Chosing a bike

[duhman]

+1 on the DRZ-400SM

[vicvitola]

Can you please add Ducati as the third choice?

[Malik23]

Personally, I'd go with either a sport tourer or an SV, especially if you are going to be doing any longer-distance riding. An FJR will give you more of a sport-bike feel while still maintaining the comfort of the tourer, while a Concours or an STI will be slightly less aggressive than the FJR and more towards the comfort side of things, but still much more agile than the Sportster. The SV is very nice as a cross as well. It's a standard seating position, so it'll be more comfortable on longer rides, got a nice sized twin engine, so you'll get the torque of a big cruiser, and the higher ground clearance of the sport-bike. Any one of those bikes is very easy to fit with side/top cases for luggage/gear/groceries/helmet storage, and all the sport-tourers come with side bags. Any of those bikes will also set you back more than the GXSR, but less than the Sportster.

Personally, I've owned a Vulcan 800 and a Connie and loved both. Best bet, IMO, is to sit on as many bikes as possible before you make any decision. Most dealers won't let you take their bikes out on test rides, so that makes things more difficult. But between Craigslist, Cycletrader and EBay, you should be able to find any bike you want to check out, if your local dealership doesn't have it in stock.

Ducatis are nice, but parts are a pain in the ass to get (almost always backordered for weeks, if not months).

[Joan]

Haven't ridden an HD since about age nine but my hosts in Boise last weekend have an 883 in their garage. It's HER bike but he rides it all over because of the lower seat.

He's got a nice old BMW tourer of his own but WANTS a 1200 sporty so they can ride around town together and had this to say about her 883:

"I love it for short trips around town, even with the tiny tank, but if I'm riding to Stanley [Idaho, ~130 miles away] I'd take the beemer because I don't feel tired out and beat up by the time I get there."


PS: not voting because I wouldn't choose either bike.

[Puffin Fresh]

Originally Posted by floydpink

I gotta agree as well, but am partial as I own a Fatboy.

It breaks down to this;

The average Harley sportster is traded in within 18 months for a bigger bike.

With the exception of sport bikes, which fit a certain market, there are two type of cruiser riders. Those with a Harley, and those who wish they had one, but can't afford it and go around making statements about how much Harleys break down and how old and over the hill the riders of them are. (Except when they are face to face with a harley rider!!)

Truer words have never been spoken about a Harley.

[BigVito]

Originally Posted by Sauer Grapes

Truer words have never been spoken about a Harley.

[Blind_Io]

Actually being cool is an optional extra. (Ok, most Harley owners are pretty cool)

[Puffin Fresh]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

Actually being cool is an optional extra. (Ok, most Harley owners are pretty cool)

It's not like you can argue with their comment about scooters though.

Anyway, I'm being pretty hard on Harleys so I'll try and be nice. After all, 95% of all Harleys made since 1970 are still on the road. The other 5% made it home.

[seegarfan]

Originally Posted by floydpink

I gotta agree as well, but am partial as I own a Fatboy.

It breaks down to this;

The average Harley sportster is traded in within 18 months for a bigger bike.

With the exception of sport bikes, which fit a certain market, there are two type of cruiser riders. Those with a Harley, and those who wish they had one, but can't afford it and go around making statements about how much Harleys break down and how old and over the hill the riders of them are. (Except when they are face to face with a harley rider!!)

My thoughts exactly........I held off on saying because I didn't feel like starting a pissing match. The only people I ever hear bad mouthing Harleys are those that have never owned one.

Well said, thanks for the post.

[floydpink]

It always gets like this when motorcycles are mentioned and certainly gets me stirred up.

I guess it is true that you should ride wht you like and like what you ride, but I feel that motorcycles stir the adrenaline and Harley's stir the soul, but to each his own. It's been said that, "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand," and once you roll down the highway on a Harley V-Twin and feel the solid 800 pounds under you and feel the thunder, you do understand.

Enjoy your bike whatever you chose and more than likely, you shouldn't get a Harley, or you would have known it by now anyway and wouldn't be asking. There's really no question when you "get it" and the feeling never leaves. Just ride safe and like what you ride regardess of what others think, and keep that plastic clean if you go with the metric and when you look at it in the garage every day after a hard day's work, like what you ride....

Personally, I would rather walk than ride anything but a Harley Davidson.

To all the Harley haters......

[weak_link]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Personally, I would rather walk than ride anything but a Harley Davidson.

To all the Harley haters......

I love V-Twins. Just the ones that actually turn and stop though. Keep yer chrome, I'll take my carbon fiber everything.





I'd love to own a Buell but everyone I know that's had one got rid of it because it was a pos.

[duhman]

In 18 years I've never had a single problem turning or stopping my '90 Fat Boy. You would really have to be a bad rider to not be able to ride a big twin.

[weak_link]

Originally Posted by duhman

In 18 years I've never had a single problem turning or stopping my '90 Fat Boy. You would really have to be a bad rider to not be able to ride a big twin.

Guess it depends on how you ride. I like to ride at the track and it's just a different thing. If I was into touring and just gobbling up the miles a big ol' Harley bagger would be sweet, I'm just not there yet.

You gotta know these Internet jabs are just for fun around here, I don't think anyone is taking this too seriously.

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by hoax

There will be plenty of time to ride a Harley when you're old, bald, and impotent.

In that case, where is your Harley? I hope you bring it by Sat so I can check it out!

[Opusfxd]

Originally Posted by weak_link

I love V-Twins. Just the ones that actually turn and stop though. Keep yer chrome, I'll take my carbon fiber everything.





I'd love to own a Buell but everyone I know that's had one got rid of it because it was a pos.

I may ride a FXD but dayam! I've always like them ducks. (chicken is as close as it gets here) Maybe someday after my knee replacement when I can again fold myself into that cockpit. Suprisingly comfortable for long jaunts if you fit.