Whats your thoughts
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: peri,in
with the problems h-d is haveing with the new bikes, if you are old enough to be old school buy a 2006 or earlier carbed bike. if its well maintainedit runs just as good
w/o all the electronic stuff. so i,ve got both.
w/o all the electronic stuff. so i,ve got both.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: "In a blaze of glory"
Softtails are good first bikes too for practicality. You strip it down for solo and you can put alot stuff back on it for overnighters. I'm eventually going to an ultra for trips one of these days but keeping my softtail for sorties.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 9
From: washington
i have had 2 dynas, a 98 super glide, it wasnt quite big enough for 2 people and as far as takingn a 2 or 3 day trip, i wouldnt have done it... now i have a 2010 dyna custom, it a much bigger bike then the 98 i had, i have bags for it and have done a couple 2 day trips with it and its big enough for 2...
it all depends on what you want and whether or not you think you will grow out of it.. i like the dyna and my wife will end up with it when i get the touring bike i want.. the choice is your
it all depends on what you want and whether or not you think you will grow out of it.. i like the dyna and my wife will end up with it when i get the touring bike i want.. the choice is your
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
If your crtieria is just commuting, I wouldn't get a Harley. Get a Honda Shadow. It is more fuel effificent and costs a lot less than a Super Glide. it is also lighter and will handle city driving a lot better. You also are going to be putting a lot of miles on a commuter bike and you don't want to care so much about keeping it clean looking and spiffy etc. You can probably find a decent used Shadow for around $4K. But if you want a Harley, a Super Glide is a good first bike. It just wouldn't be my first choice in a motorcycle if I was going to use it exclusively for commuting, for the reasons mentioned.
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Novice
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Redding, Ca.
I've never heard of anyone wishing they had bought a metric rather than a H-D....for ANY reason. I've heard a lot of justifying, but if it looks like a Harley and sounds like a Harley, why would you not buy exactly that? Right?
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
Because a metric would be a more practical commuter. IMO, of course. A lot less expensive, lighter, handles better in traffic, etc..
Harley will be more expensive, less fuel efficient, heavier, air cooled means overheating on freeway rush hour stand--stills, not as good handling in city traffic, more chrome to get dirtied up on the daily commute etc...In other words, not as good a choice as a commuter bike.
But that's assuming commuting is the primary reason for getting the bike, and not something else. To each their own, however. Just offering a different perspective.