I’ve had about 15 bikes in the past 15 years, mainly litre sportsbikes. Since mid-last year I’ve owned a Forty-Eight which I enjoy riding but limited tank range, slight lack of refinement and mechanical noise is starting to get me down on longer rides. But, it’s epically fun on short rides.

I’ve got another $15k to play with - the kitchen can wait So do I,

a) Trade in the Forty-Eight for a Softail (probably a Deluxe) and enjoy the long distance cruiseability, or
b) Keep the Forty-Eight and buy another FireBlade and enjoy both worlds?

I’d love another sportbike for the fasts, track days and mountain runs but as I’m getting older my sense of self-preservation is increasing

Been thinking about this for the past month and every time I think I’ve made my mind up I change it the next day. Anyone upgraded to a bigger HD or own both a cruiser and a sportbike? What’s your opinion?

Cheers,
Ed

no conundrum mate, have one of everthing.

Yep have to agree. One of each
I have a Softail and a Triumph Street Triple. I tend to ride the HD more but love the option of having the trumpy to have a bit of fun on

Hmm, yeah I'm leaning towards both.

I've booked in for a Softail Heritage test ride on the weekend. Hopefully that will be substantiate my decision.

Regarding the fuel range I've found a 3.5L fuel bladder which I could carry in a swing-arm bag - http://liquidcontainment.com.au/cartpage/viewproduct/17/3-5-litre-backpack-bladder Hopefully it won't explode if I crash....

I went away from sportsbikes altogether because I didn't want my license to go away. Puttering around town in first gear without opening the fucker up drives me nuts. I don't know how you guys do it.

Mate , I`m a Softail rider ... have 2 ... with a long Jap bike riding back ground ... like yourself I still have the occasional urge to go fast , don`t think you will ever loose that feeling ... until you have a serious accident that is , fingers crossed that never happens .

While I love my Softails and can't see myself ever selling them ... cost me to bloody much , Lol ... what about meeting in the middle type of idea ... Dyna Super Glides ... you get way more ground clearance ... with your 15,000.00 and your 48 as a trade you should be able to get onto a new one with enough left over to upgrade the suspension and get some motor mods done that will waken up the beast that is a new Harley motor .

There will be plenty people here that can give you an idea as to what a good trade price is and what some of those handling and go fast mods will cost ... anyhow just a thought , you get to go faster and go through corners faster and still have the Harley feel and looks .

Sell the sporty, and use that money + some of the $15k and buy a big twin, and buy a cheap track only bike.

I would say heritage softail all the way.

Forget the Softail as they have tragic handling, look to the Dyna range instead.

Two bikes = double rego and insurance costs which for me is not the smart move. I came from spore bikes and now love my Fat Bob.

My two cents.

I've got a Dyna Fatbob and an XR1200X, This seems to cover most riding options, A big trailie would also be nice but 2 regs and insurance is the stopper when you've also got 2 cages as well. 4 regs is almost too much. Do whatever makes sense too you. It's your money..

In this day and ages with double points and poor roads you can't use a sport bike to its potential anywhere but on the track.

I'd trade for something bigger

Yip ... the more the merrier (coin willing!! ) . Got my first Harley just over a year ago (Nightrain) and second last month ( Ultra Limited ) which is tucked in beside the Tiger 800xc, (for the days when you really have to get away). Tell the missis you'll let her us the BBQ to cook dinners and you're thinkin it's time to down size to a house that's more like a large shed... you know the one.... bikes in the living room, big screen tv, painted concrete flooring.....

news flash!!!! YOLO

Dyna's might be good handling for a Harley but they are still compromised. I'd rather buy a Harley for what it is good - chilled out cruising/touring which I really enjoy. I'm thinking about a sportsbike purely for when I'm in the mood to go nuts but as you guys stated it's getting harder and harder to do these days.

A nice softail and a cheap unregistered track hack is probably the most sensible for me.

My advise, for what it's worth, is buy what you want otherwise your not going to be happy. I don't know about your financial situation but I can't afford to run 2 bikes and 2 regos and insurances. If I could I would be riding my FLHT and having a bombed out Sportster parked in the shed to play with. 

3 bikes, 2 cars, boat and trailer, 1 trainers, 1 camper trailer all rego and insured. if it was down to expense, you would buy nothing

trade in the sporty and get a bike that suits you, and a sports bike.
if you are willing to go into debt, get what you want now, tomorrow is optional, most time we get it, sometimes you wont, don't die wondering

at any point you change your mind, sell for as much as you can and call the deficit rent.

or

just buy a giraffe
you will be he first in the street to own one

I recently swapped my second bike , and bought a new second bike , A 650 v strom , 10 grand brand new ,, reputidly bullet proof , handles like a sports bike , but yet when i'm going down that road for the 10,000 th time , i now see a dirt road , turn down it , go have a look come to a dead end turn around and bolt , with 20 facking blue heelers and kelpies chasing me .

Its given me a whole new insight to riding , , I want to play in the hills the v strom comes out and it will keep up with anything , i want to go on dirt it will do that job , go in the city its so facking nimble ,,, But in about 20 min i am off for a ride with the missis , out comes the cruiser , next week the Great Ocean Road , and parts of NSW , do it on the cruiser ,

Go buy another bike but make sure there different .. I'm just in the process of building a house , so last thing i want is to spend on more bikes , But after its finished , next april -May , i know what i'm gonna do , and thats a New Hertage softail , stripped down for local use , put the bags ect back on for touring , and either a yammy super tenere , or a new v strom 1000 for playing ,,, i'll then die a happy man and take them with me ,,,, just in case

+1 what boxa said mate with a slight difference, got the slim for the solo hooking around and riding with the lads and a new Heritage for me and the missus to do the touring thing. Having said that, everything is sellable, tradeable etc if you make a choice then change your mind. As for the giraffe, they only come in one colour. Good luck with it mate.

I don't drink, smoke, gamble and I only snort the cheapest coke off the backs of the oldest hookers

Well arn't you lucky you come here , we can edumicate you ,, To start with cheapest coke is NO GOOD it does'nt work has well , buy the good stuff ,,, SECONDLY what the fack you snorting of an old hooker for , Everone knows you lose to much in the wrinkles , Fack sake don't you young fellas no anything .