I'm new to this forum. Myself and my wife are looking into getting some bikes again.
She would like to go 1200 Sportser and I don't know what to go with. I'm 6'2" 285 lbs. so I'm going to need a bigger bike but NOT a FULL DRESSER! Honestley I'm torn between the Raider S and something along the lines of a Fatboy. I seen and sat on alot of Harleys and nothing really fit me good until I seen a bike that I thought was Harley at first and then found out it was a Star Raider S. I sat on it and it fit me like a glove. But...... I was or am one of those guys that said OH there goes another Harley wannabe bike. What are your guys opinions of this? Pros and Cons of both bikes and why? I heard that I'm just paying for the name if I go Harley and be ready to spend some $$$$ HD stands for Hundred Dollars I was told. Seriously I need advice from you all. Thanks.

 

I've not had any experience with the raider. But, every Yamaha of the V-Star variety that I've seen have been well worth the money spent, in both looks and ride quality. Some have ultimately been replaced by HD's, because of personal desire more than any other reason. There are as many wannabes on Big Dogs and FatBoys for that matter. Get your butt back in the wind, ride what you want. Just dont wear fingerless gloves or OCC shirts....

 

Well, you ARE on an HD forum so you know the bias around here.
I dig HD's and probably always will. If you are handy with tools and LIKE to work on mechanical things, I'd think a used bike would be right up your alley. HD prices are falling now so there are better deals out there than have been in a long time. If you pick up a good bike that you like just the way it is, it isn't too expensive to maintain. The expense integrates upward exponentially when you start customizing it (or as many say, "Making it your own"). You can control that cost somewhat by searching for "deals" on Ebay and such or making stuff yourself. If ya hotrod it, like most other things, the reliability may decrease.
If that Raider S fits you best and it is a good bike, I'd say "Buy it and don't look back."
Bottom line to me is something my great uncle used to say, "To each, his own."
Good luck to ya.

 

And.....if that's her in your avatar, I have room on my Springer Cassic!

 

Yes that is my wife in my avatar and she will have her own bike to ride[8D]Then me when we get homeor stop some where

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W5DY...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHr69...eature=related

 

Well, I once bought a new Jap wannabe because someone convinced me I could get as much bike forless money. They were right, but I was so ashamed of it I took the tank badges off. I only put 3,000 miles on that bike and sold it for a huge loss.
Never again.
Marsh

 

You can ride a Harley or you can ride a wannabe it's totally up to you....
Oh and tell your wife for me...NICE BUTT...


Da Bone

 

You should never never never never never never make the mistake of buying a harley if you are going to be continually worried about money. You buya safe and cheap jap bike. This is the wrong forum to get financial counselling on a HD. In fact i am now wondering whether you are serious.

 

Sportys are not bad bikes. they've got 1200 motors in the bigger ones which was the stock motor in HD for years. til the evo came along in 84 and bumped it up. as far as the frame goes though they are small bikes. fatboys for some reason seemed like a bad fit for me, I'm only 5'9 200lbs. my NT fit me perfect.
anyways, I had a japper first, regretted it and now I'm on the HD. I took a loss, but what the hell, HD is what I really wanted.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I will drive the Raider S and then I will try a Fatboy and some others out and decide after the ride.