Toying with the idea of jumping ship and getting a Harley..what do you all think?

[mtsebro]

Hello fellow S3 riders. I wanted to take a quick poll and see if anyone ever got the itch to jump ship, sell their speedy and get in to the cruiser riding life style. I’ve been toying with the idea of slowing it down a bit and getting in to a Harley Soft tail or possibly a tourer like the Road Kind or Street glide. I currently have a 2009 S3 (3800 miles), love it to death, but somewhere deep inside I really just enjoy just a relaxing cruise. I had metric cruisers (Yamaha, Honda etc) in the past but I really like the look and feel of the Harley. I’d love to keep both but it wouldn’t make sense $$ wise, and I barley have time to ride one. Maybe it’s my age (42)?! Or maybe I just need a temporary change. Anyone ever get that feeling of a need for change? Any regrets after the change?

[Speedycaptain]

I have never gotten the itch... but if I did, Id be looking at a Thunderbird Storm, not a Harley.

[djn876]

Not for me, but if that's what you really want then go for it. Better to ride what you like. Sure a cruiser would be nice every once in a while, I just like the riding position and control, etc. you get with this bike.

[mtsebro]

Originally Posted by Speedycaptain

I have never gotten the itch... but if I did, Id be looking at a Thunderbird Storm, not a Harley.

That's definitely a contender. Also the Rocket III

[Mongrel01]

(Not an S3 owner/rider, so I hope you don't mind me chiming in...got here by way of "Active Topics...")

Well...I had the "urge" but in the other direction...

Wanted a "Harley" lost my job two years ago and had to 'settle' for a Honda Shadow 1100. My $3000 Dyna I call it. It's all setup with Mustang seat, bags, backrest, etc. Wife and I have done some 2-3 hr trips with great comfort and success. Can't say I fault the bike one bit for what it is. It's been a great bike.

But...

Two things happened... A friend let me ride his Ninja X10 (or whatever it was...), and I saw a Bonneville. My first bike was a Bonneville so Bonneville it was. The freedom and difference in performance on a bike even as tame as a Bonneville blew my mind. Kinda of a "You call that a bike?" "THIS is a bike!" experience...lol.

Anyway, what's my point? Oh yeah...

First off, if you can suffer the thought, I'd suggest keeping your S3 and buying a metric cruiser for less than half of what a Harley would probably run you. In this economy I'm seeing great deals on metrics for less than $4000 that look immaculate. Reason is, you know you are going to get the urge to really wring a bike like the S3 out sooner or later, and you just won't get that with a cruiser.

Best of both worlds in my opinion, and I thoroughly enjoy having the option of either bike at my disposal.

Now, if that's not possible, sure why not? Get the Harley-great bikes in their class, hold their value reasonably well, etc. Just remember-it's not a TRIUMPH!

[Jehos]

At 1200 miles/yr, you should probably be on a Harley. Let somebody else ride the wheels off a S3.

And I don't mean that at all in a bad way--the Harley will hold its value much better and is the right sort of bike for the laid-back short-distance fun ride every once in a while when the weather is nice.

[hac]

Got lent a storm whilst having my bike serviced,no thanks not for me was glad I had a full face helmet on so no one recognised me
Was tempted to get a sprint because I enjoy touring and the speed although a great tourer does not have the storage space.But as an all rounder I will not beat what I have,there is nothing out there that interests me.

[Lee H]

I think this is the wrong forum to post this question on...
there are those, here, who live for the opportunity to bash harleys and harley riders.

[triplestrength]

Go for it, i'm not being sarcastic, I'll admit I ride triumphs but have ridden shedloads of others in the last 35 years.
What suits me I know doesnt suit others, otherwise we'd all be clones of each other.
If I had unlimited cash there would be an Alan Sputhe Harley sat in my aircraft hanger, maybe more than one.
Dont go to your grave wondering what if.

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Motorcycle.com Free App

[mtsebro]

Originally Posted by Mongrel01

(Not an S3 owner/rider, so I hope you don't mind me chiming in...got here by way of "Active Topics...")

Well...I had the "urge" but in the other direction...

Wanted a "Harley" lost my job two years ago and had to 'settle' for a Honda Shadow 1100. My $3000 Dyna I call it. It's all setup with Mustang seat, bags, backrest, etc. Wife and I have done some 2-3 hr trips with great comfort and success. Can't say I fault the bike one bit for what it is. It's been a great bike.

But...

Two things happened... A friend let me ride his Ninja X10 (or whatever it was...), and I saw a Bonneville. My first bike was a Bonneville so Bonneville it was. The freedom and difference in performance on a bike even as tame as a Bonneville blew my mind. Kinda of a "You call that a bike?" "THIS is a bike!" experience...lol.

Anyway, what's my point? Oh yeah...

First off, if you can suffer the thought, I'd suggest keeping your S3 and buying a metric cruiser for less than half of what a Harley would probably run you. In this economy I'm seeing great deals on metrics for less than $4000 that look immaculate. Reason is, you know you are going to get the urge to really wring a bike like the S3 out sooner or later, and you just won't get that with a cruiser.

Best of both worlds in my opinion, and I thoroughly enjoy having the option of either bike at my disposal.

Now, if that's not possible, sure why not? Get the Harley-great bikes in their class, hold their value reasonably well, etc. Just remember-it's not a TRIUMPH!

I was toying with a metric bike a V Star Yamaha, which would also give me the opportunity to possibly keeping both bikes. What I think I am going to do for now, is go and rent a cruiser for the weekend and see if that helps my decision. Thanks for the advice!