i am currently the owner of 1984 ironhead sportster that sits in the garage begging to have money poured into it. i say time for a present and lets get a 2005 softail standard. behold before my eyes 2005 victory vegas 8 ball...great price ...great reviews...looks hot. my brain leads toward the victory, but my heart tugs for the softy. somebody, anybody please help clear my head. this back and forth is day and night..it's killing me. forever gratefull...jake.

 

Can't help you much but you have to consider, when you finally make the purchase, will you wish you'd gotten the other one? I was that way when I bought my Standard. I was leaning toward a metric cruiser because they were a lot less money. But at the end of the day, I knew I'd never be satisfied until I got the Standard. So, I nutted it up, got the Standard and I truly love it!

 

In my humble opinion, they are both good bikes and there is a difference in styling and perception... I had a chance to ride a Touring Cruiser and it was a nice ride, but wasn't what I liked. Will they through in a Polaris jet ski, snowmobile or a trip to Canada??

 

84 Ironhead... heck Jake, your's is new compared to my 78!

 

I prefer the Harley. There are a lot of Harley shops around if you have trouble on the road, plus there are a million independent shops that can work or Harley's. Don't know if that is the case with the Victory or not. In my area we don't see many of them, and at the rallys I go to there don't seem to be many.

Before I plopped down the bucks, I would check NADA or Blue Book for used models, and determine the depriciation factor on both. It's pretty easy to move a used HD, and get a pretty good price for it. Don't know if that is the case with the Victory or not.

Regards,

Bill

 

good advice thanx guys and safe ridin

 

I also think that the advice that has been given is good. Harley's and Jap bikes have been around for a long time and it might be easier to find repair shops as you travel around the country. I'm not familiar with Victory motorcycles, even though we have one in the area. I don't know how hard it would be for a non Victory machanic to be able to work on the bike. Personally, I'd settle for something that would give me the best chance for repairs on the road.

 

The biggest problem with the Victory is its resale value. If you buy the Harley, you'll remain liquid. I can't say the same thing for thr Victory...

Ryan

 

The Pull Your *** Victory is a nice bike, but it's not an HD. It doesn't have the looks, (the jugs just don't look right) and it doesn't have respect yet. Buy HD, or go custom.

 

me, I still like my softtail. It was love at 1st sight. That is why I bought it.
When you see the right one you will know it.

Second best or settling for something else is just that... settling.

I still smile when I see it as I am sure we all do when we walk into the garage.