I hate to do this because I know what might come, but I'd love to hear other (respectful opinions). Please no "Victories are ugly" like I see a lot of on a HD forum I recently joined, and please no Harley bashing, neither will sway me.
Anyway, I'm looking for a nice well-rounded bike. I do mostly around town riding as I ride instead of drive as often as I can. However, I do some weekend trips, and I'd love to take a longer tour and take the motorcycle on vacation sometime.
I am really attracted to the Harley Sportsters, and while they'd be fine for the day to day riding, they wouldn't be great for my weekend trips and they'd be very poorly suited to a longer vacation. While there is a chance I'll do one anyway (maybe going with two older used bikes, a Sporty plus a touring bike, sports tourer or big cruiser), more likely, I'll buy one bike that is decently suited to both jobs.
I like a more stripped "custom" or bobbed cruiser look, but obviously I'll need removable bags, possibly a sissy bar, and possibly a windshield for trips. I will go removable for all of these, though with some styles a tall sissy bar looks good (and thus may be permanently mounted), and I may go with permanent bags since they are very useful for an everyday bike.
I have primarily narrowed it down to several Harleys (mostly Dynas, with one or two possible Softails) and Victories (the Kingpin, Judge, and Vegas). A couple Japanese bikes are on the list, but not for this thread and poll.
The pros and cons as I see them:
Harley pros: Better fit and finish, higher resale value (a pro if I buy new), high demand and easier to sell when I am ready to replace it, lots of support and aftermarket parts.
Harley cons: Expensive (though most Dynas aren't too bad), higher resale value (a con if I buy used, and I'll probably buy used), less power, a little less nimble, cruise control is only available on the touring bikes and not the Dyna (a possible issue for long trips, though I can keep my Crampbuster I have now).
Victory pros: Less expensive to buy (new or used), great looking designs, a little more unique (I live a mile from a HD dealer and in a very HD town- it seems for every other bike you see, you see 5 Harleys), better performance, cruise control is available even on the cruisers (with the exception of the Judge).
Victory cons: Most don't seem to fit me as well as HDs, dealer support network (though only a problem if I move, there is a Victory dealer about 2 miles from my apartment), lower resale value and less in demand when I eventually go to sell, not quite the same level of fit and finish, fewer are sold new so there won't be nearly the selection if I buy used (which might make it a long search, or force me into buying new to get what I want).
Both companies make a reliable American made motorcycle these days. What would you go with out of these options and why?
Anyway, I'm looking for a nice well-rounded bike. I do mostly around town riding as I ride instead of drive as often as I can. However, I do some weekend trips, and I'd love to take a longer tour and take the motorcycle on vacation sometime.
I am really attracted to the Harley Sportsters, and while they'd be fine for the day to day riding, they wouldn't be great for my weekend trips and they'd be very poorly suited to a longer vacation. While there is a chance I'll do one anyway (maybe going with two older used bikes, a Sporty plus a touring bike, sports tourer or big cruiser), more likely, I'll buy one bike that is decently suited to both jobs.
I like a more stripped "custom" or bobbed cruiser look, but obviously I'll need removable bags, possibly a sissy bar, and possibly a windshield for trips. I will go removable for all of these, though with some styles a tall sissy bar looks good (and thus may be permanently mounted), and I may go with permanent bags since they are very useful for an everyday bike.
I have primarily narrowed it down to several Harleys (mostly Dynas, with one or two possible Softails) and Victories (the Kingpin, Judge, and Vegas). A couple Japanese bikes are on the list, but not for this thread and poll.
The pros and cons as I see them:
Harley pros: Better fit and finish, higher resale value (a pro if I buy new), high demand and easier to sell when I am ready to replace it, lots of support and aftermarket parts.
Harley cons: Expensive (though most Dynas aren't too bad), higher resale value (a con if I buy used, and I'll probably buy used), less power, a little less nimble, cruise control is only available on the touring bikes and not the Dyna (a possible issue for long trips, though I can keep my Crampbuster I have now).
Victory pros: Less expensive to buy (new or used), great looking designs, a little more unique (I live a mile from a HD dealer and in a very HD town- it seems for every other bike you see, you see 5 Harleys), better performance, cruise control is available even on the cruisers (with the exception of the Judge).
Victory cons: Most don't seem to fit me as well as HDs, dealer support network (though only a problem if I move, there is a Victory dealer about 2 miles from my apartment), lower resale value and less in demand when I eventually go to sell, not quite the same level of fit and finish, fewer are sold new so there won't be nearly the selection if I buy used (which might make it a long search, or force me into buying new to get what I want).
Both companies make a reliable American made motorcycle these days. What would you go with out of these options and why?