I'm a new rider, I take my riding class (required in Texas) in 2 weeks, and Hopefully will be buying my bike early December.

Been around various bikes, mostly Harleys my whole life, and finally pulled the trigger. I've had a pintrest for awhile, just saving pictures of bikes and power tools, and I realized that most of pics look like the Harley 48, so I looked into it, and really seems like exactly what I want

And more importantly I can afford it.

After reading up o the new changes for 2016, I decided to buy new rather than used. I like the idea of picking up a bike with 10 miles on it, no one else's farts on the seat, doing all the mods myself, etc, etc.

At the dealer they're listed for about $11k. I figure if I present with cash I can walk out at $10.5. The exact bike I want is currently sitting on the showroom floor

But one of the salesmen has a client who got a 2015 a few months ago, rode it a little bit, and decided its not for him, so its been sitting in the garage, VERY low miles.

I can have it for $9500, and Harley will do the transfer and I will retain all the new owner perks, warranties, etc.

I don't like the wire wheels as much as the mags, but I do think they fit the bike, and I could upgrade the rear shocks with the saved cash. The only part that bothers me is the thinner front forks.


What do you guys think?

 

Would be nice if you could ride each and see if the difference is worth a grand.

Ill never buy new again. Makes no sense to me cause I mod the ever lovin hell out of em anyway

 

Exactly, and I may actually be able to arrange that, but honestly, I'm a brand new rider, I highly doubt I'll notice a difference

My biggest concern is the rear shocks, since my wife wants to eventually be a passenger, it'd be nice to be able to stiffen those rear shocks.

But then again I can add those for $400 out of the 1500 I save

 

Oh and Rog, I have an 81 kz1000 ripped apart in my garage I'm working on.

 

Sweet. My KZ has been a work in progress for almost 2 years. Stock parts are very hard to come by. Took me a year and a half to find OEM exhaust in good condition. And I just got them on yesterday
Ive rebuilt/replaced pretty much everything on it but the engine. Ive got the front fender, I was just so excited to finally have the exhaust on I had to take a pic Only thing Im waiting on now is a seat cover from Hong Kong

Strange, I try to make my sporty as far from OEM as I can get it, the KZ Ive tried to get it as close to OEM as I can

 

Yours looks tons better than mine.

Mine supposedly needed fluid and a battery when I got it, but it needs a full rebuild, I recently got it all apart, now to replace and rebuild.
This was it the day it came home, it's currently a frame and wheels.

 

First off, I can get a ton of farts in a 10-mile test run...

Second, have you test driven a Sportster/48? I did & didn't like it (felt like elephant humping a turtle). Also, don't reply with "you don't know Sportsters" crap...I own/ride a 2003.

Third, not much difference in 2015 to 2016 w/48 so...I'd go with the better deal. Good luck!

 

$1000 is not enough savings IMO.
'16 you get the updated suspension.
'15 to upgrade fork spring and oil and get Progressive (or better) or used air rear shocks would be at least $500.
Plus another year of Blue Book depreciation on the '15.

At these prices I'd be swayed to the '16.

Either year is awesome though.
Good luck in your decision.

 

It's a matter of preference.. I bought my 2015 in July and the 2016 was released about 2 months later.. I went to look and was relieved that I bought the 2015.. Personally hated the mag wheels.. The "improved" seat felt the same to me. My advice.. Get the one you can't stop smiling at when you look at her/sit on her.. As far as suspension goes.. I like my bikes to feel the road.. I may eventually hard tail my 48.. Btw I had a 81 kz myself that I made into a fun cafe.. Welcome to the dark side and the forums..

 

Mag wheels.....ugh. If you are keeping stock, definitely 16'. If you are going to be extensively modding, like myself....I went with the 15'. Less headaches. Also depends on your financial situation, if you can spring it, always buy the newest MY.