Hello and Thanks....
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Stage III
Joined: Jul 2007
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Hello and Thanks....
Good Morning, sitting here waiting for my auto at a garage racking my brains.
Looking to buy new, and was at the dealer yesterday but... The choice is killing me!
Choice (1) Softail FLSTC (Heritage Classic)
Choice (2) Tour FLHTC or FLHTCU.
Been off bikes a few years due to several back surgeries (and unfortunately more to come) and I guess I am looking for some advice. (I work everyday, although hampered, not disabled)
5'9" - 30” inseam - 170#s most riding will be done alone (at least for now) but plan on doing bike trips for vacations now that the kids are older. I love the look of the Heritage yet wonder if I wouldn't be better on the Ultra or Classic. Haven't ridden a Harley in years and had Jap bikes since a 57 Sporty back in the 70's. (Ya I know I should have kept it) I'm a little lower on the Heritage but I can get both feet flat on the ground on the Classics. The seats on the Classic right away give me some lower lumbar support I like, yet realize I can change seats out on the Heritage. Everything is about $$ I know.
So I know the decision is mine but out of the gate and negate the back issue (unless you have one then you know where I am coming from) I would love to hear some thoughts.... I have scoured this forum and pretty much know the issues of the 07's, and not sure if it is worth waiting for the 08's to arrive any day. ($$ savings on the 07's - without me asking thy are willing to knock 1K from the Heritage and 2k from the Classics so I can probably get more? ) Ride 27 mi each way to work, and NE weather is always an issue. First big trip will be to El Paso summer 08 (4K+ round trip).
Have enjoyed reading and all the help you all have already supplied by posting here. I look forward to any replies…
Looking to buy new, and was at the dealer yesterday but... The choice is killing me!
Choice (1) Softail FLSTC (Heritage Classic)
Choice (2) Tour FLHTC or FLHTCU.
Been off bikes a few years due to several back surgeries (and unfortunately more to come) and I guess I am looking for some advice. (I work everyday, although hampered, not disabled)
5'9" - 30” inseam - 170#s most riding will be done alone (at least for now) but plan on doing bike trips for vacations now that the kids are older. I love the look of the Heritage yet wonder if I wouldn't be better on the Ultra or Classic. Haven't ridden a Harley in years and had Jap bikes since a 57 Sporty back in the 70's. (Ya I know I should have kept it) I'm a little lower on the Heritage but I can get both feet flat on the ground on the Classics. The seats on the Classic right away give me some lower lumbar support I like, yet realize I can change seats out on the Heritage. Everything is about $$ I know.
So I know the decision is mine but out of the gate and negate the back issue (unless you have one then you know where I am coming from) I would love to hear some thoughts.... I have scoured this forum and pretty much know the issues of the 07's, and not sure if it is worth waiting for the 08's to arrive any day. ($$ savings on the 07's - without me asking thy are willing to knock 1K from the Heritage and 2k from the Classics so I can probably get more? ) Ride 27 mi each way to work, and NE weather is always an issue. First big trip will be to El Paso summer 08 (4K+ round trip).
Have enjoyed reading and all the help you all have already supplied by posting here. I look forward to any replies…
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,756
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From: Florida Baby
RE: Hello and Thanks....
[sm=welcomesign.gif]James, from Florida. Was born and raised in your neck of the woods, Perry/ warsaw area. Moved to FL early in life (@ 37 yo) to beat the rush, HaHa. The obvious reason for Harley to knock $$ off the price of new bikes is to get rid of them for room for the 08's. The bikes are notselling like they once did for whatever reasons. Getting back to your question about bike input. We are about the same size except for I got a hundred lbs on you. My 3 cents is, if you like the look of the Heritage, why not look at the Road King? Same look, but for me the hard bags are a ++. I also think that the Electra Classic is the most bang for your $$, and for me the extras on the Ultra, CB, fairing lowers, etc...... not worth the extra $$. Why not look into something used? There are plenty of used Harleys that have been well cared for and have very low miles because when some purchase their new bike, they find they do not use them as much as they thought they would, just like a boat or camper. I recently found a 97 Road King with 13,000 miles for around 10 G's. Well takin cared of and had almost 6 G's in extras. So for less than half the price w/extras of a new one, I think I found a great deal. And, with your back situation why go hog wild on a new one when your not positive that a bike and your back my not get along. Good luck, I hope this helped.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
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From: Central Texas
RE: Hello and Thanks....
Welcome from Central Texas.
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Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3
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From:
RE: Hello and Thanks....
Thanks Hops,
I got hung up with my car needing back brakes (never ends does it...) and didn't get to the dealer until around 1:30, they close at 3:00 on Sat. and the attention I got yesterday was no where to be found today (they had people just hanging around but I was the only one there at the time really planning on buying) . Makes you wonder some times. It felt like I was there to do them a favor instead of the other way around. So I left.... Went to another shop in the area and they had no bikes I was really interested in but at least they showed interest.
While I was hung up at the garage longer then expected I did start researching the RK's based on reading through the forums here.. Sat on one at the second dealer. Seat is wider then the others I was looking at but not unreasonable to start with. I may be forced to go back to the first dealer as they had more selection of all types. There are a couple of more dealers in the area that I could check out. Hate spending that kind of money when you don't get the service you expect.
I might also look at used based on you suggestions. I have a friend who is a Mech and could survey a used bike for me with the knowledge I lack. I quit riding because the surgeons said it would help... so I listened. Not really a good choice since I loved riding and the surgeries keep me going, they don't really relieve the pain or symptoms much. So I figure what the hell... Just might as well do something I enjoyed.
Thanks again...
I got hung up with my car needing back brakes (never ends does it...) and didn't get to the dealer until around 1:30, they close at 3:00 on Sat. and the attention I got yesterday was no where to be found today (they had people just hanging around but I was the only one there at the time really planning on buying) . Makes you wonder some times. It felt like I was there to do them a favor instead of the other way around. So I left.... Went to another shop in the area and they had no bikes I was really interested in but at least they showed interest.
While I was hung up at the garage longer then expected I did start researching the RK's based on reading through the forums here.. Sat on one at the second dealer. Seat is wider then the others I was looking at but not unreasonable to start with. I may be forced to go back to the first dealer as they had more selection of all types. There are a couple of more dealers in the area that I could check out. Hate spending that kind of money when you don't get the service you expect.
I might also look at used based on you suggestions. I have a friend who is a Mech and could survey a used bike for me with the knowledge I lack. I quit riding because the surgeons said it would help... so I listened. Not really a good choice since I loved riding and the surgeries keep me going, they don't really relieve the pain or symptoms much. So I figure what the hell... Just might as well do something I enjoyed.
Thanks again...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,756
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From: Florida Baby
RE: Hello and Thanks....
James, It would surprise me if the Road King seat is wider that the Eglide, but I just don't know. One of the upgrades on my RK was a $800 Corbin seat. Now myself, I don't think I would ever consider spending that kind of dough on a seat, but it came with the bike. Let me tell you that after putting about 1000 miles on the RK, I took my Night Train out for a spin, which after riding my Brothers 1200 Sporty thought my softail was a cadillac, the RK with that seat is a world of difference. I am now looking for a Corbin seat for my softail. I bought my Night Train from Stan's in Batavia, great people. There is Harv's in Macedon not to far off 441. You can go to Harley's website and do a dealer lookup by putting in a zip code. Most will list their used bikes. Most people take care of their Harley. If you can put rear brakes on your car, then you are a bit more mechanically inclined than a lot of people. Most people also have their service work all documented. You and your buddy should be able to come to an informed decision. There are a zillion aftermarket parts out there for Harley's. So don'tlet one or two things on a bike turn you off on a particular bike, like a seat. I'll also tell you that for me that Corbin seat on my RK is a bit deeper bucket that cradles your butt better and seems to add a bit more lower back support for me than a stock seat.