I need some help choosing a bike !

[johnboy]

Hi all I have been lusting after a Harley for some time now, unfortunately having trouble making my mind up ! ( er indoors thinks i`m mental ).
So some useful advice would be very welcome. I would like to use the bike most days, maybe even in the winter though not when it gets too salty.
I have leanings towards a sportster, what do you think ?. Hope to see some of you out and about when I eventually make my mind up.

stay safe

John

[sue_M]

You buy the bike that puts the biggest smile on your face!
We all have our favourites and all for different reasons.

[devon.john]

hello mate welcome to the mad house

well this is simple go to agood stealership and test ride all the models

that you fancy and some you dont you might be surprised!!!

if you intend to ride two up most of the time a sporty ant so good

its all down to personal choice and the budget

alot start on a sporty the go to a big twin, alot stay with there sportster

and love them

good hunting

john

[Roy]

John

I would really recommend going down your local HD stealership and test ride at least one or two. Take them out for a good test ride and try and take in a route where you can 'ride at speed' (even 70mph will show you if the bike will keep you entertained for a reasonable time).

Riding 2-up, if that is what your do when you get the bike, is a good idea as well for the test ride. Standard HD seats can leave a lot to be desired for the pillion.

In terms of all year round riding. HD paint is not great, however it is poss to ride all year and not end up with a rust bucket. Plenty of good protectors out there - plenty of posts on that subject on this forum.

I'm on a turn now ... I'd also look at the 2nd hand market, I bought mine with just over a 1k miles on it and nearly a year old (!!!), big discount off the new price and still had a year of warranty left. Never ridden in the wet, so in this country, it was practically brand new.

Good luck mate.

[kimbo]

Hi John good luck in choosing i'm riding my first Harley a Sporster 883 custom and loving it to bits it's not quick and two up for long journeys can be painfull but you cann't wipe the smile off my face every time i'm on her.

[Roy]

John

Kimbo is dead on - the standard HD seats, or at least the 'thing' I had on my dyna and from what Kimbo is saying on the sporties as well is predominately fibreglass, so you get a really sore rear on any ride of 50 miles+. Don't let this put you off a bike, because quite a lot of people change their standard HD seat (amongst other bits) for a sundowner, mustang etc (from the states, these (with p&p etc) are circa £200, recent experience). So, my extra bit of advice is choose a bike that you like the look off and generally get on with - ride it around for a bit and then decide any changes. Again, this forum is excellent for advice on changes.

Cheers, Roy

[AgingHippy]

Hey Dude

Take what I say with a pinch of salt, as I have only had my bike for about 3 weeks or so.

I ended up buying a Sportster 1200 '03 model and am verry happy with it. I had not ridden a bike for close on 13 years before getting this bike, and I think I made the right choice for my level.

The sportster is not too heavy and is plenty powerfull enough. I can sustain 70 easily enough, and 80 maybe... not sure how long before I get tired at that speed though.

Anyway, for the big gap between bikes, I don't think I would have wanted to deal with anything bigger than my sporty at this point, although there may be some size envy when pulling up next to some of the monsters Harley can produce!!!

The shocks bottom out occasionally with the missus on, but then again, I have not yet tried adjusting them and can replace them at a cost of 120 quid if required.

As I say, pleased with what I have got, and if I decide to go bigger, or if I decide biking is not for me (unlikely at this point) then there seems to be a fairly decent sized market of newbies like you (and me a few weeks ago) to unload the bike onto.

Cheers

[johnboy]

Hi guys thanks for the input, I will keep you posted about the decision !.
Some good advice methinks trying a few out, exciting stuff eh ?.

Stay safe ATB John

[OrlandoMad]

Had my Sporty 1200 Custom for 4 months now and have already done nearly 3,000 miles . . . wonderful bike !

I have changed the seat, changed the handlebar grips, added a small windshield, adjusted the rear shocks for a pillion and added saddlebags. The 1200 easily copes with two up plus tent etc, and the new seat really makes 200 mile journeys a doddle. The power in the engine is sublime, and cruising at 80mph (with the windshield) is easy. Overtaking is effortless

Oh yes, and another thing - it actually goes round bends fairly quickly