The perfect HD?

I am pretty unfamiliar with the evolution of Harley Davidson, I have only ridden 3 of them, 883 Sportster, Heritage Soft tail and the Deuce Softail; all very early ~2000 models. The only one I really took a shinning to was the duece.

So, fast forward 11 years or so, and I just finished watching 2 seasons of Son's of Anarchy. So I go to thinking, is there a perfect HD? Sort of like the e30/miata/p71/sv650 ?

Is there some model that is at a nice point in the depreciation curve, that has a reasonable front fork (that heritage was a little too bouncy/floaty), a good motor and can swallow up the highway miles?

Not sure where all this will lead since I love fullfaced helmets and hate chrome; but I just gotta believe there is some magic HD out there.

What's your definition of perfect? Too many variables here...

Road King. EOT

Buell S3 Thunderbolt

link thing will not work...

http://www.classic-motorbikes.com/stock.asp?Ref=FA01&Lang=en 44

2010 MV-Agusta F4

Buell Ulysses

oldtin wrote: 2010 MV-Agusta F4

This doesn't look like an HD or even an HD Motor

Buell.

My favorite is the Night Rod. Porsche engine FTW!

Grtechguy wrote:

oldtin wrote: 2010 MV-Agusta F4

This doesn't look like an HD or even an HD Motor

HD owned MV Agusta for a while.

'06+ Dyna. FXD(C, B, L, F)

Twin Cam motor, six-speed, 49mm fork, lightweight - for an HD, versatile.

Capable of 2000 mile weekend (yes, that's me):

Capable of ripping up the Tail of the Dragon (guy on a forum I read):

The FatBob (in the photo) is IMO the best all-around Harley now. It definately can be pushed in the corners, as shown there. It is the only current Dyna that has dual front brakes...and it has the largest front tire.

It does come with forward controls, so shorter-legged riders need to alter it back to mids.

I sell more of those than any other Dyna. www.halshd.com

Along the lines of what Mini said, some older Dynas are pretty cool in that regard.

The FXDXT (T-Sport):

I believe they were made from 01-03.

oldtin wrote:

Grtechguy wrote:

oldtin wrote: 2010 MV-Agusta F4

This doesn't look like an HD or even an HD Motor

HD owned MV Agusta for a while.

HD was actually dumb enough to own MV Agusta twice! IIRC, both times, they bought it, took over all of MV Agusta's debt, then sold it back to the Castiglioni family.

ST_ZX2 wrote: It does come with forward controls, so shorter-legged riders need to alter it back to mids

It's been my understanding that Fat Bobs could be had with either footcontrol locations? It's just that most dealers choose to order them with forwards. I have seen a new FB with mids.

New on the showroom floor new (as built)?

I heard that too; when I asked our sales manager I was told not so. It's an easy change--but there is some cost involved.

I think RealMiniDriver put it best; a versatile HD. One that I can commute with, sport around with and do long distance travel with. Maybe, more like the BMW's of HD.

So the Dyna line seems to fit the bill, and they are called out by FXD...something.
I am betting that Super Glide means, NOT sporty?

06+; I am guessing there was an engine change of some sort during that time? The only challenge is that a 5 year old HD probably hasn't depreciated that much.

I love the Buell's and their depreciation curves; its just that their rep for reliability falls into the Terribad category.

I guess I could just grab a V-4 Magna or Vmax; but it seems like these "Fat Bobs" might be able to do the same thing with a little more flare. I am guessing the name means FXD?? with fat front tire?

Either way, I think I learned more here than from the salesman I "worked" with 10 years ago that seem to think I wanted a chopper, or some sort of HD Goldwing. I sorta wished the guy had put me on a dyna back then; I would probably have kept it till today.

44Dwarf wrote: link thing will not work... http://www.classic-motorbikes.com/stock.asp?Ref=FA01&Lang=en 44

Yes please. I would actually like that Harley.

Hotlink of one similar

How about a SS250?

The perfect HD?

Chopper

Touring Cruiser

Power Cruiser

In order:

Honda Fury chopper

Kawasaki Vulkan 1700 Voyager

Suzuki M109R (The only bike quicker stock in the power cruiser market was the Triumph Rocket 3, but since you said HD I only listed twins.)

I am not a fan of Harley. Mostly because they sell 1950's technology at 2050 prices. The best bike in their lineup, IMHO, is the V-Rod which most HD owners don't like (designed by Porsche.) They are made in Mexico and China just like everyone else. They are assembled here.

The #1 thing about HD? Status, thank you HD marketing department. I will spend my money on substance thank you very much.

My personal favorite, but I think it is in a different class, like the V-Max

I introduce the Ducati Diavel

The Perfect Harley:

Dr. Hess wrote: The Perfect Harley:

Can you share what makes it perfect? Ride, reliability, value? The pure awesomeness of Dr Hess as its rider :) What model/generation is this? Sometimes I wish i knew bikes like I know BMW's.

I have read lots of posts about your megasquirting them and am very glad you joined in.

That looks to be an Electraglide Classic--FLHTC. It has an Evo motor so its no newer than a '99...'Baggers' are always nice-riding bikes, especially for two-up.

ST_ZX2 wrote: New on the showroom floor new (as built)? I heard that too; when I asked our sales manager I was told not so. It's an easy change--but there is some cost involved.

Yes, new as built, at least when I was researching the '09 Dynas in late '08. Looking at the factory parts manual, they list mid or forward for the Fat Bob.

Timeormoney wrote: I think RealMiniDriver put it best; a versatile HD. One that I can commute with, sport around with and do long distance travel with. Maybe, more like the BMW's of HD. So the Dyna line seems to fit the bill, and they are called out by FXD...something. I am betting that Super Glide means, NOT sporty? 06+; I am guessing there was an engine change of some sort during that time? The only challenge is that a 5 year old HD probably hasn't depreciated that much.

Brief info about the late model Dyna line - my limited knowledge is mainly about '06+

FXD = Super Glide; very basic, almost no chrome, silver engine, solo seat, handle bar mounted speedo (some Customs had this too, '01-'07 I think), cast wheels

FXDC = Super Glide Custom; chrome engine parts, silver engine, chrome frame trim, two-up seat, tank mounted speedo, laced wheels

FXDB = Street Bob; '06-'08 black engine, '09 silver case-black jugs, '10 back to all black, solo seat, mini ape handlebars, almost no chrome, laced wheels, shorter rear springs

FXDL = Low Rider; black engine with lots of chrome parts, highway pegs, tank mounted speedo, tach, cast wheels, two-up seat

FXDF = Fat Bob; fat front tire, dual disc front brake, two-up seat, tank mounted speedo, drag handlebars, dual headlight

FXDWG = Wide Glide; -'08 two-up seat, '10+ solo seat, forward controls standard, raked out frame, WIDE forks, tank mounted speedo