asking for friendly advice...
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asking for friendly advice...
Well, the day has finally come, and I am now financially able to afford a new toy! I have wanted a Harley all of my adult life, and now the Boss Lady has given me the go ahead. I have a couple questions...
1 I have narrowed it down to either a Dyna Low Rider, OR a Softtail Fat Boy. I am about 6'1, 280, and the 3 guys I work with that ride say I might not be comfortable on a Low Rider...any suggestions on this?
2 The Boss Lady says she won't ride too much, but I think that will change as soon as she sees the bugs in my teeth from the big *** smiles every time i ride, so which would be better for 2 up, short weekend trips...couple hundred miles or so?
3 Am I correct on: the Low Rider comes standard with guages..tach, speedo, fuel, and diagnostic light, but the Fat Boy doesn't? Just something about analog guages that I enjoy..call me strange!
4.....Well, that's enough for now. As I sit here typing, the radio just said..." mid to high 70's today, and not a cloud in the sky..." Man, I gotta do this soon before I go nuts! 2 more payments on the Boss Lady's Blazer, and the dream comes true!!!!....Come on June!!!!
thanks for letting me vent....have a great day.....Jim
1 I have narrowed it down to either a Dyna Low Rider, OR a Softtail Fat Boy. I am about 6'1, 280, and the 3 guys I work with that ride say I might not be comfortable on a Low Rider...any suggestions on this?
2 The Boss Lady says she won't ride too much, but I think that will change as soon as she sees the bugs in my teeth from the big *** smiles every time i ride, so which would be better for 2 up, short weekend trips...couple hundred miles or so?
3 Am I correct on: the Low Rider comes standard with guages..tach, speedo, fuel, and diagnostic light, but the Fat Boy doesn't? Just something about analog guages that I enjoy..call me strange!
4.....Well, that's enough for now. As I sit here typing, the radio just said..." mid to high 70's today, and not a cloud in the sky..." Man, I gotta do this soon before I go nuts! 2 more payments on the Boss Lady's Blazer, and the dream comes true!!!!....Come on June!!!!
thanks for letting me vent....have a great day.....Jim
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,197
Likes: 708
From: (Toronto) Canada
RE: asking for friendly advice...
Welcome aboard. I'll say it before anyone else, go rent both.
Personally, I love the looks of the Fatboy, and you're a big guy so I think it would suit you well. Don't worry about guages, there's lots of aftermarket ones that will tell you everything including when you had your last coffee. If you think your wife will become a regular pillion passenger, IMHO go to the Dyna, or even a Heritage or Standard. Keep us informed.
Personally, I love the looks of the Fatboy, and you're a big guy so I think it would suit you well. Don't worry about guages, there's lots of aftermarket ones that will tell you everything including when you had your last coffee. If you think your wife will become a regular pillion passenger, IMHO go to the Dyna, or even a Heritage or Standard. Keep us informed.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
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RE: asking for friendly advice...
Welcome to the forum!The low rider will be fine for you and your Boss Lady as I have owned a '99. Most Harley's do not come with tachs as they have an accessory book with over 6,000 parts to help boost the motor company profits and get your imagination going.The fat boy will ride your 6'1" frame better and possibly cruise the highway smoother.Get the parts book now and start drooling over the chrome and accessories.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 356
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RE: asking for friendly advice...
Jim,
Welcome! You found a great forum with a great bunch of people and you can learn a lot here. That said, I'll just chime in with one thought...try not to limit yourself to just 2 choices at this stage of the buying game. My heart was all set on a Softtail Deluxe or Fatboy until I let a friend talk me into considering the Road King models. I just loved the sporty looks of the the Deluxe and Fatboy though, so it took a ride or two to fully convince me to seriously consider either a Road King Custom or Road King Classic in addition to the other two. After a short time, the low, fat, retro, looks of the Road Kings began to grow on me and I ended up buying a Road King Classic which I absolutely LOVE. I still really like the Fatboy and Deluxe but I'm sooooo glad I didn't go with my first inclination. For me, the Road Kings really split the difference between sporty and comfortable. But they still look like a motorcycle. And you can believe me when I say your wife will REALLY appreciate a Road King from a comfort standpoint. I don't have to tell you if she's happy on the bike you're going to be happy too. Also, Joe's suggestion to go rent or try some bikes is excellent. What better way than to find out for yourself? Either way, good luck and above all else...have fun! Just my half cent worth. [8D]
Tom
Welcome! You found a great forum with a great bunch of people and you can learn a lot here. That said, I'll just chime in with one thought...try not to limit yourself to just 2 choices at this stage of the buying game. My heart was all set on a Softtail Deluxe or Fatboy until I let a friend talk me into considering the Road King models. I just loved the sporty looks of the the Deluxe and Fatboy though, so it took a ride or two to fully convince me to seriously consider either a Road King Custom or Road King Classic in addition to the other two. After a short time, the low, fat, retro, looks of the Road Kings began to grow on me and I ended up buying a Road King Classic which I absolutely LOVE. I still really like the Fatboy and Deluxe but I'm sooooo glad I didn't go with my first inclination. For me, the Road Kings really split the difference between sporty and comfortable. But they still look like a motorcycle. And you can believe me when I say your wife will REALLY appreciate a Road King from a comfort standpoint. I don't have to tell you if she's happy on the bike you're going to be happy too. Also, Joe's suggestion to go rent or try some bikes is excellent. What better way than to find out for yourself? Either way, good luck and above all else...have fun! Just my half cent worth. [8D]
Tom
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 785
Likes: 1
From: Harford County, Maryland
RE: asking for friendly advice...
hey Jim, welcome aboard & congrats! I go along with rdking 100% - ck a couple out so you're not kickin' yourself in the *** later - there are a LOT of choices (just to make the decision that much more fun!).
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[sm=americanasmiley.gif]
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,197
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From: (Toronto) Canada
RE: asking for friendly advice...
Rdking and 05, do you think you may be a little biased there?
(P.S. I love Roadkings, and that is going to be my next addition in the garage.)
(P.S. I love Roadkings, and that is going to be my next addition in the garage.)
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 104
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From:
RE: asking for friendly advice...
Hi Jim,
Welcome aboard. I have to agree with everyone here about renting first. Looks like there is an Eaglerider near you http://eaglerider.carrentalexpress.com/map.php?. Call them they are very friendly folks. Most HD dealerships if not all will not let you test ride a bike like we are used to doing with a car. So plan a Saturday ride on a rental with the Mrs. and find out what she like too.
Plus, visit a couple of dealerships and drool drool. I was looking for awhile and the bike more or less found me! Sorta like the movie clip of two lovers runnin towrds each other in slow motion...[sm=love.gif]
Welcome aboard. I have to agree with everyone here about renting first. Looks like there is an Eaglerider near you http://eaglerider.carrentalexpress.com/map.php?. Call them they are very friendly folks. Most HD dealerships if not all will not let you test ride a bike like we are used to doing with a car. So plan a Saturday ride on a rental with the Mrs. and find out what she like too.
Plus, visit a couple of dealerships and drool drool. I was looking for awhile and the bike more or less found me! Sorta like the movie clip of two lovers runnin towrds each other in slow motion...[sm=love.gif]
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
RE: asking for friendly advice...
Howdy Jim and welcome. You have been given some good advice from people that know far more than I do about the different models. If possible, the renting idea is the best and try different models. Renting is a lot cheaper than buying a bike and finding out later that it isn't right for you. Good Luck and enjoy the ride.