Guest Aaron Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 I am thinging about getting a motorcycle as a weekend fun toy for the wife and I. We have wanted one for several years now, but I am now seriously thinking about it. She got a ride on a friend's HD Roadking Classic, and now we want one even worse. We really want a Harley (her) or an Indian (me), but since we have never owned a bike before, I think we should start with something a little more economical. I am thinking a used bike that we could get for a few thousand dollars. Does anyone have any suggestions for a cruiser that would be a good reliable bike that would be good for the wife and I to learn and get comfortable on. I am thinking this would be a great Christmas or aniversary (in May) present to ourselves. Of course something like this would be cool Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmiller240 Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 In mho why get a Harley at all. I personally ride Honda’s. Pro's and cons Harley’s Con Air-cooled Belt driven Higher purchase price and parts Pros It's a Harley Honda Con It’s a rice grinder Pros Water-cooled Shaft drive It’s a rice grinder I currently own a 2001 shadow saber lots of chrome, after market pipes jetted. Runs great. Paid $9200 new try buy the equivalent in a Harley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKDGabe Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 If you've got money to burn and like to do maintenance by all means, get a Harley. If you just like the looks, get Honda - Suzuki - Yamaha cruiser. Those are reputed to be the most reliable. And at a few years old they'll be in your price range. I've never seen a reasonably (IMO) priced Harley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aaron Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 I'm not planning for a HD right now. Someday, when I have money to burn , I will have one. Right now I want a bike that will be good for my wife and I to get our feet wet. On a motorcycle, what is the advantage of water cooled over air cooled? Are there any models I should specifically look out for (exceptionally good bikes), or avoid (bad reputations)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinCA Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 water cooled bikes will not overheat in traffic.... and they run cooler.. I would really reccomend starting off on a nice honda, a late model 750 or 1100 CC sabre can be picked up for a reasonable amount. They have shaft drive which is nice, very smooth, very reliable, minimal maintenance. Honda engines wont quit. I had a 78 CX500 that sat for 20 years, all i did was put some diesel in the cylinders for a couple days, changed the oil, filter, air filter, plugs, battery, and rebuilt the carbs; it started right up and ran great. The new yamahas are looking pretty good though.. Check out http://www.cycletrader.com Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaparral2f Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 You may try for a used gold wing, I think, they're pretty inexpensive. But I don't know much about Jap bikes. I like Harleys, I've owned one since I was 15. (That was 45 years ago) The real expence isn't the harley, its buying the motor home to tow it behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKDGabe Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 If you aren't an experienced rider I'd suggest a small bike to begin with. Try beginnerbikes.com for some good suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 I would really reccomend starting off on a nice honda' date=' a late model 750 or 1100 CC sabre can be picked up for a reasonable amount. [/quote'] I don't know Joe, my last bike was a '85 Honda Sabre V-65 1100 and it was dyno'd at 125 whp and 127 lbft. NOT a very good starter bike, LOTS of torque off the line I would say start with something a little smaller in displacement, but for comparison my Dad just bought a '95 HD Fatboy with the 1340cc engine and is that thing SLOW! It's really fun to cruise around on, but WAY to loud (has different pipes). Honestly, my butt dyno says that the HD Fatboy only has about 60-70hp for all that noise Please, start off small (not a lot of hp) and work your way up. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinCA Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 Hmm.... a smaller bike would be good to start with i suppose... I started on the CX500, i taught myself how to ride it, and how to operate a clutch. I dont believe in buying something that i plan on replacing in a short period of time .... I like power, i cant help it. Just because you have power, doesnt mean you have to use it. right? Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 . Just because you have power' date=' doesnt mean you have to use it. right? [/quote'] YEAH RIGHT! For example, who (if given the chance) would not put thier foot into it if they drove a Ferrari F40? !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nic-Rebel450CA Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 if you are talking about getting a bike that you could both drive I would strongly recommend getting something smaller than a Harley or Indian unless your wife is a pretty big girl. I think it is completely stupid when a guy gets a Harley for his wife for whatever reason and then she ends up on a bike that she isnt even close to big enough for and gets hurt or killed because of it. as far as water-cooled vs air-cooled it doesnt matter much unless you are often stuck in traffic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nic-Rebel450CA Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 I don't know Joe' date=' my last bike was a '85 Honda Sabre V-65 1100 and it was dyno'd at 125 whp and 127 lbft........Honestly, my butt dyno says that the HD Fatboy only has about 60-70hp for all that noise Please, start off small (not a lot of hp) and work your way up. !M![/quote'] Dont confuse HP with Torque, especially with bikes. The Harley's make tons of torque, especially off the line. Since they dont make as high of RPM then their HP #'s arent quite as impressive (although they make a little over 1HP per CI, even more now, I believe). The thing to keep in mind is how much torque and at what RPM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 Dont confuse HP with Torque, especially with bikes. The Harley's make tons of torque, especially off the line. I should have mentioned the torque also on the HD. With most all V-Twins, they are torquey, but this one just didn't have what I thought it would, I guess that's why I didn't mention it. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKDGabe Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 I dont believe in buying something that i plan on replacing in a short period of time .... Actually, if you are patient and know what sells well you won't lose money (except what you spend on maintenance) on a small bike. Lots of people are always looking for one and they are cheap to begin with. Just because you have power, doesnt mean you have to use it. right? Ehh, yeah. But it's not just about power it's also weight. Anytime you're going over 10mph it won't be a problem but low speed maneuvers are where most people lose it. Look at what most people say "yeah, it got dropped by the previous owner in the driveway..." hee hee, they never want to admit to doing it themselves... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aaron Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 Thanks for all the info guys, I am looking at http://www.beginnerbikes.com, good site. I was thinking that I did not need anything bigger thatn a 600 to start out with. I have seen a couple 250's in the local paper, but I am afraid that it will not quite be big enough to carry my wife and I at the same time. Combined, we weigh over 400 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmiller240 Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 I quit riding for 10 yrs when I started again I bought a Honda shadow 700. It was Ok for getting used to street riding again. I weight 220lbs but I wouldn't want any thing smaller. I now ride shadow 1100 but would like to sink my teeth into the 1800 VTX . Smaller bike have smaller wheel base i.e. less legroom. Make sure it conferrable. I took my riders test on a 250, nice and nibble but I would ride it more then 5 mile. Even the last time I rode my 700 felt like me knees were in my teeth compared to my 1100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 240hybrid Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 Get a 45-48 Indian Chief.... awesome bike. Cool sweeping fenders, great looks, I love them and want one bad. You'll get alot more looks on a Chief than a harley, people walk by the Harley's to look at the Indians. Very cool bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 I'm considering a more sedate bike for the wife and I, while I keep my ZX9R for me. Bikes I'm considering are in the touring class. The one and only reason I'm not a fan of HD bikes is the markup. Quite honestly, I rode my brother inlaws Yamaha Roadstar Road King and it is was as much a Harley as any HD, and it does it for a far cheaper price. HDs are old technology, which works, but you shouldn't have to pay a premium for it. Also, I'm not a huge fan of the proverbial chip that seems to be placed on the shoulder of a Harley owner (Not all, but many) the day they roll theirs out the showroom doors. They are a motorcycle, nothing more. You love them or you hate them... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKDGabe Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 You love them or you hate them... Most of the time that's true. I really love the commentary made by a motorcycle mag (can't remember which one) on the V-Rod. (paraphrase) "Harley has made a gigantic technological leap forward into the 80's". That cracked me up, it's just so true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Dreamer Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 Well if your into the "Harley Look" but want something that's more modern (technology wise) look at Victory Motorcycles. 99.9% made in the USA (Brembo brakes aren't) and thousands less than a equally equiped Harley. You can even order them custom from the factory! http://www.victorymotorcycles.com Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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