What is the best all around Harley Motorcycle to buy?

Question

resale and ride

I weight 210lbs and 6'2" i do not want to pay more then $25,000. I want something that ride good and looks nice.

I am leaning towards a 2007 Sceamin Eagle Road King. It has everything on it and maybe and a year are so i will put a custom paint job on it. Is this a good choice?

Answer 1

The FXR is by far the best bike for versatility. It's lighter and leaner than the other models so you can shred the canyons or ride like a psycho if you want , or throw a set of soft bags on and go on a road trip( The old lady and I are heading to Laughlin on our FXRs next week).The FXR is considered by many,to be the best handling Harley ever built. 10,000- 15,000 will get you a usedFXR and that leaves plenty for mods and paint.I am partial to the 1991(My last 2 bikes).I will ride FXRs until I get gray enough to get a Road King. By the way a lot of the H.A.s ride FXR s that was the CHP s choice for many years and they are built off the same frame as the Road King.

Answer 2

The Road King is a great bike. If you allready know how to ride. If you are just beginning it might be a bit heavy at around 700 or more pounds. The new Twin Cam motors are awsome and the Screaming Eagles versions are more powerfull. Don't let anyone tell you that a Harley Davidson is not dependable. I have a 2001 FXDXT with 40,000 plus miles on it and besides maint. have had to fix nothing. After owning all German or Jap bikes previously, I have to say it is one of the most enjoyable rides I have owned. I have been riding for 35 plus years and have owned 18 or more bikes. This one is definately a keeper. Good luck

Answer 3

A small one that sets on your table, 1/32nd scale. That way you do not have to pay as much for maintenance, as the payment and insurance combined. In reality, go ride a Dyna, a Soft Tail, A Road King, A V-Rod, and a 1200 Sporty. Then go ride a Metric Cruiser, Yamaha Road Liner, or A Honda 1800 VTX F model, or even a 2000 cc Kaw, at 25-40% the cost, and nearly twice the power, and forget the mythical H.D. resale B.S., then decide. You may like the H.D. after all they make a lot of cool t shirts, and you may not care about the maintenance. Ask to read an owners manual, and go to the service dept., and check on prices. If you still want an H.D., than do not buy one from a dealer. There are many thousands of them for sale on line, and in your local Newspapers classifieds for 25-50% of of the new dealer prices, for 1-5 year old bikes. On the other hand, some of the dealers are currently discounting new H.D. for as much as $2500 off of msrp. Good luck.

Answer 4

I would like to second CHIK above (and somewhat stevensings).
Go to a shop and test-ride some of the older models. The latest models are prone to so many production issues that they rapidly become "shop queens" and the Harley mechanics are NOT cheap. Also, you may find one that has been tricked to something close to what you want. Sure, tastes differ, but virtually EVERY Harley owner will spend close to the cost of the machine in modifications over the years. This is because 1) the bikes are highly customizable 2) there are tons of aftermarket add-ons available and 3) Harleys flat suck in the stock configuration.
Harleys can be fine machines, in fact, they have been at times brilliant machines. But you must be aware of the amount of "tinker time" that hoss will cost you, not to mention the bucks.
Oh, and get a trailer at the same time ... you'll need it.

Answer 5

Depending on your riding style, cruisng, touring, etc. will determine which model line you'll want to consider. I like cruising and am totally satisfied with my FXD. I weigh close to your weight and am also 6'-2". The mid controls cramped my legs but with forward controls, it's perfect. You can get a lot of Harley for $25,000.00 and a lot of accessories to customize it to your needs. I'd test ride several bikes. The problem is dealers don't let you test ride. So look on Harley's web site for a demo ride location near you. If your thinking of a used Harley, you'll save some cash and private sellers usually will let you test ride the bike. That is if you look like a decent person and not a scum bag. Please, don't listen to the Jap bike owners and their stale arguments about all the Harley maintenance. The older Harleys had some problems, but the newer ones don't. I rode Jap bikes for many years but it wasn't until I got my Harley that I really started to ride. Some day I'll probably get a Road King to keep my FXD company. A Harley is great but two Harleys are better.

Answer 6

An old one. Anything new sucks. Are you buying the name or the bike? Go out and test ride as many bikes as it takes to find your groove. DO NOT walk into a Harley Dealership and take something off the floor. Go to the web site and see where test ride days are being held. I've looked at many bikes I think are sweet, and then when I get on them, forget it.

Answer 7

Road King!

Answer 8

yep Bound, has defiantly hit it a Road King is your answer. also a nice ride is the new street glide a sweet bike.
give them both s ride and go for it. FLHRIC rider.

Answer 9

For as tall as you are, I would look at the Wide Glides. I don't like the softtail line because the wheelbase is to short and the way the pegs are positioned isn't comfortable. At least in my opinion. A friend of mine is 6'3" and he loves the 1 he just got this summer.

Answer 10

The best all around bike is a soft tail like the one lorenzo lamas drove on renegade the tv series. I believe it was the flame that makes it the best and not only this it never let him down when running from the law.