The two brands I debated with were Honda or Harley. I heard good things about Honda as good starter bikes. But if I'm buying something, I may as well buy something I like. I picked Harley for the style, comfort, customization possibilities, community possibilities, and all the dealerships. There are more Harley-Davidson dealerships near me than there are Sam's Clubs and Coscos. They may even be edging in on number of Walmarts. I know there are alot of fast sporty bikes, but I honestly don't care about a top speed racer. If the MPH only goes up to 70 or so, that'd even be ideal.
I'm new to Harley-Davidson and the bikes are confusing. There are so many different ones. After endless research, I think I have the most bare basics down.
The entry level is the Street bike. Now, from experience, I know that bike doesn't fit me. If I was short, I would have gotten that. My advice is just beware used 500 models. They may have been used in the riding academy classes. They'd be low miles, but heavily abused by numerous inexperienced people, like myself :)
After the Street family, the next model up is the Sportster line. There are multiple types of Sportsters. A friend suggested going with one of the 1200s for better resale value. Thus, I went to a dealership and sat on the various Sportster models.
Some of them have forwarded mounted foot pegs/controls. Right away I could tell this is what I needed. I sat on one of the 1200 models with the regular mounted foot pegs/controls and my legs were all bunched up. I knew that didn't work for me. I then tried a Forty Eight. It has forwarded mounted foot pegs, so My legs weren't bent up. But it just didn't feel or look right. The center is too small for me. Plus that model also has a very small gas tank. Then like Godilocks, I found one I liked just right, the 1200 custom. What was neat is the different models of Sportsters actually started to make sense. Some have forward foot pegs, some have a wider or narrower front tire. Each one will fit and appeal to a different person.
The sales people suggested I try out some of the next model family up. It fit ok, but I didn't feel comfortable on it. Like the Dyna Street Bob, a really nice bike and maybe I'll get that one day. But I could feel it is a big bike and alot to take on for a new rider. I know my limits and comfort level. At worst, maybe I will outgrow the bike and sale it off at a lose. But you know what, I'll be well and alive to do that and have learned a ton when I get to that point, so I accept that.
The new models weren't that much more than than the used ones. But, that's before all the fees and the used ones often come with accessories already on them. Plus, the new label comes off as soon as I buy it. Or, mainly, it comes down to. I'm new. I'm going to drop this bike. I'll feel ok if I dropped a used bike. It is used. It has probably been dropped before. I'll feel bad if I drop a brand new bike that I paid a big premium on. Side note, that's also why an engine guard was my must have accessory.
I found a used 2014 Sportster Custom 1200. It wasn't even fully 2 years old. It was still under factory warranty and only 5,500 miles. It had a windshield, saddle bags, and some other features. I negotiated in an engine guard. That's an important point, consider what you want in accessories. The bike I picked had some sort of custom exhaust and customized foot pegs. That's nice, but not something I'd pair extra for, because I wasn't looking for those features. The number one thing I wanted was an engine guard. A windshield and saddlebags were nice to have things that I knew I'd like get later on if I didn't get it at first.
Plus, my wife loved the color of the bike. There were alot of used sportsters to pick from in the area, but my wife liked this one the best. And if I do really grow out of it and give her this bike, then that's important.
Thus, it was a real win every which way. A style-ish color, low miles, newer model year, accessories I wanted, and in good shape. Oh and they even delivered it to my house later the same day. Like I said, I was very happy with the purchase.
Few other tips to others who may read this in the future:
On timing, I'm buying a bike in October, in the fall. This is a great time. The dealership has brand new 2016 and 2017 models and lots of used bikes. Winter is coming up and sales are only going to get lower. So this is probably a better time of year to get a better deal. Everyone will be buying bikes come spring time.
On cost limits, The other thing is on cost. It ranges widely. Each of us can afford a different amount. The dealerships do offer financing if you need it. However, I want to emphasis something. Take whatever you're spending limit is and knock off ten or twenty percent to spend on riding gear. Yes, this probably means thousands of dollars. Save that money from the down payment or see about including some gear in financing. But especially as a new rider, don't think the purchase ends with the bike and bike accessories. There are large on-going purchases around the corner for good quality riding gear that is going to keep you safe.
On finding a price, I'm sure someone else would have gotten a better deal and someone else probably got a worse deal. I'm not an expert at sales price negotiations, but here's my tip. Try to get some money off the list price, at least enough to cover the fees that get added back in. Then try to get something added in. To you, a hundred dollars less in price is the same as a gift card, accessory, or gear for a hundred dollars. But to the dealership, the difference is huge. Remember the tactic isn't to necessarily ask for a super lower price, but to ask about including some of the items you want, like an engine guard.
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