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Harley touring bikes

18K views 36 replies 18 participants last post by  Retired Guy 
#1 ·
We are in the market for a touring bike. Assumed harley to be one of the best mfr. wondering if there is a year we would want to stay away from because of historical problems arising......... Looking at the ultra classic or limited......wondering which way to go. Found a few 2013 and 14 year models.........any suggestions?
 
#2 ·
04's and 05's may have had some issues with the cam tensioner chains, but by now those have pretty much all been worked out. Other then that, no major issues that would concern me. The 14's and up had some improvements to the frame and are one of the best handling Harley touring models made. Really amazing machines. (We have two 16 FLHR's.)
 
#3 ·
Thank you for the info.........a few nights ago I stumbled upon a site that had customer reviews, kind of a consumer review page.......I was astounded as to how many posts were made in the negative against Harley Davidson. Almost like they have arrived and that they are living off of their past........built a great reputation but in the past several years they have really dropped the ball with regard to customer service.......supporting their models after a certain number of years..........is there any truth to this? Read of one guy who had the same problem over and over again and the support staff ping ponged back and forth with the dealer and they were simply making excuse and pointing the finger back and forth to where nothing was resolved apart from the guy spending boo koo dollars and continuing to have the problem. Would you consider HD to be one of the top mfrs in motor cycles or has somebody else taken over the top?
 
#11 ·
.I was astounded as to how many posts were made in the negative against Harley Davidson. Almost like they have arrived and that they are living off of their past........built a great reputation but in the past several years they have really dropped the ball with regard to customer service.......supporting their models after a certain number of years..........is there any truth to this?
Nope.

Like Lurch said, there are those that don't like the brand who will go to great lengths to tell you how bad they are. (Most of those people have never owned one.)

Look at it this way: Harley is the number one selling brand of heavyweight motorcycles in the USA and has been for many years. They didn't get to that position, and stay there, by building crappy motorcycles and living off their past reputation.

Would you consider HD to be one of the top mfrs in motor cycles or has somebody else taken over the top?
In the USA Harley is the top manufacturer, and has been, for most of the last 60 years or so. But the good thing about getting into motorcycles today is just about ALL brands available are good and well built machines. Different companies use different design philosophies and they have different goals, but what that means is you have a LOT of options. No matter what your taste, budget, or intended use is you can probably find something that fits you nicely.
 
#34 ·
I would agree as I have had 3 harleys and some 100 plus other bikes of various brands the GL1800 is the only bike I would tour on. They require no maintenance except for an occasional oil change and will not make you deaf. I currently am down to 3 bikes, a GL1800, Valkyrie and BMW K1200lt. The Valk is my favorite all around ride and the GL is the tour pick. The Beemer is for sale.
We are going on a 9000 mile trip in a couple weeks and the GL is the pick for sure.
 
#5 ·
Remember when reading consumer reviews, that people that are happy don't tend to bother writing about it. But those that are unhappy will jump at the chance to voice their opinion. This is the same for everything. Go look at appliance reviews, or car reviews. All the same. It gives a negative view of things, but you're only seeing a fraction of a percentage of owners. Consider that HD sold hundreds of thousands of touring bikes. The amount of complaints is a small percentage.

Also keep in mind that HD is a love it or hate it brand. Those that are not fans will go out of their way to tell you so. Everyone claims to know someone that's had nothing but problems.
 
#28 · (Edited)
...........Also keep in mind that HD is a love it or hate it brand.....
I had to stop and think about that one for a minute. I have owned two Japanese bikes and I’ve owned two Harley Davidson’s.

Three out of the four bikes were cruisers, and one was a touring bike (the last Harley I owned).

It has become clear to me, over time, that the choice of bike, has a lot to do with not only the “way” you want to use it, but how adaptable it is TO that use, and being realistic about what you as a rider, want to take on.

The folks who have chimed in so far, are right in saying that there are a number of different bikes that would be fine as touring bikes. Not just a Harley.

So it boils down to cost, “realistic” expectations, and personal satisfaction.

“Cost” Is pretty much self-explanatory, from two points of view. One is, “what you can afford,” and one is, “what you’re willing to pay.” What you can afford, has to do with more than just the initial cost, but also the maintaining of that bike. What you’re willing to pay, is determined by your freedom to spend whatever you want, and whether or not you feel that you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

As to the topic of realistic expectations, I’m referring to what you believe the bike should be able to do, and what you want to do to it or with it. Relying on other people’s experiences with that particular bike that you’re interested in, will help in that regard, along with your own previous experiences and how you apply them to the bike you’re looking at.

Personal satisfaction is not something that you’re necessarily going to get after-the-fact although you will build your own opinions as time goes on. It also has to do with any previous experiences you have had that you will bring to the table, and also making the right decision upfront, with the right bike.

I won’t repeat here, what I’ve said in other threads already, (you’ll have to look around and see my thoughts on the matter), but I will simply say that, “sometimes lesser is more,” depending on what your goals are. It is not always the biggest and best, more fully equipped bike, that is the best choice.

These days, just like in my religious preferences, (without going into detail about THAT), I walk a middle road. Neither Republican nor Democrat; neither Protestant nor Catholic; neither Harley advocate or Harley detractor. About the only thing I stubbornly can’t shake off, is my particular distaste for mopeds. (lol)

It has been my experience with cars and trucks, bicycles and lawnmowers, chainsaws and wheelbarrels, and motorcycles too, that you can buy the best loved item out there........ and still get a lemon!

If you are the kind of individual who can make only one big investment, and that investment is going to have to last you a whole lot of years, then walk carefully, grasshopper.

On the other hand, if you have unlimited resources, and you think you might be buying a new motorcycle every couple years, then just investigate what you think you might like, plunk down the cash, and try it out. You can always replace it.
 
#7 ·
I'm probably gonna get crucified for saying this, but I'd go Japanese for a tourer.

Most especially I'd consider a Goldwing. I LOVE my Harley Sportsters and admit there's something "je ne sais quois" about Harleys generally.

But every 'big' Harley I've ever rode has felt tippy and top heavy to me. I rode my dad's "glide" 5 miles last winter to put it into storage and even with 40 years riding experience, it scared the hell out of me. In all fairness, some of the Japanese tourers have the same issue. The "tippiest" bike I ever rode was a Voyager XII...

Nevertheless, it's hard to beat a Goldwing as a touring cruiser. Make fun of the "geriatric-set" bike all you want, but that boxer engine keeps your center of gravity low and your ride comfy.

Were it me, I'd be looking for a good used Goldwing 1200. The newer ones have got just a little too heavy and bulky, but the 1200 "Aspencade" type was a sweet-spot for touring power & comfort, I think.
 
#9 ·
Anything after 09 is a better bet as that year there was a major frame change that really worked and made the bikes much less susceptible to high speed wobble in curves. 07 was very susceptible to that.
 
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#10 · (Edited)
There ARE a good selection of "Touring" bikes out there; Harley is ONE of them.

Look at them all, and THEN decide......

Amenities
Comfort
Ease of Handling
Price
Age
Miles on the Odometer
Condition
Warrantee(s)
Service Recalls
Parts Availability
Local Dealership Access

PLEASE resist being one of those folks who feels compelled to choose a particular bike brand, for the sake of social acceptability. Ride what YOU like!! Ride what serves you well, and makes YOU smile when you see it!!
 
#12 ·
PLEASE resist being one of those folks who feels compelled to choose a particular bike brand, for the sake of social acceptability. Ride what YOU like!! Ride what serves you well, and makes YOU smile when you see it!!
Excellent comment! Some of the most unpleasant people I've met are so called "motorcyclists" or "bikers" that judge other's by what they ride. I have my preferences, but I do not expect anyone else to have the same. Ride and let ride.
 
G
#13 ·
I believe Harley is to top US manufacturer. I have known a number of harley riders and they have some very reliable rides, with better dealer support than most every other dealer I have been to. That being said, I chose the goldwing for my personal choice. I like the quiet smooth power and the handling of that bike. Just my choice even though I would prefer to deal with American manufactures.
 
#14 ·
Thanks for the exchanges..........with regard to the Harley vs a Goldwing........to me there is something to be said about the throaty depth of sound coming from the harley.........I am not a "want to be seen", front of the class type of person...........however, with my softail deuce......there have been times, riding thru the city........I could tell that a person was about to pull out in front of me (didn't see me) and I engaged the clutch and tapped the throttle 1 time quickly and she heard me and it registered and she hit her brakes.........she was beginning to come into my path...........not so sure the passive sound of the Honda would have that effect...........anybody agree with that or am I exaggerating the scenario?
 
#19 ·
Harley is a Good Choice for Touring, put a lot of Miles on HD .. While there are other good ones if HD is what you have in mind are plenty out there .. But as stated I would stick with 09 Up .. Am sure are some good Good Buys on Low Mileage Rides out there .. Have seen many 09's,10's for sale with less than 20K on them .. For around the 10-12K Price Range
 
#20 ·
Is there a comparison of touring bikes out there somewhere? Seems like a huge price difference and the goldwing seems to be mentioned a lot, but trying to figure out why the big price difference is confusing. Would be nice to get some sort of expert review of what's what in the world of touring bikes.
 
#30 ·
Actually, $23.5K will only get you the bottom end new 2018 Gold Wing model (was called F6B for bagger). No travel trunk and missing many top end features. A fully loaded Gold Wing Tour model with airbag has an MSRP of $31.5K.

Here's the spread:

Gold Wing 6-speed manual = $23,500
Gold Wing 7-speed DCT = $24,700
Gold Wing Tour 6-speed manual = $26,700
Gold Wing Tour 7-speed DCT = $27,700
Gold Wing Tour 7-speed DCT with Airbag = $31,500

My buy, if I had the cash, would be the Gold Wing Tour 6-speed manual.

Think I'll go get me a Lotto ticket! :grin:

***
 
#33 ·
You don't have to have a "touring" bike to go touring. A 750 Honda Shadow? Probably not many people would consider it a "touring" bike, but I have done it. Enjoyed it too. Going 2 up? Look at the 1500, 1600, or 1700 Kawasaki Vulcan. The 1300 and 1800 Honda VTX's. Not touring bikes but add luggage rack and saddle bags and hit the road. Yamaha and Suzuki also make cruisers of various sizes that will work.

About any accessory that comes standard, or even optional, on a full boat touring machine, can be added to any of the above cycles. Find any of the above machines for less than $10,000 and even better, someone else has already added everything you need to "tour". :)
 
#36 ·
You don't have to have a "touring" bike to go touring... About any accessory that comes standard, or even optional, on a full boat touring machine, can be added to any of the above cycles. Find any of the above machines for less than $10,000 and even better, someone else has already added everything you need to "tour"
This is my kind of shopping. I’ve ridden, three HDs – the last, an Evo Ultra, was near bullet proof and never saw a dealer in the 100K miles I had on it… I do my own oil changes; brakes, bulbs and the like. I also had a Nomad for about 100K miles, it wasn’t quite a bullet-proof but certainly never left me stranded anywhere and both bikes have done 1000-1300 miles days with me… For my money, the Evo was the best Harley ever produced – would tolerate egregious abuse and keep on going, but they are getting too elderly for many modern riders.

What I do like about the often-derided cruiser style bike is that most everything is in the open – there is no excuse not to keep an eye on things, nor is it much bother – and generally they are among the easiest to ride tolerably well. Never rode a Wing, nor do I know anyone who owns one, but I hear they are the best of the Tupperware brigade. I always buy used and in several 100K miles (50-plus years), have never paid more than $10K for a bike – usually well less. My most recent toy came in below $2K – too many good used bike out there…

-- Larry
 
#35 ·
2009 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Stage 2 .. 70,000 Miles .. Had a Few Warranty Issues but never stranded .. 2012 Victory Cross Country Stage 2.. 80,000 Miles Totally Trouble Free and Handled like a Ride Half it's Weight, even at slow speeds .. NO Longer Make Victory but wouldn't be scared to buy one if in the Market ..
 

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