Which Harley?

**martybabe** · 21st January 2009, 10:36

If, I say, If, all goes to plan this year, I will see a Harley in my garage once more and all will be well with the cosmos.

I will be keeping my gsx1400 as a do everything bike but I cannot make up my mind which Harley I should have.

I really like the look of the fatboy pre fat rear wheel and I have a special paint job in mind but I'm well aware of their shortcomings as a riding tool.

My heart belongs to a customised Fatboy/Heritage but my head belongs where?

Which of all the Harley models is the best to ride guys, on paper it looks like the superglide, not too heavy, highest ground clearance and a speedo where you need it.

I doubt I will be in the position to choose another Hog so I've got to get this one right. Looks wise nothing touches a customised Fatty for me but my head will ultimately decide based on which is the easiest to live with .

So what is the best grin factor Harley guys and why ? I will of course test ride whatever I can get my hands on but I'd really like to know what you guys thing is the best of the bunch. Thanks

**James Deuce** · 21st January 2009, 11:39

Neither of my favourite Harleys will suit what you're after, but I'd go for an XR1200.

**007XX** · 21st January 2009, 11:43

Technically speaking, I couldn't advise even a 5 year old, but looks wise...

Definitely a fatboy with customs up the wazoo

Good luck in finding the right ride!

**sinfull** · 21st January 2009, 11:50

Stay away from the dark side Luke !!!!

**jrandom** · 21st January 2009, 12:07

I've always wanted an FXDWG. The Twin Cam 88 version is super sweet.

**Hitcher** · 21st January 2009, 12:28

Are there different sorts of Harley? I thought the only differences were the colour and length of tassels.

**jrandom** · 21st January 2009, 12:38

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Are there different sorts of Harley?

Not really. It's all the same engine innit. Two main different flavours of frame and suspenders, and then you're basically just choosing the shape of the seat and gas tank, etc.

Unless you want some form of V-Rod, in which case everything's identical, and you get to pay $10,000 more or less depending on what colour it is.

**Horse** · 21st January 2009, 12:47

I really should go post endlessly in some thread in the sportbike section, seeing as I know so much about them....

**Big Dave** · 21st January 2009, 12:52

I would choose a Road King of the large cruisers, a Street Rod if more spirited riding was envisioned and a FXDX as the best all round bike.

The latter two are no longer in production but are still the best suited to NZ conditions.

A couple of inch overs (jack it up a bit) on a road king and it's a real good road bike as well as looking phat.

**martybabe** · 21st January 2009, 12:58

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Neither of my favourite Harleys will suit what you're after, but I'd go for an XR1200.

Aw stink, I'd forgotten that one, It's a blooming good price too isn't it, bugger. I know your on record as a Rocker fan, Is the XR1200 the other favourite you allude to?

Originally Posted by 007XX

Technically speaking, I couldn't advise even a 5 year old, but looks wise...

Definitely a fat boy with customs up the wazoo

Good luck in finding the right ride!

Thanks Babe, if it was just down to sitting down with a coffee, ogling and drooling it would be suuuch an easy choice but all said and done it's got to face the same roads as any other bike, I don't want the grin to fade as soon as I hit the first set of twisties, how can a dream bike be another Martybabe compromise. Oh well there are much more important things to worry about for sure, I'm such a ditherer.

P.S. Hope you and lumpy are doing well. x

Originally Posted by sinful

Stay away from the dark side Luke !!!!

I hear you OB1 but once it's in your blood it becomes like the worst bloody itch imaginable, just gotta scratch it, must scratch iiiit!

**martybabe** · 21st January 2009, 13:14

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Are there different sorts of Harley? I thought the only differences were the colour and length of tassels.

Loads of different ones Hitch, the one in your avatar has the square rear wheel option.

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I would choose a Road King of the large cruisers, a Street Rod if more spirited riding was envisioned and a FXDX as the best all round bike.

The latter two are no longer in production but are still the best suited to NZ conditions.

A couple of inch overs (jack it up a bit) on a road king and it's a real good road bike as well as looking phat.

Cheers BD, are the 'inch overs' an option on all the big fellas? The fatty in my first post is lovely but it's been lowered ? Lowered ! , Wrong direction if you ask me.

**yungatart** · 21st January 2009, 13:20

Completely off topic, Martybabe, but we (Mstrs and I) are heading over your way this w/e for a 2 y/o birthday party.
Want to meet up somewhere?

Apologies for the thread hijack...as you were...

**Big Dave** · 21st January 2009, 13:20

Longer forks and taller shocks - I don't 'thunk' you can do it on the Softails' rear. Not sure.

**martybabe** · 21st January 2009, 13:30

Originally Posted by youngatart

Completely off topic, Martybabe, but we (Masters and I) are heading over your way this w/e for a 2 y/o birthday party.
Want to meet up somewhere?

Apologies for the thread hijack...as you were...

Sure thing YT, coffee and cake at the Mansion, I'll PM you as soon as I know what the Brides working, she's in an interview as we speak, poor thing.

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Longer forks and taller shocks - I don't 'thunk' you can do it on the Softails' rear. Not sure.

Thanks again big guy, I'll check it out.