I am in the market for my first Harley! A couple have caught my eye the Sportster 1200 Custom and the Soft Tail FLSFT Fat Boy both 2007 models. This will be my first street bike, any suggestions?
2007-08-14 15:55:55 · 12 answers · asked by Monte T 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
I have riden Dirt bikes for a long time, yes I know it's different. I am planning on taking a saftey course before I buy.
2007-08-14 16:22:02 · update #1
the two bikes you mention are at far ends of the spectrum as far as h-d models you may want to research what you want and drive different models. Many people who own fatboys bought them cause that was the name they recognized then 3 years later they only have 300 miles on the bike. if you buy a bike that fits you and you are comfortable to ride you will be much happier. stick with the softails and dynas. dynas handle much better and are rubber mounted. Softails have a balanced motor which is smooth but not as much as a rubber mounted one. I suggest a superglide or superglide custom. they are priced in between the xl 1200c and fat boy.
2007-08-14 16:54:55 · answer #1 · answered by justin c 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Personal preference for man, woman, regardless of height or weight....Softail. The center of gravity is going to be underneath you, making it easier to lift a Softail off of it's side stand/kickstand/jiffy stand even though the physical weight is higher than a Sportster. A Sportster's center of gravity is at the front of the neck where the triple tree and the frame meet. For someone new, I don't recommend it. After that point, I have worked in dealerships for 10 years and most people who buy a Sportster trade for a Dyna, Softail and sometimes FLT models within a year, maybe year and a half. I would say go for a Fatboy. You're injected either way but Softail parts are a lot easier to find than Sportster parts. (Seat options, exhaust options, windshields, bags, lowering kits, wheels) The 07XL just came out and the exhaust systems have now changed, there are oxygen sensors for EPA therefore, not a lot of companies have stepped up. A Softail has had those sensors since 06 and the builders and manufacturers kick out Softail exhausts so much faster due to the fact that those custom choppers and big inch motors (Big Dog, Ironhorse, Big Bear, etc) all take Softail style exhaust.
Resale on a Softail is a little easier than a Sporty for the same reasons I gave earlier. I would say go to your local shop, sit on a Sporty, a FatBoy, a Heritage and a Softail Deluxe (if you're a little shorter). Lift each off the sidestand to get a feel for it. Decide if you would be adding saddlebags and backrest and windshield. Compare pricing of taking a stock Fat Boy or Sporty and adding the things you think you will to the price of a Heritage or used Sporty with those options added already.
I honestly think you would do fine on a Softail. Make sure you get an engine guard/crash bar/nerf bar/hiway bar to protect your paint and take the local Rider's Edge course if your dealer sponsors it. If not, take an AMA endorsed class, get a feel for the bike, get your license and go. I don't recommend using your own bike for the course because the wheelbase on the bikes they use is shorter and easier to maneuver than the one on even a XL.
I was working at a dealership when I did Rider's Edge (Harley's endorsed training) and took my test on a Buell Blast. Yes, it's a small, single cylinder bike but would you rather look silly for a couple of days on that or go home with the busted ego because you laid down your brand new baby and a tank and fender is going at $1500?
Think it over. Feel free to contact me.
2007-08-14 23:17:02 · answer #2 · answered by sixx p 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Sportster 1200 might be a good choice for a first street bike. It is a much smaller bike that the Fat Boy.
2007-08-15 07:30:52 · answer #3 · answered by Hawk 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I kinda agree with T-Bird. While they are both made by HD, they are pretty different bikes. Pick something, get on the road. Then, as your experience and personal tastes develop, you will have a much better idea of what you really want.
If you insist on new for your first, the 1200 Custom is probably the way to go.
2007-08-14 23:21:02 · answer #4 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Sportster is the reasonable transition bike, but you will most likely out grow it pretty quickly.
If you are confident and comfortable on a Big Twin ,might as well start on one.
I'd say the Dyna's handle best ,2nd choice wold be a Softail.
2007-08-15 01:57:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
if you were looking at the sporty for a first bike because friends said to start small, do not listen to them. if you know how to ride, buy the bike you really want. the fat boy will bring a higher resale than the sporty. you will probably want to get the fat boy next year anyway but will be upside down in your loan. you will loose a lot of money trading up.
2007-08-14 23:37:18 · answer #6 · answered by viking 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a used Sportie and learn to ride first. Once you have the hang of it, and decide that riding is truely for you, invest in the bike of your dreams. By that time, you will have a better idea of what the bike of your dreams truely IS....
2007-08-14 23:05:44 · answer #7 · answered by CafeTBird 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm a big fan of the Soft Tail Deluxe !! Love that vintage / retro look !!
2007-08-14 23:03:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
go to www.sturgis bike rally.com. click the one that says stugis bike rally 2007
then scroll over riders and click getting started
good luck and have fun!!
2007-08-14 23:40:14 · answer #9 · answered by KELJO 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
get a used sporty or softail to start with and then make a decision from there. u certainly wouldn't want to learn on something new and find out it's not what u wanted
2007-08-15 05:03:37 · answer #10 · answered by crazyoverhee 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋