Truck vs Bike

A. Fixing up your truck just the way you've always wanted it (NICE lift, wheels, tires, front & rear offroad bumper, offroad lights, etc)

OR

B. Useing that money to put a nice down payment (ideally half or more) on the Harly-Davidson you've always wanted. I know pay half up front on a harley my dreams aren't big I've always loved the sportster. In return keeping your truck stock.

OR

C. Try to get the best of both and to a find a decent lift (not as nice as option A but gets the job done) and some slightly larger tires and call the truck "done" and also have some cash for a much smaller down payment on the bike.

NOTE:

I'm in the military and in Japan right now, so these plans are about two years down the road. I plan to save up 5000 plus just to for my man toys. Just so you can put a dollar amount in your decision.

 

D. Save it so you can retire early and really enjoy life visiting those you care about and doing the things you like.

 

OR they could just come visit me.

 

I don't doubt that a bit, but for sake of arguement lets pretend we can stick with a stock bike for awhile.

 

bike FTW

 

Get the bike. I love my Sportster, and if well cared for a Harley will become a classic down the road.

 

OR, buy a new cruiser (non-Harley), save a butt load of cash and put the money saved into the truck. Harleys are way overpriced for ridiculously antiquated technology. If you want to spend a lot of money on a cruiser, I'd look into a Victory or a BMW, otherwise, the Japanese cruisers are very nice and a lot less expensive.

 

Do as I say not as I do...I have had several Harleys and have ridden throughout the United States. Even toured Mexico on Harley with a bunch of buddies (still can't drink Tequila because of that trip). Sportster are OK around town but they are too light for long rides. They get pushed around in the wind a lot.

Either way, don't make payments on toys. Keep saving until you can pay cash. Financing fun is a bad habit that ends up hurting you in the long run. Find one a year or two old and save a boatload of money. My Road King sits in the gargage 99% of the time now because I am too busy to ride it, but it is paid for so I don't mind that it sits.

 

X1,000,000,000

Amen, brother.

 

A - Harley's are junk. You will spend more time/money fixing it than anything

 

That Triumph is a hoss, I love the looks of that massive 3 cylinder stuffed into a motorcycle

 

This is what I was thinking, fix truck up, buy a real motorcycle.

 

fwiw my sv650 has 60,000 on it. Been dropped, run over, and ran on a track. I only have to change the oil

 

As long as the buyer knows what they're buying when they get a Harley. Some people just get fixated on the brand. Personally, for long trips, I'd want the Victory or BMW bikes. Those things are incredibly smooth, good power and sleek looking.

For big muscle bikes, I'd take the Triumph, the Kawi 2000 or the Suzuki 1800 Boulevard (maybe the Valkrie but that just seems excessive and it's a gas guzzler).

For me, I've got a Katana 750. Kinda the best of both worlds, sporty but comfortable and has a long frame with a fairly heavy motor so it cruises well. A long way from a dream bike but it's paid off and I have a blast riding it.

 

All bikes have their pluses and minuses. Regardless (and back to the topic at hand), the OP stated Harley Sportster. A great local to medium distance machine with lots of soul. And FWIW, personally I tend to see Harleys retaining their value better than imports. Just one man's possibly biased opinion! Semper Fi, bud

 

^^ thats what im getting at mj. Not bashing your choices