Hooligan or gentleman?!?

CurtisO

Standard Bore
Joined
Nov 24, 2017
Messages
5
Location
Near Ann Arbor MI
So I am back in the market for a motorcycle & I think I have it narrowed down to a Rocket III (although a Thunderbird seems nice and a Bonneville 1200 sure would be fun, ooh look, a Diavel!!....stop stop stop).

Anyway, I seem to be stuck on the old dimemna: Roadster vs Touring, hooligan vs gentleman, muscle vs comfort....you get the drift. My decision seems to come down to raw power vs sufficient power, basics vs amenities. IF you have experience with both, share why you chose one over the other.
 
I can tell you from personal experience that I was looking for something different, something that I don’t see on every street corner.
I was not looking for the largest production motorcycle engine in the world or gobs of power but that has been a nice benefit to a very distinctive looking bike.
I confess that I fell in lust the first time I saw one several years ago and finally pulled the trigger this past spring.
For me, when it comes to motorcycles, it has to move my soul.
Which one does that for you?
 
Here’s where I’m at so far....

I should be looking at a Harley, as I am starting as an Academy Coach at 2 local dealerships in the spring, but nothing really speaks to me. I love Yamaha, but the fuel range on a V-Max is abyssmal. I’d also love a Diavel, but the maintenance costs/reliability scare the bejeezus out of me.

So, it’ll likely be a Rocket...2014 or newer for the ABS, not brand new. A Roadster for that OMG!!! power and the *****in’ 240 rear tire......OR....a Touring for the laid-back coolness, the hard bags and the floorboards/heel-shift (too many exotic skin boots, I guess). Love the Rocket X but I can’t/won’t pay extra just for paint.

Luckily, I have all winter to hash this out. Keep the inputs comin...
 
.OR....a Touring for the laid-back coolness----- must admit you have lost me on this one I am a MSF instructor at our local college the HD dealership in our area also teaches the MSF class and his rules are if you work for him you WILL ride a Harley, plus the dealership program is five hours longer than the state required class because they have five hours of propaganda to the students trying to sell them bikes.
 
The touring has way more ground clearance than any Harley, will corner way better without grinding up the sacrificial plates on the floor boards.
 
I have discussed this with my Riding Academy Manager and she is so happy to have another instructor on board. She has made it clear that I ride what I ride...if it’s Harley, so be it....if not, just get to work. They offer no incentives to independent contractors, so Harley is just out for me...nothing in their line-up can justify the premium $$$.
I do know another Coach nearby who has to park his Indian Chief Vintage at the AutoZone next-door to his Harley dealership cuz too many customers ask the sales staff where they can get one like it LOL!!!
Having said that, being a Harley coach offers me a longer season and they pay a bit more. For that, I can sell the dealership and the “Harley Experience” for them. They are currently running around 20% conversion...I am a complete capitalist, so good for them
 
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