New and Future Owner
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 3
From: DFW Metroplex
New and Future Owner
Greetings
I'm getting ready to own my first street bike. I grew up with dirt bikes and have one now, but have never owned a street machine. I've always wanted, of course, a Harley!
I'm signed up for the MSF Basic course the weekend of 5/3, 5/4 and on 5/5 will test at DMV to get my license. I've taken care of my financing (USAA) and have a site draft in hand, so I can buy anything I want.
After much research, I'm down to 3 models: Softail Custom, Softail Deluxe, Heritage Classic.
I haven't made my final decision and probably won't until I actually buy in a couple of weeks. It's going to come down to what kind of ride experience I want and what kind of rider will I be. I'm not aggressive, love to cruise, and nothing is finer than a beautiful backroad in the open country. This bike will be my toy, my pretty weather weekend baby. So, no groceries, commutes, etc.....I'm excited about getting involved with local clubs and doing rides and events. I recently sold my Vette so I've been doing this sort of thing for years in that circle.
I do have a couple of questions for the experienced here....
1. Any buying advice? I'll be buying a new '08 from my local dealer.
2. Heating and Tranny noise? I research alot, and have found quite a bit posted regarding heating and 5th gear noise. No need to rehash it as I'm SURE you know what I'm talking about. Using search here I've found alot on this, but nothing recently. So, is it really a problem? Has HD fixed it in the newest 08's so nobody is posting about it anymore? Were most just trolls or new owners with different expectations? (it is an air cooled engine after all)
I'm in DFW Texas, mid cities area, so my local dealer is Texas Harley Davidson and my local HOG is DFW HOG.
I appreciate any and all feedback you can give me!
Scott
aka - Joe Diver
I'm getting ready to own my first street bike. I grew up with dirt bikes and have one now, but have never owned a street machine. I've always wanted, of course, a Harley!
I'm signed up for the MSF Basic course the weekend of 5/3, 5/4 and on 5/5 will test at DMV to get my license. I've taken care of my financing (USAA) and have a site draft in hand, so I can buy anything I want.
After much research, I'm down to 3 models: Softail Custom, Softail Deluxe, Heritage Classic.
I haven't made my final decision and probably won't until I actually buy in a couple of weeks. It's going to come down to what kind of ride experience I want and what kind of rider will I be. I'm not aggressive, love to cruise, and nothing is finer than a beautiful backroad in the open country. This bike will be my toy, my pretty weather weekend baby. So, no groceries, commutes, etc.....I'm excited about getting involved with local clubs and doing rides and events. I recently sold my Vette so I've been doing this sort of thing for years in that circle.
I do have a couple of questions for the experienced here....
1. Any buying advice? I'll be buying a new '08 from my local dealer.
2. Heating and Tranny noise? I research alot, and have found quite a bit posted regarding heating and 5th gear noise. No need to rehash it as I'm SURE you know what I'm talking about. Using search here I've found alot on this, but nothing recently. So, is it really a problem? Has HD fixed it in the newest 08's so nobody is posting about it anymore? Were most just trolls or new owners with different expectations? (it is an air cooled engine after all)
I'm in DFW Texas, mid cities area, so my local dealer is Texas Harley Davidson and my local HOG is DFW HOG.
I appreciate any and all feedback you can give me!
Scott
aka - Joe Diver
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,521
Likes: 15
From: Bremerton
RE: New and Future Owner
Welcome from the Seattle area.Rent a Streetglide before you make up your mind,the radio is addictive.Tranny noise issue was fixed IMO with IDS(or masked depending on who is telling the story) Heat issue is an epa thing and will alway be an issue unless you do a stage 1 and richen up the fuel.Good luck
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 3
From: DFW Metroplex
RE: New and Future Owner
Thanks....
Heritage Classic - Beautiful bike with lots of goodies already.
Deluxe - Classic lines, another beautiful bike.
Custom - This one is the most comfortable to me and my size/shape. I like the relaxed chopperish look and it's a good base bike to build anything from.
I leaning toward the Custom, but this seems to change several times a day. I still have a few weeks to decide though!
Heritage Classic - Beautiful bike with lots of goodies already.
Deluxe - Classic lines, another beautiful bike.
Custom - This one is the most comfortable to me and my size/shape. I like the relaxed chopperish look and it's a good base bike to build anything from.
I leaning toward the Custom, but this seems to change several times a day. I still have a few weeks to decide though!
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 21
From: Fort Collins, CO
RE: New and Future Owner
Welcome from Florida! Custom gets my vote
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,038
Likes: 2
From: Yorkshire
RE: New and Future Owner
Welcome from the UK.
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