Looking for opinions on NEW Harley Davidson bikes?
I went yesterday and looked at new Harleys, I tried a Sportster and a Night Rod. Sat on a few others and compared prices. I wasn't comfortable on any of them. The seats were too stiff and narrow, the bikes felt way out of balance and the prices were much too high. I am not a Harley basher, but why would I want to buy something I don't like? Maybe a couple to three thousand dollars would make it more comfortable, but I can get comfort right off the showroom floor with a Honda. Even the Yamaha Roadstar was hard on the rear end. The V Star was nice, but the Honda Shadow just fits. This will be a bike for either me or my wife and she felt the same after trying the Suzuki, Harley, Yamaha, and Honda. The Shadow Aero was the most comfortable and balanced with the 750 Spirit next and then Sportster, followed by the V Star 650. (I tried the 1100)
2008-11-17T11:26:31Z
I really liked some of the answers. Hypocrisy? Not at all. An honest question to ask people. I already own a Honda Shadow. I have been to a few rallies where even Harley rider complimented me on the style pf the Aero. A few said they'd look at it for their wives. I am looking to buy for EITHER me or my wife. I liked the Harleys because of what they are but I didn't sit on any that struck me as fitting right out of the showroom. My idea was to get (for the most part) what I got. I knew that I was opening a can of worms and have seen most of you guy's answers here in the forum on other subjects. I have a few friends that ride the Harleys and a few that ride Suzuki and Yamaha. I even have a buddy with a Bonneville (which he plans to trade on a Harley. Harley is not a bad thing nor is it a great thing. Like was said, whatever a person wants. I lean toward the 1300 Honda and the wife towards the Shadow. No bashing here OR there.
Anonymous2008-11-16T05:46:35Z
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It does sound like your mind is already made up. A motorcycle is for the most part,a pleasure vehicle. The keyword being pleasure. Buy the bike that makes you and your wife happy. I am pretty much a hard core Harley person and ride a Road King. I almost always have to alter something to make it fit me better, but I don't mind that because it makes my bike more personal to me. As for the other brands, they are all good quality motorcycles and will serve you well. It also sounds to me like you really would rather own a Harley. I would suggest that you examine every one of their many models, and keep in mind that the changing of a seat, handlebars, or raising and lowering the bike is reasonably inexpensive and makes a world of difference in the comfort and handling. Good luck, whatever your choice may be, and ride safe.
Unfortunately Harley is very aware that most riders immediately modify their bikes to their own preferences. There is probably a seat that you would find comfortable, but you'd have to ask at the dealer, what they have. Sportsters sit higher and have a different balance than the other Harleys. If seat height is an issue, and you can only afford a Sporty, then the Hugger or Nightster models might fit you. Also, the Lowrider sits low and would probably work. Anyway Honda, would be fine for a first bike, but won't have the resale value of a Harley. Good Luck and Ride Safe!
I haven't known many bikes to be totally butt compatable right off the showroom floor. Almost everyone I know of that put real miles on their bikes will change out the seats or have them reformed. Sitting on them and riding are two different things also. http://www.motorcycleshows.com/ has a few different manufactures that allow demo rides for licensed bikers. Last year in our area was BMW, Victory, Harley, Kawasaki and Yamaha. Keep an eye out for it near you. Some Yamaha dealers do allow demo rides but only on certain models. But it does sound like you've got the Honda Rebel picked out. I've heard good things about it except that the 750 felt a little light at freeway speeds. They are a good quality bike though. The wife and I both commute with V-star 1100s and she's only 5' tall. She does about 40 miles a day on her Custom with no complaints about her seat. I have the Classic and I need to change out my seat or have one made. But the feel of the ride on both is very nice. Once they are moving they are very forgiving bikes. If you do go with one of the Jap cruisers, I'd recomend just going with the larger engines. You'll get more use out of it IMO. I couldn't imagine doing the speeds I do now on a 650 or 750 cruiser.
Of the cruisers I've ridden I really liked the Vulcan Nomad, Harley Roadglides and Streetglides, and the Yamaha Royal Star. Though the Royal Star is really underpowered and probably bigger than what you are looking at. I think Yamaha would do well to go to injection on more of their bikes. I'll be stepping up to a Roadglide eventually.
And if you haven't already, get into a motorcycle safety class. It'll save your tail.
I am looking to buy a Harley as well. But it has to be a Harley because when I tell my friends:- - I've bought a bike !!! Then they'd ask : what kind of bike?? And if I say: it's a Yamaha or Kawasaky or Suzuki or a Honda they will reply : Oh just that !!! Then I'll feel kind of embarrassed and frustrated. But I'm sure, If I tell them: it is a HAARRLLEEYYY.!!!!!! Then they'll say :WOOWWWWW !!!! That IS what I want. The "reaction" of the people that see me riding it. And it can't be just any Harley. It has to be the best, the biggest, the heaviest, the brightest the louder, the most expensive . That is what I want for Saturdays and Sundays only. So what's the best HARLEY???
are you two riding 2 up or are you getting two bikes? or maybe just splitting time between one bike? If you are going the 2 up route you will want something a little bigger than the 650 v star, the 1100 would work. Hard to knock a Honda, they just work. They don't excite you much but they always seem to work. Harley is ok if you have a wad of extra money you don't known what to do with. Those Victory's are sort of nice too but also pricey.