I know there are cycle only sites, but they always seem biased on advice. Kinda like we give newbies the advice of "buy an F-150 cause everything else sucks". Here is my dilemna: I have been searching for a bike for a while (about 6 months) ever since I rode my buddie's Valkyrie one night when he was arrested. My other landlord buddie's and my stepfather have Harley Road Kings, Dynas, and Fat Boys. My handyman has a classic Honda Goldwing GL 1000 LTD LE. I've always had dirt bikes and 4 wheelers but I have never had a street bike. I have not even ridden a dirt bike in about 8 years. I have ridden my buddies Harleys around the block and did not think much of them. My buddies Valkyrie is awesome. I rode it about 8 miles. Now I have bike fever, I wanted a Fat Boy but I don't see the need in spending 20K on a bike when I can get a brand new Valk. for $11,600. My stepfather and my other buddies are saying a Valkyrie is too big for a first bike and I should stick to a V-twin.

I have now settled for a Shadow Sabre 1100. It is a hot rod version of the Shadow line.
I know a lot of you have bikes. I would like to know what you started out with and how soon did you upgrade to your current bike? I would also like to know pros and cons of Harley vs. Honda? I don't want to buy this Shadow and want a Valk. in 6 months only to get hosed on trade in of the Shadow.

 

seacrow,

I've had some form of motorcycle since I was about 8 years old. My first street bike was a 1986 Honda Rebel 400. It was my spare ride as I had a 1979 Toyota 4x4 with 44" tires that was prone to be broke down. Bike was great, inexpensive and a life saver for me. However a 6'-4" it was way to small. In 1991 I wwas working outside of a Honda dealer and they had just recieved two new CBR600F1's. One red/white and one black/pink/purple. Someone cranked up the red/white one and took of down the street. The sound of that bike was awesome! I went inside and bought the black one. I have always been an impulse buyer! -wife's face
Rode that bike for many years and traded it for a Yamaha big bear. Rode that for several years. In the mean time I had several friends with Harleys and started going to rallies with them. My wife was used to bikes and stated at the 1999 Myrtle beach bike rally that she wanted us to get a Harley. I showed her the style I liked and she picked the color. Beleave it or not the Monday after we came home on Sunday I went to one of our local bike shops and they had the style and color we had decided on in the showroom. Unusaul for Harley, as I thought I would have to order and wait. Anyways bought it and had the title sitting on my desk at work when my wife came down to eat her lunch. We work in same building. She nearly passed out when she realized what it was.
Now to your issue, Honda's are nice bikes but your statement about trading up scares me. Honda will not hold value like a Harley. You may take a large hit in the wallet on trade up's. My recommendation is to buy yourself a new/used Sportster and see if the riding life style is for you. 5K-6K tops. If you see that riding is for you, then get the Fatboy later on. If you don't want to get new one get a used one for a few grand less and usually it will be customized already. Keep in mind that Harley builds a great bike but they also sell them plan Jane so that you spend lots of money fixing them up to your liking.
The freindships that develop around bikes is great and riding outings to dinner or around town are great for stress relief. Rallies are a blast and all bikes are welcome.
Personally I cringe sometimes when I see someone on a Harley look alike wearing full leather and gassing their stock pipes trying to impress people. But I also know that everyone has their own likes and dislikes, so I try not to judge!
Ride free, Ride carefull because on a bike, you become invisible. Ah, loud pipes help though!
I also recommend you spend the money and take a state certified riding class. These are very good and give you some idea of what to expect out on the open road.

Keith

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2000 Lariat 4x4 Supercab ORP
Black Clearcoat
Flowmaster 50 series SUV using original tailpipe
K&N Filter
CamLocker Aluminum Toolbox
Tinted Windows
Vent Visors

A.R.E. 'Z' series bed cap

1999 HD Softail Custom
Cobalt Blue
Lowered and Chromed

1995 Long Haired Chihuahua (Best security system on the market)

<A HREF="http://www.harleyrider.webprovider.com/index.htm
" TARGET=_blank>http://www.harleyrider.webprovider.com/index.htm
</A>

 

seacrow,

I've been a "pseudo crotch rocket" rider all of my life, started with a 1986 Honda VF500, then a 1992 Honda VFR750 and finally (now) a 2000 Honda VFR800. I just love the sound and smooth power delivery of Honda's liquid cooled V4's.

I am not going to badmouth Harleys, as I have never owned one, but if you want a bike that you never need to have to worry about anything but routine maintenance at a reasonable price, go with a Honda.

Steve

 

First bike a 83 Yamaha 550 Vision, then a 87 Honda Hurricane 600, an 87 XT-350(still have), 2 Yamaha Blasters, 85 Honda VF-1000R, and finally a 97 Susuki Bandit 1200 with 27,000 miles and growing. This is the most awesome bike I have ever had, easily hopped up and you can get them under the $7,400 price! I started small and finished BIG. Also take an MSF class, they're only $50.00.

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Badd Andy

2001 Toreador
F-150 Supercab XLT
7700lb, 5.4L, 4R100
Tow Packg, 3.73
Foglite mod
Headlites Relayed
A/C cutout switch
RS 9000's all around
Bug & Wind deflectors
Lund Premier Tonneau
Short rubber antena
98 ANGLER 8.6 Camper
95 Windstar w/replaced head gasket
97 Susuki Bandit 1200
87 Yamaha XT-350

 

I've had a Valkyrie tourer for three years and it is by far the best motorcycle I have ever owned. It can sit all winter and will start first try. Motorcycle Cruiser magazine voted it as the best motorcycle of the decade. Pretty high praise. A Valk does everything well. Handling, acceleration (12 sec quarter miles), braking; you name it. As far as the comment on resale, yeah a Harley holds its value real well (for now) but who really cares about that. Are you buying a bike to sell it or RIDE it? I am not afraid to jump on my Valk right now and ride across country (I've done it before) with no worry about anything going wrong. Will you do that on a Harley?

Being based on the Goldwing motor a Valk has a lot going for it. It is not uncommon for a Goldwing to go 250 to 300K (or more) miles before you need any engine work done. That was good enough for me. I'm keeping my Valk forever. Off my soap box now .

 

A quick comment on resale...

I paid $8200 for my 1992 Honda VFR750 in Spring 1993, as it was a dealer demo with 275 miles on it.

I sold it in September 1996 for $7500 to pay for my portion of our wedding.

I'd say that it held its value pretty well.

 

I used to have a 93 CBR 600, and then I traded it in for a brand new 97 ZX7R (black). I am looking at the new GSXR1000, but I think they'll be near impossible to get at first. Do you want comfort, or do you want speed?
I have a bad lower back, and I can't ride "cruiser" style bikes because of all the weight that is put on your back. I prefer the sport/race stance because it puts most of the strain on your arms and legs rather than your back. I also feel more in control than on a cruiser. Personally, I on't see how a "chopper" style bike is safe, agile, or fun to ride. My arms would fall asleep being that high. And what if you had to grab a handful of front brake...you'd prolly put your head into the gauges and dislocate your shoulders.

Just my $0.02

For pictures of my bikes, visit
www.BMGSite.com/vehicles


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--Lariat4WD--

2000 Ford F-150 Extended Cab Flareside 4x4 Lariat
5.4L;auto;3.55LS;Black/Silver;ORP;remote keyless;floor-shift 4wd;Class III;AM/FM/SingleCD
Mods so far:
Lund X-Terminator bug shield; Vent Shade Vent Visors; GTS headlight blackouts; Westin Black step bars; Pendaliner bedliner; Genuine Steel Products (Longtek Engineering) black Safari Grille Guard; GTS Tail Blazer II Slotted taillight covers; Clear corner lenses; under hitch backup lights; 2 KC Hilites Daylighter 6" 150W black round off-road lights; Cranked torsion bars to level truck; Removed lower factory striping; Replaced factory gold & maroon ORP decals with silver; 2 Polk Audio EX10 10" subs under rear seat; Sony XM754HX amp; Viper 300ESP alarm
Pending
Replacing factory gold/maroon Lariat decals & upper stripes with silver & black
Wish list:
More lights; Flowmaster 40 Series single to dual exhaust w/ 18" SS tips out back; Optima red top battery; Remote starter & Prox. sensor; In-dash TV/CD/DVD/AM/FM head unit; Build house w/ huge garage with a drain and a lift.

Please Visit My Web Site (Updated Daily) and Sign My Guest Book

 

Please no one think that I am bad mouthing any production bikes. Seacrow asked someone to compare Harley to Honda. I'm pro Harley, I've owned both and I have enough road miles to base my opinions on. However they are my opinions! Seacrow states he is concerned on trade in losses. My point was also for trade in losses. Selling a bike outright is always the best choice. Heck, selling anything outright is always better than trading(bending over). I never buy anything planning to resale it, but if I do I don't like the idea of giving it away. Someone getting ready to spend 10K+ on a bike should be ready to make a commitment to ride.

lariat4wd: I have this really funny picture in my head, the kind like when you see a bluehair driving a car from hehind and you can see the back of the seat and two hands on the steering wheel at 10 & 2 o'clock.
My bike appears that it has 'ape-hangers' and my hands would be over my head, however with my height my arms a almost horizontal during riding with the hands just slightly lower than shoulders. Also due to the low profile seat.

RedShift: Just as you love you Valk, I love my Harley. I do not have a problem getting on my bike and riding anytime or anywhere. I would not attempt x county as it is not comfortable for a long distance ride. I did not buy it for that reason, but shorter day trips and it has seen many. I will however drive across this great country on a bike oneday. There are 16 of my riding friends leaving this summer and driving to Sturgis. Afterward they will ride to Cal. and return to South Carolina in 12 days. As stated earlier I enjoy riding, partial to Harleys but not against any brand, am concerned for all bike riders new and old whom have to deal with all the idiots on the road.

p.s. This say it all,
'My Harley is not dripping oil, it's marking it's territory'! ;D

 

Well I am not going to lecture about motorcycles too much. I do own www.Sportbikes.net so of course I am pro Jap bikes.

BUT, I do like the Harley's. Now over the years of owning a motorcycle I have learned on how to work on them and fix things that may or can go wrong. Yes guys.. the jap bikes break down also.. not leaking oil.. but there is the "my bike wont start".

I will say this. On all the rides and gatherings and "toys for tots" run i do I see more Harley's broken down then a Jap bike.

Now do the Harley's break down becuase the owner added some modification on his bike that isnt installed correctly?

Instead of rattling on about little things I will say this.

Your going for a ride 2 hours away from your house.. ALONE.. Would you rather be riding a bike that you know is going to make it there without any problems.. Or are you able to fix your bike if it breaks down on the way.

Now with this said.. A bike I will buy in the future will be a Harley Fatboy. Of course I will do some minor mods and make it pretty quick (I need speed). But of course if it breaks down I am able to fix it. But if I dont know how to fix my bike I would go with a Honda or Yamaha.. Both Manufactorer's are very reliable and have great bikes.

Good luck in your purchase.

Also some added information to others..

All bikes have been holding value very well. Manufacterors have been limiting the amount of bikes they release each year.. This cuases the retail prices in the dealerships to stand and what you will pay.

So a lot of people decide to buy used. Well since there are so many bigginers looking to ride they are being bought up also.. so its hard to get a bike at a low price.. otherwise its sold..

My brother paid $8200 out the door for his 99 zx9r.. he sold it a year later for $7500. And had 9k miles on it.. (A lot for a sportbike in one year)

So all bikes hold value.. yes Harley does hold value a lot more..

Just some food for thought.. If anyone is looking for Sportbike information be sure to drop by my website. I hope the message board can give you some answers to your questions. Or just email me at fred@sportbikes.net



------------------
Fred Folkerts/Chicago IL
1997 Ford 150XLT Black
5.4 TRiTiON/4x4 Off Road
285x75x16 Goodyear Wrangler's
http://www.sportbikes.net/ford/index.html

 

one of the reasons i love my valk is the thumbs up i get from the harley guys. that 6cyl is no look alike

 

MRBBQMAN,
Nice looking Valk. It would be hard for someone not to confuse it with a Harley riding by. The engine gives it away obviously, but when it's parked it's easy. It leans opposite Harley! Most people I know that ride wave to all bikes, not because of what you ride but because you are a rider. The best thing about that picture however is the 2000 F150 Harley-Davidson edition truck in it-very nice!

p.s. - Can I order some ribs and get them delivered; to SC?

 

Well, great insight guys. This has been driving me nuts. ONe problem is lack of street bike experience. I don't have much to compare to as far as the actual bikes go. I am going so far on the advice of my friends that have bikes and miles of experience with them. The only one I rode for any considerable distance is the Valkyrie. I liked it fine and I did well on it. My friends think I am nuts for wanting a Valk as a first bike. they say I should get comfortable with something smaller and then upgrade, hence the concern over trade in value. the only reason I don't buy a Valk is because I don't want to drop the $11K only to find I don't like biking or I don't have time for it, etc. Everything I look at in the $3500 range is garbage. My first used choice was a Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic. My buddies said it was too underpowered for me. I am 5-8 and weigh about 235. This is a very frustrating decision. I filled out the credit app. for the Shadow Sabre, we'll see what happens. I still think the Fat Boy is one of the best looking bikes ever. I wish they did not cost so much. Thanks for the advice.

 

If y'all are going to post a pic of your bike, d*mmit, so am I!

 

seacrow,
First bike I spent any real time on road as a beginner was a Moto Guzzi (sp?) Police Special, at the time I was 6'4" 190lbs. A buddy of mine learned to ride on an old Gold Wing never even rode a dirt bike before the Wing. He now owns an older Harley Sportster I don't personally recommend getting a big bike for your first one but it can and is done quite often. What scares me is the young riders buying a race replica with no experience, some of the new 600's have 100hp. I also sugest taking an MSF class.

Bikes;
1st 83 Honda CB900f
2nd 82 Suzuki GS1100e
3rd 96 Suzuki RF900rt still have
4th 82 Honda CR250 still have

 

Well, I just got the call. I am approved on the Shadow Sabre. I am picking it up tomorrow. I think it is the best looking Shadow and it fits me well. Thanks for the advice. And you guys have some good looking bikes too.