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Hi guys I'm new to all this and hope I can get some advice. I currently ride a BMW F650 Funduro Yeah yeah I know. It was my first road ride. Now looking to update and upgrade my finances are a bit tight for Harley shopping but I'm trying. I'm looking at around 15k which seems to be only about a sportster worth any newer than 2004. Can anyone advise me on pros and cons of maybe an 07 sporty custom for example. What's the ridability of such a thing? My mate just got an 06 street Bob and I'd like to keep up.

MikSan wrote:Hi guys I'm new to all this and hope I can get some advice. I currently ride a BMW F650 Funduro Yeah yeah I know. It was my first road ride. Now looking to update and upgrade my finances are a bit tight for Harley shopping but I'm trying. I'm looking at around 15k which seems to be only about a sportster worth any newer than 2004. Can anyone advise me on pros and cons of maybe an 07 sporty custom for example. What's the ridability of such a thing? My mate just got an 06 street Bob and I'd like to keep up.

With that kind of cash for a cruiser and couldn't afford a Dyna or Softail, I wouldn't get a Sportster. I'd be looking at a Yamaha or Suzuki cruiser. Or a Victory or something.

MikSan wrote:I'm looking at around 15k which seems to be only about a sportster worth any newer than 2004. Can anyone advise me on pros and cons of maybe an 07 sporty custom for example. What's the ridability of such a thing? My mate just got an 06 street Bob and I'd like to keep up.

Check EBay or Craigs List for your local area. Bikes are really nicely priced and a nicely equipped Dyna or Softtail Harley can be had for anywhere from $9K up depending on year and mileage. I picked up my 07 Dyna Superglide Custom for $11,500 if that gives you any idea. And it had a whopping 5850 miles on it. With those kind of prices, you could actually afford to get a bike AND have it shipped to you. I do have to warn you though, look closely and look out for scam artists. If the deal sound too good to be true...it probably is! If they sense a newbee they will try to take you for a ride. A lot of folks buy Harleys and spend LOTS of money dressing them up in chrome and then decide they want to sell or that riding really isn't for them. (A couple close encounters with idiots driving cages will do that to you. I quit riding for almost 15 years for that same reason.) You can often get some schweeet bikes all chromed out for what it would cost you to buy a bare bones bike. Mileage is not a huge factor if the bike has been well maintained. (The guy that got my 81 Superglide FXE got a REALLY good deal...$2800 with helmets, and I even threw in my gloves, a cutoff vest with patches, and a service manual.) Look around...Good Hogs are out there.

MikSan wrote:Hi guys I'm new to all this and hope I can get some advice. I currently ride a BMW F650 Funduro Yeah yeah I know. It was my first road ride. Now looking to update and upgrade my finances are a bit tight for Harley shopping but I'm trying. I'm looking at around 15k which seems to be only about a sportster worth any newer than 2004. Can anyone advise me on pros and cons of maybe an 07 sporty custom for example. What's the ridability of such a thing? My mate just got an 06 street Bob and I'd like to keep up.

I notice that was your first post. Welcome to the total motorcycle forum.

Australia must be crazy expensive. Just perusing your countries HD MOCO sites they don't list too much. No prices, available machines, not to much information. On USA dealership sites it list available new and used inventory and some even have the price. If a Sportster is 15000$ their thats crazy. You may want to consider marrying a woman from the USA. In some states you can even marry a man. Its for a good cause(a reasonably priced Harley Davidson!)

15,000 Australian Dollar = 10,167.3 US Dollar

I ride a sporty and I love the ride. I have the following comments:

I would recommend getting a 1200 over the 883 if you're looking for more power.

Get a new seat as the stock seat is terrible. I have a Corbin and it is great.

The 2007 and newer models have fuel injection, whereas earlier models use a carburetor.

2004 models feature a rubber mounted engine, where as the engine on prior models were rigidly mounted...Get an '04 or newer model is my recommendation.

I have an '05 and would prefer to have something with a fuel injection system rather than the carb...primarily because it doesn't want to start in the winter. So if it doesn't really get too cold down in Australia you'd probably be fine with an 04 to 06 model.

What's wrong with the Funduro?

Thanks for the feedback guys bought an 07 sporty custom. LOVIN IT!!!
By the way can anyone tell me how to know where to set the rear shock preload for an 80 kg rider. I realise that will depend on personal choice but how about the norm?

MikSan wrote:Thanks for the feedback guys bought an 07 sporty custom. LOVIN IT!!!
By the way can anyone tell me how to know where to set the rear shock preload for an 80 kg rider. I realise that will depend on personal choice but how about the norm?

The norm may or may not be what is best for you, all riders not being created equal. Best thing to do is experiment by trying out different shock settings, then pick the one that you feel gives the best compromise between good handling and a comfy ride. This is literally a "seat of the pants" kinda thing.

And congrats on the new bike!

slimcolo wrote:15,000 Australian Dollar = 10,167.3 US Dollar

That speaks volumes. Kriecky. That ratio sux.

Nothing wrong with a BMW, Here in the US you can lot of Harley for 15,000. I guess you talking CAN. dollars If bikes are that much more there maybe you sould do here.