|
|
| *Vultures Knob>>>Bike Tours |
First time rider. need rec-cos on what model harley best for touring. budget is 8 to 12000.? |
will be purchasing a bike in the spring. Am 58 years olds. will be looking for comfortable bike i can do 3 or 400 miles a day on. what extras or features should i look for in a used bike. what things should i stay away from. the only thing i know for sure is it will be a harley. all advice will be appreciated. As a first time rider, I think it's very brave of you to think you're going to be doing 3-4 hundred miles a day. Since you obviously have a computer, go online and buy the biggest bike that you can get for the money. Any H-D bigger than a Sportster will do. For type and accessorits- I'd suggest a Softail for extended riding, and make sure that it's got a windshield. I'd also suggest that your bike have solid wheels instead of laced so that you can carry a tire repair kit and inflator with you. You'll want waterproof saddle bags to carry clothing and rain gear in, and a luggage rack. Make sure that the bike is set up for you to sit on it comfortably with your arms slightly bent, and so that you can just see over the top of the windscreen while riding, and if it has pegs, change them to floor boards. Make sure that your insurance has a good tow policy for the bike, and carry a dealer list showing where all the Harley dealers are on your trip route. Try these sites: www.hdmotorcyclesforsale.com www.hdtrader.com good luck with riding one of those junky ba$stard 400 miles with out it breaking down.... Are you really dead set on a Harley? You can get a LOT more bike for your money if you go with a Japanese cruiser. In any case, find a bike that fits you. Make sure the riding position is comfortable. Look into after market seats (Corbin makes nice ones) and saddle bags so you can take all your goodies with you when you travel. As far as buying a used bike goes, give it a really good look before you buy. Maybe bring a friend who has been riding for a long time with you to look at it. Avoid bikes that have evidence of being laid down. Scratches or scuff marks on handle bars, control levers and engine cases are a dead give away. Even if the owner says it was fixed, there may still be bent parts or cracks in the frame that nobody has noticed. Look for a bike that looks nice. Not always, but most of the time, if a person took the trouble to make a bike look good, they also took the trouble to have it serviced regularly. Good luck, and ride safe! I don't see you finding those qualities in any Harley at that price. Personally I wouldn't even consider trying to go 3-400 miles a day on a used Harley, certainly not on one you get for that kind of money. Even a clean Goldwing would be pushing your budget depending on the year, though I wouldn't think twice about buying a used Honda and pointing it at California. If you want reliable, comfortable, reasonable price you would be better off looking for a Goldwing or a BMW. Nothing against Harley, but not for that money. You can find a used Harley touring for around 12000. I work at a dealership and I see them at times, usually late 90s even 2000 after the twin cam came out. They aare out there you just have to look. It also depends on if these are trips or just pleaasure riding. Try going to a dealership and sitting on different bikes to see what might be comfortable to you. You might also look into the other suggestions that were made to on the other brands. Any Harley is more than comfortable enough to go that distance.You should be able to find very nice dynas or even some softails for that price. One of the great things about Harleys is their owners tend to take great care of them so used is not that big a concern as with cheaper and inferior jap bikes. also look on the web site hdtrader.com there are 1,000's of harleys on it. A mustang seat is just about as comfortable as you can get. A first time rider has no business riding a large engine bike. Start with a 5-750cc bike and get some experience first then after a year or so buy something like a road king. |
| Tags |
| Cycling Bike Race Bike Insurance Bike Repair Bicycle Shop Bike Tours Trail Map Bike Pedals Bike Lock Bike Lights |
Bike Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |