Truck vs Bike

I've always had sports bikes and the last one I sold before coming to Japan. I really want a more comfortable bike with the compact feel of a sports bike and I feel that the sportster would fit my style quite good because short to medium DAY trips is all I aspire to ride. But everyone says buy a bigger bike than you want right now because you will grown out of it. They said that about my old 600 and I never grew old or tired of it. That bike fit me and my body type well and was faster than I ever wanted to go in it. I would want a bike comfortable in on the long stretches of highway and nimble enough to take some turns.

 

Truck all the way for me.

 

I'd say go mild and get both. My 06 Prerunner is paid off nice with nice whells and tires, level lift, and exhaust. My truck fits the purpose i use it for and has a little character as well. My 09 GSXR 600 is really close to being paid off with a slip-on and a fender elimenator. Its one hell of a ride any time swing a leg over her and it really put thing into perspective. I enjoy both alot and am happy with my choice. I use both as daily drivers throughout the year. ArMarine04 live within your limits, try to find a used bike like said before, if you can live with a non-harley then theres lots of great bikes for a lot less. Not everyone needs the ultimate off road truck if their not going to use it to its true potential (although it would be sweet). You just have to make the best decision for you that wont sink you into debt.

 

Personally I ride a sport bike but would love a Yamaha Roadstar 1800. I am a factroy trained mechanic, have been for 6 years (jap bikes only). As for the OP if your set on a sporster get it, weren't we all stuck on a Tacoma? But if its comfort, feel, and price look seriously at a few year old Yamaha FZ1. You wont be grouped with the crotch rocket riders, an up right riding position, and power to boot.

 

Based on that, have you considered the FZ-1 or one of the BMW GS series bikes? There are also some larger displacement sport touring bikes that seem to fit that description better than a sportster and you might be happier with one of those if you're coming off a sport bike.

 

Whatever you plan on doing- I would look at the sales programs while you are over there. There are special deals (like no sales tax) and/or discounts for military overseas from most companies that sell vehicles...Just gotta look for them.

And I would go with D-Truck stuff and your Harley when you can pay all cash. Finacing toys is bad business.

 

Good god man, buy a Harely? I wouldnt care if I won the lottery that is one brand of bike that would NEVER come into my garage. And I mean Never!

Currently ride a 2010 Yamaha FZ1 and previous ride was a 2005 Goldwing.

Installed a set of hard bags on the FZ1 and it is pretty close to a do it all bike. But (I can't believe I am saying this) in my opinion is has to much power as the front end will come up every time you open her up in 1st or 2nd. Other than that it has a great seating position for us old guys

 

I also have always had a 600 sport bike. I agree, it's plenty fast and I am not bored of the power. 1000cc is for sure nice to ride, but to use all that power on the street is suicide!

I have a feeling you haven't demo'd a sportster yet. I've ridden a brand new sportster. It DOES NOT handle nimble and take turns well, especially if you're use to sport bike handling. Brakes are terrible as well, again, comparing to a modern sport bike.

If you are set on a Harley because you want a "Harley", go for it! Just make sure it's because you want the joy of riding a raw, rumbly twin... but don't buy a Harley for 'performance'.

If you want something that's fun to bomb around on but you can still ride it spiritedly in the curves, there's many more suitable bikes out there.

... oh - and my vote is mildly mod the truck. You know that saying: "4 wheels moves the body, 2 wheels moves the soul" - there's truth to that! Get a bike too!!

 

I say get a bike, but not a harley

unless you understand the consequences of owning a harley and still want one, then go for it.

 

Get a Yamaha Super Tenere. Nuf said.

 

Those are real nice!

I currently have an FZ1 and it definitely meets all my needs and I came from a R6 looking for the same things you are... comfy, fast and nimble. Plenty of grunt when I need it.

I like having a bike and I would gladly sacrifice Tacoma goodies to maintain both the bike and truck.

 

hmmm... Looks like Yamaha wants to step up and challenge the BMW GS series market. Looks like a nice machine!

 

Never heard that quote before but I love it now!!! My old riding club was good mix of sport bikes and cruisers (harleys and other makes as well) and no one ever had anything bad to say about the harleys I'm kinda of shocked that everyone is advising against them. TO ME the bike seems to fit me well and the style of the bike fits my taste quite well. I've looked and looked and looked numerous times but now I have never demo'd one yet I figured that was one of those things you do when you were more serious about purchasing one. I do want to purchase one but the timing is off.

Not a fan of the sport touring bikes never really liked that style of bike. I am wrapped around the whole persona of the "harley" and I love it.

Is there something I am missing?

 

Google "sportster problems" to get an idea of what would be in store.

But yeah I would ride the wheels off a 1200 nightster.

 

No Harley fan here.....and believe me I've had a few.

But for some people the "calling" of owning a Harley is unescapable, guess it makes them feel like "they belong", but why I would never know again.

If you are fixated w/being one of the " Chosen" do yourself a favor and look at a V-Rod. Much different animal for a hog.

Other than that look at the Victory line...much better variety to fit any desire.

For the record I currently own a Kawi 1500 Vulcan and most of the clowns I ride with still have Harleys, I got my stones broke hard when I purchased it in 2005, three days later I sold my last 2 Harleys.

 

1. Never finance a toy.
2. Most of the people "bashing" Harley's have never owned one, much less ridden one. Take their advice with a grain of salt.
3. The quality on HD is MUCH better than 2 decades ago. They make a pretty good quality bike, and it is easy to modify.
4. Get the bike you want. A Sporty is not expensive enough to beat yourself up over, and you may find, a year to 5 down the road, that you want a different bike. Remember - this will be your first, not your last.
5. Give the alternatives a shot. Honestly, in the 10K range, you open up a ton of options. At least go check a few out.

I ended up on a Kawasaki Nomad 1700 a couple years back, after riding the Nomad, HD Electra-Glide, Road King, and a few others. My dad just picked up a BMW R1200CLC (their full dress "cruiser"). Both of us like the HD, but found better options for our needs.


full disclosure - Triumph, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and HD in the garage.

 

I'm just throwing this out there. Ducati Diavel. Checked it out at the motorcycle show and it is a sweet and powerful ride.

 

i meant to put C ill try to get from both worlds