I've found a dealer with a demo Street Bob for under MSRP and a used 2010 for $12K out the door. If this doesn't work out maybe I'll revisit some other bikes but I think we'll get a deal done...

 

Pays to do your homework. Hope your riding soon.

 

First, credit is a trap. If you can wait a little longer and save a bit more, you'll be miles ahead when it comes time to finally make that purchase. You really want to pay $20K over 5-6 years for a bike that you paid $14K for, and has a true retail price of $12K?
What if you took 1 summer to look around more, do some demo rides, talk to owners, and figure out how you'll be riding before you buy. IMHO, you're more likely to make a much better decision & you'll save much more.

Plus, dealers are out to make a profit. If you're patient and know what you're looking for, eventually you'll find a super deal. Most likely, it will be from a private owner who's in a financial pinch & needs to sell his toy. (Don't let that be you). Or, like me, might find a super bike who's owner got a lowball trade-in offer and then decided that he'd try to get a few hundred more from a private sale. Plus, you're likely to find one that has all those extra goodies that cost so much to add yourself!

ALWAYS ALWAYS buy a bike at trade-in value if possible! Sell at retail if you need, but don't overpay. MSRP?? What's that?? You've got the money, so you're in control. If you can just control yourself, you'll be money ahead!

And don't buy the wrong bike. Learn about them, ride them, and make the decision based on what you've learned about your riding style & likes.

Good luck & be patient!

 

Biggest mistake you can make is to rush into a deal based on what a salesman is telling you. Regardless of how sincere he or she appears to be, their job is to separate you from your money and earn a commission. That is not to say that there are not some great sales folk out there, but there are bottom feeders in any profession.

As suggested, if you have four dealers in proximity to your location, get them working against each other to earn your business. With the Harley "ride free" program, many dealers are more than willing to let folks test ride bikes prior to purchase. Ride a couple and see what fits your style the best.

I have a late model touring bike and a later model dyna. I enjoy riding both as they each have a style of riding that goes with them. The touring bike (2010 Street Glide) is like taking a ride in a Cadillac or other comfort built car. The dyna (2006 Street Bob) is more like a corvette or other sporty type hot rod.

Private purchase should also be considered. I paid $9000 for my 06 street bob in July of 2010. It had 9500 miles on it, was already a 95 inch big bore conversion and a 79 year old guy traded it to the dealer for a new sporster. The bike runs good and I really like the ride. I am in the process of getting an SE 120R installed in the next couple of weeks.

 

First find out what family of bikes you really want & there is a difference. Sportys, Dynas & Touring bikes all have the classic Harley shake at idle & low speeds. Softails have a balanced engine that's smooth all the time with a tad more vibration at high speeds. Most ladies like the vibration All kidding aside, to each is own but you need to test the rides. I like smooooooth, others like to shake. Decide on that feature first then move on from there.

 

Go test ride different models, figure out which one you like the best and ride the most. Then check out what is out there in the local market. People are selling bikes. Could get a bigger/better bike with low mileage in your price range.

 

Sportsters are like beginners bike, there's nothing wrong with them, is just you will out grow it, like in a week or two.

 

You have Harley Fever.

I had it when I bought mine. I financed it. I paid $23500 for it in Nov 2008.

Difference - I wanted the Street Glide.

Don't necessarily bring the wife either. She'll want an Ultra. Looking at the seat, and the cushion.

The Sportster's that I've demo'd felt like little sewing machines. They Seemed great for around town, small gas tank, but there -is- potential there. And the cost is nice too.

Road Kings are just that, kings of the road, many miles and long hauls. 6 Galons of fuel on the new ones means long jaunts.

I like the look of my Street Glide. The fairing is awesome, and I did the Hawg Wired Stereo. It Rocks!!

Just don't let someone talk you into anything. Talk to other dealers. Dealers are businesses, and they make money by selling stuff. This isn't toilet paper you're buying, it is your dream, your passion. So don't settle for a crappy colour either!! Unless you want the super deal, and are going to paint it...

Ride 'em in a demo, and decide then.

My FLHX is VERY Versatile. I can cruise town, and go cross country. I've probably spoiled myself now...

I am considering the Fat Bob, or Muscle a bike number 2. Muscle is for day trips, and Bob is round town... Two different bikes. Just not this year....

Whatever you choose don't SETTLE!!! And try a different dealer, unless he's you're brother-in-law or something.

H

 

Agree with everyone saying don't settle. Don't agree with everyone who says you WILL outgrow a Sportster.

Since you asked about considering different bikes I'll give you my take. I have a 99 Sportster that I have gone on a couple long trips with. It started life as an 883 and was adequate in getting my 240 lb but around town and to work and back on the highway. It even let my 130 lb g/f ride with me but that was pushing it. With a 1200 conversion the bike rode 2-up easily and I even took that bike on some good long rides.

To do this on a Sporty though you'd need to do your stage one stuff plus find a decent seat and swap out the rear shocks at least if you're over 180 lbs or plan on doing a lot of 2-up riding. For solo riding in curvy mountain roads, the Sportster is a BLAST. Very nimble and just a lot of fun to push hard so long as you don't have a lowered version of it. If the 1200 isn't enough for you, there are many other options out there to get more power out of the bike and the XL powerplant can be a 100hp beast but still be street friendly.

I moved to a Dyna for 2 reasons...one some idiot hit me on my Sportie and it's going to be a while to rebuild it and two, for long distance riding I felt the Dyna fit me better. For short hauls or twisty rides I'd still take the Sportster but for longer trips, commuting to work, or leasurely rides on the weekends the Dyna would get the nod. Power wise right now the Sportster would have handed it it's azz but I haven't done anything to the dyna either and because it's the Wide Glide it sits lower than a SB and has much less ground clearance so it's handling is not nearly as quick as the Sportster.

In the end get what you want. I like the merrits of both the Dyna and the Sportster but if I had to pick ONE it would probably be the Dyna...since most of my riding time is spent on the freeway. Though everytime I get on some twisty pavement with it, I find myself missing the handling of the Sportster. So you have to ask yourself, what do YOU want your new bike to do?

 

I got my 09 street bob for 10k with all the mods I wanted already on there. It's a buyers market man. You would be crazy not to hit the private market