1st Harley

[TJ Willy]

Hello All! (be warned -kinda long)

Been reading some and came across the mention of this topic. After a TREMENDOUS amount of debate, I settled on my 1st Harley this past Saturday. I have been dealing with the guys at Red River HD in Wichita Falls, TX. They were EXCELLENT to deal with. Very patient and willing to answer every question I could throw at them. Being new to HD, I had plenty. Even the finance guy spent almost two hours with me talking bikes as much as talking money.

They insisted I ride bikes before making my decision. I started on an 883C, then an FXDB. 06 sporty and 07 FXDB Demo. In the end I chose the 1200N. (Nightster) The FXDB was the close second especially at just a couple more thousand. It was hard to get off that bike. They gave it to me for nearly two hours. What a great ride!

I wrestled with the decision forever. It was the raw styling, great price, mid-year production (always liked that for some reason... look at the mustang 65.5!!!), and my wife's face when they got it out of the box and rolled it over to us. She was like, "That is the one you want!!??!!". She loved it. I chose Olive Drab over Black. I spent a lot of time reading about the stigmas associated with the sporty etc... but I just bought a house in a neighborhood full of Harleys. One guy in particular (he has a bagger and a softail) schooled me in much of the Harley history, the ups and downs, rider/owner attitudes, etc. What I should expect to encounter from people no matter what I get or where I live. A real good guy. The one thing he impressed upon me was to "Ride my Ride." Not to worry about what people thought or said. "True Harley riders - the ones that matter - appreciate all HDs and know the history." He told me that the Sportster is still one of most solid and fun bikes in the Harley line-up.

From the minute I mentioned the 1200N, he was excited. None of that stupid girl bike crap. When I mentioned that to him he basically said F*** them RUBs. Ride what you like and be proud you own a HD. The first night we hung out in his garage, he broke out the map and we planned a leisurely three day ride to Four Corners out west. But he said first he was going to do something with a little bell. He would not go into details and just said to bring my bike by when I got it.

I realize the Nightster is not a distance bike, but I intend to make the best of it. I am not use to comfort. I drive a lifted Jeep, no A/C in Texas. Most of the time, the Doors and top are off. My scooter won't be much different, just less sheet metal --- and probably not as rough a ride. lol. OHHH and WAY better fuel economy!

Jeepin has been good to me. Great people always willing to drink beers, talk rides and help out one another. Heres hoping the Harley family will be as welcoming.

Anyway, I have tons to learn so back to lurking...

See you on the Road!
Phil

[Stevebert]

Welcome Phil! Enjoy your new ride dude!

[sonoffatboy]

Originally Posted by TJ Willy

Hello All! (be warned -kinda long)

Been reading some and came across the mention of this topic. After a TREMENDOUS amount of debate, I settled on my 1st Harley this past Saturday. I have been dealing with the guys at Red River HD in Wichita Falls, TX. They were EXCELLENT to deal with. Very patient and willing to answer every question I could throw at them. Being new to HD, I had plenty. Even the finance guy spent almost two hours with me talking bikes as much as talking money.

They insisted I ride bikes before making my decision. I started on an 883C, then an FXDB. 06 sporty and 07 FXDB Demo. In the end I chose the 1200N. (Nightster) The FXDB was the close second especially at just a couple more thousand. It was hard to get off that bike. They gave it to me for nearly two hours. What a great ride!

I wrestled with the decision forever. It was the raw styling, great price, mid-year production (always liked that for some reason... look at the mustang 65.5!!!), and my wife's face when they got it out of the box and rolled it over to us. She was like, "That is the one you want!!??!!". She loved it. I chose Olive Drab over Black. I spent a lot of time reading about the stigmas associated with the sporty etc... but I just bought a house in a neighborhood full of Harleys. One guy in particular (he has a bagger and a softail) schooled me in much of the Harley history, the ups and downs, rider/owner attitudes, etc. What I should expect to encounter from people no matter what I get or where I live. A real good guy. The one thing he impressed upon me was to "Ride my Ride." Not to worry about what people thought or said. "True Harley riders - the ones that matter - appreciate all HDs and know the history." He told me that the Sportster is still one of most solid and fun bikes in the Harley line-up.

From the minute I mentioned the 1200N, he was excited. None of that stupid girl bike crap. When I mentioned that to him he basically said F*** them RUBs. Ride what you like and be proud you own a HD. The first night we hung out in his garage, he broke out the map and we planned a leisurely three day ride to Four Corners out west. But he said first he was going to do something with a little bell. He would not go into details and just said to bring my bike by when I got it.

I realize the Nightster is not a distance bike, but I intend to make the best of it. I am not use to comfort. I drive a lifted Jeep, no A/C in Texas. Most of the time, the Doors and top are off. My scooter won't be much different, just less sheet metal --- and probably not as rough a ride. lol. OHHH and WAY better fuel economy!

Jeepin has been good to me. Great people always willing to drink beers, talk rides and help out one another. Heres hoping the Harley family will be as welcoming.

Anyway, I have tons to learn so back to lurking...

See you on the Road!
Phil

good intro....many happy miles ahead...some have to have owned a sporty to appreicate it...others just know...and there's those that think every bike cept their's is crap...you ride your ride...

[Shaw_2112]

Hello and welcome! I think the nighsters a great lookin bike, be proud of it!

You'll figure out the bell thing, I won't ruin it for your buddy, enjoy the ride!

[Texas Tom]

Welcome from a fellow texan...

[mhonn2004]

Welcome from another Texan. Got my ride from them also. Great bunch of people to deal with. Enjoy your ride and dont worry about what others say. If you havent done it yet take a riders training course.

[05std]

Welcome TJ Willy,
Wife got the nightster a few months ago (all black). I think it's a great bike. I don't think of sportsters as "girls" bikes, this bike is fast and alot of fun to ride. ENJOY!!!

[Lefty]

Excellent intro. Enjoy the nightster. Sounds to me like you got a helluva fine buddy to hang with.

Lefty

[2kflhr]

Excellent introduction and Welcome to the forum. You bought the bike you wanted and not what they wanted. They can buy what they want just as well. And as far as the RUBS, hone your riding skills and smoke there A$$.

[WEINERDOGBONE]

Dear Willy,
I like Harleys,Jeeps and beer too. I want a Sportster as a backup. I'm always looking for the right one. Congratulations on the new bike. You picked a beauty. The local dealer told me that most places are getting $1,300 over invoice for the Nightster. Did you experience that?

Welcome!

[TJ Willy]

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. Great words of advice and encouragement.

As for my bike, drove by today hoping to get a peak at it on the rack. They had finished the prep a day early and was willing to release it to me unless I wanted it washed and waxed. So as excited as I was, I decided to let them clean it up. The main reason being we all know that when you wash/wax a vehicle, you see everything that is not quite right. So tomorrow it is.

I know you guys have seen them, but I will throw up a few pics when I get it.

I plan on adding the powder coat sissy bar with rack and some highway pegs for now. I personally think a set of mini apes (in black) would look great if they were setup right. I also have always been a POW-MIA supporter. I was thinking of getting a piece of their trim and put it ?somewhere?

Do y'all think those things are good to start with?

As for noise, I am going to let the bike break in and then look into getting something else. Maybe some SE slip-ons. Would love a sound byte of those on a 1200... Any other relatively inexpensive options? One of the old school guys in the store said some black muffler tape would look good on there. I may just do that.

[TJ Willy]

Originally Posted by WEINERDOGBONE

Dear Willy,
I like Harleys,Jeeps and beer too. I want a Sportster as a backup. I'm always looking for the right one. Congratulations on the new bike. You picked a beauty. The local dealer told me that most places are getting $1,300 over invoice for the Nightster. Did you experience that?

Welcome!

Yep, three of my favs. Throw dogs in the list and you have me sold. I guess I should say my wife too. LOL...

WOW. No not at all. I paid exactly MSRP for my scoot.

$9595 + the $395 paint job and whatever the security system was. Not a dime over. Save the prep, TTL, etc - I think prep and freight was right at $500 and that includes the 1000 mile service.

My salesman, did mention to me that their more than a few Harley stores that get over MSRP for them. At the time I thought it was a line. Looks like he was shooting straight with me. Even more impressed with the Red River store.

[Cowboy'sHD69]

My neighbor down the street just got the orange and black one a month ago. I thought that bike was the cats ass first time I saw it. Enjoy your ride and be safe on the road. What out for everyone else cause nobodys watching for you. Good luck and have fun !!!

Shane

[Cowboy'sHD69]

Originally Posted by TJ Willy

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. Great words of advice and encouragement.

As for my bike, drove by today hoping to get a peak at it on the rack. They had finished the prep a day early and was willing to release it to me unless I wanted it washed and waxed. So as excited as I was, I decided to let them clean it up. The main reason being we all know that when you wash/wax a vehicle, you see everything that is not quite right. So tomorrow it is.

I know you guys have seen them, but I will throw up a few pics when I get it.

I plan on adding the powder coat sissy bar with rack and some highway pegs for now. I personally think a set of mini apes (in black) would look great if they were setup right. I also have always been a POW-MIA supporter. I was thinking of getting a piece of their trim and put it ?somewhere?

Do y'all think those things are good to start with?

As for noise, I am going to let the bike break in and then look into getting something else. Maybe some SE slip-ons. Would love a sound byte of those on a 1200... Any other relatively inexpensive options? One of the old school guys in the store said some black muffler tape would look good on there. I may just do that.

Not sure if anyone told you this or not but you can get awesome deals on all HD parts and clothing through Zanotti Motors. It's like 25% off msrp and no sales tax. You pay for the shipping UPS but thats not to bad when you look at the big picture. Just remember to order it all at once so the shipping is cheaper. Here's the site for zanotti motors. https://www.zanottimotor.com/shopping/pLookUp.php enjoy !!! Oh ya make sure to hit the home icon so you can figure out how to order stuff.

Later,
Shane

[locutus]

congratulation on your new bike. i also have my first harley a 1991 electraglide, and must say, this is the best bike i've ever owned. i've had goldwings before, and i must say, nothing is like a harley! i wish you the best and hope this bike gives you many many miles of great times. i've met some really great people riding my harley, and i hope you have the same experience. ride safe!