Harleys for the non-Harley guy

[dukey33]

My touring days are largely behind me but might be ahead of me too after I retire.
That said, the Road King has always been my fav flavor. My Shadow ACE Tourer was a light facsimile of a RK but would never be a H-D no matter the bling or pipes I could put on it....for good or bad.

 

[X1Glider]

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.

I've had 8 Buells and 4 HDs over the years and had a great time on all of them. For me, half the fun was the bang for the buck when pepping-them-up. It's getting more difficult and expensive to that anymore and honestly, there isn't that need any more either. The power is up and they just work. People knock HD because they're generally slow and handle slow as well. But for what they are designed to do, they're hard to beat. And for anyone that's tired of working on stuff themselves anymore, you can't swing a cat without hitting a HD dealership or independent shop, plus their techs generally have H-D training certifications and are more capable than the ones that have to service the overly-complicated and overly-techy Euro brands. Add to the fact the HD dealers only work on HDs, other shops tend to be multi-brand, sometimes 10 or more brands and types of vehicles, which is why they don't have experts. BMW comes close, like the one in the Woodlands where they only have 2 other brands, Royal Enfield and Indian, neither of which require a degree in computer science. So, they have some master certified techs there. Yet, HD only ever sells HD and the aftermarket is the biggest in the world.

Can't help you on picking something that's limited to $9999 though. Whatever you look at, it should be different than the V85TT in style and use so you don't feel like you own 2 of the same thing.

As a Guzzi V85TT owner as well, I have to admit I love the bike. I can count on one hand the number of times I did not ride it to work over the last 28 months. But make no mistake, no one in Texas is capable of fixing the problems it has and the dealers for it, AF1 and Wild West, simply don't want to try because they don't know how. Their attitude shows it too. They simply don't care and you can't pay them enough to care either. Which is why I'll be trading it in on a new GS soon despite how much fun the V85TT is to ride.

 

[Road Scholar]

^^^ Great post Bob K! ^^^

I'm in the market for a Sportster, so DM me what you got!

 

[HackedOne]

As a non Harley guy myself, the only ones that have ever really temped me are the Fat Bob and Low Rider S (and ST). The Low Rider S is probably a no-go in your price range, but I think some patience and searching could get you onto a Fat Bob under $10k. I found the one linked below without trying too hard.

Harley Davidson 2008 FXDF Dyna Fat Bob - motorcycles/scooters - by owner - vehicle automotive bike sale - craigslist

2008 Harley Davidson Dyna Fat Bob with accessories. Jack Daniels Old No.7 emblem. Matt Black. Great cruising and around town model. Blacked out. Includes saddle bags, helmets, windshield, passenger...

houston.craigslist.org

 

[Waco]

I’ve been window shopping the Lowrider S and ST for years. I ended up buying something better suited to riders over 6 ft.

 

[XB12XT]

Harley, but not a Harley? Hmmm..

 

[xcaliber]

i had a sportster in the early 70s. It was a great fun bike till I started changing every thing. Pipes ,bars, wheel etc. custom paint and chrome everything. Hated it after that. If Iwas to go HD, it would either be a sportster or a roadglide. I've ridden the RG and really liked it but no to loud pipes.

 

[Sir Smapty]

When you ride, do you prefer exciting handling, quick turns, not having to feel like your are wrestling the bike? Then don't look at baggers. I had an Indian Challenger and while riding on the highway was pleasant, slow speed riding sucked.

 

[FE_Rex]

When you ride, do you prefer exciting handling, quick turns, not having to feel like your are wrestling the bike? Then don't look at baggers. I had an Indian Challenger and while riding on the highway was pleasant, slow speed riding sucked.

That's interesting. I have no experience with the Indian Challenger, but of all my bikes I've had/have, my FLHP Road King and KZ1000P give me the most confidence in slow speed maneuvers. The other bikes I am comparing them to are a Road Glide, R1200GSA, R1100RTP, K1300S, Vulcan 900, Rocket III, VRod.

I will say my FLHP is way better than the Road Glide, which is interesting, considering the only chassis differences are the RG has a fixed fairing/tour pack and the FLHP has the higher, more forward police seat. Could also be the tweaked FLHP has 50% more HP. The KZ also has a fixed fairing, also has a stoutish motor, and is ~300lb lighter the RG

 

[lddave]

In 1969 I wanted this Harley but I but I years away from having a drivers license or money .
Recently I have been thinking about one of these.

 

[budzrex]

I spent a couple of very enjoyable cross country trips several years ago on a 2003 Ultra Glide Classic great bike for that type of ride as I was in no hurry and took scenic routes. Now it was not my ST1100 or the FJR1300
If I ever got back into street riding again a modern version of it would be on my short list

 

[X1Glider]

^^^ Great post Bob K! ^^^

I'm in the market for a Sportster, so DM me what you got!

Would you be interested in a very well prepared XR1200X? There's a lot of XR Flat track race series mods on it I would have to discuss in full in a separate post. IIRC it has less than 2k miles on it, maybe less than 1500. It belongs to former member here who no longer rides. Very clean, very fun and visceral. I'd have to get him to name a price but 10k might not be out of the question.

I don't have pics of it on my phone but I could post a pic oe 2 when I get back from Chicago Wednesday.

 

[jimboz]

I've had 8 Buells and 4 HDs over the years and had a great time on all of them. For me, half the fun was the bang for the buck when pepping-them-up. It's getting more difficult and expensive to that anymore and honestly, there isn't that need any more either. The power is up and they just work. People knock HD because they're generally slow and handle slow as well. But for what they are designed to do, they're hard to beat. And for anyone that's tired of working on stuff themselves anymore, you can't swing a cat without hitting a HD dealership or independent shop, plus their techs generally have H-D training certifications and are more capable than the ones that have to service the overly-complicated and overly-techy Euro brands. Add to the fact the HD dealers only work on HDs, other shops tend to be multi-brand, sometimes 10 or more brands and types of vehicles, which is why they don't have experts. BMW comes close, like the one in the Woodlands where they only have 2 other brands, Royal Enfield and Indian, neither of which require a degree in computer science. So, they have some master certified techs there. Yet, HD only ever sells HD and the aftermarket is the biggest in the world.

Can't help you on picking something that's limited to $9999 though. Whatever you look at, it should be different than the V85TT in style and use so you don't feel like you own 2 of the same thing.

As a Guzzi V85TT owner as well, I have to admit I love the bike. I can count on one hand the number of times I did not ride it to work over the last 28 months. But make no mistake, no one in Texas is capable of fixing the problems it has and the dealers for it, AF1 and Wild West, simply don't want to try because they don't know how. Their attitude shows it too. They simply don't care and you can't pay them enough to care either. Which is why I'll be trading it in on a new GS soon despite how much fun the V85TT is to ride.

Sad to hear your Guzzi ownership experience has been less than stellar with service. I kinda bought the bike with the assumption I'd need to do my own work on it and it was relatively DIYable - will pm you for details on what kinda issues you're seeing. If that's not the case, maybe I need to rethink things.

 

[jbird710]

As @FE_Rex said, if you go with a fuel injected model, get something 2002 or later. The later, the better. 2001 FI models used an inferior system (Magneti Marelli) that has known issues that can’t be resolved (other than a different, new FI system). 2002 models and on have the Delphi FI.

 

[Pedro 2.0]

Would you be interested in a very well prepared XR1200X? There's a lot of XR Flat track race series mods on it I would have to discuss in full in a separate post. IIRC it has less than 2k miles on it, maybe less than 1500. It belongs to former member here who no longer rides. Very clean, very fun and visceral. I'd have to get him to name a price but 10k might not be out of the question.

I don't have pics of it on my phone but I could post a pic oe 2 when I get back from Chicago Wednesday.

Can  we get in line on that possible deal???

 

[Road Scholar]

Would you be interested in a very well prepared XR1200X? There's a lot of XR Flat track race series mods on it I would have to discuss in full in a separate post. IIRC it has less than 2k miles on it, maybe less than 1500. It belongs to former member here who no longer rides. Very clean, very fun and visceral. I'd have to get him to name a price but 10k might not be out of the question.

I don't have pics of it on my phone but I could post a pic oe 2 when I get back from Chicago Wednesday.

Thanks, I'm looking for something more plain Jane for cruising the mean the streets of Blanco.

 

[Minnesota Scott]

Have you ever considered a parallel twin? I have ridden these several times and was really impressed. They never really caught on and I’m not sure why. I’ve seen several for sale in great condition, low mileage for prices less than a good e-bike. This example looks like new, 13,000 miles, for $4595

 

[FE_Rex]

The inherent charisma based of HD and VTwin motors

 

[LaserDave]

As @FE_Rex said, if you go with a fuel injected model, get something 2002 or later. The later, the better. 2001 FI models used an inferior system (Magneti Marelli) that has known issues that can’t be resolved (other than a different, new FI system). 2002 models and on have the Delphi FI.

Ahem! My 2000 has the MM system on it, and never gave an issue until it had sat too long and one of the injectors plugged up. The rebuild o-ring set was inexpensive, and the rebuild was pretty easy (once I got the bleeping manifold off!!) and she runs beyond great! I threw both injectors in the buzzy bath with Seafoam, and Bob's yer uncle!

 

[jbird710]

Has not been my experience with my 2001 Ultra Classic. I’ve had multiple failures and have spent a couple thousand repairing it. It currently has been setting several years as I’m not spending any more money to repair. I would like to replace it with the S&S FI but don’t have the extra funds required to do so.

 

[X1Glider]

Can  we get in line on that possible deal???

Yes!

 

[FE_Rex]

Has not been my experience with my 2001 Ultra Classic. I’ve had multiple failures and have spent a couple thousand repairing it. It currently has been setting several years as I’m not spending any more money to repair. I would like to replace it with the S&S FI but don’t have the extra funds required to do so.

Nearly every vehicle with electronics (FI) has that "time-bomb" part
- Later HD Tourings is the TSS (turn-signal-security etc) module - it that goes south, no pulse for injectors
- Good luck finding a fuel module for Vrods - at least that can be worked around

 

[MRVTX]

All of our bikes are cruisers, and my '04 1300C was my first street bike (and my only bike up until Nov. of '21 when we bought a '99 FLHTCI Electra Glide w/ a side car so the whole family could ride together). Since then, I've acquired my FIL's baby: a '00 FLHTPI Electra Glide Police Edition that he bought from the orginal LEO owner way back in '02 or '03. Still has the siren/amplifier & PA system intact and working, and he included the solo police seat and the red/blue lights that he had a shop take off. I have since put the police seat back on, and it is the most comfortable seat I've ever been on...and now I know why they're still in use on HD police bikes.

I don't buy in to any "biker lifestyle", and HD is no exception. They are great bikes, and we've enjoyed them. My wife has had two Ultras ('06 and her current '10), and they have all been rock-solid. The ride is very nice compared to my VTXs (1300 and 1800), but it's apples vs. oranges comparing the two.

My FIL also had me bring back his other two "babies" to sell for him. At 84, he decided to hang up his riding boots last year. These two are in excellent condition. Even with the low miles, he always took them to HD dealerships for service/repair. The Heritage is so smooth, and the 96 c.i./6-speed combo is nice out on the highway.

'03 Sportster 883 Anniversary (converted to the 1200) w/ 15,375 miles (asking $4000 OBO)
- Has a windshield and throwover bags

'08 Heritage Softail Anniversary w/ 12,640 miles (asking $9000 OBO)

 

[LaserDave]

Wow, look at all the HD fans coming out of lurk mode!!!

I don't buy in to any "biker lifestyle", and HD is no exception. They are great bikes, and we've enjoyed them.

Word. And fantastic looking bikes at a really good price. My friend out west let me ride his late 90's Sportster long ago, and it was as uncomfy as my '82.
Next time out, he had one like yours, and the forward controls were SO comfy, and way better handling. GLWS!!!! If I had ANY money to spend......

 

[Ben Eberle]

Here's the ultimate Harley for a non-Harley guy.

But you'll probably want functional mufflers, fuel injection, and an electric starter. It's the Harley for those of us who saw "On Any Sunday" instead of "Easy Rider".