opinion is an expert. \\; lol
With that said, if it's your first bike something in the 650-800cc class might work.
You're close to my size but lighter and you'd be way to big for a sporty.
650 Vulcan pops to mind but you may have to get over the first bike "smaller is not \\;better" thinking some get.
They want a full size ride with lots of power thinking they can muscle it and more times than not get in over their head and get in trouble or worse yet, hurt.
Main thing is, be careful and think it through, you can always upgrade to something bigger and better down the road.
just my .02 and I'm sure there's an "expert or two" that will disagree,
Krusr
 \\;
With that said, if it's your first bike something in the 650-800cc class might work.
You're close to my size but lighter and you'd be way to big for a sporty.
650 Vulcan pops to mind but you may have to get over the first bike "smaller is not \\;better" thinking some get.
They want a full size ride with lots of power thinking they can muscle it and more times than not get in over their head and get in trouble or worse yet, hurt.
Main thing is, be careful and think it through, you can always upgrade to something bigger and better down the road.
just my .02 and I'm sure there's an "expert or two" that will disagree,
Krusr
 \\;
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 3
From: Nice home on the NorCal Coast
RE: looking for advise
No problem. \\; [sm=biker2.gif]
 \\;
BTW, if you haven't taken a motorcycle Saftey Course, I would seriously think about it.
You'd be surprised what you will learn and they can help a lot.
 \\;
Krusr \\;
 \\;
BTW, if you haven't taken a motorcycle Saftey Course, I would seriously think about it.
You'd be surprised what you will learn and they can help a lot.
 \\;
Krusr \\;