GS rider heads for the dark side...

Well, it all started at Christmas...

I'm normally spotted on one of these:



I can't be arsed with cars, so do vast mileages on it, use it for work, shopping, touring, camping - you name it. It's a gorgeous bike and I love it to bits. I've serviced it, cherished it and even - occasionally - cleaned it.

It was all going so well, but then I decided to scratch an itch I've had since I was a brat - a Harley. So I headed down to Oxford HD and hired one of these:


I was convinced it would be slow, handle like a greased whale on platform heels and I'd hate it. But it was something I needed to get out of my system. I also reckoned if I liked it in December it was a bike I could live with.

Oh dear. BUgger bugger bugger. I picked it up from Wooton and by the time I'd got to the edge of Oxford I wanted one. That's about three miles. Arse. This was going to be expensive.

Anyway, rode into Oxford, parked up on Broad St and was instantly assailed by a bunch of Japanese tourists who wanted to have their pics taken astride it. Hmm. It's a bike that's a bit more conspicuous than I'm used to. Not great, but I still wanted one... Lots.

Three days of ice, snow and 500 miles persuaded me this was the best bike I've ridden. For the way I ride anyway.

Problem - £15k. Ow. Sell the cats? Not really viable. Sell a guitar? Never. Mortgage the house? What? On top of what I already owe? No way, Jose.

So I very, very reluctantly handed back the keys.

The GS actually felt small afterwards, which was nice. But the itch won't go away. It's not helped by my pal Alex lending me his Electra Glide frequently. There's something about those bloody old, agricultural, tons-of-torque engines that I can't get enough of.

So, here I am several months later, rather more broke but still determined to get an HD of my own.

Problem is - which?

883 converted to a 12 Sportster? Quick enough for a slow rider like me, but can I tour on it? Can it be 'the car' as the GS is? Will it tour? Should I buy one and keep the GS?

Electra Glide? Too damn big, but can I unbolt the topbox, the screen, leg-guards and the rest and turn it into an ersatz Road King?

Chaps - I could really, really do with your advice.

I have £5-6 to spend (assuming the cats fetch proper money) and I need something that'll do what most peoples' cars do. It needs to be rideable in all weathers (but I do look after my bikes pretty fastidiously) and able to go from here in the Cotswolds to Leeds to see clients without knackering me.

What do you think? What should I go for?

Hey GSer;

Welcome to the forum. I have to say that it's more than the bike - it's the family! Once you get your Harley AND become a member of this club, you'll find a lifestyle that'll keep you permanently smiling!

As for which Harley, try them all and satisfy yourself. For me, I had to have a V-Rod. You'll find adherents of every model in this club and on this forum, so you'll have to satisfy yourself.

You can be sure that if you supply specifics on your planned use of the bike, you'll get some excellent feedback on the various qualities of the Harley models available.

Originally Posted by usabear

You can be sure that if you supply specifics on your planned use of the bike, you'll get some excellent feedback on the various qualities of the Harley models available.

Mr Bear,

Thank you for the welcome and the advice. I'd got the idea that HD riders were decent chaps after Alex offered to lend me his P&J Electra and seemed surprised when I handed it back cleaned with a couple of bottles in the panniers!

OK... Specifics.

1. It needs to be able to do (almost) what a car does. So, visiting clients, getting the shopping, going to London once a week or so, taking Pip and I around.

2. It needs to be easy to work on DIY-wise. I can't be doing with dealer servicing, so do most things meself.

3. It needs to be able to sit on a motorway for a few hours, even if only at 60mph.

4. It needs to be something I want to get on in the mornings and ride just for the hell of it.

5. It needs NOT to resemble a tart's handbag.

At the moment I'm torn between a 1200 conversion to supplement the GS and a Road King/Glide to replace it. Hey, I never go off-road anyway, so as long as it's a reasonably chunky bike I should be fine.

I'd really like to know if it's feasible to unbolt bits from the Glide to make a sort-of RK...

Cheers

Mark

Hey GSer;

You should get some good responses, but I should have added that you'd get even more if you post your inquiry in the Virtual Rally section of the forum. That's the place where people go for the more serious, but non-model-specific questions and issues.

That'll also get you more into the forum, and prepare you for the big jump into the PIT that we call the Beer Tent - a place that even some of the most reckless fear to tread! ;)

[Gray]

Originally Posted by GSer

I'd really like to know if it's feasible to unbolt bits from the Glide to make a sort-of RK...

Look inside a Batwing or peruse an eGlide wiring diagram and consider the rewire necessary. Don't get a eGlide if what you want is a 'King is my advice. There are plenty of fun things to do to make a bike your own but that doesn't sound like one of them to me. Why?

Originally Posted by usabear

Hey GSer;

You should get some good responses, but I should have added that you'd get even more if you post your inquiry in the Virtual Rally section of the forum.

Thanks Bear - done. Be interesting to see the responses...

Originally Posted by Gray

Look inside a Batwing or peruse an eGlide wiring diagram and consider the rewire necessary. Don't get a eGlide if what you want is a 'King is my advice. There are plenty of fun things to do to make a bike your own but that doesn't sound like one of them to me. Why?

Ah. Wiring. Hmm. That's the stuff with wires and electrickery isn't it? Not my strong suit by a very, very long way. Mechanical stuff I can do, stuff with wires - no.

Given that I ride all year round in all weathers, I suspect the Glide fairing would be handy as hell. It's just the gert topbox on the back I don't like - but only from an aesthetic sense. Perhaps I should just stop being so bloody precious and go with it anyway? There's an awfully nice one on Fleabay at the mo...

[Gray]

Originally Posted by GSer

It's just the gert topbox on the back I don't like - but only from an aesthetic sense.

Ha. Aesthetic. And you prefer a 'King with it's faux 60's vintage to the elegant Art Deco of a Glide. The Top Box is easy. Four bolts and a connector. And by the By, Glides are great off road.

i wouldnt suggest a sporty if you want to carry a lot of luggage. very good bikes but not a car replacement. you can get luggage on but i always found it a bit to cramped, im 6' and rode alone, so a pillion may find bags get in the way. but it does cover everything else on your list. more than capable on motorways, easy to work on, etc.
great fun if you ride it right too. im about to hand my xl53c 2002 model with lots of extras in as part ex for a softail at silverstone hd, and i would guess it will be going up for around £4500. its in very good condition and you could get a 1200 conversion for £5-600.
they also have a couple of big twins in there for £6.5-7.5k, which may be worth a look at.
oxford have got an ultraglide classic evo on there site for £8000, but this may be to high for you.
i would blag a few test rides on different models before you decide, and make sure you get the one you want.
most of all enjoy it!
dan

[The Yukon Sizzler]

Sounds like a heritage softail would be ideal,fantastic two up motorway cruiser. Screen & saddlebags fitted as standard but removable in 2 mins.
Go test ride one at oxford H-D , then buy one private.
I'd rather pull out my own toe nails than buy anything from those t**ssers.
EG: mate goes in there last week to get some plugs for his sporty.
T**sser behind sales counter:"how many does it need ? "

Nuff said.