21 year old wanting to get first harley, pls advice :D
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 621
Likes: 19
From: Glendora, Southern Calif
21 year old wanting to get first harley, pls advice :D
Hi guys!
So thanks to the very kind admin Terry, who bumped up my profile status so I can start posting instead of waiting 30 days, I'm here with my first post, to say HELLO and also to ask for some advice from you seasoned bikers.
I've been reading the forums for quite some time since wanting to start riding about half a year ago.
A little bit about myself, I'm a 21 year old rock musician from Singapore, I play in two bands, teach guitar and also produce videos for the military (served two years as a corporal in the Singapore Armed Forces).
Anyway, I will be moving to California, Los Angeles, In 3 weeks time to go for college.
I'm really excited to finally be able to start riding and getting my very own Harley Davidson. In Singapore, it takes over three years of tests and riding experience to just be able to ride a 800cc and above motorcycle.
I have a few questions though, that I hope you guys can help me out with.
1) I'm definitely going to need classes, I'm caught between then eagle riders class and the MSF (which most people seem to recommend on these forum). I'm hoping to go the shortest and fastest route to obtaining my license, and of course, the best class that will prepare me for the roads and highways.
2) I've almost wholly fixed my mind on getting a sportster. A nightster to be exact. I have a budget though. And here's the setup I have in mind, mini apes, aftermarket pipes, passenger seat. I searched up craighlists and most of the nightsters are pretty expensive, I would settle on a sportster if the prices don't drop by January, but can someone tell me roughly how much would be a fair price for a bike? I'm looking at something under 10k miles, accident free, looks nice. If they don't come with the mods I want, how much will I need to reserve to do up the bike?
My ideal budget, would be around 5-6k plus all the mods and servicing that I will need to do when buying a 2nd hand bike.
3) I love the roar of a harley, and would definitely want some pipes that give that signature harley sound. I remember, as a kid, when a harley would pass my parents car, the car would vibrate and I knew back then, that one day I would want one of those bikes. Can I have some recommendations on what pipes I should be looking out for?
4) Also, I read that bikes beyond 06 are EFI, should I as a newbie, be looking only for bikes with EFI? Or will I be able to figure out the workings of a carb bike and be able to consider pre-06 bikes as well?
5)Should I go straight to a dealer since my knowledge of bikes and how to tell if I'm getting a good deal from direct owner sales is limited? I know dealers charge way more, but at least the bikes SHOULD be in good condition? Or am I wrong?
6) If there's anyone who wants to hang out in LA, drop me a msg, I would love to meet up and make some new friends!
Thanks and I look forward to more activity here on these wonderful forums!
So thanks to the very kind admin Terry, who bumped up my profile status so I can start posting instead of waiting 30 days, I'm here with my first post, to say HELLO and also to ask for some advice from you seasoned bikers.
I've been reading the forums for quite some time since wanting to start riding about half a year ago.
A little bit about myself, I'm a 21 year old rock musician from Singapore, I play in two bands, teach guitar and also produce videos for the military (served two years as a corporal in the Singapore Armed Forces).
Anyway, I will be moving to California, Los Angeles, In 3 weeks time to go for college.
I'm really excited to finally be able to start riding and getting my very own Harley Davidson. In Singapore, it takes over three years of tests and riding experience to just be able to ride a 800cc and above motorcycle.
I have a few questions though, that I hope you guys can help me out with.
1) I'm definitely going to need classes, I'm caught between then eagle riders class and the MSF (which most people seem to recommend on these forum). I'm hoping to go the shortest and fastest route to obtaining my license, and of course, the best class that will prepare me for the roads and highways.
2) I've almost wholly fixed my mind on getting a sportster. A nightster to be exact. I have a budget though. And here's the setup I have in mind, mini apes, aftermarket pipes, passenger seat. I searched up craighlists and most of the nightsters are pretty expensive, I would settle on a sportster if the prices don't drop by January, but can someone tell me roughly how much would be a fair price for a bike? I'm looking at something under 10k miles, accident free, looks nice. If they don't come with the mods I want, how much will I need to reserve to do up the bike?
My ideal budget, would be around 5-6k plus all the mods and servicing that I will need to do when buying a 2nd hand bike.
3) I love the roar of a harley, and would definitely want some pipes that give that signature harley sound. I remember, as a kid, when a harley would pass my parents car, the car would vibrate and I knew back then, that one day I would want one of those bikes. Can I have some recommendations on what pipes I should be looking out for?
4) Also, I read that bikes beyond 06 are EFI, should I as a newbie, be looking only for bikes with EFI? Or will I be able to figure out the workings of a carb bike and be able to consider pre-06 bikes as well?
5)Should I go straight to a dealer since my knowledge of bikes and how to tell if I'm getting a good deal from direct owner sales is limited? I know dealers charge way more, but at least the bikes SHOULD be in good condition? Or am I wrong?
6) If there's anyone who wants to hang out in LA, drop me a msg, I would love to meet up and make some new friends!
Thanks and I look forward to more activity here on these wonderful forums!
Last edited by harlot; Dec 14, 2010 at 09:58 AM.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
Welcome to the forum. I would recommend you take the MSF class. Also, you should be able to find a used 1-4 year old Sportster with really low mileage (maybe even a Nightster) if you shop around and will save yourself a lot of money. However if you are dead set on a Nightster you may have to buy new. But I would contact at least 5 dealers via email. Go to the HD website and hit the dealer locator button and you will see how many dealers there are in SoCal. Good luck.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
1) I'm definitely going to need classes, I'm caught between then eagle riders class and the MSF ......
take the MSF - that certificate along with a regular California drivers license will get you your endorsement
2) I've almost wholly fixed my mind on getting a sportster. .....
My ideal budget, would be around 5-6k plus all the mods and servicing that I will need to do when buying a 2nd hand bike.......
I'd worry just about getting a clean bike in good condition - use your whole budget for that if necessary. If you have money for mod's left over great, but don't limit what you can get for the bike just trying to make it look "pretty" afterwards... as the saying over here goes "you can't polish a turd"
3) I love the roar of a harley, and would definitely want some pipes that give that signature harley sound.
when you're at the dealer, look at bikes that ride in that sound like what you want yours to sound like - go talk to the owner and i'm sure they'll be happy to fire their bike up so you can hear it. No sound clip or other person's opinion will tell you want you need to hear in person...
4) Also, I read that bikes beyond 06 are EFI, should I as a newbie, be looking only for bikes with EFI? .......
I'd look at all years that are good for you - carb's can be worked on by yourself if you have some mechanical skill and a manual... EFI is harder to do anything with as a do it yourselfer but it shouldn't need much done to it. Consensus is that carbed bikes sound more like a "harley" but my EFI sure seems to sound like one too ... see above comment about "what you need to hear in person" and decide which you prefer.
5)Should I go straight to a dealer since my knowledge of bikes and how to tell if I'm getting a good deal from direct owner sales is limited? I know dealers charge way more, but at least the bikes SHOULD be in good condition? Or am I wrong?
You'll almost definitely pay more at a dealer - you're paying for their overhead and probably some recent services to get it read for resale, and you're paying for the backing of the dealer if anything goes wrong (not necessarily a warranty, but the dealer should make it right if the bike craps out 2 days after you buy it). If you buy from a private sale, thats it once the money changes hands - don't count on the seller making anything right afterwards...
take the MSF - that certificate along with a regular California drivers license will get you your endorsement
2) I've almost wholly fixed my mind on getting a sportster. .....
My ideal budget, would be around 5-6k plus all the mods and servicing that I will need to do when buying a 2nd hand bike.......
I'd worry just about getting a clean bike in good condition - use your whole budget for that if necessary. If you have money for mod's left over great, but don't limit what you can get for the bike just trying to make it look "pretty" afterwards... as the saying over here goes "you can't polish a turd"
3) I love the roar of a harley, and would definitely want some pipes that give that signature harley sound.
when you're at the dealer, look at bikes that ride in that sound like what you want yours to sound like - go talk to the owner and i'm sure they'll be happy to fire their bike up so you can hear it. No sound clip or other person's opinion will tell you want you need to hear in person...
4) Also, I read that bikes beyond 06 are EFI, should I as a newbie, be looking only for bikes with EFI? .......
I'd look at all years that are good for you - carb's can be worked on by yourself if you have some mechanical skill and a manual... EFI is harder to do anything with as a do it yourselfer but it shouldn't need much done to it. Consensus is that carbed bikes sound more like a "harley" but my EFI sure seems to sound like one too ... see above comment about "what you need to hear in person" and decide which you prefer.
5)Should I go straight to a dealer since my knowledge of bikes and how to tell if I'm getting a good deal from direct owner sales is limited? I know dealers charge way more, but at least the bikes SHOULD be in good condition? Or am I wrong?
You'll almost definitely pay more at a dealer - you're paying for their overhead and probably some recent services to get it read for resale, and you're paying for the backing of the dealer if anything goes wrong (not necessarily a warranty, but the dealer should make it right if the bike craps out 2 days after you buy it). If you buy from a private sale, thats it once the money changes hands - don't count on the seller making anything right afterwards...
Last edited by Blargh; Dec 14, 2010 at 10:38 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 621
Likes: 19
From: Glendora, Southern Calif
thanks so much for all the replies guys!
Some follow up questions,
I understand that I need a CA driver's license to go for the MSF course, does that apply for eagle rider course as well?
Also, between the EFI and carb systems, what are the main differences aside from sound and power? I onced talked to a guy who sold used Harleys in Singapore and he was telling me that with carbs, u need to choke the engine, turn the throttle several times before riding off, etc...
Anything else I should note?
And if there's anyone selling a nightster/sportster, please drop me a msg too
btw, a nightster and sportster are made from the same sized frame right? I can't quite put my finger on it, but they really look quite different. The only difference I can spot is that the nightster has external shocks on the front forks.
Some follow up questions,
I understand that I need a CA driver's license to go for the MSF course, does that apply for eagle rider course as well?
Also, between the EFI and carb systems, what are the main differences aside from sound and power? I onced talked to a guy who sold used Harleys in Singapore and he was telling me that with carbs, u need to choke the engine, turn the throttle several times before riding off, etc...
Anything else I should note?
And if there's anyone selling a nightster/sportster, please drop me a msg too
btw, a nightster and sportster are made from the same sized frame right? I can't quite put my finger on it, but they really look quite different. The only difference I can spot is that the nightster has external shocks on the front forks.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 18
From: perry, fl
another consideration on the sporties...up to 2003 solid mount motors..tend to have a lot of vibration. 2004 and up, rubber motor mounts and a bit heavier...up to 06-carberated. 07 and up efi. buyers market now, dont rush. nightsters first came out in 07 so you may find a used one in 07-08 with low miles. most change exhaust and a/c's to begin with so you may find one with the mods you want already. could consider an 883 sporty and punch it out to a 1200, easy to do and may find an 883 pretty cheap. good luck in your search and welcome to the forum
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
One other thing to consider you may be able to get an extended warranty with a dealer bike.
As a student you may want the piece of mind.
As a student you may want the piece of mind.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 18
From: perry, fl
a nightster is a 1200 sportster. it has lowered suspension, chopped rear fender and a very uncomfortable seat. your **** will hurt if you ride much distance. a good seat (mustang), good rear shocks and progressive fork springs will make a much better ride. get carb, gotta choke(enrichner). not much a pain, but with efi, just turn key and start. nightsters are efi
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 18
From: perry, fl
+1 what safesax stated bout warranty...my son is a college student. he bought a 06 1200c. he bought it this past july, it had 4500 miles on it. the previous owner had added all kinds of harley accessories to it. had the nice seat and passenger seat as well. he got a good deal on it and it is really a clean bike