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VStar 1300 did not have the filter issue the 1100 did. Oil change was easy!!
The 1300 VStar has a spin-on filter that is easily accessible from underneath. They have always been like that.One need remove nothing to get to it.
Hey Dave,Educate me on the differences between the 1700 and 1900.I had a 1700 Warrior but like the Roadstars and Roadliners.Also leaning toward a belt drive which is weird because I’ve had so many shaft drive bikes.inditx
Well...you could REALLY cruise around town if you had one of these!!
The 1900 V-Twin is also an air cooled, push rod design like their 1600/1700 Road Star (and Warrior) engine. Very similar in design but the 1900 feel SO MUCH stronger due to the torque output. I had a 2009 Raider for about five years and would place it as one of my favorite bikes. The Roadliner makes a much better touring bike (same engine).
For a straight cruiser, even though you said HD is out, you are doing yourself an injustice not to at the least give them a look see. They are plentiful and under market value, at least in my area. I’ve owned a 1400 Guzzi and they are great cruiser position bikes. However I had an ongoing issue with my 2015 tourer and it had to go. I had a 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 which proved itself to be a great cruiser/tourer. It was bulletproof!All of your metrics make a solid cruiser style motorcycle. You ask for opinions so here’s mine, good luck in your search efforts. The only advice I would give it when you buy try and not be over the recoup value when you purchase 👍
So I wasn't going to reply because I don't know either of those bikes well enough and you already said no Harley.But here's how I would go about considering them both:* FIRST - plain and simple - find and ride them see which one fits best. The aftermarket is smaller for both and you don't have nearly the options to make it fit better that you do on Harleys. Both sound pretty big and I might lean toward the Vstar just because it's less "excessive" in engine size (but I don't know actual mass of both so that is probably more important).* NEXT - find out about maintenance. Valve adjustments or hydro? (I'd go hydro unless the adjustments are easy). Belt/shaft/Chain? Some of the Yamaha cruisers had stupid design issues, like exhausts in the way of the oil filter so you'd have to remove part of the exhaust to change the oil. Hopefully that's a thing of the past on these.* DEALER SUPPORT - what's it like in your area (if you care about it).* AFTERMARKET SUPPORT - see first step. Can you get any things you might want for it?* Finally check Brand/Model forums to see if there are any weird things that might exclude one or the other for you. Though I suspect both brands to be pretty reliable you never know if there is some maddening quirk or failure on one that might be a deal breaker.Honestly Just hearing the names I think I'd lean towards the Triumph because it would be more euro-cool in my mind, but as soon as I say that I start thinking "why so big, why not a Bonnie variant then - like the Triumph America or even the damn Bobber which is a really cool bike"So that's my best attempt to be helpful. Have fun and be sure to share what you decide to educate us all!
Hah, you’re right JJ.But now you got me reconsidering a Victory......Thoughts, years, differences....etc.?Thanks,inditx
Ok so school me on HD’s please. I should at least listen and consider right?inditx
You should indeed. Todays Harleys are fabulous bikes. Go rent a 107" street glide or Electra Glide at an Eagle Rider shop for a day and you will definitely enjoy the ride. Performance, handling, cornering clearance, braking, etc... have all improved tremendously from the days of old. (My HD is a 1988 Electra Glide I bought new, only HD I have ever bought). I still ride that 80" Evo a few thousand miles a year, its been a flawless bike. And of course nobody can match the dealer network of HD. You can ride a HD with stock pipes, A helmet, and without stupid fringes on the grips if that is what puts you off of HD. I do. About the Thunderbird, I would not buy one now that I know all about them. I will keep mine as long as she runs because I'd have to give her away, and she is a marvelous bike. I seem to be attracted to bikes like that, take a look at my signature. '07 Norge, R1150RT, K1200LT. Thanks Bob. That’s the conclusion I came to on the T-Bird, don’t want to wrench or pay someone to, I just want to ride until I can’t anymore. I will have to consider a Harley given all the endorsements.inditx
Well, you do you it's all good - but here's a primer:When it comes to air-cooled twins Harley has had two major engine families unitized EVO (Sportster) and separate engine/transmission/primary Big Twins - EVO, then TC (Twin Cam), and finally M8 (Milwaukee Eight).Then they divide what they offer by chassis:I'm going to mention some, just for education, though I don't think you would be interested in them for comfort/2-up touring etc.Sportster uses only the unitized EVO motor in a couple of variants - Solidmount (through 03) is a little lighter (450-505# wet, heavier in later years, better running gear in last years 00-03, like 4pot brakes). Great around town bike, lousy highway bike because the solidmount vibrations are horrible to some people and in some bikes. Rubbermount - carbureted 04-06, feedback EFI from 07+, is a tad heavier (550-585#), but MUCH more comfortable on highway etc. It's still a small chassis to some, but overall power/capability can be similar to the Cali 1100 in a slightly smaller wheelbase/overall length. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CHECKING ONE OUT - the better brakes are on 14+ models, though the earlier duals are ok - be aware that there are MANY lowered models (though that can be changed, more easily on some than others). It's not a BAD 2-up bike if you and your pillion aren't too big. Jenn spent some time back there now and again (mostly if say we were dropping something off for a repair or the like). But 2-up, highway, in the wet, I remember running an effortless 70+ as comfortable and stable as can be. ABS and keyless ignition are available in later years though often not opted.Big Twins are used in the other platforms, let me cover the motors real quick then I'll cover the platforms.* EVO - classic, but likely kinda old at this point ended around 99 (slightly different based on year). There were two versions of these motors - rubbermounted for FXR, Dyna, or Touring models, solidmount for Softails (see solidmount Sporty for downsides).* Twin Cam - contains the Persian Flaw - the TC88 from around 99-06 most models have a spring controlled cam chain tensioner that is a wear item and must be checked and replaced OFTEN - like checked every 20k and replaced rarely later than 50k. Failure can toast the motor. Starting on the Dyna in 06 (a one year only TC88) and everything else in 07+ (TC96) they fixed that with hydraulic tensioners which still must be checked, but you can wait till maybe 50k and might not replace till 100k. They also upgraded a bunch of things. Toward the end of the run the TC103 came out and it's the pinnacle of the design but the others are fine (even the TC88 if the hydraulic tensioners are retrofitted OR if you go to an aftermarket gear drive cam). There are two versions of these motors - rubbermounted for Dyna or Touring bikes or solidmount w/ counterbalancer for Softails.* Milwaukee 8 - started in 2017 and is a 4V/head, motor available in both rubbermount w/ single counterbalancer (Touring) or solidmount w/ dual counterbalancer (Softails) versions. A few of the early ones, specifically on touring models w/ hydraulic clutches, seem to have a problem (mostly when hopped up) transferring oil from I think the engine to the primary case. I suspect the hydraulic clutch because they seemed to have abandoned it this year and gone back to cables, go figure. Now the platforms.FXR - probably too old for you. Considered a great handling bike. Only came with rubbermounet EVOs. Think close to Cali 1100 size. These guys ended in early 90s, with another run of special ones in late 90s.Dyna - similar in size to Cali 1100, but a little heavier, probably low 600#'s wet. Came in EVO and TC versions. Bikes might be FXD (smaller front end/sportier, pegs, though some have forwards and some have mid mounts) or FLD (larger front end/fender/tire - touring setup, probably with floorboards). Dynas ended after 2016.Softails - come in EVO (solidmount only, avoid), TC (not bad with counter balancer, but not great handlers) or an all new monoshock chassis in 2017+ with the M8 (honestly, finally made a decent Softail I would consider owning with these). Over the years you'll see FXST variants (more sporty) and FLST variants (more touring oriented). MANY of the Softail models through 16 are lowered and have limited ground clearance, this got better (not great, but better) with the 17+ redesign and the monoshock chassis (also they eliminated the Dyna that year and moved some models from the Dyna chassis to this new Softail chassis). Not sure what you want to spend, but the late-model ones are great options often with ABS and all with at least decent brakes, some with truly excellent brakes.Touring - here are the Road Kings and Electra Glides - they go back (before the EVO in many cases). The basic flavors are Road Kings (removeable windshields), Road Glides (fixed frame mounted fairings) and Street Glides/Electra Glides (fork mounted batwing fairings). Ironically these bikes have the most lean angle in many cases, but they are the biggest and heaviest. They range from a low of 700# in the EVO era to a "low" in the low 800's by the TC103 and M8. And that's just the Road Kings and Electra Glide Standards, they get up into the 900's on the full dressers. Thing to know about these is that the chassis really improved in 2009, and then in 2014 they got things like electronically linked ABS Brembo brakes that are EXCELLENT. The late M8s even can have traction control and I think cornering ABS etc. These are the smoothest, most comfortable. They can still dance, but they are just plain not small. You can get actual bargains in EVOs, and some TCs. Hell my 2016 unused Police bike was only $16.5k with ABS, cruise etc.Now if any of the platforms sound interesting, let me know and I can do a deeper dive into models and options.The SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO LOOK FOR in a USED Harley is that it is as close to stock as possible.Frankly the one worst thing about Harleys is Harley owners and what some of them will do to a bike. The less molested it is, the more likely it runs fine and hasn't been abused. Stock they are quite reliable, change fluids/filters and go.And that's the BASICS.
I have said this before. Modern Harley's are GREAT road and touring bikes.... and I have owned five (5)...two FLH-S (Electra Glide Sports) and three FLH-R Road Kings... If I bought another one, this one speaks to me2021 Softail Slim! Just add a windshield and a set of bags! upload photos online
WOW KevM you are the man! Thanks so much.Would be interested in an older 2009ish Glide with frame mounted fairing (I think) and a queen perch for my bride. Any extra info would be welcome or if you need more input from me.inditx
JJNcdantaziokingof fleeceDoes the Vision need the reverse?2010 it came with ABS right?Any other year over differences to consider?inditx
I don't think too many of us were riding across the country in those days. I rode my R75 across a couple of time, once in 70 and again in 71. Once a Harley rider wanted to ride with me. He said he would try to keep up, he didn't stay with me for very long.kk