Hey!

I am new to the bike world, and am just starting to do some research on bikes. I really do like the Softails more then anything, so I think that is what I will end up purchasing eventually!

I was wondering what the main differences are between Standard, Custom, Deuce, Fatboy, and Deluxe softails? I tried looking for like a comparission guide here on the forum, but didnt seem to find anything. Also, I would be purchasing a used HD, and i was wondering what are considered high miles on a bike? What kind of alarms do you reccomend? Anything you guys want to say to help me out anyway will be great, dont know much about bikes yet so!

Thanks for the help!

 

WTH, I'll take a shot at this. Go to the HD web site. Good comparison info there. Then spend about a month or so using your favorite search engine on the NET....... If you've never ridden a MC of any kind, might want to try that first.

 

Pritty much just looks bro, they are all set up pritty much the same. Just depends do you want a wide rear tire, and stubby front fender go with a fat boy, if you want the skinny front end go with a deuce, custom, or standard. If you want the best harley has to offer in the looks department its the deluxe all the way it just looks nostalgic

 

Main diff is tires, seats, bars and height.
sit on them, ride them, see which one fits U body, if not U'll spend a lot of money make it fit U.
Do U want bags, windshield, are U going to take long trips or just hop around town.
Forward controls, floorboards, 2 up or solo.
All these need to be entered in the thoughts of what bike to get...
Best is usually not to rush and dont let just the looks rule Ur purchase..

U have to be comfortable, lots of members in here that buy for looks only end up hating there ride because it kills them with pain in there shoulders and back after a hr or two ride because it dont fit right then up spending a lot of money on new bars, seats and foot controls.

 

Do you have a motorcycle license? If not, take a MSF basic riders course near you. They supply the bikes, usually something in the 250 cc range. Great instruction and well worth it. Then do some online research, spend some time at a dealer chatting people up and I would rent the bike of your choice for a day or weekend just to be sure. Lots of good deals online and elsewhere if you like to negotiate. Good luck.

http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=MN

 

Spend a crap load of time in this section and you'll eventually figure out the line up for softails. Between the heritage/fatboy/deluxe it's really front fender and rear tail light differences. The tires are different, as are the rims on the fatboy. But if that's the look you like you can use any of those as a starting point to create that kind of look. Some of the bikes on here look to be the same model until you learn what the front fender looks like on the 3 and which rear turn signal each has...unless someone has swapped those out then you'll need to learn tank emblems. The newer fatboys ('07) and up have 200 rear tires, much fatter than the 150 on my '03. Pre '07 bikes come with a 5 speed tranny, 6 speed after that. (I've got a 5 speed and it's all I've known and I'm happy with it) '07 fatboys have an offset front tire-if you see one and look for it you'll see it, if you don't know you might never notice it. pre '07 bikes have the 88 cu inch motor, 07 and later 96 cu inch. I have an 88 and have no power problems...I did add a new air cleaner and exhaust and rejetted, you will too eventually. Some bikes in the early 2000's have EFI, early models had issues ( not sure I have a carb), carbs went away in the mid 2000's...I can't remember-maybe the 07 year.

As far as mileage goes, there are tons of bikes out there with under 10,000 miles. Anything in the past 3 years models I would look for under 2,000 miles anything older than that add a 1,000 miles a year-there are plenty of bikes sitting in garages collecting dust that you can get a good deal on. I personally would not be afraid of a 2002 to present bike, just be aware of some issues with cam tensioners on older bikes - a maintenance issue you will have to deal with, but once taken care of no worries. You can usually finance anything 8 years old and younger, that set my cut off point when I got mine. If you want used, look for a long time, don't jump. The more you learn the more you will know what a good deal is. I got my 2003 fatboy last year with just under 10,000 miles for $8,500.

 

^ This...

 

Everything said is good. I would only add get the one you really like and don't settle with the thought of upgrading later. Don't get caught up in the cheap metric bike or sportster trap with the thought of "learning" to ride first, then getting a softail. In a month you'll be wishing for a softail and saddled with a bike you need to get rid of.

 

What? You mean there are other models other than the Deluxe/Heritage?

 

I've heard some rumors