Suzuki GSXR or Harley Davidson Night Rod, Harley Davidson XL1200C or Harley Davidson Softail
2006-07-01 17:59:55 · 30 answers · asked by mytrambo 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
I have to laugh at people touting the resale value of Harleys - particularly here when talking about a Sportster 1200 - check the local paper a see how many are for sale and how the price compares to a new one. Sportsers lose 30% at least in the first year. Who buys a bike as an investment anyway? Nobody keeps a Harley stock either - they pay 20K for a new one, then toss the pipes and put at least 5-10K in aftermarket - then a year later the bike is worth 15K - but that is "holding its value" Try the bank - at least you will get 4% for your money. ANY bike you buy is going to depreciate. I also have to laugh at the comment about looking at women on the side walk or having one on the back with a Harley. If you want a fat, tatooed,slob biker ***** on the back of your bike try a Harley. That is quite a range of types of bikes you are asking about. The Gixxer is a crotch rocket, the Softail is a road cruiser, the Night Train is a version of the softail, and the 1200 is a bike people will ask you "how you did you get your wife to let you borrow her bike" when you ride it. I think you should question yourself on what type of riding do you want to do. If you want to be quick and go very fast, run canyons and curvy roads, get through LA traffic between lanes - then the GSXR is for you. If you want to ride distances, have a passenger, be comfy and reliable - then try a Suzuki Boulevard - if you want a bike that is no good for anything and people will tease you when you ride it try the XL1200. If you want an overpriced, underpowered, unreliable machine try the Softail or the Nightrain
2006-07-05 07:48:34 · answer #1 · answered by lakenaciguy 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
As an owner of a Softtail, Harley's are the best...but it is a matter of Style.
Owning a Harley is not just about the bike, it is a complete lifestyle, and something you can count on where ever you go. If may sound cliche, but Harley people share an unspoken bond which commands respect, but a Harley is a lifetime decision. It isn't about speed or even about looks, it's about being free and living...about seeing the world around you and enjoying it...about visiting places you didn't know existed and meeting new people.
Prior to the Harley, I owned a Honda Shadow...nice looking bike, not the best ride, and zero lifestyle. Never owned a crotch rocket but it's not my style.
Other pluses, Harley's are more comfortable if you will be riding with two for any amount of distance; Harley's have a significantly higher resale value and lower insurance rates; downside, their merchandise is ludriciuosly expensive.
2006-07-01 18:10:09 · answer #2 · answered by Venza 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask yourself, "How much will each be worth 2-3 years from now?" Get online and go to NADA.COM and look up the MSRP or each of the bikes that you're interested in, from 2-3 years ago. Then look at the current value of the same bike, and see how much each has depreciated, and how quickly. You can use that as a guide to help decide what you want to INVEST in. Also, Consumer Reports may have a rating on "frequency of repairs" in a back issue, that you can find at any library. Since your choices are between 3 Harleys and a rice burner, Id say go wth the Harley that will best suite the style of riding that you intend to do, and that will return the most on your investment if you want to trade up to a different bike in a few years. My choice would be the Softail.
2006-07-02 07:12:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should consider what kind of performance you are looking for. Harleys are not sport bikes, like the gsxr. If its sport bike performance that turns you on, dont look at a harley. But remember, sport bikes are toys, and make crappy road bikes.
Night rod is ok, for a semi sport bike. Not such a good street bike tho, if you ride any distance. The XL1200C is not too bad nowadays. With the rubber mounted engine its smooth enough to go far. For touring it will need some mods, like a windshield and bags. Taller bars maybe. Its not really a touring bike, though.
Softails are cool, but not really so soft. They are low to the ground, and cant be leaned too far over. They are nice for going down a straight, smooth highway.
You didnt reference any touring models, so I'll take it thats not what ur looking for.
I like the harley dyna models. The new ones have a stronger frame, six speed tranny, a fatter rear tire, and beefier forks. That would be my pick of the sportier harleys.
2006-07-01 22:14:04 · answer #4 · answered by jack f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on your reason for owning one, If you want a motorcycle that has a higher resale value than the day you buy it, then get a harley FXSTI, Softail Standard, best bang for the bucks.
If you want only to ride real fast for short times, then buy the Suzuki, which is a great bike, but the value drops more than 30% the day you buy it. Unfortumately they just do. The bike is the same as a harley as far as maintance issues, 1000 miles, 5000 miles, etc.
Cost factor is that you can almost buy either bike for 5k in difference. I would buy a Haybusa 1300 Limited if your going to compair bikes and it's far better bike than a GSXR 1000.
2006-07-01 18:27:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I LMAO (LaughMyAssOff) when I read people say the reason to ride a Harley is the lifestyle. If that's the only reason to buy a particular bike then leave me out. These people are not riders but "wannabe's". I can't tell you what to buy because it's your choice. I would buy a Suzuki anything over anything H-D. First and foremost is cost...then ease of maintenance....reliabilty. My Suzuki cruiser is all the bike I need at roughly a third the price of a comparable Harley (which by the way i think is a great bike!). I got style AND reliability. I get compliments on the bike's looks every time I ride. As a final thought...I am especially proud to say I don't own a damn thing with Harley-Davidson written on it!!!
2006-07-02 02:05:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It depends on whether you want to ride a sewing machine or a motorbike. Test ride both If you want do touring go the Softail my husband rode from Brisbane to townsville on a softail non stop try that on a suzuki and you wounldn't be able to sit down for a week He now owns the Night train and says it is the better of the two And you don't lose as much money when you tade it in
2006-07-01 23:44:20 · answer #7 · answered by 2 drinks 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
So many funny answers - Pirate Wench, who drank the HD Kool Aid with "Harleys last longer" HA! Well, I suppose thats true since nobody really puts any miles on them. And the Harley lifestyle "commands respect". Yes, nothing like comparing your officially licensed Harley lifestyle buttless chaps and leather jackets with other Harley owners. And a Harley is an "investment". Most investments I have are worth more when I sell them and don't require a constant influx of cash to keep them running. And of course, Mr T up there, spouting about buying American - well, about 40% of Harley parts are foreign. Look at the specs on both bikes and it will be painfully obvious to leave the antiquated HD behind. And good luck finding a HP rating on the Harley - They aren't posted on the HD website. Kind of embarrasing to admit that the HD "Evolution" 1200 engine puts out about 65 horsepower when the Japanese and German models put out 100 to 165 hp. And for considerably less $. But, I guess it all comes down to how good you look in the fetish leather look so popular amongst the Harley crowd.
2006-07-03 09:05:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Cost. Harleys are beautiful and sound great, don't get me wrong, but they are considerably more expensive than Japanese bikes, and more temperamental. I know folks with Harleys who don't get to ride as much as they'd like because their bike is in the shop a lot! Don't be fooled by the hype and the "Hog or nothing" attitude of some riders. There are a lot of really great bikes out there other than HD! I have a Suzuki Intruder 800, and it's an incredibly reliable, forgiving, low maintenance bike. And gorgeous. I get compliments all the time. I just started riding 2 years ago, and it was a great bike to learn to ride, but it's all the bike I need. Great giddy-up. I may get some different pipes for it, though. It has a great sound, but a little more attitude would be sweet.
2006-07-01 18:09:58 · answer #9 · answered by Nightwalker 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, u dont have to be really tall to ride a harley. My friend is only 5' 5" tall but in a good, built shape and rides a harley. Even most harley owners in my city is less than 5' 7" tall
2016-03-27 00:48:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋