Recommendations? Need help deciding!
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Milan(Italy)/Chicago (IL)
I would say Heritage or Dyna Low rider / Wide glide. If you're on budget get a Dyna Super Glide. Keep the bike till you're 40 y. old.. and then buy the second Harley : a Street Glide or an Electre Glide.
Take a look at Sportster Forty-Eight model year 2010. Its very nice bike.
Avoid these old Harleys with low mileage.... People (and even more car/bikes delears) usually replace the tachometer with a new one with low mileage on it. LOL They are f*ing cheaters :\
Take a look at Sportster Forty-Eight model year 2010. Its very nice bike.
Avoid these old Harleys with low mileage.... People (and even more car/bikes delears) usually replace the tachometer with a new one with low mileage on it. LOL They are f*ing cheaters :\
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,207
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
If your on a budget buying used is the way to go these days. Not sure about your size or experience. Sounds like your planning on some long trips (multi-hundred mile days, luggage etc). 600cc crotch rockets aren't good for long rides and performance is probably too much for many beginners. I'd skip the Sportsters as well.
If your wanting a Harley look at the Dynas and Softails (they may be over your budget).
If you want a bike to see if you like motorcycling I'd recommend the Honda VTX 1300, Kaw 900 Vulcan. I believe that either of these can be bought new for around $8k. Yamaha probably has a bike in this size/price category as well.
If your wanting a Harley look at the Dynas and Softails (they may be over your budget).
If you want a bike to see if you like motorcycling I'd recommend the Honda VTX 1300, Kaw 900 Vulcan. I believe that either of these can be bought new for around $8k. Yamaha probably has a bike in this size/price category as well.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 13
From: 501
I picked up my three year old at the time E-Glide for just over your budget price. It's a tad heavy for a round town cruiser, but I do it for the experience. It's rather sweet on the highway though. I love it.
I say get what you think you will want a few years down the road. this way you will have the bike and already be accustom to it.
I was lucky in that I knew since I was just a tadpole that I would one day own an E-Glide. I just passed on owning lesser grade stuff in the mean time.
Their are lots of low millage older scoots on the market that will turn your head.
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking too it!
I'm having fun, and I haven't looked back or second guessed my decision yet
aka Bob
I say get what you think you will want a few years down the road. this way you will have the bike and already be accustom to it.
I was lucky in that I knew since I was just a tadpole that I would one day own an E-Glide. I just passed on owning lesser grade stuff in the mean time.
Their are lots of low millage older scoots on the market that will turn your head.
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking too it!
I'm having fun, and I haven't looked back or second guessed my decision yet
aka Bob
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 33
From: So Cal The Golden State
Based on your budget
Sportster 1200
Superglide
Road King
Used you can find a deal.
There is nothing wrong with riding Sportster for Touring. I see it all the time. The point is you are riding.
The XR 1200 I would do one up Touring with no hesitation. Just depends your riding postion that you like.
Good Luck
Sportster 1200
Superglide
Road King
Used you can find a deal.
There is nothing wrong with riding Sportster for Touring. I see it all the time. The point is you are riding.
The XR 1200 I would do one up Touring with no hesitation. Just depends your riding postion that you like.
Good Luck
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
Here you go. This will take you around town or cross country.
http://www.cycletrader.com/find/list...0-Abs-96972650
http://www.cycletrader.com/find/list...0-Abs-96972650
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 348
From: Ione, CA
Any 600cc Japanese bike is a toy, a luxury that you can ride maybe 100 miles before you cramp up. Sportsters are fine. You might look into a used VROD. that's a whole other trip but the prices are great.
An FXST is a heck of a bike and used ones can be had for under your budget. Personally, I'd look for a solid, clean low-mileage Softail 88 of some sort. That will cover all of your bases.
Good luck!
An FXST is a heck of a bike and used ones can be had for under your budget. Personally, I'd look for a solid, clean low-mileage Softail 88 of some sort. That will cover all of your bases.
Good luck!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 868
Likes: 4
From: Warwick, RI
Go ride a sport bike
Go ride a Sport Touring bike
Go ride a Sportster
Go ride a Dyna
Go ride a Touring
Go ride a Softail
Go ride some Metric equivalants of the above mentioned HDs
Go ride some triumphs
See what you like. I never met anyone who was unsure whether they wanted a crotch rocket or a cruiser. If one like crotch rockets but wants more standard position with long hauls in mind .. .sport tourer. (FJR1300 would be my pick). If one likes cruisers, just go see what you prefer.
There are WAAAAAAAAAAAY to many options out there for anyone here to give you advice. All advice would be in their opinion only. I would love to add an FJR1300A and a Thunderbird to my garage. Someone else would say screw the FJR, get a CBR .. .or screw the Thunderbird, just get another Harley.
Get what floats YOUR boat.
Go ride a Sport Touring bike
Go ride a Sportster
Go ride a Dyna
Go ride a Touring
Go ride a Softail
Go ride some Metric equivalants of the above mentioned HDs
Go ride some triumphs
See what you like. I never met anyone who was unsure whether they wanted a crotch rocket or a cruiser. If one like crotch rockets but wants more standard position with long hauls in mind .. .sport tourer. (FJR1300 would be my pick). If one likes cruisers, just go see what you prefer.
There are WAAAAAAAAAAAY to many options out there for anyone here to give you advice. All advice would be in their opinion only. I would love to add an FJR1300A and a Thunderbird to my garage. Someone else would say screw the FJR, get a CBR .. .or screw the Thunderbird, just get another Harley.
Get what floats YOUR boat.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 89
From: Tampa, FL
Thanks for all the input everyone!
I just really need an idea of what to avoid at all costs, and what are good names to look into on Thursday.
I don't plan on buying right away, and I do plan on renting for a day before buying. I just want to try and narrow my focus down a little bit to what would be best suited for my needs.
And SloChicken, thanks for the concern. I know how you feel.
I've ridden off-road and on trails for many many years. Dirt bikes mostly, but a 90cc suzuki something or another as well. I ride my dads Yamaha 750 Roadstar now and again. It's nice, but not enough power for a bike it's size.
I just really need an idea of what to avoid at all costs, and what are good names to look into on Thursday.
I don't plan on buying right away, and I do plan on renting for a day before buying. I just want to try and narrow my focus down a little bit to what would be best suited for my needs.
And SloChicken, thanks for the concern. I know how you feel.
I've ridden off-road and on trails for many many years. Dirt bikes mostly, but a 90cc suzuki something or another as well. I ride my dads Yamaha 750 Roadstar now and again. It's nice, but not enough power for a bike it's size.
.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
i've seen some used baggers for around the 12k area. i would just recommend that you buy a bike to fit you(height/weight proportionate) and you buy one that will fit your needs. daily commuter? long distance riding? there's a ton of bikes out there that will fit you and your needs. i wouldn't say i made a mistake a few years ago buying a night train, but i didn't really give much though about daily commuting and long rides at the time of purchase, it was just a bad *** bike. presently i own a bagger because it fits my needs and couldn't be happier. so, really look at the bikes capabilities and comfort for what you want to be able to do. good luck with your decision, it is tough.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
Don't know how big you are, but my neighbor picked up a real nice used Dyna Low Rider for $7500, and the bike is sweet. He is smaller, so it fits him perfectly.
I'm so glad that he has his license now, so he stopped riding up and down the street in front of my house. ( a dead end dirt road)! LOL...
I'm with the rest who say rent for a day, as many bikes as you can afford to.
I'm so glad that he has his license now, so he stopped riding up and down the street in front of my house. ( a dead end dirt road)! LOL...
I'm with the rest who say rent for a day, as many bikes as you can afford to.