Undecided Newbie
#31
I will admit though that my opinion of the Sportster r/t comfort is partly due to mine has the engine mounted directly to the frame, no rubber motor mounts. When my older brother bought his first Harley, his was a newer Sportster with rubber motor mounts, and when I test road it, I thought it was much more comfortable than mine. Despite this, when we went on a long ride he complained of the ride. He had an excuse though, back issues, and I didn't have any at the time. Plus, his previous m/c was a Gold Wing. When he complained about how the Sportster rode, I asked him why did he buy one? I could've warned him that probably wasn't the best idea if you wanted comfort. Apparently he had friends and business associates that all rode Harleys, so he wanted to fit in with that particular crowd. It wasn't too long after this that he ended up buying a Road King with air suspension and a touring seat.
#32
Hello All,
Typical story here ... older, kids heading off to school, haven't rode in years and when I did, I owned sport bikes. Now, I've been researching, reading, lurking and visiting shops. Months ago, it was a HD or nothing, then I sat on my first Harley's. I'm wanting to love these bikes, although I couldn't get over the weight and just how unsettling they felt. I'm six foot, 180, but I still couldn't find the fit. Love the Fat Boy, but then I saw the Z900RS Cafe Kawa, and the Suz M109 BOSS. So, I'm having a hard time justifying the cost/weight/performance ratio of HDs. Sport bikes are out - I'm too old. Need comfort, but don't want to sacrifice too much performance.
I dig the HD look and lifestyle, but I don't dig the price in comparison to the weight/performance. I'll keep looking and lurking here, and probably seek out a preowned Fat Boy!
Happy Riding!
Typical story here ... older, kids heading off to school, haven't rode in years and when I did, I owned sport bikes. Now, I've been researching, reading, lurking and visiting shops. Months ago, it was a HD or nothing, then I sat on my first Harley's. I'm wanting to love these bikes, although I couldn't get over the weight and just how unsettling they felt. I'm six foot, 180, but I still couldn't find the fit. Love the Fat Boy, but then I saw the Z900RS Cafe Kawa, and the Suz M109 BOSS. So, I'm having a hard time justifying the cost/weight/performance ratio of HDs. Sport bikes are out - I'm too old. Need comfort, but don't want to sacrifice too much performance.
I dig the HD look and lifestyle, but I don't dig the price in comparison to the weight/performance. I'll keep looking and lurking here, and probably seek out a preowned Fat Boy!
Happy Riding!
#33
I think you have to be mentally ready to make the switch from other bikes to Harley. I sold a VFR800 and bought a sportster 1200, which I tried to ride like the VFR. That didn't work so I bought a FatBob which I tried to ride like the VFR, again no good. I had a couple of GS1200s that are outstanding bikes, but I didn't love them, just admired them.
Now I have a 2018 Heritage 107. I'm loving the riding again. The handling and performance are closer to my expectations and the 'soul' is there.
In short Harleys offer you something different to UJMs and BMWs, and I think you have to be wanting that, or you will end up disappointed. Just my opinion.
Now I have a 2018 Heritage 107. I'm loving the riding again. The handling and performance are closer to my expectations and the 'soul' is there.
In short Harleys offer you something different to UJMs and BMWs, and I think you have to be wanting that, or you will end up disappointed. Just my opinion.
The following 2 users liked this post by HP1:
Calif Fat Bob (10-07-2022),
ole_phart (09-02-2018)
#34
Hello All,
Typical story here ... older, kids heading off to school, haven't rode in years and when I did, I owned sport bikes. Now, I've been researching, reading, lurking and visiting shops. Months ago, it was a HD or nothing, then I sat on my first Harley's. I'm wanting to love these bikes, although I couldn't get over the weight and just how unsettling they felt. I'm six foot, 180, but I still couldn't find the fit. Love the Fat Boy, but then I saw the Z900RS Cafe Kawa, and the Suz M109 BOSS. So, I'm having a hard time justifying the cost/weight/performance ratio of HDs. Sport bikes are out - I'm too old. Need comfort, but don't want to sacrifice too much performance.
I dig the HD look and lifestyle, but I don't dig the price in comparison to the weight/performance. I'll keep looking and lurking here, and probably seek out a preowned Fat Boy!
Happy Riding!
Typical story here ... older, kids heading off to school, haven't rode in years and when I did, I owned sport bikes. Now, I've been researching, reading, lurking and visiting shops. Months ago, it was a HD or nothing, then I sat on my first Harley's. I'm wanting to love these bikes, although I couldn't get over the weight and just how unsettling they felt. I'm six foot, 180, but I still couldn't find the fit. Love the Fat Boy, but then I saw the Z900RS Cafe Kawa, and the Suz M109 BOSS. So, I'm having a hard time justifying the cost/weight/performance ratio of HDs. Sport bikes are out - I'm too old. Need comfort, but don't want to sacrifice too much performance.
I dig the HD look and lifestyle, but I don't dig the price in comparison to the weight/performance. I'll keep looking and lurking here, and probably seek out a preowned Fat Boy!
Happy Riding!
#35
#36
#37
Ah yes ... and there it is. Thank you JS, you're the winner of the most unnecessary and least helpful comment! I can't recall saying I needed to increase the size of my package, although it seems to be on your mind, so consider getting help.
#38
#40