Impressions after first Harley experience.. confused!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 2,397
From: Florida
Just being honest, sorry! I'd talk just as openly about the shortcomings of any bike I've ridden or owned. 
There's been much great advice here, and I'm learning a lot. Like I've said Im not trying to step on any feet, or be offensive.
That said, thank you all.. I'm off to the dealership in the morning to try some other models as suggested
There's been much great advice here, and I'm learning a lot. Like I've said Im not trying to step on any feet, or be offensive.
That said, thank you all.. I'm off to the dealership in the morning to try some other models as suggested
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 120
Likes: 2
From: Jeddo, TX
+1
That's precisely what I thought when I read the Original Poster's thoughts. No one has to ride a Harley and if everyone did we'd all have to start riding Indians.
That's precisely what I thought when I read the Original Poster's thoughts. No one has to ride a Harley and if everyone did we'd all have to start riding Indians.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 4
+1 on that!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 2
From: Atlantic City Area
My dealer has a "daily" rental rate. At the time it was like $60 for a 10am-6pm weekday rental. When I first decided on trying a Harley I rented a Heritage Softail for 1/2 the day, and then a Road King Classic for the 2nd half of the day. I was going to take a 3rd bike out but someone else had it out at the time. When I made a decision about which to purchase, the dealer credited back the rental price against my purchase. Check with your dealer, I bet they'd do something similar.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
We all be different, that's why the MoCo makes so many diff ones.
The Heritage does for me and the wife just what Ur wanting in a bike. We ride 2-3 hrs everyday we can and I have taken several long vacation trips on her.
For ME its the perfect bike, but that don't mean its the Perfect bike for everyone.
I'll add if U feel like U sitting on top of a softail, U better not sit on a touring bike.
U'll feel like Ur sitting on a mountain.
Also if U read a little in here U'll see 85% of us pay the Harley tax.. that means at least a STG1 and tune,,
Also U'll see another 25-40% or so of us install cams to really put a smile on Ur face and get some real performance out of the Motor. The EPA has them choked down really bad.
.
The Heritage does for me and the wife just what Ur wanting in a bike. We ride 2-3 hrs everyday we can and I have taken several long vacation trips on her.
For ME its the perfect bike, but that don't mean its the Perfect bike for everyone.
I'll add if U feel like U sitting on top of a softail, U better not sit on a touring bike.
U'll feel like Ur sitting on a mountain.
Also if U read a little in here U'll see 85% of us pay the Harley tax.. that means at least a STG1 and tune,,
Also U'll see another 25-40% or so of us install cams to really put a smile on Ur face and get some real performance out of the Motor. The EPA has them choked down really bad.
.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
Lot's of great opinions on the thread. I went from a Suzuki boulevard M50 with an 800cc liquid cooled engine to a 2008 HD Night Train with a hot *** air cooled 96 inch motor about a year and a half ago. There are definitely a few things I miss about my old bike but it still can't even compare to the way my Harley gets down the road. When you're on a Harley, you're on rolling piece of industrial art that you created. Unless you leave it completely stock, you will never see another person on your bike. So many possible combinations with all the aftermarket parts, accessories, performance mods out there. There's also something about them that has always just drawn me to em. Can't quite put my finger on it but I can feel it every time I sit down on my bike. I had ridden some other Harley's in the past but didn't get this feeling from all of em. Try some more models out and let us know how it goes. At the end of the day it's all about gettin out of that cage regardless of what you're doing it on. If Harley doesn't do it for you, no reason to drop the cash on one.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 542
Likes: 5
From: New York
Harleys are Dogs when they are stock.
( V-Rods are fast and the XR1200 is respectable)
When I test rode a Fatboy Lo 2 years ago I thought it was slow as hell. Bought my Fatboy last year and did the Stage 1 upgrade and it made it better but I wasn't really happy. This year I did a Stage IV motor upgrade and it's much better. Not Ducati fast but very respectable and I don't want a Ducati. My brother has 2 Ducati's, nice bikes but nothing like my Fatboy. He wants one now.
Honestly, they should make these bikes faster stock but after reading this thread you can realize that many don't care about that. Harleys are awesome don't give up on them after 1 ride.
I tried windshields and didn't like them and the buffeting so I got nothing for you other than I ride with a Full face helmet
.
( V-Rods are fast and the XR1200 is respectable)
When I test rode a Fatboy Lo 2 years ago I thought it was slow as hell. Bought my Fatboy last year and did the Stage 1 upgrade and it made it better but I wasn't really happy. This year I did a Stage IV motor upgrade and it's much better. Not Ducati fast but very respectable and I don't want a Ducati. My brother has 2 Ducati's, nice bikes but nothing like my Fatboy. He wants one now.
Honestly, they should make these bikes faster stock but after reading this thread you can realize that many don't care about that. Harleys are awesome don't give up on them after 1 ride.
I tried windshields and didn't like them and the buffeting so I got nothing for you other than I ride with a Full face helmet
.