New bike

[Social Distortion]

looks good
you'll enjoy it
take your time after taking the class and progress slowly
practice on parking lot of your park district and dont rush to get into the main highways....
overconfidence is your worst friend
you'll do fine on the 1200, but respect the power that your bike has and always pay attention-
there's nothing cool about being layed up in the hospital!

[Wrider]

Well if they told you that the pipes were gonna get changed, have them change em! 1. It will make the bike run better, 2. It will make it sound better, and 3. You'll get less problems from cops and other people in general! The dealership will still make money on the deal, and will get those crushed pipes replaced without charge.
Wrider

[MZ33]

Well if they told you that the pipes were gonna get changed, have them change em!

I agree totally! Don't let your enthusiasm for riding and for your bike get in the way of keeping them to their word. I doubt that they will give you much trouble, especially since newbies really like to utilize helpful dealerships--for accessories, maintenance, advice, all kinds of stuff. You may subtly remind them of that, if necessary. ("I'd really like to stay on good terms with y'all, 'cuz I know I'm going to need to be able to depend on experienced mechanics and stuff, and I'm not going to have as good a feeling about you if you can't see your way to finishing this deal the way you said you would . . . "--that's the approach I would take. )

And, since it's a heavy bike, and expensive, and will have new pipes and handlebars on it--maybe you'd like to consider an engine guard, aka crash bars.

[eaglebw]

Thanks guys for the info... I really appreciate it... I'll give them a call and see what I can get done...

MZ33... good point on the engine guard... actually had them put it on there when we went to look at it... want to make sure the investment is protected as much as possible...

[Monkey]

that looks pretty sweet. and heavy. but sweet.

Enjoy your first bike, thats what I am about to go do...

[koji52]

I have "moderately loud" pipes on my bike and the only time I get anxious about the noise is when i fire her up at 7:00AM heading to work. Other than that, people in my apartment complex don't seem to care at all. Hell, there's a dude in my complex riding a v-rod with drag pipes on it. His bike is really loud and no one cares.

Check out xlforum.net. Ton of sportster owners over there...good information if you ever get to working on it yourself.

[roncg41677]

Just wanted everyone to know I'm changing my name to "jealousroncg41677".

That bike is beautiful, even with the blueing on the pipes! Have fun with it. Be safe, but have fun .

[eaglebw]

@ roncg41677

Thanks, I appreciate it!

@ koji52

Depending on what the dealership can do, I might end up with those pipes... When they started up the bike in the garage when we looked at it, it was definitely loud, but they also started up a bike with the standard pipes on, and I have to say, there wasn't much of a difference... and that was from my wife that was dead set against the pipes... We'll just have to see what happens I guess...

[RockBottom]

I probably shouldn't do this, but am going to weigh in: in my opinion, straight pipes send the kind of "I don't care if I annoy the world" message that contributes to hostility toward motorcycles.

[SCgurl]

I am not ashamed to admit I am SO. VERY. JEALOUS. That's a beautiful bike!

I have been trusting after the Softail Cross Bones-maybe next year after I've gotten a few more miles on my little S40.