From: neal@cmptrc.lonestar.org (Neal Howard)
Subject: Re: My first Harley
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 01:58:39 GMT
Organization: CompuTrac Inc., Richardson TX

In article <1992Aug31.142505.10730@access.digex.com> corun@access.digex.com (Corun MacAnndra) writes:
>Hello Harley fans.
>
>I'm about to purchase my first Harley, and the first bike I've owned in
>more years than I want to think about. The last bike I owned was a BSA 350.
>I'm hopin the veterans here can give me some good advice.
>
>I'm looking at three different models, the 883 Hugger, the FXR Super Glide,
>and the FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide. These are my choices for the simple reason
>that they have a short inseam, and so do I. I like my feet to touch the ground
>when I come to a stop.
>
>I'm particularly interested in regular maintenance. What, and how often (gas
>I know). The exotic oil types for the BSA used to screw me up all the time,
>but I was also much younger and didn't understand mechanics as well.
>
>I also may be taking it on long rides, four to six hours duration. The guy
>at the dealership steered me away from the Hugger. He did point me to the
>Soft Tail, but I'm not sure I like the rear shock arrangement. Also, I think
>I really like the idea of the rubber mounted engine. A long haul can be a
>real kidney buster on a frame mount, or so I'm told. The FXR and FXDWG both
>have this.
>
>So, any opinions (yeah, right), and suggestions? Thanks in advance for the
>help. Hopefully I'll soon be joining the ranks of the happy Harley owner.
>
>Corun
>
>P.S. I'm taking that MC Safety course too. That's on the list before I
>even get a demo ride.
>
>===========================================================================
>    Corun MacAnndra     |  The great thing about travel is getting to
>  Dark Horde by birth   |   meet new people and see new places.
>    Moritu by choice    |                            G. Khan

Hi Corun,

  For the Sportster line, don't overlook the Sportster 1200. It's not too
  high off the ground, I've got pretty short legs and I can palce both my
  feet flat on the ground with stock seat and suspension. I've also ridden
  8 hours at a time(yes I'm sore as hell afterwards) but it's really not that
  bad of a ride, the worst part being the tiny 2.25 gallon tank requiring a
  fillup every 70 of 80 miles (getting off the bike to stretch every hour or so
  helps tolerate this bike too). These have loads of power and handle great
  and cost about half as much as a big bike. My '91 XLH-1200 cost $6500 in
  July of '91. If you can afford a big bike, check out the new '93 Dyna Low
  Rider. It's got the rubber mounted engine, oil tank under the gearbox (so
  you won't burn your leg on it, and the sport frame for good handling.
  Expect to pay about 12 grand or so for one. All the Softails have SOLID
  engine mounts, not isolation mounts (rubber). They ride a lot smoother
  than the Sportsters. All the Dyna series have rubber engine mounts. The
  Softails are also very expensive, a friend of mine just got his new '93
  Springer Softail, factory list price was $12,750 plus transportation, tax,
  title, a few chrome goodies, etc for a total of $14,000. Yowsa!!!
  I've had a great time on my XLH-1200 and I highly recommend it for a
  first Harley. I just came back from a 1700 mile trip through the Ozark
  mountains in Arkansas and this bike was plenty comfortable for me. By
  the way, Harley now offers lowering kits for the forks, rear shocks, etc.
  which will knock about 1.5 inches off the stock saddle height of the
  regular Sportsters.

  May you soon be riding an American Motorcycle,

  Neal Howard
  neal@cmptrc.lonestar.org
  '91 XLH-1200
  DoD# 686
  =======================================================================

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