Harley Davidson XG500 vs traditional learners bike?

[ravenfeeder]

Hey Everyone. I was wondering if anyone on here has purchased the HD XG500 and what your thoughts, opinion on the bike is. Am a newbie bikerider about to pick back on getting my restricted after many years. A tossing up whether i should just get a wee 250 (either a Virago a friend has for sale or a GN250) or bite the bullet and get the Hoglet as a 500 should see me through for a few years, whereas the 250 is purely a stepping stone until I could progress to a bigger bike. Whats peoples thoughts as would love to get some experienced riders views and thoughts on the baby Harley.
Thank you

[DamianW]

Why not talk to the dealer and arrange a test ride? It's a good idea if you're thinking of parting with 11k.

[neels]

Ride lots of different learner legal bikes, and buy the one you like.

Just because it's a harley doesn't mean it's good, in fact many will tell you that's a good reason why it's not good, also doesn't mean you won't like it and ride for many happy years.

[AllanB]

If you are looking to drop up to 11k on a learner bike - shop around. There are a lot of nice bikes.

[Navy Boy]

From what I have read the Street 500 is seen as being a very agreeable machine that is easy to ride and get along with. H-D dealers have a good reputation (Though they are expensive) and you'll buy into a lifestyle, not just a bike. All reports say that it is nothing like traditional H-D machines (This could be a good or bad thing depending on your viewpoint)

However my concern would be that you may lose interest after a year or two. It is a low powered machine and could be seen as being somewhat bland. As others have said you really need to take one for a ride and see what you think of it. Your idea of going for a 500 rather than a smaller bike is a good one though.

[HenryDorsetCase]

If you are looking to drop up to 11k on a learner bike - shop around. There are a lot of nice bikes.

Yeah you could drop $15k on one of those 660 LAMS Street Triples.

or $18k on a LAMS ducati

My view is that people buying Harleys don't actually want a motorbike, they want a Harley (TM) and by definition all the bullshit that comes with that. Because you can buy functional equivalency (not to say functional superiority by any objective measure) for 2/3rds the price. But that just doesn't matter. Because if you want a Harley (TM) then that's what you want. Its the same mental process that wires some of us to like blondes, some brunettes, some redheads, some absurd tentacle pr0n. If it's what you want, nothing else will do.


In terms of OP's question I think the only answers we would all agree on are:

1. tentacle pr0n; and
2. Don't buy a GN250; and
3. If you want the Harley (TM) get the Harley (TM) - but expect some shit from "Harley faithful" who can be fucking ignorant - some of them even don't think Sportsters are "proper" Harleys (TM)
.

[ravenfeeder]

Thanks everyone - good points and appreciate your responses

[AllanB]

Yeah you could drop $15k on one of those 660 LAMS Street Triples.

or $18k on a LAMS ducati

.

Nah man the Ducati is only $15k ................


There are a pile of LAMS bikes within and under your budget. I had a quick look at my local Honda/Ducati dealer knowing Honda have a number of 500cc variants. It will be interesting to see how the HD's hold value - I predict they may not. I also predict they may not sell to well and be dumped in NZ. But I may be completely wrong ....

Anyway check it out. Nice wee 125 for $3 k as a good starter that will hold it's value.

http://www.casboltsmotorcycles.co.nz/new-bikes/

[JimO]

the hardcore harley riders will still look down on you because it aint a real harley (in their mind) i knew a harley man who couldnt believe they built the Vrod

[AllanB]

the hardcore harley riders will still look down on you because it aint a real harley (in their mind) i knew a harley man who couldnt believe they built the Vrod

A Harley has not been a 'real' American iron Harley for decades - Global parts have been on them for a long time.

The purists of any brand tend to hold on to 'real' ideals for a long time.

I think the only real Katanas are the original 1100 and 750 first released (mind you the Japan only IL4 250 version is a jewel of a bike and a faithful scale sized replica of big brother)- they have thrashed the name on some really limp rides since ....

Water cooling always gets them going.

How will the HD faithful cope with water cooled Hogs (at least one model is now).

Triumph, BMW, Ducati, GPZ, etc etc

Who are the worst offenders?

[Voltaire]

A Harley has not been a 'real' American iron Harley for decades - Global parts have been on them for a long time.

The purists of any brand tend to hold on to 'real' ideals for a long time.

I think the only real Katanas are the original 1100 and 750 first released (mind you the Japan only IL4 250 version is a jewel of a bike and a faithful scale sized replica of big brother)- they have thrashed the name on some really limp rides since ....

Water cooling always gets them going.

How will the HD faithful cope with water cooled Hogs (at least one model is now).

Triumph, BMW, Ducati, GPZ, etc etc

Who are the worst offenders?

Probably the same way I cope with water cooling....don't buy them. I'm not even that fond of water cooled cars, and OHC....warming to the idea

[J.A.W.]

Probably the same way I cope with water cooling....don't buy them. I'm not even that fond of water cooled cars, and OHC....warming to the idea

Yeah, best if you beware the H-D 500, but not 'cause of its OHC/LC tech.. since the V-Rod has coped with these features well, for long enough..

Beware it.. 'cause its built in India.. where the average humanoid's IQ has been measured @ ~80..

[scumdog]

the hardcore harley riders will still look down on you because it aint a real harley (in their mind) i knew a harley man who couldnt believe they built the Vrod

I reckon the HD 500 is a cool little bike - and I also think V-Rods are OK.

I guess I'm not really a Harley man...

[Laava]

I reckon the HD 500 is a cool little bike - and I also think V-Rods are OK.

I guess I'm not really a Harley man...

You should be ashamed!

[AllanB]

I reckon the HD 500 is a cool little bike - and I also think V-Rods are OK.

I guess I'm not really a Harley man...

Next you'll be telling us you don't like Jack Daniels ...........