Softtail Deluxe
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Softtail Deluxe
I can speak from experience.....
On July 28th, I took the MSN course. I found the course to be fairly easy (not bragging, just giving a frame of reference!!)
On August the 7th I bought an '07 Deluxe.. I also didnt want to mess with a bike that I was only going to turn around and sell...
I found the Deluxe to be VERY well balanced, smooth, and easy to ride.
The first day I only drove it to the end of my drive way and back (250 ft and it was dusk)..
The next day I putted around in a housing development near my home.
I practiced making smooth stops and take offs as well as taking off and turning from a stop....
A couple of days of that and I was feeling more comfortable. I began to slowly expand my adventures.
Yesterday I drove 130 miles around the backroads of north Texas and felt really comfortable.
The biggest issue I had is determining the right gear... if I drive like the manual says, it lugs (do a search here for more on that)
Take it SLOW.... baby steps....
Its also worth noting that my Dad bought a 750 shadow 4 days after I bought mine...
Although it weighs in at MUCH less, it really doesnt FEEL that much different....
It really depends on your aptitude... can you be calm on a $20k pristine bike?
Can you take it easy and stay out of the throttle??
Only you can decide for yourself...
Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss further.....
(If it helps any... I am 5'11" and weigh 190.. )
On July 28th, I took the MSN course. I found the course to be fairly easy (not bragging, just giving a frame of reference!!)
On August the 7th I bought an '07 Deluxe.. I also didnt want to mess with a bike that I was only going to turn around and sell...
I found the Deluxe to be VERY well balanced, smooth, and easy to ride.
The first day I only drove it to the end of my drive way and back (250 ft and it was dusk)..
The next day I putted around in a housing development near my home.
I practiced making smooth stops and take offs as well as taking off and turning from a stop....
A couple of days of that and I was feeling more comfortable. I began to slowly expand my adventures.
Yesterday I drove 130 miles around the backroads of north Texas and felt really comfortable.
The biggest issue I had is determining the right gear... if I drive like the manual says, it lugs (do a search here for more on that)
Take it SLOW.... baby steps....
Its also worth noting that my Dad bought a 750 shadow 4 days after I bought mine...
Although it weighs in at MUCH less, it really doesnt FEEL that much different....
It really depends on your aptitude... can you be calm on a $20k pristine bike?
Can you take it easy and stay out of the throttle??
Only you can decide for yourself...
Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss further.....
(If it helps any... I am 5'11" and weigh 190.. )
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Florida
RE: Softtail Deluxe
ORIGINAL: oldskool
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.
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.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Softtail Deluxe
I have an '08 Deluxe. I purchased it in July and spent the first 100 miles or so riding around my neighborhood. I had ridden as a teenager but, that has been 20+ years ago. I wanted to make sure I was comfortable on "Earl" before I took him out on the highway! I think the Deluxe is a perfect bike for me. The key is to realize your experience level and to not put yourself in situations you can't react to. If you want the Deluxe....go for it! Just plan on spending some time in an empty parking lot getting acquainted with it!
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From:
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!
Spyke.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 952
Likes: 7
From: Waterford, MI.
RE: Softtail Deluxe
Thereis more than one way to skin a cat. I truely believe that it is better to start with something used that will not break your heart if it gets dropped. I started that way (with crotch rockets) and my wife did it that way also. She went from never riding a bike, to taking the MSF, to riding a used Honda Rebel for a few hundred miles without a problem, to her XL1200L. Riding small first allowed her to gain confidence and not worry about damaging a brandnew HD. We sold the Rebel for $100 less than I bought it for as they are always in demand for beginners. Good luck with your riding and be safe out there.
Mark
Mark
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,355
Likes: 0
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: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Softtail Deluxe
I agree. Look at my photo alblum and you will see it solo as well as set for two up. Good bike, but IMO for riders no taller the 6 feet tall. I am 5'9" and I would not want to be much taller on it. Great bike IMO!