Help selecting a bike
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Central Arizona
RE: Help selecting a bike
Maverick,
SoCalPappy is right; rent first, before you buy.
$20K mistakes are tough to swallow. $150 rentals are fun to chew up!
I always tell my friends who ask: Rent at least three different bikes before you buy.
This way, you will have personal experience with the different models, plus you don't appear so green to the salesman.
I also know guys who thought they wanted to ride, but after renting, decided to stick with 4 wheels.
I guess you hafta know what ya want before ya can get what ya want. JMHO
SoCalPappy is right; rent first, before you buy.
$20K mistakes are tough to swallow. $150 rentals are fun to chew up!
I always tell my friends who ask: Rent at least three different bikes before you buy.
This way, you will have personal experience with the different models, plus you don't appear so green to the salesman.
I also know guys who thought they wanted to ride, but after renting, decided to stick with 4 wheels.
I guess you hafta know what ya want before ya can get what ya want. JMHO
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett, TN
RE: Help selecting a bike
Have a Classic & an Ultra. Needed the trunk for "stuff". I remove the trunk off the Classic for daily commute. Wifey rides frequently so I HAD to get the tourpak. Cannot live without the storage for trips!
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Help selecting a bike
I've got a Road King Classic with a back rest and a Mustang seat. We did 2,100 miles this summer and it was a great trip. I really like my bike, but tunes would be really nice to have. (Road Glide in my future?) I would take the other bloggers advise and do some rentals.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 781
Likes: 1
From: Cave Creek, AZ
RE: Help selecting a bike
I just went through this with my purchase. I really liked the RK and RKC, but I was torn by the looks of the Street Glide and the EG Standard. I thought I was really likeing the detachable windshield of the RK models, but as it turns out, I bought the FLHT and have grown very fond of the batwing - especially now that it has the Street Glide wind deflector. It's a best of both worlds for me because I like wind in my face, but I also like the protection of the batwing on the hwy, plus I can slap the tall windscreen on for long road trips. My Standard is turning into kind of a Street Glide and that's another reason I bought it. I can make it what I really want. Be a little different.
I tested a lot of the bikes at a local dealer during the 08 intro rides. Really nice to ride them back to back. I'd suggest finding a dealer that will let you ride a few bikes and then rent the one you like the most and see if it works for you.
Good news is - all the touring models are great. You can't make a "bad" choice. Buy what mostly fits your needs and is something you want to look at and ride every day. Then mod it to suit YOU.
I tested a lot of the bikes at a local dealer during the 08 intro rides. Really nice to ride them back to back. I'd suggest finding a dealer that will let you ride a few bikes and then rent the one you like the most and see if it works for you.
Good news is - all the touring models are great. You can't make a "bad" choice. Buy what mostly fits your needs and is something you want to look at and ride every day. Then mod it to suit YOU.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Help selecting a bike
So Cal pappy gives some sage advice. I just traded my 02 RK Classic in on an Ultrac Classic after a 350 mile 99 dollar rental to make sure it was the right move.
Loved the RK, but the new ride is sweet and have no regrets.
Follow that sage advice and rent...during the week is even cheaper.
Good Luck
Loved the RK, but the new ride is sweet and have no regrets.
Follow that sage advice and rent...during the week is even cheaper.
Good Luck