Cruiser Bike - New to Motorcycling UPDATE: CRASHED

[SurelyYouJest]

From having family and friends that have Harleys, it is well know fact that they are for people who love to work on motorcycles, not ride them. >_<

Funny my 2011 Road Glide 103ci has required exactly 0 work other than scheduled oil change/maintenance. That being said Harleys from earlier years did have that reputation.

The real problem with Harleys is that there is always something that you want to do customize them. Things like a new exhaust, different handle bars, engine mods. They can be money pits in that respect.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Funny my 2011 Road Glide 103ci has required exactly 0 work other than scheduled oil change/maintenance. That being said Harleys from earlier years did have that reputation.

The real problem with Harleys is that there is always something that you want to do customize them. Things like a new exhaust, different handle bars, engine mods. They can be money pits in that respect.

How many miles do you have on it?

I have 15,000 on my 2012 Ducati. I've had some minor issues with it but nothing that has left me stranded.

 

[hdfxst]

I have a 2012 electra glide classic that just turned 21,000 today.rear brakes,tires,oil changes and regular maintenance and that's it.I live in the northeast and outside of a few days it gets put away from oct. to april.And the softail i had before had 28,000 when i sold it and he put cam chain tensioners at 50,000 (which is regular maintenance for pre 07's)and a turn signal switch it has 88,000 on it and still running strong

 

[SurelyYouJest]

How many miles do you have on it?

I have 15,000 on my 2012 Ducati. I've had some minor issues with it but nothing that has left me stranded.

Just over 18,000 mi.
The 91 FXR I traded for the Road Glide had 56,000 mi.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Just over 18,000 mi.
The 91 FXR I traded for the Road Glide had 56,000 mi.

:thumbsup: So many guys buy bikes and hardly ever ride them. It is not uncommon to see bikes that are 10 years old with under 10,000 miles on them so you kind of have to give it some context when making statements like "my bike has required exactly 0 work other than scheduled oil change/maintenance." :biggrin:

My neighbor has a Street Glide and a Street Bob. I'm pretty good friends with him so we hang out and talk quite a bit. I kind of dig the Street Glide... it's a cool looking bike. I wouldn't mind riding one sometime. I've thrown a leg over his and it feels very comfortable and well balanced.

 

[smackababy]

Funny my 2011 Road Glide 103ci has required exactly 0 work other than scheduled oil change/maintenance. That being said Harleys from earlier years did have that reputation.

The real problem with Harleys is that there is always something that you want to do customize them. Things like a new exhaust, different handle bars, engine mods. They can be money pits in that respect.

I was just joking around. That line always gets Harley riders riled up. Literally 100% success rate. The Harley's of old that used to always need work aren't a reality anymore. But it still gets 'em up in arms about it!

 

[JulesMaximus]

I was just joking around. That line always gets Harley riders riled up. Literally 100% success rate. The Harley's of old that used to always need work aren't a reality anymore. But it still gets 'em up in arms about it!

I think they are fairly reliable as long as you don't go crazy with the mods. My neighbor blew up the motor on his Street Bob racing a Corvette... He has had a bunch of other problems with it too but I think it is due mostly to all the engine modifications he did to it.

 

[SurelyYouJest]

:thumbsup: So many guys buy bikes and hardly ever ride them. It is not uncommon to see bikes that are 10 years old with under 10,000 miles on them

The FXR is a good example of that. I bought it used in 2003 with less than 5000 miles on it.

you kind of have to give it some context when making statements like "my bike has required exactly 0 work other than scheduled oil change/maintenance." :biggrin:

You are right I should have said "my 2011 Road Glide with 18,000 miles on it has required 0 work" or something like that.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Any used Jap midsize bagger will be cheap and do the trick. Honda Interstate, V Star 1300, Suzuki Boulevard, etc. Ain't a Harley though.

 

[BoberFett]

Its your call. But if you are considering the Yamaha, I'd also look at the Suzuki Volusia/Boulevard C50. My expectation is that you should be able to find a used one relatively economically.

Sounds like you've got a good plan. Take your class. Look for a bike. Closer it gets to autumn, cheaper used bikes will be...

Best of luck,
Uno

That actually the exact bike I have, color and all. The photo is a 2001 Volusia, the newer Boulevards are a little different, fuel injected, floorboards standard, etc. But I've got 35,000+ miles on mine, in town and cross country. Still love the bike, women still want rides, LOL, I'll put up against a Harley any day. I do want a touring bike one of these days, something with more power and a little taller gears, but it's been a great scooter.

 

[xBiffx]

Around here it looks like C50's are about the same as the V-Star 950's. Looking at the specs, the V-Star is the better bike, but not by much (slightly bigger engine, all disc brakes). Still, the C50 would have to be less for the same year and given mileage for me to consider it. From what I am seeing on CL and around the shops here in town they are the same price. What gives?

 

[Greenman]

I think they are fairly reliable as long as you don't go crazy with the mods. My neighbor blew up the motor on his Street Bob racing a Corvette... He has had a bunch of other problems with it too but I think it is due mostly to all the engine modifications he did to it.

When Harley was owned by AMF they went down the shiter. AMF milked Harley for every dime they could squeeze out of them, and didn't care at all about quality. When the gang of 13 bought the company back from AMF they turned it around pretty quickly.

 

[serpretetsky]

I forgot to ask-- no-- BEG the OP that you do not attempt to increase the volume of your exhaust. PPLLEEAAASSSEEEEEEEE.

 

[Zenmervolt]

A friend of mine has one of those and it is a BIG bike. Not the kind of bike you want to learn to ride on. Plus, if you ride that I doubt you'll ever want to ride a Harley afterward. :sneaky:

Having ridden both large Hondas and Harleys, I still love my Harley. Of course, I also still have my old CB450 and love it too, though it's semi-retired now and on collector vehicle plates.

Given the choice of a VTX 1800 or a Big Twin Harley, I'd take the Harley. Now, if you were talking about a Valkyrie (the original '96-'03 models) instead of a VTX, I'd be inclined to shift to the Honda. It's just that the VTX is just a Harley knock-off. The Valkyrie was its own thing, like the Triumph Rocket III. Of the current Hondas, I'd much prefer a CB1100 over a VTX (and, honestly, even over a Harley) if I were looking for a larger bike.

Harley has some smaller entry level bikes available now in a 500cc and 750cc range but I have zero experience with them. You will learn faster on a smaller, lighter bike.

Cycle World seemed to like Harley's Street 750 and the 500 is about the size that I've always considered to be the perfect beginner bike (I tend to think that the 450-550 range is best for new riders). Still, I don't recommend learning on a new bike.

IMO it's best to start out on an older UJM or, if you're not comfortable with a bike from the 1980s, a Ninja 250 or 500.

ZV

 

[JulesMaximus]

When Harley was owned by AMF they went down the shiter. AMF milked Harley for every dime they could squeeze out of them, and didn't care at all about quality. When the gang of 13 bought the company back from AMF they turned it around pretty quickly.

Oh they were utter crap when AMF owned them. Just complete garbage.

 

[deerslayer]

I've ridden both the VTX 1800 and the Vrod.

I wouldn't consider either of them an entry level bike.

 

[BoberFett]

I forgot to ask-- no-- BEG the OP that you do not attempt to increase the volume of your exhaust. PPLLEEAAASSSEEEEEEEE.

 

[xBiffx]

I forgot to ask-- no-- BEG the OP that you do not attempt to increase the volume of your exhaust. PPLLEEAAASSSEEEEEEEE.

I've got enough or even too much exhaust already, or so I'm told. :whiste:

 

[xBiffx]

Update:

So I take the training class this weekend, will get my license endorsement next week. I also found the bike I'm likely going to buy. Been talking to the guy and he's willing to take $6,700. I can't wait.

2012 Yamaha V-Star 950 Tourer

 

[pauldun170]

Update:

So I take the training class this weekend, will get my license endorsement next week. I also found the bike I'm likely going to buy. Been talking to the guy and he's willing to take $6,700. I can't wait.

2012 Yamaha V-Star 950 Tourer

Cool.
What gear have you acquired so far?
Checklist -
1. Full face helmet
2. Gauntlet motorcycle gloves
3. Proper motorcycle boots
4. Motorcyle jacket (preferably leather, but textile)
5. Motorcycle pants (or overpants)
6. Ear plugs

bonus - AMA membership (Roadside assistance\towing\discounts at motorcycle places)

 

[Harabec]

Looks a bit on the heavy side (ok, it looks fat but may be just the bad photos post some better pics when you get the chance) but tame. Have fun on it and good luck!
Always wear proper gear, even for that "5 min ride to the store".

 

[xBiffx]

Cool.
What gear have you acquired so far?
Checklist -
1. Full face helmet
2. Gauntlet motorcycle gloves
3. Proper motorcycle boots
4. Motorcyle jacket (preferably leather, but textile)
5. Motorcycle pants (or overpants)
6. Ear plugs

bonus - AMA membership (Roadside assistance\towing\discounts at motorcycle places)

Thanks for that checklist. I've got most of it or have planned on most of it. I figure I'll know more after this weekend and be sure what's good and what's not. Very helpful list, however. :thumbsup:

 

[xBiffx]

Looks a bit on the heavy side (ok, it looks fat but may be just the bad photos post some better pics when you get the chance) but tame. Have fun on it and good luck!
Always wear proper gear, even for that "5 min ride to the store".

Bro do you even lift? :biggrin:

The spec says something around 650lbs wet. I don't think that's too bad.

I will be surely wearing gear. Work requires certain gear to ride a motorcycle on property too. I'd be getting it regardless anyways, but its nice to have a prod sometimes.

 

[pauldun170]

Bro do you even lift? :biggrin:

The spec says something around 650lbs wet. I don't think that's too bad.

I will be surely wearing gear. Work requires certain gear to ride a motorcycle on property too. I'd be getting it regardless anyways, but its nice to have a prod sometimes.

As long as it's easy to handle once its moving it should be fine.

However, you are going to have fun the first time it ends up on its side.
There are youtube videos out there on how to approach lifting heavy bikes. You might want to watch a few.

 

[tortoise]

what's good and what's not

1/2 and 3/4 helmet potential consequences (collision with a "left turner").