What to look for when buying a HOG

**Flip** · 5th May 2009, 15:32

Originally Posted by 6ft5

Rode Road King yesterday and was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Always thought these machines were poor construction needing an iron butt to sit on them and they have never heard of tools to scrub off speed

So am considering buying a low milage (25,000km) 1999 FLHRCI. Since this is my first entry into HOG ownership, I would appreciate some advice on what to look for apart from the obvious visual checks.

Check the belt drive is in good condition, no split or stone damaged its a full days work to swap out. At 25k the motor will be just run in. Check the service history. The 88 twin cam motor is a very strong motor. Check the front motor mount, its under the regulator, they fail at 10-60k, its a simple fix but the new motor mount is a bit more ridgit and increases the vibration at idle.

**Rob Taylor** · 5th May 2009, 15:56

Originally Posted by Varkp

ok guy's and girl's. been thinking of getting a HD. Bit of background, Been biking on and off for the past 20 years. Getting on in the years now and the body does not appreciate the cramped position of soopa bark's anymore. Currently on cb1300

i'm 1.98m tall (no idea what that is in imperial, 6'4" ?) and lets say a bit over 100 kg's. Been looking at VROD (feels a bit small to me, like you sitting ontop of the bike) and the SoftTail (feels a bit wider and as if you sitting "in" the bike). Want the legs out front and a big sadle for a big arse ...

Any suggestion ????

Sounds like the bike for you is a Wide Glide a deuce or night train,well anything with forward controls..Go look at www.ktlbikes.co.nz Great guys and always willing to do a deal..Ask for Kerry Jeffs...Good luck....

**scumdog** · 5th May 2009, 17:08

Originally Posted by Varkp

ok guy's and girl's. been thinking of getting a HD. Bit of background, Been biking on and off for the past 20 years. Getting on in the years now and the body does not appreciate the cramped position of soopa bark's anymore. Currently on cb1300

i'm 1.98m tall (no idea what that is in imperial, 6'4" ?) and lets say a bit over 100 kg's. Been looking at VROD (feels a bit small to me, like you sitting ontop of the bike) and the SoftTail (feels a bit wider and as if you sitting "in" the bike). Want the legs out front and a big sadle for a big arse ...

Any suggestion ????

A lardy-arsed soft-tail sound just right for you..

**6ft5** · 5th May 2009, 19:05

Hey Varkp go and see crasherfromthepast at WMCC he will sort you out. Just picked up my HD FLHRCI and it rocks! My partner had to peel me off tonight when I got home. I am like you 6ft5 and around 100kg. Found the regular bikes feeling like a preymantis. The Road King I bought is bigger and heavier than you would be used too but it handles like a dream.

Good luck . .

**Headbanger** · 5th May 2009, 19:25

Whoa, 100KG's?

You guys need to eat some beef or something.

Must be a struggle to get through winter with no meat on your bones.

**6ft5** · 5th May 2009, 19:50

like to keep it lean and mean

**Molly** · 5th May 2009, 20:34

Good luck with the HD mate. First thing you'll need is a thick skin to weather all the ill-informed anti-HD bullshit on here.

I've owned dozens of bikes over the years but only bought my first HD in '03. Since then I've had an old Shovel, an Evo, a few Twin Cams, a Sportie, and my present '96" Fat Bob. Every one of them has been bulletproof. You'll f'kin' love it.

Buy, ride, enjoy, repeat.

**ratusratus** · 5th May 2009, 20:39

Give Kerry Jeffs a ring at KTL motorcycles in Auckland
Hes a good bugger and honest
And dont listen to the Harley knockers
they are all cunts

**6ft5** · 5th May 2009, 21:08

Originally Posted by Molly

Good luck with the HD mate. First thing you'll need is a thick skin to weather all the ill-informed anti-HD bullshit on here.

I've owned dozens of bikes over the years but only bought my first HD in '03. Since then I've had an old Shovel, an Evo, a few Twin Cams, a Sportie, and my present '96" Fat Bob. Every one of them has been bulletproof. You'll f'kin' love it.

Buy, ride, enjoy, repeat.

Thanks Molly, I just picked it up and am loving already. F#$% the ones that have no idea - lets leave them in their own pathetic little world

**NOWOOL** · 6th May 2009, 08:41

Originally Posted by Molly

Good luck with the HD mate. First thing you'll need is a thick skin to weather all the ill-informed anti-HD bullshit on here.

I've owned dozens of bikes over the years but only bought my first HD in '03. Since then I've had an old Shovel, an Evo, a few Twin Cams, a Sportie, and my present '96" Fat Bob. Every one of them has been bulletproof. You'll f'kin' love it.

Buy, ride, enjoy, repeat.

Yeah, I've noticed that H-D riders get a lot of put-downs by other make riders on this and other boards. Like you always hear stuff like H-D's and BMW's are old men bikes. I think it's more a case of envy; yes, the majority of the H-D riders are older but then again that's because the bikes are expensive and require an actual liveable income to afford. Not something you can buy while on the dole or working at The Warehouse.

..and yes I agree; they are very reliable and the build quality is great.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 6th May 2009, 09:13

Originally Posted by 6ft5

Hey Varkp go and see crasherfromthepast at WMCC he will sort you out. Just picked up my HD FLHRCI and it rocks! My partner had to peel me off tonight when I got home. I am like you 6ft5 and around 100kg. Found the regular bikes feeling like a preymantis. The Road King I bought is bigger and heavier than you would be used too but it handles like a dream.

Good luck . .

Thanks Herman...glad you're enjoying it!!

Pete

**Varkp** · 6th May 2009, 10:13

well guy's, about he HD putt downs..i was one of those people that thought HD (Hardly Dangerous) were a joke and or tassle waving devices. Thats long time ago, when i was young and stupid. (you only find two kinds of bikers fast ones and old ones..i'm the latter).

I have ridden everything Blackbird's to CB200 develivery bikes, and quite frankly riding a soopa bark in this country is like feeding strawberries to pigs ....pointless.

So with a speed limit of 100 and Gestapo cops around HD just make a whole lot of sense and i think a whole pile of fun thrown in. The rattling might even do wonders for the kidney stones...

have my eye on a fxst 2000 model in Chch that is up for grabs on trademem but will go round all the bike shops in wellington in the next week or so and drive all the salemen nuts ..

an yes i think i have a midlife crisis ...wife says so ..