Impressions after first Harley experience.. confused!
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 571
Likes: 8
From: Alexandria, VA (via Northern CA)
I had sort of the same observation after I bought my Harley. Wasn't i impressed with the fit and finish. It's grown on me though but when I feel the need for speed, I grab the keys to my Triumph Speed Triple...
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Well, went back to the dealer today, and had a great experience. I rode the fat boy, fat bob and a road king, and I liked all three better than my first ride on the heritage.
It also turns out that the heritage was a used bike that had been traded in. It was pretty beat up and high mileage with a short after market windshield. Maybe all part of the problem on that first ride. I wouldn't be opposed to trying another heritage, especially now that I know I prefer the ride without the windshield, but like others pointed out, it may just not be the right bike for me. I still think they're one of the best looking. I'm a fan of the classic styling and studded bags.
The fat bob had that sporty feel, and plenty of power, even bone stock. But again, thats not my primary concern. The road king was also sweet, but maybe a little too big for me all dressed up. I think the fat boy was a good compromise.
I was impressed with all three bikes today. Thanks again for the guys here chiming in to help point me in the right direction. Its appreciated.
It also turns out that the heritage was a used bike that had been traded in. It was pretty beat up and high mileage with a short after market windshield. Maybe all part of the problem on that first ride. I wouldn't be opposed to trying another heritage, especially now that I know I prefer the ride without the windshield, but like others pointed out, it may just not be the right bike for me. I still think they're one of the best looking. I'm a fan of the classic styling and studded bags.
The fat bob had that sporty feel, and plenty of power, even bone stock. But again, thats not my primary concern. The road king was also sweet, but maybe a little too big for me all dressed up. I think the fat boy was a good compromise.
I was impressed with all three bikes today. Thanks again for the guys here chiming in to help point me in the right direction. Its appreciated.
You do realize your also comparing two different style Motors also. The softail (Fatboy, Heritage) is hard mounted internally balanced. The Dyna (FatBob, Wide Glide) and Touring (Road King) are rubber mounted unbalanced. You need to decide which motor YOU prefer, Then chose a Bike with that motor.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Oak Harbor
Well, went back to the dealer today, and had a great experience. I rode the fat boy, fat bob and a road king, and I liked all three better than my first ride on the heritage.
It also turns out that the heritage was a used bike that had been traded in. It was pretty beat up and high mileage with a short after market windshield. Maybe all part of the problem on that first ride. I wouldn't be opposed to trying another heritage, especially now that I know I prefer the ride without the windshield, but like others pointed out, it may just not be the right bike for me. I still think they're one of the best looking. I'm a fan of the classic styling and studded bags.
The fat bob had that sporty feel, and plenty of power, even bone stock. But again, thats not my primary concern. The road king was also sweet, but maybe a little too big for me all dressed up. I think the fat boy was a good compromise.
I was impressed with all three bikes today. Thanks again for the guys here chiming in to help point me in the right direction. Its appreciated.
It also turns out that the heritage was a used bike that had been traded in. It was pretty beat up and high mileage with a short after market windshield. Maybe all part of the problem on that first ride. I wouldn't be opposed to trying another heritage, especially now that I know I prefer the ride without the windshield, but like others pointed out, it may just not be the right bike for me. I still think they're one of the best looking. I'm a fan of the classic styling and studded bags.
The fat bob had that sporty feel, and plenty of power, even bone stock. But again, thats not my primary concern. The road king was also sweet, but maybe a little too big for me all dressed up. I think the fat boy was a good compromise.
I was impressed with all three bikes today. Thanks again for the guys here chiming in to help point me in the right direction. Its appreciated.
I see 4 minutes after you posted this you also edited your original post. I think I know why.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: USA
Well, I rode metrics for years...put a lot of miles on them. I usually did all my own maintenance, till I had a major problem with the last one that I needed some special tools to repair and the bike had a 5 year still in effect. Since the economy took a turn a lot of the metric dealers were closing left and right. I took it to the closest dealer 100 miles away, they kept it 5 weeks and made a mess of it. Brake fluid on the fairing ruint the paint, bolts missing all over and oil leaks everywhere. I finally got the bike back in shape and sold it cause it was tainted and I did not trust it to tour long distance anymore. Of course they paid for the parts and paint.
So I was out of bike. I looked at many different ones but HD was the only one that really had a nationwide service network established.
I had some bad experiences with HD dealers in the past as I usually ride with HD riders and some of them have to stop at every dealer they pass when you are traveling. Attitudes and other stuff did not set well with me. Maybe it was cause I was riding a metric touring bike...seems everyone who walks through the door of a HD dealership should be a potential customer. Many dealers have not figured that out yet.
Honda would not let me ride the new 2012 GW, so that pissed me off. It cost a lot more also.
Found a great HD dealer 245 miles from home and bought a 2012 Limited.
I had the same impression as you at first and paid the Harley tax to fix some things to make it fit me better.
5000 miles later the engine was knocking like a diesel... Talk about bad luck. HD replaced the engine and got the bike back to me in 8 days... I could not ask no better than that. The dealer did a great job for sure.
Still for as much as these bikes cost...I do not like the rattling valves/rocker arms and clanking when you shift this bike. I think they could tighten up on the tolerances some to fix some of that and it would be a big plus to me. The clad plated bolts holding chrome items on, kinda bugs me also. (why do they do that?) The bike handles great and runs good, even though it is bone stock with the cats removed. It has more room in the tour pak/saddle bags and is pretty comfortable for those long hauls. I like the classy looks and would like it more if it did not have those pin stripes on it but a paint job may be in its future. Thin white walls are gone and I do not miss them at all.
The total cost of ownership was a surprise to me as I think it is for most new HD owners. Tire change and 10K service cost me almost 3/4 grand.
To me this is a machine made of steel, plastic and rubber. I ride a good bit, usually put 20-24K on one a year...Over 11k now. It is not garage jewelry to me. Although I keep it spotless clean. I know, I know it is a "legend"...if so then Ford is a legend also.
I must admit I have not took to wearing the HD clothes/hats and dressing like a pirate when I ride...nor do I have HD stickers on my cars and trucks, or drinking the cool aid. The bike is growing on me as time goes by. I like the fact that you can customize it like you want it but it cost dearly.
Would I buy a HD again...maybe but time will tell how it is gonna hold up after the warranty expires. I very much like the fact that I can get service on the road. Right now I am about 300 miles from home on my bike. The bad luck at 5000 miles kinda got me little shy to say for sure.
One thing I would like folks to understand...from my experience all brands of bikes have their little problems and quirks. (HD included) Some worst than others, some you can live with some you may not can. I can tell you about the known problems/quirks of the other bikes that I have owned. You learn to live with the issues or get rid of the bike.
None is gonna be perfect...
Good luck finding the right one for you. Like they said above...ride more HD bikes, but do not expect them to jerk your arms out of socket like the some of crotch rockets seem to do.
So I was out of bike. I looked at many different ones but HD was the only one that really had a nationwide service network established.
I had some bad experiences with HD dealers in the past as I usually ride with HD riders and some of them have to stop at every dealer they pass when you are traveling. Attitudes and other stuff did not set well with me. Maybe it was cause I was riding a metric touring bike...seems everyone who walks through the door of a HD dealership should be a potential customer. Many dealers have not figured that out yet.
Honda would not let me ride the new 2012 GW, so that pissed me off. It cost a lot more also.
Found a great HD dealer 245 miles from home and bought a 2012 Limited.
I had the same impression as you at first and paid the Harley tax to fix some things to make it fit me better.
5000 miles later the engine was knocking like a diesel... Talk about bad luck. HD replaced the engine and got the bike back to me in 8 days... I could not ask no better than that. The dealer did a great job for sure.
Still for as much as these bikes cost...I do not like the rattling valves/rocker arms and clanking when you shift this bike. I think they could tighten up on the tolerances some to fix some of that and it would be a big plus to me. The clad plated bolts holding chrome items on, kinda bugs me also. (why do they do that?) The bike handles great and runs good, even though it is bone stock with the cats removed. It has more room in the tour pak/saddle bags and is pretty comfortable for those long hauls. I like the classy looks and would like it more if it did not have those pin stripes on it but a paint job may be in its future. Thin white walls are gone and I do not miss them at all.
The total cost of ownership was a surprise to me as I think it is for most new HD owners. Tire change and 10K service cost me almost 3/4 grand.
To me this is a machine made of steel, plastic and rubber. I ride a good bit, usually put 20-24K on one a year...Over 11k now. It is not garage jewelry to me. Although I keep it spotless clean. I know, I know it is a "legend"...if so then Ford is a legend also.
I must admit I have not took to wearing the HD clothes/hats and dressing like a pirate when I ride...nor do I have HD stickers on my cars and trucks, or drinking the cool aid. The bike is growing on me as time goes by. I like the fact that you can customize it like you want it but it cost dearly.
Would I buy a HD again...maybe but time will tell how it is gonna hold up after the warranty expires. I very much like the fact that I can get service on the road. Right now I am about 300 miles from home on my bike. The bad luck at 5000 miles kinda got me little shy to say for sure.
One thing I would like folks to understand...from my experience all brands of bikes have their little problems and quirks. (HD included) Some worst than others, some you can live with some you may not can. I can tell you about the known problems/quirks of the other bikes that I have owned. You learn to live with the issues or get rid of the bike.
None is gonna be perfect...
Good luck finding the right one for you. Like they said above...ride more HD bikes, but do not expect them to jerk your arms out of socket like the some of crotch rockets seem to do.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Washington DC
Fat Boy LO
Glad to see, after writing your first post, you were able to take some time to try out a few other models. I rode an FXDF Dyna Fat Bob for 2 years, and liked the overall handling and speed she had. Not quite the Hyabusa a friend of mine rides, but then again, that's not what Harley's are. The Bob wasn't quite configured for me to take longer trips with the girlfriend, so I traded the Bob in this past year for a Softai Fat Boy Lo, which I love. After the Stage 1, she runs pretty fast and handles pretty well for a cruiser, and with detachable saddle bags, windshield and sissy (with a travel bag attachment) bar, she travels quite nicely for 2 people. Basically, I can go from stripped down cruiser to touring bike in less than 5 minutes.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
I've owned 2 ducatis and my 1st harley was a Evo heritage I hated it. I now have a superglide custom that's modded for speed and handling. Go talk to the local Indy mechanics and tell them what you ride now and what your expectations of a motorcycle are.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
It's a Legend
I started riding in the early 70's and on all kinds of bikes but all I ever owned was a Harley. The bike previous to the one I have now was a 97 Heritage and it was a complete pig, borring as hell to ride. It was worse then an old 70 Electra Glide I once had. I now have a Deluxe with tons of mods and it is a dream come true. This thing has MAJOR ***** and I would ride it anywhere, anytime and that is even with my bad hips. Give a Deluxe or a few other bikes a try before you throw in the towel. Always remember this though, its a HARLEY, not a METRIC and there is and always will be a differance. If you are not prepared for a few small trade off's then its not the bike for you. Its like the differance between a Cadillac and a Datsun Z car, what do you want to ride. Its a "LEGEND" not a sport bike and thats what its all about.