What's next?

[wolf.47]

Today i got my full licence finally.
Every thing went well and the test guy didnt have any complaints.
But now if got the big decision of whats next (lucky me)
I want to upgrade my xv250 now as you do and really want a Harley, but as I'm very soon to be a student and living of the allowance and the misses wages doesn't leave big bucks laying around. my bike budget $6000-$7000
So what do the Harley experts out there think of the old sporty's, seen a few on trade me in my price bracket, iron-head 1000 and very early evos 883.
Do they cost an arm and leg to insure (im 23-24)
I have no garage only a car port, is theft a big issue. (would Cain it up or something)
And i will be riding about 20-30min to and from course almost everyday, are they reliable or going to cost me an arm and leg (semi good with a spanner) in parts/repairs.
Or should i look at a jap/euro sportsbike- i like these to (well some)
Your advise is greatly appreciated.

P.s dont get and turn this into another Harley bashing thread, Thanks.

[SilverGrin]

Congrats on your licence.

For around 6 to 7k you should be able to grab an HD of reasonable vintage.
Personally I would be reluctant to buy sight unseen for that kind of money though, try to limit to local sellers would be my advice.
That amount of coin could net you a reasonable Harley, but older models in that range potentially can misbehave with oil leaks, have worn parts, and be hard to start etc.
Bear in mind for around 12k you can buy a brand new 883.

On the other hand, 7k will buy you a pretty nice Japper too, so you should probably do what I did when I got my full licence - test ride everything I could.

[Headbanger]

A carport?

My opinion, Do not buy one until you have a garage.

It will get stolen.

As for buying one, Ask around first, Plenty of cheaper options then trademe, and don't buy anything Pre-Evo, No matter what any fanboy says about em, They were less then great in their day, and are now much less so.

Junk.

But get a garage first, or park it in your house/flat, whatever.

[johnnyflash]

nothing against HD's, but I think your questions have already listed all the pitfalls, my advice would be to go look at metric, which will addres all your worries, better value for money, reliability, not quite the same theft target cheaper to run and maintain... when you beocme more financial then re look at what seems to be your HD dream bike :-)

[Headbanger]

No one enjoys compromise.

Someone looking for a Harley won't be satisfied with a Japanese copy, Even if they have improved everything that they are able to.

If the man dreams of a Harley, Then he should ride a Harley.

[nallac]

I picked up my 92 sporty for 6k.
Use it every day for work,rain,hail or shine.
its been reliable enough, only one fault with a bad earth strap,and some minor oil leaks.easy enough to fix.

No idea what insurance would cost.mmmmm should really get it one day.

a cheap price is only the start...I know this well.
Theres too many things available to customise to your tastes.
1200 kit
Bars
Tank
Seat
Shocks
Indicators
Mirrors
and go's on an on.............

[johnnyflash]

No one enjoys compromise.

Someone looking for a Harley won't be satisfied with a Japanese copy, Even if they have improved everything that they are able to.

If the man dreams of a Harley, Then he should ride a Harley.

true, but dreams dont need to be fulfilled in an instant. if ya cant afford to ride it because of your financial limitations (ie a student with no income) its sensible to ride what you can afford and buy your dream bike when you can afford that dream not some cheap broken down piece of metal someone else has alrady thrashed the life out of :-)

[heyjoe]

Some interesting and sound answers there. Are you specifically looking for a Harley or would a metric do? I think the idea of owning a HD without any decent secure storage is crazy. If it is the enjoyment of riding and transportation you are seeking then if you go metric for now, you will still enjoy yourself. If you are after a Harley badge & bike then wait til you get a garage or prepare to keep it in your flat/house and even then have extra security measures.

I'm not anti-HD. I ride a good metric cruiser and may be tempted with a HD some day.

[Bonez]

Park it in the lounge.

[MIXONE]

Park it in the lounge.

No park it in the bedroom.Some people regard HDs as a form of Viagra

[Bonez]

No park it in the bedroom.Some people regard HDs as a form of Viagra

In the lounge it can double as a foot stall.

[Mom]

Park it in the lounge.

No park it in the bedroom.Some people regard HDs as a form of Viagra

I reckon insurance will be the biggest hurdle for you to face. Even alarmed, garaged and lots of insurance it was still extremely expensive to insure my ex's HD Sporty. No garage? my advice dont buy one...sorry mate.

[wolf.47]

Thanks for the sound advice, Will phone a few insurance company's see what they say (i hate them so much )
I think if i get a bike made in the land of the rising sun it will be a sports bike cause the japs do them well. (nothing against jap cruisers they just lack a certain something to me.)
And My flat got a few steps to get up, plus my harley would have huge ape hangers and thousand of tassels so wouldn't fit through door. (kidding)
See what insurance company's say, then might get a cheap run about jap sport bike and save up for that dream bike, like a night train, or softail something fatboy/dyna.
Any other thoughts.

[Bonez]

Thanks for the sound advice, Will phone a few insurance company's see what they say (i hate them so much )
I think if i get a bike made in the land of the rising sun it will be a sports bike cause the japs do them well. (nothing against jap cruisers they just lack a certain something to me.)
And My flat got a few steps to get up, plus my harley would have huge ape hangers and thousand of tassels so wouldn't fit through door. (kidding)
See what insurance company's say, then might get a cheap run about jap sport bike and save up for that dream bike, like a night train, or softail something fatboy/dyna.
Any other thoughts.

Just go with what feels right for you.

[Subike]

I suggest you go for a naked rather than a sports after riding a cruzer, even though it was just a little one.
The transition of riding style from cruzer to sport is a dramatic change in how the bike feels and how you view the road from a sports low position
Take both naked and sport styles for a spin, I think you will agree that the naked will be more your style, and will be more comphy
And I dont even know you