Update on buying a Harley-Davidson...

[EightmanVT]

Well...yeah it can be dangerous, but that's part of what makes it fun.

I know it's not 'cool' but consider wearing a helmet your first year or so...a large proportion of accidents occur among riders with less then five years experience.

Uh...Wearing a helmet...is definitely "cool"... Anyone who thinks "coolness" is in anyway associated with whether or not you wear a helmet...probably won't be doing the gene pool any damage by disappearing from it anyway

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Well...yeah it can be dangerous, but that's part of what makes it fun.

I know it's not 'cool' but consider wearing a helmet your first year or so...a large proportion of accidents occur among riders with less then five years experience.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd wear a helmet most of the time for anything other than in town rides. Illinois doesn't require a helment, but Missouri does. If I ever decided to ride to work in Missouri, I'd need to wear one anyway.

Chris

Are you close to the border between the 2 states?

 

[EightmanVT]

I agree that buying a smaller bike to learn on and start out on is a good idea. However, DO NOT buy a Sportster for that purpose. If you want to buy a small bike to learn on then buy a cheap jap bike. A Sportster would cost as much as a nice new jap bike and you'll have a hell of a time selling a Sportster. Either buy a cheapo to learn on or just buy the Harley you want. And if you ever plan on going farther than the corner bar or riding with 2 people then you don't want a Sportster.

If I got a small bike to start, I'd either find out that I love riding and decide to go bigger in 6 months OR find out it's not for me and sell it. By going with a "keeper" bike in the first place, I'm knocking out an extra step if I decide riding is for me.

You'll be fine. Getting a smaller "learner" bike is probably a decent rule of thumb, but certainly doesn't apply across the board. I started on the bike I have now (1800CC's) and know plenty of others who have jumped straight into the deep end of the pool and been just fine (and glad they did). Like I've said a hundred times, take your time, take the class...and becareful, and you'll be fine -- at least in the areas that are under your control.

 

[Odin]

I agree that buying a smaller bike to learn on and start out on is a good idea. However, DO NOT buy a Sportster for that purpose. If you want to buy a small bike to learn on then buy a cheap jap bike. A Sportster would cost as much as a nice new jap bike and you'll have a hell of a time selling a Sportster. Either buy a cheapo to learn on or just buy the Harley you want. And if you ever plan on going farther than the corner bar or riding with 2 people then you don't want a Sportster.

If I got a small bike to start, I'd either find out that I love riding and decide to go bigger in 6 months OR find out it's not for me and sell it. By going with a "keeper" bike in the first place, I'm knocking out an extra step if I decide riding is for me.

True. But if you buy a Sportster you will take a huge loss in 6 months when you decide you want a bike that you can ride more than 100 miles in comfort or ride with 2 people. Lots of peopel buy Sportsters once, very few buy them again. They are hard to sell. Either get a big bike now that you will keep or buy a cheapo that you can flip for even money in 6 months.

One more thing to consider, the '98 and newer bikes with the TC88 motor are light years ahead of the Evo motor on the 92 bike. The difference is amazing. If you are buying a bike with an Evo I would make sure to buy something with a rubber-mounted motor to ease a little of the vibration. The TC88 bikes ('98 and newer) don't suffer from the excessive vibration to the rider.

 

[Bantam Menace]

Well...yeah it can be dangerous, but that's part of what makes it fun.

I know it's not 'cool' but consider wearing a helmet your first year or so...a large proportion of accidents occur among riders with less then five years experience.

Uh...Wearing a helmet...is definitely "cool"... Anyone who thinks "coolness" is in anyway associated with whether or not you wear a helmet...probably won't be doing the gene pool any damage by disappearing from it anyway

Hey don't look at me, I wear a helmet

 

[jisham]

Well...yeah it can be dangerous, but that's part of what makes it fun.

I know it's not 'cool' but consider wearing a helmet your first year or so...a large proportion of accidents occur among riders with less then five years experience.

Uh...Wearing a helmet...is definitely "cool"... Anyone who thinks "coolness" is in anyway associated with whether or not you wear a helmet...probably won't be doing the gene pool any damage by disappearing from it anyway

+1000. I've ridden in states that don't have helmet laws and choose to leave mine on every time. I could care less if I'm "cool" or not when it comes to safety.

Every person I know who bought a small bike to learn on, ended up selling it within a year to get something bigger. When people ask me for advice, I always tell them to buy the big one now because they'll end up doing it anyway so why not skip to the chase so speak? Particularly if it's someone who's a little older and experienced in life. You'll be fine Chris.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

maybe not the best for when the shit hits the fan, but if you're gonna wear a helmet, i'd suggest taking peripheral vision into account.


those full face jobbies might be nice when your skidding down the pavement at a 120, but ain't gonna do much for letting you see that car that's about to blindside you.



by the way THUMP, you've got the right name for getting a Harley. Thumper is what us old time dirt bike riders call 4 stroke dirt bikes.

 

[kannibul]

My advice on it:

A sportster is fine if your a guy that weighs less than 200lbs, more so if you weigh less than 180, and under 5'10"

Sit on one too. I did, felt like a pine bench. After you do some upgrades to it, you'll have spent 2-3 times more for one than most other brands.


If you really want a HD, go for it, but if you're looking for a good bike for a good price, look elsewhere. Sorry...


Most of the "jap" bikes are actually Made in America, if that's a problem. Kawasaki and Honda, to name a couple. In fact, HD is using parts made by companies that Honda owns. In a way, HD is more Honda these days than at any time in the past.

 

[kannibul]

Okay, the dealer has some openings in this weeks class (Thursday evening, Friday evening, all day Saturday, and all day Sunday.) If I took the class in Missouri, it won't give me a cert to take to the DMV in Illinois and get a license. I'd still have to take the Illinois tests at the DMV. However, it would give me the confidence to get on the bike for the first time and practice to prepare for the test.

I can probably get the dealer to give it to me for free (I think it's normally $350.) Also, the dealership is right on my way home from work, so it would work out well that way. One more thing, we only have one gig this weekend on Friday night, so I'd only have to miss that one gig instead of a full weekend.

Yeah, I should do that. It will give me the training and confidence to get ready for the bike that will possibly be delivered to my house this week.

I guess I could leave the bike there and actually take the training on it or at least move up to it into the 2nd or 3rd day of training.

Read up on this website:

http://www.msgroup.org/DISCUSS.asp

 

[kannibul]

I agree that buying a smaller bike to learn on and start out on is a good idea. However, DO NOT buy a Sportster for that purpose. If you want to buy a small bike to learn on then buy a cheap jap bike. A Sportster would cost as much as a nice new jap bike and you'll have a hell of a time selling a Sportster. Either buy a cheapo to learn on or just buy the Harley you want. And if you ever plan on going farther than the corner bar or riding with 2 people then you don't want a Sportster.

If I got a small bike to start, I'd either find out that I love riding and decide to go bigger in 6 months OR find out it's not for me and sell it. By going with a "keeper" bike in the first place, I'm knocking out an extra step if I decide riding is for me.

True. But if you buy a Sportster you will take a huge loss in 6 months when you decide you want a bike that you can ride more than 100 miles in comfort or ride with 2 people. Lots of peopel buy Sportsters once, very few buy them again. They are hard to sell. Either get a big bike now that you will keep or buy a cheapo that you can flip for even money in 6 months.

One more thing to consider, the '98 and newer bikes with the TC88 motor are light years ahead of the Evo motor on the 92 bike. The difference is amazing. If you are buying a bike with an Evo I would make sure to buy something with a rubber-mounted motor to ease a little of the vibration. The TC88 bikes ('98 and newer) don't suffer from the excessive vibration to the rider.

A lot of biker events **give away** sportsters. What's surprising is that every one of them I've been to, has had some guy win that doesn't own a bike. How screwy is that? (I've been to 4)

 

[kannibul]

LOL, reading through this thread is me 2 years ago, except Chris is me - lol...

Anyhow, Chris, you're best bet is to find a bike that is big enough for you, and get that. Don't buy one now, and buy another one later as an upgrade - buy the one you want.

Yep, my inexperience landed my bike on it's side twice - first time with a snappy clutch, the second time while riding in a group, but shit is going to happen. Just try and minimize it.


And, if there's one piece of advice I can give - don't give a rats ass about someone near you in a group ride. The only thing you have to do is watch out for the person in front of you. When it comes to corners, take them at your pace. I don't care for tearing ass through corners like some bikers - so, I end up pissing some people off that are behind me (cars too) - I go what the corner is marked for, knowing I'll be good in case of sand, gravel, water, etc. I catch up on the straights...

 

[kannibul]

Most of the "jap" bikes are actually Made in America, if that's a problem. Kawasaki and Honda, to name a couple. In fact, HD is using parts made by companies that Honda owns. In a way, HD is more Honda these days than at any time in the past.

I only have a slight problem with buying a "jap" bike. Not a huge problem, but there is definitely a good feeling about buying Made in USA products (guitars, amps, bikes, etc...)

I know it's possible to get ALOT of bike for a great price going the non-HD way, but it ain't an HD and I admit that's a big part of me wanting to do this. Am I a poser? Kinda... I don't plan to jump in, grow a long beard, get tats all over, wear leather, etc... But I'd really rather have an HD or nothing. I know, I know... That's a poser thing to say, but I'm being honest here.

It's the same reason I own "real" Gibson Les Pauls and no longer own the Edwards copies I used to have. They were great guitars, but not the real thing. I like having the real thing. If I got a "jap" bike, I'd want one that looks like an HD. So I'd rather just spend the extra cash and get an HD.

Chris

That's cool man - my only knock against HD is the pricing. They have an IMMENSE amount of customization options that no other manufacturer can touch. Hell, you can buy that 883, and get a jug kit and turn it into a 1200. I can't say that with my Honda.

I'd love to have a Road King. But I can't justify it's cost, so that leads me to the Kawasaki 1600 Nomad, should I start getting nailed for loud pipes (mine aren't stupid loud, but can be when I goose it), I'll trade my bike (Honda VTX 1300C) in for one.


Also, nothing beats the feeling of accelleration and power/weight that you can get with a bike - except a car with at least a 50K pricetag - even cruisers...

 

[Odin]

My advice on it:

If you really want a HD, go for it, but if you're looking for a good bike for a good price, look elsewhere. Sorry...

Total horse shit.

 

[kannibul]

My advice on it:

If you really want a HD, go for it, but if you're looking for a good bike for a good price, look elsewhere. Sorry...

Total horse shit.

lol - ok...

I'm sure you can back that up?

 

[Odin]

My advice on it:

If you really want a HD, go for it, but if you're looking for a good bike for a good price, look elsewhere. Sorry...

Total horse shit.

lol - ok...

I'm sure you can back that up?

20 years on Harleys and I can back up the good and the bad of H-D. To make a statement like "but if you're looking for a good bike for a good price, look elsewhere" shows total ignorance of H-D. You sound like a typical jealous type who wishes he had a H-D so you criticize what you don't understand.

A H-D is as "good" as any bike made today.


As far as price goes...the last 2 H-D's that I bought new I also sold for a profit. Both were purchased from a dealer, 1 traded to a dealer at over MSRP when it was almost 2 years old and 1 sold to a guy who paid over MSRP for it over 2 years later. Don't tell me about H-D being overpriced because you can't turn a profit buying new and selling a jap bike.

 

[kannibul]

20 years on Harleys and I can back up the good and the bad of H-D. To make a statement like "but if you're looking for a good bike for a good price, look elsewhere" shows total ignorance of H-D. You sound like a typical jealous type who wishes he had a H-D so you criticize what you don't understand.

A H-D is as "good" as any bike made today.


As far as price goes...the last 2 H-D's that I bought new I also sold for a profit. Both were purchased from a dealer, 1 traded to a dealer at over MSRP when it was almost 2 years old and 1 sold to a guy who paid over MSRP for it over 2 years later. Don't tell me about H-D being overpriced because you can't turn a profit buying new and selling a jap bike.

Key point, I said a good bike for a good price. I did not say HD was a poor bike for a bad price.

I got a Honda, it cost me around 8K. The HD competing model would be, what, $13-20K?

HD makes a good bike for a bad price.

Even my die-hard Buy American Unionized uncle couldn't see what HD offers over the other makers to justify the price gap, so he bought a yamaha. He's got plenty of money to get whatever too. Hell the gap is big enough Victory can fit that nitche...

Sold it for a profit? After how much money spent in accessories that went with the bike? Maybe it sits in the garage and you don't ride it? I don't know about you, but I bought my bike to ride it. I don't care about resale value, or think of it as an investment - funny how only HD owners think of their bike as an investment...lol...

I like HD - and if the price was right or money wasn't an object, maybe I'd own one. Maybe. I still can't think of a real reason why I would get one over another bike (or two), even if...I just don't see what HD offers over the competition to justify their increased price.

Sure, the same could be said of Gibson and Epiphone when it comes to LP's - and maybe that's true. But, last I checked, Honda is making parts for HD, where Epiphone is not making parts for Gibson.

 

[Digital Jams]

Only thing I have to contribute to this is that yesterday a guy died "looking cool" with no helmut. The guy was on a Fatboy going around a corner and clocked a John Deere Tractor.

Family man = helmut wearing man.

 

[RV8guy]

I always wear my helmet. Doesn't matter what bike I'm on. I took a header into a tree once during a race, the helmet surely saved my life. I walked away with only a mild concussion and some scratches.

I envy you buying a Harley. I want one in the worst way. The only ride I have left is my Honda V65 Magna.

 

[kannibul]

I always wear my helmet. Doesn't matter what bike I'm on. I took a header into a tree once during a race, the helmet surely saved my life. I walked away with only a mild concussion and some scratches.

I envy you buying a Harley. I want one in the worst way. The only ride I have left is my Honda V65 Magna.

Those Magna's are bad ass.

 

[kannibul]

Where is this info about HD buying parts from Honda? I'd be interested in reading more about it (and I'm too lazy to search around.)

Also Kannibul, I buy everything used for a reason. I can't (and wouldn't) buy an $18,000 bike. I'll buy used in excellent condition and save $10,000 or so.

From what I've read/heard....

Carbs, forks, springs and shocks, maybe other stuff too...

Anyhow, understandable on the used thing - I on the other hand, won't buy used unless I have to - who knows what's been fucked with.