I've decided to buy a Harley because:
1)my radical peg-scraping days are over
2)won't be doing any 1100mile stints in one day anymore, if I ever do go on any long tours again, I'll be motel-ing it every 3-400 miles so comfort is secondary to looks
3)I like to buy American if I can
4)I like metric cruisers, but not enough to pay close to harley money
5)Harleys are just plain cooler

SO, my question is....

Which new or recent model should i consider if I want Harley's best handling? I will be riding two-up often and neither of us are skinny, but care more about solo.

I kinda like the Deuce, but also like to use the front brake, and it only has one rotor.

I like the Anniversary Edition Road King, or Custom, but don't like the beach bars.

The cop bike is ok, but don't know alot about it

I like the sporty dyna model, especially if it has the shifter in the normal position. I like highway pegs for a little breeze to cool the crotch in the summer, but wish i could find a model w/o the forward controls

I like the road glide probably the best of all, but am not sure how I like the fairing. Also the street glide, but Im not sure of the actual differences.

I like the side hard bags, but don't want a full dresser "ice cream truck"

I like the fat boy's looks, too, but am unsure about the softtail chassis.
What are the pro's cons between the dyna chassis and the softail?

I have some experience riding a friends very custom sportster with a fatbob tank, all screaming eagle parts (fast!) and fwd controls and "chump" hangers.... it purred like a kitten and was no trouble but felt awkward, like i was "perched" on it, and the brakes were a little less than what i was used to, my old bike was a V65 Honda Sabre that was a bit of a slug at slow speeds but still easy to handle and was like a runaway train (145+mph) on the highway, no windshield.

Anyway, I am going to rent a Harley in AZ next month on a trip to help me decide which one to buy..... any advice?

 

I'd ride what you are interested in. I'm a Sportie guy.

 

nice bike, nice paint...
thanks for the reply, but I weigh almost 300lbs and I get the feeling that a sportster disappears into my ***-crack when i climb on it!
...and my gf is not skinny either, so I dont think we're Sportster candidates!
I was really looking to hear alot of comparisons btw the different designs, if they really make a lot of difference on the road.
I have skinny friends who are 100% Sportster fans, and they are great bikes, just not for me.
Is there alot of difference btw the softails and the dynas?

 

You say you like the Road Glide best of all, so get that model. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Tom

 

Get a Street Glide!

 

My advice to you would be to spend some time looking them over in person, sitting on all that you can, and renting or test riding (if the dealership in your area does that) as many of the models that you are interested in. Then after all that is done making an informed decision on which felt best and best suited your needs. Just my opinion though.

 

Ride several, get he one the looks and feels good to you.

 

Take this from another 300 lb. guy........don't buy a Sportster. In my opinion you need at least a softail, probably a Touring. I have a Heritage Springer and while it is comfortable enough, I am retired now and I get to ride more nowand do some trips, so I am getting ready to buy a Road King. That way I get the Touring suspension but I'm not a fairing kind of guy. Whatever you buy, welcome to the HD family and the forum! Good Luck
Phil

 

Reading your post, it sounds like you should definitely focus on the Touring Family. Roadking, Roadglide or Streetglide. I like the Roadglide, I am just uncomfortable with the frame mounted fairing. I wanted a fairing, so that knocked out the Road King. I went with the Streetglide and am happy. I weigh about 280, and my usual passenger weighs in at about 130. With both on the bike, there is plenty of travel left in the air ride suspension. The ability to change the shock setting, and the difficulty of working on a Softail because of the shock placement, kept me away from the Softtails.
The Streetglide isn't as top heavy to me as an Ultra, for obvious reasons. Even though I know the Ultras and Streetglides are basically the same bike, the Streetglide just "feels" smaller to me. Low speed handling is nothing short of phenomenal, and I have never had a problem cruising between 85 and 90 on the interstates. I only got the radio because it was standard on the Streetglide, but have come to appreciate it. I don't know how tall you are, but the Streetglide is noticeably lower to the ground than other bikes in its class.
If you don't like the bare bones bike, you can always add ammenities like the tour pack or backrests. Go to the Streetglide picture thread in the Forum. Some of our members have done wonderful things with theirs. I choose to ride mine basically stock, with the exception of some very basic performance mods, and a passenger backrest.
Good luck finding the bike that fits you.

 

no one but you can decide what bike is right for you. when i saw Athena (my 07 FXSTB) i just knew.