Which Bike?

none | today | me

[Errant]

You can occasionally find these old bikes on Ebay in great shape. Like you, I’ve seriously considered acquiring one just to ride on Sunday afternoons.

[Niteflyr]

Any of the newer Twin Cam models are pretty much turn the key and ride.

I can attest to that...my 2003 FXST is oil tight and has never been to the shop for anything but oil changes...

[Mariner]

"A Harley will shake your back unless it is a VROD"

ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE.

My Softail, and all like them including the Fat Boy have a counter-balanced crank and no discernible vibration either on the road or sitting at the stop sign.

[Arlis]

“Ask and you shall receive”

Enough posts here to answer your question?

My adders:

1. Don’t by new; used 2 yr. old bikes can be had cheap today;

2. Jap bikes are good in every way but one - depreciation. Their values drop like a rock. If you are haggling on a used one, be sure you get a good price.

3. Harley’s hold their value much better, as do BMW’s & Ducati’s - but then you don’t seem like a Ducati guy;

4. What kind of riding will you be doing mostly? That will determine the bike type - touring, cruiser, etc. Fit the bike to what you will be doing.

I ride a Harley ‘97 FXDWG Stage II that I’ve highly customized and can be quickly modified from a cruiser to touring by changing seats, backrests, adding windshield, etc. And two old Triumph’s that I restored for my hot, mountain & off-road riding: ‘71 Trophy 500 T100C and ‘72 Bonneville.

[John D]

The answer is obvious. The question is. “Do you want a rice grinder, or do you want a motorcycle.” If you are just going to be a fair weather rider get the rice grinder, but if you really want to ride get the real motorcycle.

[Niteflyr]

ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. My Softail, and all like them including the Fat Boy have a counter-balanced crank and no discernible vibration either on the road or sitting at the stop sign.

Yep the TC 88B in my Softail doesn't even vibrate the mirrors...maybe a little above 90 mph...:oP

[Poser]

"First question: Are you a rider, or are you a poser?"

I am THE Poser! I have two Harleys, one Kawasaki, one Yamaha and one Stella.

To the guy who posted the question:

It really depends on the type of riding you plan to do and what your budget is. Since both bikes are similar in riding purpose, I'll rule out long distance touring and assume your plan to putt around in your area and take trips of 100 miles or less.

The Fat Boy is a good bike, is reliable, has no plated plastic and is truly beautiful bike. It will retain about 80% of its value over a 10 year period. There are thousands of after-market parts and performance modification available.

The V-Star is reliable, has plated plastic, won't retain it's value and doesn't look half bad. It costs quite a bit less than the HD. It will lose about half of its value in the first three years. There are a couple of hundred customization options and not much in the way of performance mods.

The stock performance is similar on both bikes. My recommendation: If price isn't that important, get the Harley. The whole. "If I had to explain it, you wouldn't understand" thing is true, even if it sounds stupid. It's not an anti-other brands thing. It's just and appreciation of other Harleys.

There are some annoying, "get a real bike" people out there. They are mostly newbies who have never owned a bike before buying a Harley but the vast majority of HD riders have owned many brands and styles of bikes and do not care what you ride. Many of us have multiple bike garages. Here's one of mine:

[JDoutrider]

Buy your wife a ride as well...

You will never regret that decision!

[BCR #226]

Mine is an ‘06. Love it! I just wish I could find some decent muted body panels besides red and green. I’d like to go OD or black or Coyote or Tan. Something besides faded to pink red. LOL.

[TheOldLady]

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[Tigerized]

I started riding in 1968. Since then, I’ve had Japanese and British bikes of every imaginable sort, my all time favorite still is the Norton Commando 750. I’ve had 5 Commandos, still have one in perpetual restoration.

However, age catches up with all of us, and I finally had to admit to the lust for a V Twin. Almost bought an Indian before they went out of business. Ended up with a used ‘97 Road King, that was pretty anemic and a slug no matter what I did to it. Bought a Buell Ulysses for my son with an upgraded exhaust system that pinned my ears to the sides of my head when twisting the grip just like the Nortons did!

However, I’m now astride an ‘09 Road Glide, that I can ride all day long without fatigue. Powerful, smooth, handles beautifully, and the frame mounted fairing makes high speed cruising a no brainer. Six speeds lets the engine just loaf along on the interstate.

The best part about riding a Harley is the extended family you never knew you had all across the nation. Maybe this is why we’re dismissed as “posers” by those whose jealousy is barely hidden. And there’s something to be said about dealers everywhere should you need something.

Yeah, they’re expensive. But they do hold resale value like no other bike. And these days, you pick one up barely used for a song. And, we need to keep ours wives happy!

[marktwain]

I can't say much about recommending one bike over another, but as a math nerd, please let me say this: if you want to buy a bike, then buy a bike. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are going to save money. My experience:

Your analysis is spot on. I went through a similar one to realize that I was financially better off with one extended cab pickup than I was with another vehicle that got good mileage. The extra insurance, licensing, and capitol costs are nearly impossible to overcome with better mileage.

I did spend $20 on a nearly new set of tires for my bike, which I believe I will recoup in a few months of short haul convenience runs. About 5x/week at 1/2 mile = 2.5 miles per week, 10 miles a month, or $2 a month in saved gas... make that 10 months to break even. But, as with motorcycles, I enjoy riding the bike, and it gives me a tiny bit of exercise. (I do high level cardio three times a week, so it doesn't do much)

[HangnJudge]

I have two Harleys, one Kawasaki, one Yamaha and one Stella.

A Stella!
My Brother has one he's been driving all over Atlanta.
It's been immortal, you can't kill it

My current short haul bike...
Piaggio BV 250

[BraveMan]

If you haven’t ridden consistently in the last year or so, I’d recommend something lighter, at least the first year.

Having said that, I ride an ‘05 Bagger. The most enjoyable bike I’ve ever owned. Also the most trouble free.

[blackie]

That’s why there are so many different makes and models to choose from.

[CrashCole]

Join BMW MOA. Lots of good stuff in the magazine and some great people too. I ride an 1977 R75 and a 1981 R65

[HiTech RedNeck]

What would this need to carry? Just you, or a spouse as well?

I’ve got a 2000 Sporty 883, under 16K miles, looking to sell in Chicago area. Not exactly the most powerful bike in the world, but it’s a sweet, sturdy, rugged riding pony. Rock steady, highways feel like broad parking lots on this bike.

[Betis70]

The silverwing is not a regular scooter, they are pretty fast and can easily cruise at 80 on the freeway.

Much more maneuverable than either the yamaha or the harley you are considering.

[zeugma]

Just wondering EPU, does it make me a poser when I ride my Sportster 350 days a year?

[zeugma]

I do suggest whatever you get is whats comfortable to you, otherwise I would say look for fuel injection first, shaft or belt, I have both, each has its attributes.

Windshields I cannot live without in my older years, and I am partial to a water cooled engine.

That's good advise. Especially the windshield. It makes a big difference fatigue-wise on long rides.

Take what you like out on some test rides. Unfortunately, you won't be able to do a couple of hundred miles, which is what it will take to see how comfortable the bike is on distance runs. What's important is that you get something that you like the looks of and is comfortable for you to ride.  There is generally a lot of emotion tied up into brands, so take what most folk say with a grain of salt unless they can talk facts and not hyperbole.

I'd also agree with the other folk that you're not going to save any money getting a bike because of the reasons mentioned. You also have to understand that if it is primary transportation, that you obviously can't do everything on a bike that you can on a car. Lack of cargo space is an obvious issue. Weather is another. I ride year round here in North Texas, but I'll tell you that when it drops below 20 degrees it's freaking cold on a bike, regardless of your gear.

 All that said, if you want and can afford it, get the bike. It's so much more enjoyable than a car, that there really isn't any comparison.