Im looking to buy my first bike. interested in buying a 2009 Harley Street Bob.. I know theres alot of bikes out there. Are Harleys really the best or are they Overrated? What other bikes should i check out?
How are the V Star Bikes?
First, I’d suggest taking a safety course from MSF before buying a bike.
Harleys are fine, but are generally too big for a first time rider. Basically, all the major manufacterors build reliable bikes.
The V-Star 650 is about the largest I’d recommend for a new rider. They are very reliable and will do anything you ever NEED to do. The only problem is, their maintenance schedule is a little expensive. The other problem is they have a carburator which means they need to warm up a bit. Also they have a reserve tank instead of a fuel gauge. I find that rather annoying.
A better starter bike is the Suzuki S40. It’s much lighter and has about the same size engine. I am pretty sure the maintenance is less.
You might also check out the Kawasaki Vulcan 500. This is a good size for a beginner.
If Harley is a dream for you, consider it for a second bike.
In the end, it’s up to you. All the bikes by the major manufactorers are good.
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With Harley you are paying for the name. They are great bikes, but I would definitely check out Victory Bikes. They are as well an American manufacturer and they also have less warranty issues than Harley.
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Decent bikes, but as stated, read the warranty requirements before buying and check different dealers. When I was in Florida, some of the dealers were requiring the purchase of “extra packages” before selling a bike. You are also required to take the bike into a dealership at certain mileages. This service is not free.
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The best bike is the one you own, ride, and love from the first time you ride it.
My love is always current, right now, it’s a Victory.
Still a sweet Road King always turns my head. I don’t know if there’s any finer bike, but there are as good, tooling down the road.
My Victory made me jump, so I would say check them out, at least. The styles are very similar. The touring ability, in my book, seems on par with Harley. Victory resale looks more like the import woes, though. A few years old and they don’t garner much, in the resale department.
Regarding resale, Harley is King. Some say this will change. Luckily for Harley, it hasn’t changed, yet.
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42 years of throwing my leg over a seat
No bike is maintenance free and perfect from the factory. I have ridden all styles of bikes and I still choose to ride my Harley.
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that depends on why you ride.
if you are just looking for a cruiser, the japanese bikes, especially the honda, are more comfortable, more reliable and less ‘wearying’ (the constant rumble wears on the body on long rides), BUT…
if you are looking for the image, prestige, name that go with it. the acceptance in the inner sanctum, you can buy only a victory or a harley to get that, and the harley is the better one for that. or you can really ante up and get a custom/semi custom bike.
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Check out Victory they are rated ahead of HD by J.D. Power. They have more HP, better brakes and lower CG thus better handling.
Victory dealers allow test rides if you have an endorsement. The 100 CI Victory will smoke a 96 CU Street Bob, the 106 CI available this year will outrun a 110 CI Screaming Eagle HD.
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Victory Owner
I agree. Totally the best overrated bikes you can get.
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harley is a bike you ride its all metal you no a real bike,,, as for the street bob prime harley are getting there act together make some riders bikes and the custom comes stand from the factory what more can you say the range that harley a coming out in the next 2years will be a eye opener for us all the new big cubic motors are unstoppable you made a very good choice on the streel bob
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so overrated!!!!!!! It seems like everyone has a harley. Go for something different.
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Who said Harleys were the best? In the 1980′s they were the worst bikes made and almost went out of busines. They are comming back and they make an okay bike but if your looking at the best bike dollar for dollar Harley is not it.
My opinion is you can by a much better jap cruiser for a fraction of the price of a Harley. I love the V-Star bikes check those out. I ride a Suzuki Intruder, absolutely love it. I would recommend getting a bike with a shaft drive instead of chain, I believe V-Stars are shaft drive I could be wrong though. Shadows are bad either.
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Harley is just a name. The Yamaha V-Star 650 and 1100 are great bikes for a lot less cash. I ride a Yamaha R6. Ever think about a Naked bike? Buell is an off shot company formed by a Harley designer named Eric Buell. His bikes are nice. Almost like sport bikes with no plastic fairings. Suzuki makes a nice SV650 that’s a v-twin.
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Owner of a Yamaha R-6 and work ant a Suzuki/ Yamaha/ Bombardier dealership.
I wouldn’t consider any bike as ‘best bike’. Each have their own best and worst features. You should check out all the makes and see which one fits you best.
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the best bike is the one you love and ride. test ride as many as you can and pick from there. but i am fond of the victoy vegas!!
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There is no such thing as the best bike.
If you like Harleys, nothing else will do. If you don’t like Harleys nothing will convince you.
It’s like comparing Mercedes and Lexus. You can look at spec sheets and find them comparable. You can even make some objective measurements and conclude that Lexus is better. But to me in the end, just like a Mercedes is an automobile and a Lexus is an appliance, only a Harley is a Harley. It has a mechanical feel and presence that nothing else has. Does this make it the best bike ? to me yes, but your results may vary.
BTW, the only truly over-rated bikes are BMW’s.
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Own a HD…and an MB
Read through this site for an hour or so. Pay attention to how many people are having problems with their metric bikes and how many people are having problems with their Harleys. I think that should tell you something. From the V Star bikes I've seen, they are just Harley Road King looka likes. Polaris started making Victorys about ten years ago but they've had more call backs than China has people.
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50 yrs of HD
What is the best bike is a matter of opinion. YOURS is the one that counts as you are the one riding it!
I have owned many different ones, including SEVERAL Harley’s, an Ariel “Square Four”, Vincent “Black Shadow”, and other no longer made machines; as well as various more ‘current’ dirt bikes and/or road bikes.
Be SURE that you can 1. reach the ground with BOTH feet while sitting on the bike, and 2. can pick it up BY YOURSELF if it is laying down on it’s side.
I suggest that, if possible, you take a riding course BEFORE buying ANY bike.
It also depends on what type of riding you intend to do.
Shaft drives are fine and very smooth on highways, BUT chain drives are better under poor road conditions and/or off road.
The chain drive’s main advantage is that IF you ‘pop’ the chain you can repair it on the spot with only a link or two, a ‘connecting’ link and ‘chain breaker’ tool while with a shaft drive, you are out of luck, and it MAY be a long walk pushing a ‘broken’ bike.
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40+ years and still riding
Harley’s are over priced but they keep there value. my dad has a 06 softail nigh train and i love it. when he got it they gave him a free oil change priced at 69.99 he used the free oil change and now just goes to the shop gets the oil and filter for 30.00. and takes him 20min to change. they charge to much 2 fix although they rarely need to be fixed i would much rather get a Harley. when i hear a bike i can tell if its not a Harley. i love that rumble of my dads 1000cc engine
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Best or overrated, it isn't the best choice for a first bike, start with something smaller, lighter that you don't mind dropping and won't cost so much to repair.
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You will be happier with the V-star.
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There is no such thing as a “best” bike, car, food, pet or whatever, only what’s best for “you”. If you like the way Harley looks, feels, sounds, etc, then buy it regardless of what anyone says. If the price is ok with you, forget what anyone else says about value because they aren’t the ones spending the money. It’s funny, BMW has several bikes that are overpriced compared to other compareable bikes, but you never hear anyone saying BMW’s are overpriced.
If the Harley doesn’t strike you as being “right”, then don’t buy it. A bike (or anything else you purchase) shouldn’t have to “grow on you.” If it does, then you’ve made the wrong choice. I’ve found that my first impession is always the right one. If you liked the Harley from the get go, go for it. If you didn’t, look elsewhere for another brand.
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the best what? ural makes the best winter bike
agusta makes the best speed demon
there are many great qualities to a harley, but it can’t be the best at everything. it’s my own choice… but don’t buy into thinking a comparable japp cruiser is any better, they have comparable power, weight, and prices…. you just need to compare apples to apples is all
most that ignorantly say you pay $15K more for a harley for it’s name haven’t got a clue about the models and are comparing a road king to a honda rebel
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First bike? That is a bit big for a beginner. You need something small to start, then you can get a behemoth!
Some people think Harley is the best bike, but I consider them below average in performance, and practicality for long trips.
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25+ years safe riding
You should check them all out. Your question doesn't sound like you are interested in sport bikes but you may find them or a dual sport interesting.
Your bike will please no one but you.
You may notice most Harley riders will tell you something similar.
Most but not all other brand riders will tell you to stay away from HD.
(There are a few notable exceptions here. Just a few.)
I noticed the post that says "so overrated!!!!!!! It seems like everyone has a harley. Go for something different."
I would think that she doesn't look closely. Most are modified somewhat right after delivery, making them different. They only made 3500 of my model, and even that's been changed a bit.
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I ride an FXD35 Superglide, #2347.
Previously rode Honda and Yamaha.
that’s like asking what’s better, a chevy or a ford, smith and wesson or colt. Everybody has a preference. I’ve owned and ridden most bikes available. I enjoy Harley’s a lot, and currently ride one. I have no problems with the big bikes from Honda, Kawasaki etc, but prefer Harley for my wants and needs.
Harley is an Icon, plus it is 90% american made. It’ an american company that employs americans. And you have to admit, they sure sound great going down the road. I mean, if the other companies don’t like em, why do they all try to copy the look and sound??
ride safe
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in 43 years of riding I have owned 26 bikes. The last 5 have all been Harley’s. I don’t care what you ride, as long as you ride.
I got my first motorcycle at age 7, I’m 39 years old now. I have had many, many bikes. This is the way it is in my life: I have to be running 130mph in a city block on a crotch rocket to feel cool. All I have to do to be cool on a harley is to have one. Everyone knows the difference. Dont settle for a jap bike when a few more dollars will get you onto a harley and when you get ready to sell it, if you did good on your purchase, you can get your money back. Been there and done that several times. BUT, for your first bike, a v-star or honda shadow are very easy to ride, then sell it and get you a bigger if you want.
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Currently riding a 96 Springer softail Bad Boy. It’s like new and is still worth 12,000 at the dealers. Father was a rep for Harley for 17 years before he passed away.
I’ve been riding for 30 years. I’ve ridden Jap bikes up until a couple of years ago when I finally tried a Harley. For me it was like riding for the first time all over again. I instantly knew Harleys were going to be my bike brand for a long time to come. I wish I’d ridden one sooner. Yes, they are more expensive than some other bikes, but I think they’re well worth it. I don’t think they’re overrated, their owners are just more willing to express their pleasure with owning one. The Street Bob is a great bike choice. However, check other bikes out and I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.
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There are no best bikes only personal favorites. Do you know how to ride ? If you are a good rider get what will float your boat. If not get something less expensive & cheap to repair cause chances are you will wreck it or at least drop it a time or three. Then when you are finished with that bike you will know what you want & be capable of riding it without expensive repair bills.
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If you are going to buy a V twin. Id say get a Harley, they have been making them for many years.
You wont get as good as mpg nor do they brake as good, and they are bottom heavy.
But its smiles per mile that counts, and you and your lucky lady will be smiling
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get a used one in good cond. and sell it for close to what you bought it for.
Harleys are great for resale. If you are really into bikes, then that should be high on the list.
other than that, I am more impressed with metrics to be honest.
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harley owner
First, I’d suggest taking a safety course from MSF before buying a bike.
Harleys are fine, but are generally too big for a first time rider. Basically, all the major manufacterors build reliable bikes.
The V-Star 650 is about the largest I’d recommend for a new rider. They are very reliable and will do anything you ever NEED to do. The only problem is, their maintenance schedule is a little expensive. The other problem is they have a carburator which means they need to warm up a bit. Also they have a reserve tank instead of a fuel gauge. I find that rather annoying.
A better starter bike is the Suzuki S40. It’s much lighter and has about the same size engine. I am pretty sure the maintenance is less.
You might also check out the Kawasaki Vulcan 500. This is a good size for a beginner.
If Harley is a dream for you, consider it for a second bike.
In the end, it’s up to you. All the bikes by the major manufactorers are good.
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