Hello y'all, so the time has finially come that I have the money to buy a used H-D! I am looking to get one definitly before summer, in the next 1-2 months. Now I am really leaning towards an electra glide, but still making sure its ideal. I've been wanting an H-D ever since I can remember. Never had the cash though.

My budget is about $9,000. I am looking around the mid 90s models. From what I hear, the 1340 cc evo is a good engine, the TCs are good too but they have that cam chain ****.

So I work at a ranch right now, I am only 17, and have had an 85 Honda Shadow 700 for about 2 years. I has put about 35-40,000 miles on it during those 2 years. Before that I rode an Elite 150 scooter, put 20,000 miles on that, and dirtbikes and mopeds before that.

So, the Shadow I like it, but its really not quite comfortable enough. I get a lot of pain in my lower back, I think cause the foot position is to high. It also doesn't have the low end torque I want. Its plenty fast, but lacks low RPM torque, and a good OD gear.


So, my riding style. Well I plan to getting a 100 acre farm in Georgia we've saved up for for a while, but right now I work at a ranch about 70-80 miles round trip from my house 5 days a week, and go to school about 3-4 miles a day. On weekends after I work or days I don't work, I like to occasionally take long cruises, often 300-400 mile days, often with my dad [has a H-D Softail Deluxe]. We planning a few trips this summer, and going to Sturgis.

I don't much care for high speed riding or great handling. I like to cruise comfortably and enjoyably. Nothing but a Harley will work for me. I looked at a Yamaha RS but I decided just get the Harley. Those great bike, but I want an American bike and I love H-Ds.

So my questions:

1. I want a lot of good low RPM grunt, I know the long stroke H-D motors do that well. The 1340 cc Evos have pretty good torque right? Around 70-85 ft/lbs? Around what RPM? I don't give much a damn for Horsepower, I'm all about torque. I drive a Ram 3500 Cummins 5.9, it is all about torque redlines at just 3,300 RPM, and has all its power 1.6-2K range.

2. Which model sounds good for me? What models are most comfortable? I think an Electra Glide would be good?

3. How long do these motors generally go for if well cared? I want a reliable bike that will last without any big brakedowns I can't afford.


Also, I plan on going to an Agricultural school after graduating high school and possibly living at home, this would mean about a 100 or 200 mile round trip commute a day. I have a Honda Shitbox, but I would like to be able to use the bike a lot to save gas. Maybe live out there but I might live here at home cause I need the garage and farm access.

Thank you all.

 

the HD Evo is a hell of a motor. In fact the Sportsters still use a smaller version of the Evo engine. For 9,000, you could also get a 99 or early 2000's twin cam 88" motor, too. nothing wrong with either. whichever you chose, make sure you take it to a mechanic (or do it yourself, if you're able) and have them go over all the gaskets for leaks..check your cam tensioners for wear, replace what needs replacing, give her a good fluid change in all 3 holes.. primary, oil, and transmission..
with proper maintenance and care, the engine will last forever. I've got a friend with an Evo Fatboy with 140k miles on the clock, and the thing still runs like it just rolled off the assembly line floor. Just give her as much love as you'd give your girlfriend..well..assuming your girlfriend at least helps fold your laundry.. and she'll love you right back.
so, the Evo engine, when new, made 77ftlbs of torque at 4000rpm. if that's not enough for you, of course you can do engine work and start building it up, but make sure you give it a few months of solid riding before you do that.
The only downside I've ever seen from an Evo motor, or even the TwinCam in the touring models, is that they shake like a summamabitch. but smooth out at speed.

as for what model will fit you, well, i can't. i've been on my friends 2001 electra glide standard, and it was a nice ride. i've been on an 1992 883 sportster, and it was an 'okay' ride. though i was kinda top-heavy on a 470lb bike. now i have my 2010 fatboy lo, and it's like a dream. i sit way down inside the center of gravity on the bike, it's easy to ride, very nimble around corners, and i've done 600 mile trips on it over the course of 2 1/2 days, and still able to get off the bike and be able to walk around..so all i can really tell you is to go to an hd dealer, and just check out some of the new or used ones there and ask to take them for a ride and get a basic feel for what you'd like.
good luck

 

For 9k you could get a really nice used (previously enjoyed!) late model Dyna or Softail. Nothing wrong with Twin Cams as long as you know what to watch. I'd look for an '01 to '04 Heritage Softail if you want comfortable cruising with saddlebags and a windshield. Really only you can make the decision though, good luck.

 

A 2000 Road King sure would be hard to beat.

 

You have riding experience already.

I would check the dealer, Craigslist and Cycle Trader. Get the one that speaks to you. There is no one here that can tell you. We all have our own biased opinions.

Trust me, you'll know it when you see it.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the replies y'all!


Sgt_Jim Wow, that motor needs to rev to 4K to get it's torque? Thats a lot of RPM's for a big Harley motor. I'll have to look for a dyno chart, I just hope it'll make a lot of torque a little lower as well.

I thought H-Ds usually made their torque more around 2,800 RPM or so.

I would imagine it has pretty good HP though.

I don't know why I like low RPM torque, I just like the way the motor sounds down there. I think the Evo probly has a lot of torque down there too, it just peaks around 4K? I know its bad to lug it out like under 2K, but I love the sound of a H-D motor around 2-3K.

But yea I have heard the Evo is a hell of a motor, and the TC too just the TC has a couple things you need to lookout for.

Yea I'll definitly do some more looking to find the ideal model for me. I have ridden my dad's 07 softail deluxe. Great ride! But the seat could be more comfortable, but the foot position and all that are great for me. It has pleanty of power and torque, and cruises great at 70 MPH in 6th.

The main reason I want all that torque down there is, like my Shadow when your on the highway and you get strong winds, espically 2 up loaded down, it has to downshift and is at full throttle almost in heavy winds. I'd like to not worry about it and just be able to cruise. 77 ft/lbs is pretty good, a lot more than my bike's 47 ft/lbs @6500!

 

i just got a beauty 2003 aniversary fatboy for $8500, 22k miles..cant beat the TC. I've had 2 EVO's and altho great engines the TC is proving as much better than the EVO was to the Shovel

 

Well, I bought a bike yestarday!

I got a 2006 Heritage Softail from a dealer. We paid $13,000 out the door. My dad helped me a little, and we financed the rest, and I'm paying part of the payments.

Its a beutiful bike though! Only 22K miles, has a tach and some nice little add ons. Got a 2 year warrenty from HD too, they got the payments to be the same with the warrenty which we thought is awesome.

Man so far I LOVE the bike! Its exactly what I need. Its extremely comfortable, it has some smaller ape hangers, they are a bit up there but I think I can get used to them they aren't rediclous.

But wow, what a bike! Looks like a brand new bike! No comparison to the old Shadow. I'm still keeping the Shadow though, its like a sportster 883 pretty much just a fun little bike for the twisties, but not enjoyable so much for long trips, although I think even sportties are a little more comfy than the shadow. But its got a blown base gasket when the radiator lost all coolant and it overheated, it also burns oil a little so I'll rebuild the motor and customize it eventually. I love that little bike though, I got a solid 40,000 miles out of it with just a few issues in a little over a year! A lot of memeries in that thang, had it for years. Not bad for a $450 bike that came from a bike junkyard! Still ain't a looker but its a good bike.

But wow! This HD is so nice! I really like it. Can't wait to do some trips with my dad this summer on it, and I'll ride it 4 days a week to the ranch 60-84 miles round trip depending on the route.

I'll definitly be posting some pics when I can. I liked those Yamaha road stars, they are a good bike for the price, but something inside me just said it had to be an HD! I really like the Harley dealerships around here better too. All the big 4 dealers pester me and won't leave me alone, the HD dealers are much more lax and stay out of your way. And seem to have expensive but quality service.

Its got the TC88, and one of the guys thinks it could be bored to 95. It has screamin eagle pipes too. But it has a nice deep sound, and a lot of power between 2 and 4K. Has fuel injection too. Can't wait to ride it more!



LeFat1 yea I think the TC is a pretty good motor. They have a few little bugs I think like the cam chain tensioners, but both are certainly an improvement over the Shovel. I can't really compare the evo to the TC but seems that its a lot of personal prefrance, and both are good motors.

 

Congratulations and hurry with those pics!!! BTW, you mentioned riding with your dad. What does he ride?