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Harleys for the non-Harley guy

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jimboz

jimboz

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Many motorcyclists enter a Harley phase, and I am approaching the threshold. I dislike the lifestyle and the aesthetic of the brand's culture, and I don't like loud pipes, but as a v-twin fan I think I gotta have a Harley at least once in my life.

I rented a '19 Fat Bob on the newer Softail chassis and thought it was delightful. Comfortable bike, and it even handled pretty well. I'd like to keep it in the 4-digits though, so I'm limited to Sportsters, Dynas, and maaaybe the early M8 Softails. Gotta be air-cooled & FI. Any insight? Current bike is a much-beloved Guzzi V85TT that's never getting sold.
 
My FIL is talking about replacing his Harley Deuce., Low miles, garage kept, very nice condition. I think it’s a 2001.
 
jimboz said:
I dislike the lifestyle and the aesthetic of the brand's culture, and I don't like loud pipes,
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Ignore all of that and get quiet pipes. "Lifestyle" is whatever you make out of the ride you love, and bleep anyone arguing aesthetics and culture.
If you love the ride, who gives a rat's pooper what anyone else thinks??? And I've heard HD's that are as quiet as a little Honda generator.

A dear brother on the west coast let me ride his Dyna all over the bay area and the PCH. I liked it a lot.
 
I have a 2007 Dyna Wide Glide. One owner. 7,000 miles (yes, seven-thousand) Chain-driven cams have been replaced with gear-driven cams. (LOUD) Sampson pipes. Dyno-tuned with Power Commander. Corbin seat plus stock seat. Black paint and chrome everything else. Asking $7K. I can post picks if you are interested.
 
We go through phases in life. When I was young, my Grandfather would take me rides on his Harley. I have had a few bikes over the years. In 2009, I bought a 1996 1340 evo ultra classic and really liked the feel, the nostalgia. Just to say I owned a Harley. We took some memorable rides in Texas, New Mexico and Arkansas. I traded it in 2015 for new one. Even more trips and rides. In 2020 I bought an Africa Twin. I eventually rode the AT more and finally sold the Harley. What convinced me to sell it was was my ability. I am older and the weight of a 850# + bike just didn't fit me anymore. But, when a Harley goes by I just smile.
 
WhiskeySmith said:
I have a 2007 Dyna Wide Glide. One owner. 7,000 miles (yes, seven-thousand) Chain-driven cams have been replaced with gear-driven cams. (LOUD) Sampson pipes. Dyno-tuned with Power Commander. Corbin seat plus stock seat. Black paint and chrome everything else. Asking $7K. I can post picks if you are interested.
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That is a screaming good deal!!!
 
cabanza said:
Get a metric cruiser.
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I have had a metric cruisers and liked it a lot, but still find myself wondering if I would like a Harley.
My brother has an '05 883 that I have ridden on occasion, but IMO, not the same thing.

I have always like the look of the Police Harleys, I don't even know which model those are (Road Glide or Road King, or something like that?).
Thing is I hate loud pipes, stock Harley pipes are almost too loud for me, and it seems the first thing a Harley rider does it take off the stock pipes and put loud pipes on it. No idea what happens to those stock pipes, because when I was kinda looking at them a few years ago, everyone I looked at had aftermarket pipes, and they did not have the stock any more.
 
blupupher said:
I have had a metric cruisers and liked it a lot, but still find myself wondering if I would like a Harley.
My brother has an '05 883 that I have ridden on occasion, but IMO, not the same thing.

I have always like the look of the Police Harleys, I don't even know which model those are (Road Glide or Road King, or something like that?).
Thing is I hate loud pipes, stock Harley pipes are almost too loud for me, and it seems the first thing a Harley rider does it take off the stock pipes and put loud pipes on it. No idea what happens to those stock pipes, because when I was kinda looking at them a few years ago, everyone I looked at had aftermarket pipes, and they did not have the stock any more.
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When I bought 1996, it had loud pipes. Annoyed the heck out me. I found a seat online and the guy mentioned he had an original set, the mufflers. The bike was quiet after that. So much better
 
I wanted a Harley that didn’t fit “the lifestyle” so I bought an XR1200 Sportster. One of the best bikes I’ve ever owned. It must’ve worked because other Harley’s wouldn’t even wave ha!

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blupupher said:
I have had a metric cruisers and liked it a lot, but still find myself wondering if I would like a Harley.
My brother has an '05 883 that I have ridden on occasion, but IMO, not the same thing.

I have always like the look of the Police Harleys, I don't even know which model those are (Road Glide or Road King, or something like that?).
Thing is I hate loud pipes, stock Harley pipes are almost too loud for me, and it seems the first thing a Harley rider does it take off the stock pipes and put loud pipes on it. No idea what happens to those stock pipes, because when I was kinda looking at them a few years ago, everyone I looked at had aftermarket pipes, and they did not have the stock any more.
Click to expand...
Modern HD police bikes are Road Kings (no fairing FLHP) or Electraglides (fairing FLHTP). For me, the plus of the police models is the seat which could be retrofitted to non-police bikes but components are expensive. Be careful as these bikes, while likely well serviced, have typically had rough rides. IME wiring of police bikes is usually well-hacked to install lights et, due to installers not using manf provided hook-ups

If you chose Harley twin cam I would suggest 2007 or later for hydraulic cam chain tensioners - early twin cams can be retrofitted

If you choose Harley touring go 2010 or newer for the 09 updated frame. 09 could be chosen also if you change triple tree to later model - 09 had reduced turning radius.

Nice stock low mileage silencers are easy to get on EBay as people clean out their garages. Silencers likely got changed as owners recovered from down payment.
 
My brain can almost go there as well, almost. And if I allowed it, it wouldn't need to say Harley on it for me. Thought I would throw this out there, this is a lot of bike for the money in my eye, Vtwin, really clean....$3500 for sale on TWT.

www.twtex.com

Bike For Sale - 2009 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe --- PRICE REDUCED

12,446 miles Runs, strong engine but needs some carburetor work (not idling correctly) Good set of Dunlop tires Barnett clutch plate installed (includes OEM clutch plate also) Clearview Shields Oversized windshield USB power port Graber Enterprise 17" Universal Motorcycle Armrest W/Studs Custom...
www.twtex.com www.twtex.com

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One thing to consider between metric and Harley cruisers is available aftermarket stuff allowing you to customize the bike to fit you - bars, seats, windscreens, board/shifter/peg locations.
 
I think a 1200 Sportster is the way to go. There's quite a few for sale on Cycle Trader for good prices.
 
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Tigerkf said:
I think a 1200 Sportster is the way to go. There's quite a few for sale on Cycle Trader for good prices.
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Yeah, regardless of what the "best" Harley is, I think a Sportster might get it out of my system. Like being forced to suck down a pack of unfiltered Marlboros after getting caught smoking.
 
I put 50,000 miles on a Dyna Super Glide in 2 1/2 years. After 20 years on sport bikes and sporty standards, it needed aftermarket shocks, fork cartridge kit, and oversized brakes to feel safe. It was a fun bike once set up. The first owner never rode it, and never heard of loctite, so parts were falling off fir no reason when I first got it.

A deer strike totalled it. It was fun while it lasted, but moved on to other bikes for a bit. Going to sell my Z900RS soon, and a Sportster may be calling my name. I do like the Low Rider ST also, and used ones don't seem to be holding value, that is good for buyers and riders....
 
jimboz said:
Yeah, regardless of what the "best" Harley is, I think a Sportster might get it out of my system. Like being forced to suck down a pack of unfiltered Marlboros after getting caught smoking.
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My unsolicited 2 cents, while the Sportster is a GREAT looking bike, if I'm trying to get the HD experience I want something along the big boy line. That would be pretty cool. :duck: Picture credit from @Big Bore of his gorgeous bike.

1BF6F5A5-F10D-41E7-904D-A1CEE7AA2DD8.jpeg


04899E2D-571F-4D08-AFD8-6DE98039ACDF.jpeg
 
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