Chosing a bike

[Ski1215]

I have chosen to forgo moving out of my parents house until I buy myself a motorcycle. Its something I've always wanted. I pay my bills and do my share around the house, so there is no rush for my folks to send me packing.

That said it isn't my first bike, but it will be my first "non project" that will be reliable that I can use on a daily basis.

Just seeing what anyone who rides or does not ride, thinks about the two bikes I can't decide on. One is a Harley Sportster and the other would be a GSX-R 600. I ride mostly around town, and in the spring I would take it on a few 3-400 mile day trips.

[motownflip]

I've had harleys and sport bikes. I would say gsxr. Sooo much more fun. The sportster is a nice bike, but the 600 has better resale imo and much cheaper to work on and mod if you want. Either one is a great bike, can't go wrong. Enfoy.

[Eternal Rider]

I say buy the Harley.

[ucubed]

GSX-R has been the bike I have wanted since I was like in middle school...I'm not a huge harley fan myself =/

[Av8tor152d]

if your looking for a bike to ride on long trips I would say cruiser, I have owned both street and cruiser and trust me after about 100 miles on a street bike you will be wishing it was a cruiser

[jagmqt]

You plan to stay living in your parents house and you're buying a motorcycle...do you plan on staying single forever?

jag

[Darrell]

I'd get a Harley, but not a Sportster. A Road King or Fat Boy.

[Dino1450]

Originally Posted by Darrell

I'd get a Harley, but not a Sportster. A Road King or Fat Boy.

I gotta agree with this.

[seegarfan]

Harley Davidson.

I rode motorcycles from 12 years old until 3 years ago (47), when I was forced to give it up due to 3 back surgeries in 2 years that has left me in too much pain to ride.

I have owned, ridden and raced (Flat Track & MX) all kinds of motorcycles. Once I gave up racing and riding off-road I turned to street/touring.

My last 2 bikes were a 94 heavily customized Fat Boy purchased new and rode the hell out of it for 3 years and then purchased a new 97 Road King, which was the last bike I owned.

I realize our age difference probably will dictate your choice be different than mine. The Fat Boy was great for around town and short touring - less than 200 miles/day.

But the Road King to me was the ultimate combination cruiser/ tourer. I also had it set up very sweet, and what was nice about it with the quick detachable tour pack (trunk), or sissy bar, windshield, and touring saddle, I could go from very comfortable 2 up touring to a single saddle cruiser for around town in less than 5 minutes. Sweetest bike I ever owned.

I just share that with you, because most of the guys I have known who bought a Sportster traded up in very short time to a larger Harley. Not that there is a thing wrong with the Sporty, but once the Harley bug has bitten you, it won't take long for you to want a full size Hog.

But whichever you choose - it is a great sport/hobby filled with good times. I envy you.

Enjoy the Journey

Mark

[pcozad1]

Originally Posted by seegarfan

Harley Davidson.

I rode motorcycles from 12 years old until 3 years ago (47), when I was forced to give it up due to 3 back surgeries in 2 years that has left me in too much pain to ride.

I have owned, ridden and raced (Flat Track & MX) all kinds of motorcycles. Once I gave up racing and riding off-road I turned to street/touring.

My last 2 bikes were a 94 heavily customized Fat Boy purchased new and rode the hell out of it for 3 years and then purchased a new 97 Road King, which was the last bike I owned.

I realize our age difference probably will dictate your choice be different than mine. The Fat Boy was great for around town and short touring - less than 200 miles/day.

But the Road King to me was the ultimate combination cruiser/ tourer. I also had it set up very sweet, and what was nice about it with the quick detachable tour pack (trunk), or sissy bar, windshield, and touring saddle, I could go from very comfortable 2 up touring to a single saddle cruiser for around town in less than 5 minutes. Sweetest bike I ever owned.

I just share that with you, because most of the guys I have known who bought a Sportster traded up in very short time to a larger Harley. Not that there is a thing wrong with the Sporty, but once the Harley bug has bitten you, it won't take long for you to want a full size Hog.

But whichever you choose - it is a great sport/hobby filled with good times. I envy you.

Enjoy the Journey

Mark

I knew we stuff in common . I to grew up racing dirt bikes. After four back surgeries I sold my big Dog last year. I do miss it. Pat

[Ski1215]

Originally Posted by jagmqt

You plan to stay living in your parents house and you're buying a motorcycle...do you plan on staying single forever?

jag

The point is that while I have a good thing going, I'll buy it in full so its not something I'm making payments on. I've been a college student until a year ago, and right now I have a full time job. Its not like I'm 25 and still putting off moving out. No one else my age is any better off than I am.

[bigswol2]

Go with the Gixxer. I'm not only a spokesman I'm also a client!

[Puffin Fresh]

Get a Ducati.

But, since you already have your two choices, I say buy a used sportster. Since it's an entry level harley, there are a lot of barely ridden ones available. You'll save a couple grand and get a just like new bike.

[pro2625]

You wont ever see me on a harley... get the suzuki

[Blind_Io]

There are more than just two kinds of bikes. First of all, there are the metric cruisers to consider which have much different characteristics than a Harley. Secondly, there are the hypermotards, sport-touring bikes, touring bikes, standards, adventure tourers, standards and about a dozen permutations of each.

Personally, I own a Honda Magna - sometimes called a "muscle cruiser" or a "power cruiser." It has a sport-bike type 750cc V-4 motor with a chain drive. It's very comfortable and very capable. I've done about 95 in 4th gear and it pulled all the way to the rev-limiter. In the corners it won't lean over as far as a sport bike because you start to scrape parts, but I frequently take it right to the edge of it's geometry and it does wonderfully. In the corners I have kept up with more sporty bikes but on long trips my touring Mustang seat is a real advantage for comfort.

I do a similar profile of riding to you, by the sound of it. My Magna is perfect for that type of riding - it's smaller than a touring bike for the twists and sweepers and for around town but more comfortable than a sport bike for long trips. I would also take a look at some Sport Touring bikes, I have my eye on the Honda Interceptor VFR for my next bike. It's more to the sporty end of the spectrum than many sport-touring bikes but without sacrificing comfort.