I'm now considering a Harley............again!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 714
if the biggest thing holding u back is financial 02 -05 baggers are a good deal,other than cam chain tensioners and some valve seal problems on early 05 ,they are VERY reliable bikes and can be found with low milage in the 9-12000 $ range,ussualy with some upgrades already added.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
Can't go wrong with a King! As far as heat goes...I got caught in some pretty heavy stop and go traffic last weekend at Hampton Beach....I could feel the heat on my leg but it never became so uncomfortable that I had to pull over.
My VTX put out similar heat in the thigh area when I had the 3" Roadburner pipes on it...
My VTX put out similar heat in the thigh area when I had the 3" Roadburner pipes on it...
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Well, I guess I'm like most people in that I'm not exactly over-flowing with disposable cash, so I would definately consider a lightly used RK but I think that I'll stay with 2009 and up because of the changes that came along in 2009.
I don't think that the 96 cu.in engine's a slouch, yeah, you'll probably get a bit more power from the 103 but if I found a steal of a deal on a used 2009-2011 with a 96 cu.inch engine, I think that I'd be a really happy camper. But the price would have to be right of course. It's great that they've gone with the 103 because it can now be used as a bargaining tool on the used 96 cu.inch bikes.
I too have noticed a fair amount of heat coming off of my bike and it's even water cooled, so I guess that heat just comes with the territory when you get a big bore twin.
I don't think that the 96 cu.in engine's a slouch, yeah, you'll probably get a bit more power from the 103 but if I found a steal of a deal on a used 2009-2011 with a 96 cu.inch engine, I think that I'd be a really happy camper. But the price would have to be right of course. It's great that they've gone with the 103 because it can now be used as a bargaining tool on the used 96 cu.inch bikes.
I too have noticed a fair amount of heat coming off of my bike and it's even water cooled, so I guess that heat just comes with the territory when you get a big bore twin.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
From: Music City, USA
Another option is to rent a RK, RG, SG, or whatever for the weekend.
A demo ride is great, but if you are going to pull the trigger on that much $, you owe it to yourself to ride a couple of days back-to-back on your bike of choice.
Personally, after riding a Fat Boy for 3 years, I rented a King for the weekend but bought a R Glide - it simply "fit" me better.
Good luck on your decision.
PS - Typically a dealer will refund the rental cost, if you buy a new bike from them.
A demo ride is great, but if you are going to pull the trigger on that much $, you owe it to yourself to ride a couple of days back-to-back on your bike of choice.
Personally, after riding a Fat Boy for 3 years, I rented a King for the weekend but bought a R Glide - it simply "fit" me better.
Good luck on your decision.
PS - Typically a dealer will refund the rental cost, if you buy a new bike from them.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
Last year I lost my temper at a local HD dealer, right across the road is a Polaris dealer. I went over to look at the cross bikes, I didn't like the look of them, so I spent the next 2 weeks leaning every thing I could about the 106 ci Vegas. I have drove a 92" Vegas lots of times, I was thinking the 106 would blow me away, it didn't. Faster then a stock Harley but that's about it.
I felt like I was back on a Yamaha when I was driving it, no personalty.
The next week I test drove a brand new RK, I loved it and I bought it 3 days later. I now have close to 5000 miles on her and I still love it.
I felt like I was back on a Yamaha when I was driving it, no personalty.
The next week I test drove a brand new RK, I loved it and I bought it 3 days later. I now have close to 5000 miles on her and I still love it.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Unfortunately, there aren't any HD dealers around my area that rent bikes, so that's out of the question. But that would be the way to go, without a doubt.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
From: T-City, Wa.
I have always wanted a Harley, since I was a little guy. The history with them, the culture, just everything about Harley Davidson. Many poeple knew this, so on my Birthdays and Christmas they would get me t-shirts and hats with Harley on them, I never wore a single one of them, until the day I bought my Harley. To me, owning a Harley is an honor. Its just how I see it. So, I could see owning one of each, Harley and Victory. 
Good luck, I do not think you go wrong with either.....
Good luck, I do not think you go wrong with either.....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
... It seemed like the engine was a bit buzzy and didn't have the greatest sound IMO. Maybe after-market pipes would help liven it up but I just wasn't bonding with either of those two bikes. I was a bit surprised at how much different my experience on these bikes turned out to be from what I had imagined.
.... They say that the Vic is more powerful and pretty much bullet-proof but I felt that there was something missing in that bike....
There was also something about the bikes that felt "cheap", maybe it was the lack of chrome (maybe too much brushed aluminum, or whatever it is), maybe the paint, the plastic switch gear looks a bit cheap. ...
.... They say that the Vic is more powerful and pretty much bullet-proof but I felt that there was something missing in that bike....
There was also something about the bikes that felt "cheap", maybe it was the lack of chrome (maybe too much brushed aluminum, or whatever it is), maybe the paint, the plastic switch gear looks a bit cheap. ...
This is pretty much how I felt after riding the bikes too. I've done the demos on the Vics twice and both times these were my feelings for the most part.