Softtail Deluxe
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
RE: Softtail Deluxe
Hang on !!!!
are you trying to suggest the Deluxe is a chicks bike?
grzly
are you trying to suggest the Deluxe is a chicks bike?
grzly
ORIGINAL: Trailfndr
The Deluxe was the first bike my wife had ever ridden after the MSF course. She started last year at age 56, and loves riding the Deluxe. She even asks me to go riding now, instead of the other way around. in that one year, she has over 5000 miles logged, Not bad for a beginner...
The Deluxe was the first bike my wife had ever ridden after the MSF course. She started last year at age 56, and loves riding the Deluxe. She even asks me to go riding now, instead of the other way around. in that one year, she has over 5000 miles logged, Not bad for a beginner...
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Softtail Deluxe
ORIGINAL: grzly
Hang on !!!!
are you trying to suggest the Deluxe is a chicks bike?
grzly
Hang on !!!!
are you trying to suggest the Deluxe is a chicks bike?
grzly
ORIGINAL: Trailfndr
The Deluxe was the first bike my wife had ever ridden after the MSF course. She started last year at age 56, and loves riding the Deluxe. She even asks me to go riding now, instead of the other way around. in that one year, she has over 5000 miles logged, Not bad for a beginner...
The Deluxe was the first bike my wife had ever ridden after the MSF course. She started last year at age 56, and loves riding the Deluxe. She even asks me to go riding now, instead of the other way around. in that one year, she has over 5000 miles logged, Not bad for a beginner...
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
RE: Softtail Deluxe
Nah .....just taking the p..s out of the other stupid threads about Deluxe being a chicks bike .... there are some serious dudes out there who could do with a humour transplant.
grzly
grzly
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,511
Likes: 12
From: Western, MA.
RE: Softtail Deluxe
I my opinion the Deluxe is a great all around bike. It looks great stripped down and it also looks natural with a windshield, bags, two up seat and even a tour pack for longer tripps.
I wish I had one.
Enjoy!
I wish I had one.
Enjoy!
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Softtail Deluxe
I wouldn't be afraid to make this your first bike. I started out on a Honda years ago, and more recently I owned a Sportster 883. I was a little nervous going to a bigger bike, I thought that it would handle like a bus compared to my Sportster, but what I have found out is that it is a dream to ride. It has a lower center of gravity, and I don't feel like I'm holding on to the bike so much as asctually riding it now. I should have skipped the Sporty and gone straight to the Deluxe. Love it.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Softtail Deluxe
If you've already taken and passed the safety course then you already know the answer. MSF teaches all 1st time riders to avoid larger, heavier bikes until you get experienced. The Deluxe is one of the easiest Harleys to ride but it's still a 700lb machine with a boat-load of low end torque. As long as you NEVER forget that while you're learning to ride you should be OK.
ORIGINAL: lexi
Hello all just want to know if a 2008 softtail deluxe is a good bike for a first time ridder.Already took the the class and passed.I only want to buy a bike 1 time and not out grow it in a year or two.Thank You all for your input.
Hello all just want to know if a 2008 softtail deluxe is a good bike for a first time ridder.Already took the the class and passed.I only want to buy a bike 1 time and not out grow it in a year or two.Thank You all for your input.
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Softtail Deluxe
OK I'll be the nay sayer here. A Deluxe is an awesome bike...low slung and well balanced....BUT a 1450 cc, 700 + lb bike is NOT a starter bike. (OK In unison now..."Yes Mom"
)
Actually, I say that for many reasons. Number one being that I have seen too many sad stories of the guy/gal that didn't want to waste thier money buying a starter bike...so they run out and buy thier dream Harley...and a couple of rides later they have scared themselves off the bike for good, they are nursing some very bad road rash and calling the insurance company to fix thier pretty $20k toy, or they are DEAD[
]. I'm not over exaggeratng. Not to long agao around here a man bought his dream fatboy..passed the MSF course and 2 rides later he lost control in his neighborhood and died. He had riden 20years ago and didn't think he needed to start smaller.
For you folks that don't want to waste your money....or a 250 is not big enough for your ego.....and especially f this is your first bike :
Get a smaller bike...not a Sportster (which can be a really fun but tough ride) but a mid-sized metric. Yamaha 650, Honda Shadow 700. I paid $3500for a late model Yamaha 650 that I threw on the ground (with no damamge to me or it) several times. No crying from me because I didn't have to have my $20K bike fixed each time. 9 months later I sold it for the same amount....minus tax and license. It paid for itself......
That does not mean you can't hang around here and learn about the Harley models. Heck you might find you want a Touring Bike (Yes I know bad words in the softail forum) instead of a softail and you didn't spend $20k to figure it out!
)Actually, I say that for many reasons. Number one being that I have seen too many sad stories of the guy/gal that didn't want to waste thier money buying a starter bike...so they run out and buy thier dream Harley...and a couple of rides later they have scared themselves off the bike for good, they are nursing some very bad road rash and calling the insurance company to fix thier pretty $20k toy, or they are DEAD[
]. I'm not over exaggeratng. Not to long agao around here a man bought his dream fatboy..passed the MSF course and 2 rides later he lost control in his neighborhood and died. He had riden 20years ago and didn't think he needed to start smaller.For you folks that don't want to waste your money....or a 250 is not big enough for your ego.....and especially f this is your first bike :
Get a smaller bike...not a Sportster (which can be a really fun but tough ride) but a mid-sized metric. Yamaha 650, Honda Shadow 700. I paid $3500for a late model Yamaha 650 that I threw on the ground (with no damamge to me or it) several times. No crying from me because I didn't have to have my $20K bike fixed each time. 9 months later I sold it for the same amount....minus tax and license. It paid for itself......
That does not mean you can't hang around here and learn about the Harley models. Heck you might find you want a Touring Bike (Yes I know bad words in the softail forum) instead of a softail and you didn't spend $20k to figure it out!
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Softtail Deluxe
I rode dirt bikes from 10 until 20 years old, then no riding until I bought our deluxe in June of 2005. [30 years later]
Took the Idaho "Star" 2 day riding class, got the bike a week later. Drove home two up! Practiced on some back roads.
Everything is good. Just practice in empty parking lots and on light traffic streets to get used to the weight and such.
The power of the bike has nothing to do with your control, unless you are jumping on to my sons Hyabusa!!!!!!
Took the Idaho "Star" 2 day riding class, got the bike a week later. Drove home two up! Practiced on some back roads.
Everything is good. Just practice in empty parking lots and on light traffic streets to get used to the weight and such.
The power of the bike has nothing to do with your control, unless you are jumping on to my sons Hyabusa!!!!!!
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
RE: Softtail Deluxe
Hmmm. I dunno. I bought my '05 Deluxe without knowing how to ride at all! Had to have it delivered to my house, in fact. Two weeks later, I passed the MSF course and have been riding ever since. Now its 10,000 miles later, ridden through terrible storms, hail, etc., and the bike has always been good to me. I love the heavy and low feel. Rode my buddys Sporty and I found it unstable; too light and the high center of gravity made me feel unstable. Totally satisfied with the Deluxe and the whole Harley experience.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
RE: Softtail Deluxe
ORIGINAL: Bluerose
OK I'll be the nay sayer here. A Deluxe is an awesome bike...low slung and well balanced....BUT a 1450 cc, 700 + lb bike is NOT a starter bike. (OK In unison now..."Yes Mom")
Actually, I say that for many reasons. Number one being that I have seen too many sad stories of the guy/gal that didn't want to waste thier money buying a starter bike...so they run out and buy thier dream Harley...and a couple of rides later they have scared themselves off the bike for good, they are nursing some very bad road rash and calling the insurance company to fix thier pretty $20k toy, or they are DEAD[]. I'm not over exaggeratng. Not to long agao around here a man bought his dream fatboy..passed the MSF course and 2 rides later he lost control in his neighborhood and died. He had riden 20years ago and didn't think he needed to start smaller.
For you folks that don't want to waste your money....or a 250 is not big enough for your ego.....and especially f this is your first bike :
Get a smaller bike...not a Sportster (which can be a really fun but tough ride) but a mid-sized metric. Yamaha 650, Honda Shadow 700. I paid $3500for a late model Yamaha 650 that I threw on the ground (with no damamge to me or it) several times. No crying from me because I didn't have to have my $20K bike fixed each time. 9 months later I sold it for the same amount....minus tax and license. It paid for itself......
That does not mean you can't hang around here and learn about the Harley models. Heck you might find you want a Touring Bike (Yes I know bad words in the softail forum) instead of a softail and you didn't spend $20k to figure it out!
OK I'll be the nay sayer here. A Deluxe is an awesome bike...low slung and well balanced....BUT a 1450 cc, 700 + lb bike is NOT a starter bike. (OK In unison now..."Yes Mom"
)Actually, I say that for many reasons. Number one being that I have seen too many sad stories of the guy/gal that didn't want to waste thier money buying a starter bike...so they run out and buy thier dream Harley...and a couple of rides later they have scared themselves off the bike for good, they are nursing some very bad road rash and calling the insurance company to fix thier pretty $20k toy, or they are DEAD[
]. I'm not over exaggeratng. Not to long agao around here a man bought his dream fatboy..passed the MSF course and 2 rides later he lost control in his neighborhood and died. He had riden 20years ago and didn't think he needed to start smaller.For you folks that don't want to waste your money....or a 250 is not big enough for your ego.....and especially f this is your first bike :
Get a smaller bike...not a Sportster (which can be a really fun but tough ride) but a mid-sized metric. Yamaha 650, Honda Shadow 700. I paid $3500for a late model Yamaha 650 that I threw on the ground (with no damamge to me or it) several times. No crying from me because I didn't have to have my $20K bike fixed each time. 9 months later I sold it for the same amount....minus tax and license. It paid for itself......
That does not mean you can't hang around here and learn about the Harley models. Heck you might find you want a Touring Bike (Yes I know bad words in the softail forum) instead of a softail and you didn't spend $20k to figure it out!
Thank God you spoke up, Bev.
Don't let your ego get in your way when making a decision. I've been riding over 35 years,all my bikes were Japanese. I thought I could handle anything until I bought my first HD.It's completely different from the bikes I've ridden in thepast. 300 lbs heavier and $20,000.00 more expensive. You can bet I remind myself that everytime I hop on for a ride.
Take your time and buy a cheap bike tobuild your confidence with.
It won't be so costly if you drop it.