Hey folks new to the HD side of motorcycling. I currently ride an ‘85 gl1200 goldwing that I’ve chopped down into a cafe racer. It’s been a fun bike but I just got out of college, I’m starting my career job in January, and I want something new, comfortable and more powerful. My dad is an evo chopper guy, and I’ve ridden my fair share of evo Harley’s and love that sound, but I’m craving some more juice and fuel injection. But I’m conflicted right now because there are two bikes that fit what I’m wanting right now, I was hoping I could get some advice. I haven’t ridden a twin cam or an M8, but there’s an ‘08 street bob with the 96 twin cam with a Vance and Hines exhaust and air cleaner that’s within my budget right now, the other bike is a ‘21 street bob with the 114, it’s just outside my budget, and totally stock other than a fairing and some half foot boards which I like on the mid controls. Both bikes are sweet, and I know what mods and paint I’d like to slap on but is the M8 worth waiting winter out to save up or should I just snag the dyna? I plan on using it for an around the town bike, with the occasional 2-4 hour tour in the summer, I ride two up pretty often and that’s a priority as the lady just has no interest in trying to fit on the back of my GSXR, so I want a nice cruise around relaxed ride. Thanks yall!

96” twin cam 13,000 miles

114” M8 384 miles

 

just me, but think I'd collect empty pop 'n beer cans to scrap to try to scrape up enough to buy the '21 with only 384 miles on it


..L.T.A.

 

If you are having to wait winter out anyways, keep saving. It's a buyers market right now, not likely to change before next riding season. More and more deals will present themselves and you'll most likely have a bigger budget in Feb. if you electronically file your taxes and are getting a decent return.

 

Wait just a damn minute! Pics of Goldwing transformed into a cafe racer are MANDATORY!

 

On that statement alone, save for the 114 M8. As a bonus you'll get the new softail platform which imho will be better for a passenger as the rear suspension has adjustable pre-load specifically for 2-up riding.

I'd try to test ride both and the choice should be apparent. I'd also try to restrain from picking a bike just to have a bike now.

 

I am a fan of the Twin Cam bikes. I own 4 of them.... BUT ......

There is a significant difference in technology, ride, and parts availability between the '08 Street Bob and the '21 Street Bob. If you were to test drive them side by side, you'd realize they are only the same bike in model name only.

As far as pricing, both reflect the current market and neither is a "screaming deal". The asking price for the '08 Street Bob and the '21 Street Bob are both almost exactly $500 below the JD Powers average retail value. Since both are reasonably priced, and the market won't change any time soon, if the '21 sells, you should be able to find another comparable one by the time you save the extra money.

In your shoes, I'd wait to buy a '21 Street Bob.

 

My GL1200 next to my buddies first bike (‘21 Royal enfield Int 650 ) the wing started as a fully faired interstate model, I got it for $200 bucks in 2021 from in some guys yard, fixed it up chopped it and have kept it going for a good long time, rode from Colorado to Las Vegas, been all around Utah, heavy rain, snow sometimes and just been a killer bike

 

OK, now I have seen everything.... a chopped Gold Wing....

Actually, not unlike how the old Harley baggers were chopped and the Harley "Bobber" style was born...

 

Man, I'd buy something with bags if I lived in Denver. You'd never see me in town on the weekends in the Summer.

Nice job with the Wing, btw.

 

OP, I purchased my new M8 Street Glide a year ago last week. I remember having the thought last winter that I would never buy a new bike in a fall again as not being able to ride it because of weather ( cold ) but at the same time if one can get a better deal now vs Spring why not?

My local Harley dealers push, push, push for me to do a test ride every time I walk in looking at bikes.
Perhaps consider a test ride of a modern Harley?

The wife recently purchased a 2019 Sport Glide 107 M8, That Softail suspension is nice IMO and I like the M8. When we were looking for her a bike I told a few salesmen my requirement was a M8 and one asked why? It kinda took me back and I was not sure of an answer but being I came from my evo to a new M8 and the fact that I have never owned a twin cam and the fact that I had just purchased a new 23 M8, the idea of even learning how to change the oil in a twin cam now that it is out of production just didn't feel like the best thing for me to do.