Thinking of getting a Harley? Maybe a Kawi?? Any recomendations? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Thinking of getting a Harley? Maybe a Kawi?? Any recomendations?

gav.man

gav.man

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I'd like your opinion, I am looking at a Harley Softail for my birthday. I was wondering if anyone has any insight to these bikes and if it is a good bet. I've had many bikes in the past and the R6 I currently ride (road use only) has a bad habit of crushing my junk :compress: when I ride for any length of time. I am looking for 2 - 3 hour trips and to be honest, have always wanted a harley since I was 16 and had the posters hanging on my wall.

I am looking at a classic softail for looks and future customizing. I like the hard tail look but I would like to know:

1) Are they reliable?

2) Are they good for 2 - 3 hour trips

3) Any known issues I should look for.

4) Best years made and why

I took a Fatboy out for a demo ride a few weeks ago and was impressed. It was fuel injected and ran perfectly. Any ideas about carbed versions? I am thinking around a 2004 but not sure. I hear the 2000 - 2006 are all basicly the same.

I also have been looking at the Kawi cruisers. Any pro's / cons to them over the Harley?

Your opinions will be appreciated.
 
Don't have any direct experience with those bikes but have always had the impression that Harley's are over rated and over priced. More about image and brand name than functionality and reliability. That may not be the case but; seems to be the general impression. Also; you mention customizing the bike. That would likely cost you a pile more with the Harley brand than most others. As always though; boils down to what you really want. Don't settle for your 2nd choice when it comes to buying a bike :)
 
I've heard that the softails have somewhat limited rear suspension.
 
Check out ADVrider's Road Warriors subforum. Many of the members have been riding various Harley models for decades. No Kool-Aid drinking pirates from the looks of it. Some of them put on serious mileage, then jump on sportbikes and dual sports to add even more mileage. There's one ex-HD service manager by the name of Bueller who really knows what's what.

Personally, the twin headlight Fat Bob is what I would lean towards. Maybe a xr1200r, but like all Sportsters, feel cramped. There's some pretty cool cafe/flat tracker customs out there, though.
 
Ive rode a Vulcan 800 and a C90 and the Fatboy had a better ride and feel but it was a new 2012 demo. Also I was thinking of using aftermarket add on's to lower the cost. When I took the demo I aimed for every pothole I could find, 10 times softer than the R6... I know there is a cost premium but they retain their value better as well.

I'll check out the forum link, thanks.
 
You always wanted the Hog so get one. Biking is about passion so follow yours.
 
I have a softail Gav, a night train /04, it's a wonderful bike. Because mine has been lowered, drag bars, feet forward and a "rock hard" seat, I usually have to take a break after an hour but have ridden on 8 hour jaunts taking frequent breaks.

Depending on how you customize it, if at all, it's the classic Dennis Hopper look of a Harley, narrow, nimble and that raw look, this is what gives Harley an advantage over the metric cruisers. You'll understand this once you really compare the various bikes out there.

It's very reliable and of all bikes out there, probably retains the resale value better than any make, I had paid $13 for used in 2008 and many are selling for the same or more at this moment.

There's something to be said about riding with a beanie, t-shirt, sunglasses on a warm afternoon, you'll see what I mean.
 
Stick with fuel injected bikes .You can get a newer bike by importing from the states .Most Harley`s are pretty good for 2-3 hour rides .The soft tail is not my cup of tea .But others like them as a starter Harley .Most move up to touring models for better comfort .I bought a vrod because I wanted a Harley .But coming from Jap bikes Harley didn`t make anything for me till the vrod .It`s been 3 years with the bike and I still love it .It`s the first time I can say that about a bike .Most bikes I looked to replace after a year .GP fpr a test ride at a dealer to make sure it`s what you want .
 
I know the '07 and up have internal balancers in them, the Fatboy was smooth when the rpm went above idle. Hows that night train on the highway as far as vibration? I don't want my hands to fall asleep. I was looking at the Vrod, it is a sweet bike but didn't fit me well. I was looking at the states for bikes but the deals were hard to find, maybe I'm not looking in the right place.
 
gav.man said:
I know the '07 and up have internal balancers in them, the Fatboy was smooth when the rpm went above idle. Hows that night train on the highway as far as vibration? I don't want my hands to fall asleep. I was looking at the Vrod, it is a sweet bike but didn't fit me well. I was looking at the states for bikes but the deals were hard to find, maybe I'm not looking in the right place.
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My fiance and I got our HDs through National Powersports two summers ago, and saved ourselves a couple of grand each. Good prices, good communication, and they handled all the brokerage details. At first we were a little intimidated by the paperwork involved in bringing bikes across the border, but it ended up being not such a big deal. The biggest issue was that when my fiance went to get some warranty work done on her Street Bob (cracked engine case), Deeley Canada wouldn't honour the warranty until she fully "Canadianized" the bike according to THEIR standards, meaning, she had to get a Canadian speedometer installed and had to foot the cost herself. That's Deeley's way of punishing buyers for going south of the border. So....there's your warning.

Anyway, I don't have much direct experience with the Softtails personally, other than riding a FatBoy Low on a demo day (personally I'm a Sportster and Dyna fan). Although coincidentally I also fell in love with HD after going to a demo day. I just found them incredibly fun to ride.

As for the cost of customization: eBay and aftermarket are your friends. There are a million and one places to find pretty things for your Harley, and half the fun of owning one is browsing around and thinking of your next project. It's only as expensive as you make it.
 
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Thanks for the link and advice Short Stop. Much apreciated :thumbup:
 
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short stop said:
My fiance and I got our HDs through National Powersports two summers ago, and saved ourselves a couple of grand each. Good prices, good communication, and they handled all the brokerage details. At first we were a little intimidated by the paperwork involved in bringing bikes across the border, but it ended up being not such a big deal. The biggest issue was that when my fiance went to get some warranty work done on her Street Bob (cracked engine case), Deeley Canada wouldn't honour the warranty until she fully "Canadianized" the bike according to THEIR standards, meaning, she had to get a Canadian speedometer installed and had to foot the cost herself. That's Deeley's way of punishing buyers for going south of the border. So....there's your warning.

Anyway, I don't have much direct experience with the Softtails personally, other than riding a FatBoy Low on a demo day (personally I'm a Sportster and Dyna fan). Although coincidentally I also fell in love with HD after going to a demo day. I just found them incredibly fun to ride.

As for the cost of customization: eBay and aftermarket are your friends. There are a million and one places to find pretty things for your Harley, and half the fun of owning one is browsing around and thinking of your next project. It's only as expensive as you make it.
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Buy the speedo in the states and screw deely .The speedo is half price in the US .
 
Gav.man,
I have a lowrider sport 1993 (1340cc), love it, owned it since late '93.

I also have various other bikes, so im not a "biker" so to speak.
No tats, chain drive wallets, bandanas for me!
I have ridden, deckers and softtails(fatBoy, cowglide) i like the softtails but the wife (whose *** is right over the swing arm) hates them.The wife does not swear, but says they are a piece of **** LOL.
But you rode a new one so base it on your own experience.

The FLH's are really nice to ride if you decide to go the decker route.

Once piece of advice (no offence to anyone) Only get advice from actual owners, whether its a HD, GSXR, or Bimmer, many people who dont have a clue and never owned one, seem to know everything.

They are the best bike ever for going slow,enjoying the scenery.
I will never sell my HD (or GSXR for that matter)

Good Luck
Gerry
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