First Harley???
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Orem Utah
I have many friends here at work that ride metrics and tried talking me into one. I just couldn't do it. I've always wanted a Harley and my wife would only go with me on a Harley. It was a no brainer. Love my Ultra Classic, and yes, I'll hop on it for a ride to the store, or anywhere else.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, AL
I rode a VTX 1300 for almost 5 years. The whole time I had it I tried to make a Street Glide. Fairing, hardbags, the works. Never did get over the "I want a Harley" feeling. Deployed to Iraq earlier this year and was trying to talk myself OUT of buying a new bike. Six weeks after I got here I ordered my 09 SG. Havent got home to ride it yet, but it is only a week away now and I can't wait to be a part of the family!!!
Here is a pic of the wanna be SG
Here is a pic of the wanna be SG
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
There are sponsors here like fuel moto that put together very afordable packages to boost the bike up to where it should be. The costs go up from there as to what you want out of it. I went to a stage II with cams and a good dyno tune. It's putting out 100ft/lbs of torque at the rear wheel and couldn't be happier with the bike.
The bikes handle differently also. When ever I get on a new bike I notice how different it is from what I am used to but again all the adjusting and tweaking you did on the old scoot can be done here with even more options so keep that in mind.
I honestly don't think that the cost factor is there anymore. I think what you're paying for justifies is and you are getting what YOU want.... that will make you smile for years to come.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I rode a VTX 1300 for almost 5 years. The whole time I had it I tried to make a Street Glide. Fairing, hardbags, the works. Never did get over the "I want a Harley" feeling. Deployed to Iraq earlier this year and was trying to talk myself OUT of buying a new bike. Six weeks after I got here I ordered my 09 SG. Havent got home to ride it yet, but it is only a week away now and I can't wait to be a part of the family!!!
Here is a pic of the wanna be SG
Here is a pic of the wanna be SG
The clincher for me was that I HATE changing bikes. I get them where I want them and just ride the damn thing. With Harley you will always have parts and accessories to choose from a long with people with years of working on them.
The metrics seem to be designed to be disposable. They come out with a new motor/platform every 3-4 years and the aftermarket knows that so they don't get excited about developing parts for it. Yammy tried to get into the harley mindset with the factory staged kits I II and III for the road star and it never took off.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
I always wanted a Harley, but I couldnt "justify the cost" compared to a metric. So, one year after I bought my Kawasaki I found that all I ever did was look at Harleys! Before I made the decision to buy a Harley though; I went and rented a bike and put 300 miles on it that day just to make sure. I sold the Kawasaki earlier this year and took a new Ultra Classic home. Best move I ever made.
Since taking delivery here are a few observations:
1) I didnt have to do too many upgrades to the Harley; my bike is pretty sharp right out of the showroom.
2) There are so many parts available from HD and others that you are never searching for something to fit and the cost of those parts are the same or less in many cases than what I would have paid on the metric
3) Service for my HD is actually LESS than it was for the metric; my local dealer here has been great and it's not that hard to do some/most of it yourself if you choose.
4) I love my bike and never regret the extra money I spent or the loss on the Kawasaki.
Since taking delivery here are a few observations:
1) I didnt have to do too many upgrades to the Harley; my bike is pretty sharp right out of the showroom.
2) There are so many parts available from HD and others that you are never searching for something to fit and the cost of those parts are the same or less in many cases than what I would have paid on the metric
3) Service for my HD is actually LESS than it was for the metric; my local dealer here has been great and it's not that hard to do some/most of it yourself if you choose.
4) I love my bike and never regret the extra money I spent or the loss on the Kawasaki.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 744
Likes: 8
From: Pluto
I always wanted a Harley, but I couldnt "justify the cost" compared to a metric. So, one year after I bought my Kawasaki I found that all I ever did was look at Harleys! Before I made the decision to buy a Harley though; I went and rented a bike and put 300 miles on it that day just to make sure. I sold the Kawasaki earlier this year and took a new Ultra Classic home. Best move I ever made.
Since taking delivery here are a few observations:
1) I didnt have to do too many upgrades to the Harley; my bike is pretty sharp right out of the showroom.
2) There are so many parts available from HD and others that you are never searching for something to fit and the cost of those parts are the same or less in many cases than what I would have paid on the metric
3) Service for my HD is actually LESS than it was for the metric; my local dealer here has been great and it's not that hard to do some/most of it yourself if you choose.
4) I love my bike and never regret the extra money I spent or the loss on the Kawasaki.
Since taking delivery here are a few observations:
1) I didnt have to do too many upgrades to the Harley; my bike is pretty sharp right out of the showroom.
2) There are so many parts available from HD and others that you are never searching for something to fit and the cost of those parts are the same or less in many cases than what I would have paid on the metric
3) Service for my HD is actually LESS than it was for the metric; my local dealer here has been great and it's not that hard to do some/most of it yourself if you choose.
4) I love my bike and never regret the extra money I spent or the loss on the Kawasaki.
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Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 744
Likes: 8
From: Pluto
I rode a VTX 1300 for almost 5 years. The whole time I had it I tried to make a Street Glide. Fairing, hardbags, the works. Never did get over the "I want a Harley" feeling. Deployed to Iraq earlier this year and was trying to talk myself OUT of buying a new bike. Six weeks after I got here I ordered my 09 SG. Havent got home to ride it yet, but it is only a week away now and I can't wait to be a part of the family!!!
Here is a pic of the wanna be SG
Here is a pic of the wanna be SG
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 744
Likes: 8
From: Pluto
Just remember a few things when you do demo bikes. The TC96 motor is a lot like the 102 in the yammy. It is choked down from the factory for emissions. I am not sure if you opened up your roadstar at all intake and exhaust wise but if you did your going to think that the Harley is a real dog. Just put that in perspective when you're demo-ing them. Unlike the Yamaha's though there are mirad of options to get the thing performing how you want it to.
There are sponsors here like fuel moto that put together very afordable packages to boost the bike up to where it should be. The costs go up from there as to what you want out of it. I went to a stage II with cams and a good dyno tune. It's putting out 100ft/lbs of torque at the rear wheel and couldn't be happier with the bike.
The bikes handle differently also. When ever I get on a new bike I notice how different it is from what I am used to but again all the adjusting and tweaking you did on the old scoot can be done here with even more options so keep that in mind.
I honestly don't think that the cost factor is there anymore. I think what you're paying for justifies is and you are getting what YOU want.... that will make you smile for years to come.
There are sponsors here like fuel moto that put together very afordable packages to boost the bike up to where it should be. The costs go up from there as to what you want out of it. I went to a stage II with cams and a good dyno tune. It's putting out 100ft/lbs of torque at the rear wheel and couldn't be happier with the bike.
The bikes handle differently also. When ever I get on a new bike I notice how different it is from what I am used to but again all the adjusting and tweaking you did on the old scoot can be done here with even more options so keep that in mind.
I honestly don't think that the cost factor is there anymore. I think what you're paying for justifies is and you are getting what YOU want.... that will make you smile for years to come.