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Torn between a Heritage and a Stratoliner

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#21 ·
Years ago I had a couple of Harley's. Marriage, children, life kind of took over for a while but I always knew I'd have a bike again. Fast forward to 10 years ago and the lust for a bike was raising it's head, big time. I decided that I should be a rational man and not spend the kings ransom to satisfy my lust. So, I bought a Honda Sabre 1100. That bike was a loads of fun to ride, never gave me a lick of trouble, and was many times mistaken for a Fatboy. I put 3 different exhaust systems on it trying to get it to sound 'right'. I kept telling myself that it was a great bike....and it was. Finally one day I just heard this voice in my head saying "No matter what you do to it, it will never be what you really want!"

A month later I was riding my new Harley, and couldn't have been happier. Still am. Oh yeah, the Honda was sold for a 50% loss.

Long story to say, go with what YOU know to be in your heart. It's the only way you'll be genuinely happy.

This is the day I brought the Harley home. See my 'Fatboy' in the background. :whistle:

Image
 
#22 · (Edited)
GeorgeC said:
So what's the difference between the Heritage, Fatboy and Road King?
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Ya know... since you're sitting in front of a computer connected to the information superhighway... there's always the Harley Davidson website.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/motorcycles.html?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US


There are reviews and comparisons all over the web as well

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2011-bagger-cruiser-shootout-90133.html


Maybe a little effort on your part?

What makes you think you want one of these two bikes? You really don't know much about them.... Knowledge is power.
 
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#23 ·
DueceDog said:
Years ago I had a couple of Harley's. Marriage, children, life kind of took over for a while but I always knew I'd have a bike again. Fast forward to 10 years ago and the lust for a bike was raising it's head, big time. I decided that I should be a rational man and not spend the kings ransom to satisfy my lust. So, I bought a Honda Sabre 1100. That bike was a loads of fun to ride, never gave me a lick of trouble, and was many times mistaken for a Fatboy. I put 3 different exhaust systems on it trying to get it to sound 'right'. I kept telling myself that it was a great bike....and it was. Finally one day I just heard this voice in my head saying "No matter what you do to it, it will never be what you really want!"

A month later I was riding my new Harley, and couldn't have been happier. Still am. Oh yeah, the Honda was sold for a 50% loss.



Long story to say, go with what YOU know to be in your heart. It's the only way you'll be genuinely happy.

This is the day I brought the Harley home. See my 'Fatboy' in the background. :whistle:

Image
Click to expand...

That is one sweet looking bike!!!
 
#24 ·
:woohoo:I think you should buy the Yamaha. Take some of the money you save, go to the doctor and have him give you some 200 mg Ibuprofins and 100 mg viagaras. one will treat the stiffness in your neck as you snap your head every time a real harley rumbles past. The other will give you the stiffness you would have needed to deal with all the "problems" that appear when you ride a real Harley!:spank:
 
#25 ·
Fatboy and Heritage is same frame, different wheels. The Heritage adds windshield, different seat, saddlebags and different handlebars.
Road King is a touring bike, king of the road, no doubt.
All three bikes are great for long touring rides, however. Keep kicking tires until you get happy with a bike, then buy it.
 
#26 ·
Started riding again at 51 bought a VStar 950 which served me well for a year. But I realized I am needed more. Thought about a roadstar or a strat but I really wanted a Heritage so I bought a 2012 and never looked back. I have found the Heritage is about 100lbs heavier than the 950 but handles like it is 100lbs lighter and is better balanced than the 950. I also appreciate the fact that what plastic on the 950 is metal on my Heritage, and the Heritage is all about quality. My yamaha was a decent bike, but my Harley is a great bike and I am thankful that I, too like the others have stated took the leap and bought the Harley because I know I would have regretted any other brand. I do love my Harley!!
 
#27 ·
mark313 said:
My Yamaha was a decent bike, but my Harley is a great bike
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Mark,
To be fair, the V-Star 950 is a cheap, entry level, starter bike. You are comparing a $9,000 motorcycle to an $18,000 motorcycle. So the $18,000 bike is built better? I would hope so... Like comparing a Yugo to a Volvo.
 
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#28 ·
I think because you are on a Harley forum your looking for that little push,what are the boys on the Yamaha forums saying let me guess.Since I have been riding Harleys since 1962 and know them inside and out can only give one educated answer.HD
 
#31 ·
I don't think resale value should factor into your choice. Buy what you want the first time and you'll be happy for years to come. If/when you decide to sell then get what you can and move on. Motorcycles are not an investment.

Choosing which model Harley to buy depends on your riding style. If you plan on doing a lot of highway/interstate riding, especially two-up, then i'd suggest you go with one of the touring models, i.e., Road King, E-glide, Road Glide. These models have more storage and are smoother at highway speeds. The softail models, like the Heritage, are more buzzy at high speeds due to the balanced engine. Either way, i suggest you get an 07 or newer model. These have 96 or 103 engines with six speed tranny. You can find some great deals on low mileage 07-08 bikes now days.
 
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#33 ·
GeorgeC said:
Looking at an 02 and 04 Road King, don't these have 96 or bigger motors? What about the police bikes? Are they worth buying?
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They were pretty much all 88"ers till 07 cept for some cvo's ( limited edition pricey bikes) and a couple other rare exceptions. Thats the newer TC motor, b4 that the evos were 80.The cop bikes are nice IMO but it's all personal taste. Have you ever spent some decent time riding an HD? If not try to rent one for a day, might help your decision. For me, the fun factor on a HD beats most other bikes. They're just a blast to ride. As far as the 88", if you really want the bigger motor but your finding the best deal on an 88 and You really like the bike, a 95 or 98" kit isn't that pricey, especially if ya just want the cubes ( no cam, headwork, etc ) if you or a friend is a fairly competent wrench it's even cheaper , just be careful with performance work, it can become an addiction, a fun one but an addiction all the same.
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
Another thing I noticed is that the Road King and other touring bikes have dual shocks, one on each side of the swingarm; isn't that a bit outdated? I remember the old dirt bikes from the 70's, then everything went to mono-shock.
The Heritage and Dyna's have a different type of swingarm; is there much of a difference in the ride, between the Dyna's, Heritage and the like?
 
#35 ·
They all have 2 shocks. The softails (heritage, fatboy.etc ) have them mounted down under the bike horizontally and that kinda triangular swingarm pivots on em. The Dynas have traditional dual shock positioning. I've always liked softails but can't compare them to a dyna cause I've never rode one. My softail isn't the smoothest ride in the world but back then, 1988, the were solid mounted motors with no balancing chit like the newer ones so they're not really comparable. You should see if any of your local HD dealers allow test rides, I hear a few still do, to get an idea what you like best.
 
#37 ·
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#40 ·
SSG I knew wanted a Harley. He was a family man and responsible type person.
He saved his money and waited till he could buy cash and new. The day came he had the cash. At the last minute he changed his mind and purchased a Honda clone save about 1500 dollars.
He rode it a few days and then I never saw him on it.
I ask him about that.
" I screwed up Top it was not want I wanted" His wife said it was boring .Now I can't sell it and am stuck with it. "Someday I will have my Harley"
 
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