Hi.

I'm a middle aged rider and am thinking of trading my current bike for a Harley.

Currenlt I'm on a Suzuki (can I mention that here ?) boulevarde 800 cc.

The bike is OK but a bit unhappy with a few things, its pretty top heavy, hard to push for me and just not a buzz to ride.

So been looking at Harleys on line but not really sure what to look at. So before going into a dealer I was wondering what the real riders would recommend not the sales guy.

I'm after:

* not super heavy so it can be pushed around.

* a classic type cruiser look

* low seat height. I'm only 5'7 so a seat height around 650cm would be good. Real fussy about seat height,

* easish to ride, handle and maybe with ABS

* dont need anything super powerful.

Sorry if the list seems picky, but I would have really looked at the Indian scout because of the seat height but hate the look of their V twin and read too many probs with suspension.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I am 5ft7. I have a 2011 FXST, feet flat on ground. You can look at any style cruiser, Eg, Dyna WideGlide or Street Bob or Fat Bob. all these easy to push around garage etc. Just depends on your dollars to spend and if you want new.
If new then FXST is no available anymore, last was 2016. anything as above from 2011 onwards all have ABS.
I ndian scout, Yuk I just don't like the look of them, ( sorry)

I have a few mates that ride Boulevards, they love em, really the only way your going to know what you want with HD, is to take a few for test rides.

That way you can be sure that's what you like, not what others like.

Really. You come onto a Harley site where members ride up to 200+ different models, years and add ons and ask what will suit you? If you are going to trade your bike on a harley it means you will get bugger all for your bike on either a new or second hand bike at a dealer. In which case, you only get to choose from what they've got  on the floor.

If you are thinking of going new, then you can test ride a few and you might get more $ for your own bike. I had a 250cc yammy as a 20 year old, stopped riding for 20 plus years and got hit with the whole mid life crisis thing when I turned 50. (just didn't know it at the time). Was offered my brother in laws soft tail deuce as the first Harley I rode and it changed my life. I've since moved on to a tourer (kept the Deuce) but I am currently wary of the extra weight and size. (with our peculiar driveway). Perhaps an unmodified 2004 onward soft tail (with injection) they are easy to ride, accessorise, and maintain to suit you own style and budget

I would probably steer clear of a sporty although I have never ridden one. I know from speaking to some riders that they wish they had bought a twin cam at the outset. Don't be in any hurry, seems to be a buyers market out there. Sell your own bike first unless you are sure you'll get a good tradein. Otherwise you'll be left with another bike in the shed and you'll have to fire sale it after 12 months  

Start with the home page of this site and just read some of the threads on the various makes and models. Good luck

Maybe a Harley aint for you if you want something that is easy to push around.

Perhaps one of the soon to be released 1200cc Triumph bobbers would suit better. They look pretty cool.

Other than that, how about a Kelso?

Wheelbarrow.

They are easy to push around, but go for the narrow wheel ones. The wide wheel ones are a bitch.

 

Streetbob or Fatbob would be your best starting point. That's nothing against other models I just think they're more what you'll want. Forget about it being too powerful too. It's a cruiser. They aint like sportsbikes where a twist if the wrist sends you off the back. You really have to want to do something stupid to do something stupid on these.

I'd suggest the most recent model FXDL Lowrider. Adjustable handlebars at the risers, so can bring towards you or away if you need to adjust reach or style. Seat even has a piece to bring you forward if you want. Twin disc front end, with ABS, so actually stops pretty well too! Easy to move around/push and can get some with low Kay's at very reasonable price.

Fat bob has twin disc front end also and are very nice to ride and handle well for a Harley.

Happy hunting, you won't be disappointed!

G'day Cobalt.

My wife's looking to upgrade from a jap cruiser too. She's spent a few years riding in amongst Harleys and checking the new ones at the local dealer. She currently rides a Vstar 650 which she finds comfortable and easy to manouvre. After sitting on literally hundreds of harleys she found the Softtail Slim the best fit for her. Low seat height, low centre of gravity and easy to move around. Now she has to find one in her price range..........

Best bet, drop into the local Harley shop and get a feel for each model rather than excluding anything without trying. You might be surprised with what feels right. You don't have to buy from them.

Hope this helps. Roo.

Hi

Thanks for the replies. Yeah maybe have been a dumb question but I probably should have asked if people moved from metrics to Hasrleys.

On my current bike I had the seat shaved. probably half inch off, then took these little rubber blocks under the seat off and so dropped the seat height by maybe from 700mm to maybe 670 but I feel I'm on the bike rather than in the bike....if that makes sense.

Now cause I'm not real mechanical I dont know if I could buy a used one but my need to buy a new bike.

Thanks though for answering I'm checking out some of the models people recommended. I guess I could wander into Frasers or Syd HD and have a look around. But never having ridden one I'm a bit worried if the 1600 is a bit too much.

Also this is a pretty one eyed site as well, do some test rides at plenty of the different dealers, good luck with what ever way you go in the future.

I reckon you should look at:

Sportster 1200
Dyna low rider
Dyna Street bob

Don't disregard a bike because of its handlebars or seat as lots of people customise these for individual fit.

Doing some searching based on what people have said here it seems the softail slim would be what I go in and look at. THe seat height is 650..perfect it has heel toe shifter which I have atm. So I reckon the only thing I wouls want are crash bars and pipes ( not real loud. But just on what I've seen online it looks good. Prices I've seen are about $24K and maybe $7k or $8k trade in would be OK.

Nothing wrong with a Sporty, if you look at the right models. Check out the XL1200 Custom from 2012 onwards. Bigger fuel tank, low seat height good for longer rides and easy to move around.

Modern Sporty! (belt drive, EFI etc etc so pretty much zero maintenance) They are light and will give a big block harley a good run for their money as the power/weight ratio is right up there. I have ridden the larger 110CI Harleys (factory finish) and found them really underwhelming as far as power, vibration and sound went. Softails handle like total chit (but thats my totally biased opinion)

Really, the best thing is to ring your local Stealership and ride a couple of bikes (new or used).

 

Hey cobalt, I had the boulevard 800 as well. It was the "M50" version. I can tell you for sure that no Harley will be easier to push around than your suzi, as far as weight goes. 1600 sounds big but in reality, these engines are quite tame and easily gotten used to. It took me about 6 months on my street bob before I got the craving for more power.....like almost everyone else... ??

I agree with others here that you really need to test ride a few. I had my heart set on a sporty nightster...until I rode one. Way too small for me. Then I wanted a v-rod, until I rode one, then a night train....until I went around a round- a -bout .....etc, etc. discover what type of riding you like most and find the bike that best suits you. It's all part of the adventure!!!!!

Happy hunting ??

 

 

+1 for the Sportster 1200. Ticks all your boxes.

How's the bike hunting going Cobalt. You mentioned the Slim. Took me 4 years of walking in and out of Harley before I put the $$ on a 103 Slim. Best decision I made in a long time. I like a bit of shine on my bike hence why I didn't go the 110, Which is really not that much more in $$ considering what you get. Either way, After a ride on a couple of different ones if you went with the Slim either the 103 or 110 i can't see you being disappointed.

If the Boulevard 800 is too heavy for you, then most of the suggestions above won't help as they are significantly heavier bikes.  Boulevard 800 is around 270kg wet.  Softails and Dyna's weigh in at around 310kg's.  Without going to the Street bikes the only Harley model close to the weight of your Boulevard is the Sportster.  The other comments were seat height and a little more excitement.  Seat height on most Harleys is fine, but there are low models so plenty to choose from there.  The Boulevard 800 no doubt would be about the same power as an 883, which is also a pretty flat motor.  Get a 1200 Sportster.  Go for a 1200 low if the standard ones are too high, but at 5'7 the standard ones should be fine.

HD badged Aermacchi 350.

While the Street 500 is light, from the reviews that I've read, power output is pretty disappointing.  To be fair it's targeted as an entry level learner's bike.  I think if the 800 lacks power for him, he won't be happy with the 500.  Possibly the new Street Rod 750 would be better.