Looking for advice on upgrading from a Sporty
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Looking for advice on upgrading from a Sporty
I bought a 2004 883 last year as my first bike and it has been a great bike to learn on. A couple of weeks ago I rented a 2012 Street Glide and I simply must get a bigger bike now. Im 35 with a young son, so touring is still a long ways off. I use my bike as a work commuter (I live in Northern NJ) a couple of days a week and I get out on the weekends occasionally.
Since touring and budget constraints will keep a big bagger off my list, Im looking at Dynas and Softails; to be honest however, Im leaning more to a Softail since they are supposedly more comfortable. Will use for 2-up riding occasionally, but for short stints.
Here are my questions. With a budget of $8k-$9k what used bike in the Softail family should I ideally look for and what can I realistically get? As an aside, Im not really into the Heritage look. Im 510, 200lbs and had no problem with the SG so Im not too concerned with size. Were there any major advancements (frame changes, fuel injection, rubber engine mounts, ect ) in certain years that are critical in having.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Since touring and budget constraints will keep a big bagger off my list, Im looking at Dynas and Softails; to be honest however, Im leaning more to a Softail since they are supposedly more comfortable. Will use for 2-up riding occasionally, but for short stints.
Here are my questions. With a budget of $8k-$9k what used bike in the Softail family should I ideally look for and what can I realistically get? As an aside, Im not really into the Heritage look. Im 510, 200lbs and had no problem with the SG so Im not too concerned with size. Were there any major advancements (frame changes, fuel injection, rubber engine mounts, ect ) in certain years that are critical in having.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Driggs, Idaho
I just went from a 2001 XL1200C to a 2009 Heritage. The difference is night and day. The ride is unreal on the Heritage. I can strip it down for town or tour on it like I did this weekend. You will not be disappointed with a Heritage. The look is classic, but you can do whatever you want with it. Just my 2 cents.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Aurora, Colorado
The only thing I can tell you is how I came to decide what bike to get ...
I love the look of a stripped down basic bike ... single seat, bare bones cool. Well, when I really thought about what I want out of my ride, things changed. I wanted a bigger bike too, I just came off a smaller Triumph.
I wanted bags to carry stuff ... I hated the backpack I had to wear with the Triumph. I wanted to ride to work, take longer weekend rides. Ride everywhere, all the time. I needed to carry stuff, I'm not a kid anymore. Work stuff, tools, clothes, food, drink, running errands to buy whatever.
Riding on the highway ... seriously, an hour on the highway on a stripped down single seater starts to wear me down. As much as I hate it, I wanted a windshield for the long highway rides, the cold.
2 up ... yeah, I like to take the ladies for a ride. Not that often, but once in a while. They sure don't like the small b1tch pad, and it's not that nice for the rider either.
I bought a Heritage ... it strips down when I want that .... I can load it up, ride double, and that windshield goes on and off in seconds. The great thing about a Harley is customizing the bike to be your own, but you need to really think about what you want out of a bike, not just what you think looks cool. Unless you can afford a couple bikes, that sweet looker might spend more time in the garage than on the road.
Really do some thinking ... find your match
I love the look of a stripped down basic bike ... single seat, bare bones cool. Well, when I really thought about what I want out of my ride, things changed. I wanted a bigger bike too, I just came off a smaller Triumph.
I wanted bags to carry stuff ... I hated the backpack I had to wear with the Triumph. I wanted to ride to work, take longer weekend rides. Ride everywhere, all the time. I needed to carry stuff, I'm not a kid anymore. Work stuff, tools, clothes, food, drink, running errands to buy whatever.
Riding on the highway ... seriously, an hour on the highway on a stripped down single seater starts to wear me down. As much as I hate it, I wanted a windshield for the long highway rides, the cold.
2 up ... yeah, I like to take the ladies for a ride. Not that often, but once in a while. They sure don't like the small b1tch pad, and it's not that nice for the rider either.
I bought a Heritage ... it strips down when I want that .... I can load it up, ride double, and that windshield goes on and off in seconds. The great thing about a Harley is customizing the bike to be your own, but you need to really think about what you want out of a bike, not just what you think looks cool. Unless you can afford a couple bikes, that sweet looker might spend more time in the garage than on the road.
Really do some thinking ... find your match
Last edited by Slickster63; Aug 20, 2012 at 10:27 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
The rear spring preload is easier to adjust on a Dyna, when switching between one and two-up riding.
Cam chain tensioners on the twin cam motors were improved somewhere around 2007 (anyone know the exact year?) and had some problems with premature wear before that.
Cam chain tensioners on the twin cam motors were improved somewhere around 2007 (anyone know the exact year?) and had some problems with premature wear before that.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 789
Likes: 3
From: Kansas
I just traded my 06 883 in on an 07 Heritage man what a difference you wont be sorry getting a softail the ride is amazing. I like the classic look but ymmv as always bags are a necessity for me now days. good luck
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Iowa
I went from a 03 1200c to a 2007 deuce. And love it. Have a solo bag and a sissy bar bag. And it gets me by. Do wish I had full bags at times. But for those times I take the sissy bar bag off put the luggage rack on. And strap on the backpack. .. but love it. One good option is just a standard softail custom, customize any way u want. Look good stripped or full.bags
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
For your budget, it will be kinda hard to find a softail that is a newer model. I started on a sportster and went to a dyna superglide. I have seen dyna's that were almost brand new in your price range. The ride is night and day better then the sporty but you will keep the same manuverability and fun factor that the sporty has. My wife rides with me very comfortably on the dyna.
My brother has a softail and it is a was a little softer ride, until I upgraded my shocks. I personally don't like saddlebags, so I use a sissy bar bag when I want to carry stuff.
Don't discount the dyna. You can get a nice 2007-08 in your budget with hardly any miles.
My brother has a softail and it is a was a little softer ride, until I upgraded my shocks. I personally don't like saddlebags, so I use a sissy bar bag when I want to carry stuff.
Don't discount the dyna. You can get a nice 2007-08 in your budget with hardly any miles.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Houston
You can't beat an FLSTC, especially if you put QR on the bar and bags. You can go from a bare bike to just a windscreen to bags for travel in no time at all. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Driven by you budget constraints, I would suggest putting a Sportzilla brand fairing (or comparable) on it with some bags. There are all kinds of aftermarket kits to convert your bike to a bagger. I rode 1200 cc Shovelheads for years, 1200 cc's is really more than enough engine.
