A_G,

Are your folks looking to buy a bike for each of them or are they riding two up on a single bike? If they are riding two up, I would go with something larger than a 900. It is a good bike, but with two, it may feel like a dog. I would recommend something in the 1100-1300cc range.

However, if they are riding each on their own ride, 900 is fine. I ride a 99 Honda Shadow Aero 1100. These are the reasons I bought it...I liked the looked as it has a very classic cruiser style...I like the sound (in fact, H-D sued Honda over this model bike due to the sound and look, too H-D)...it has some cool creature comforts like floorboards, a toe-heel shifter, and it had a wind screen. Plus, the 1100 I felt was a good size motor that I would not get tired of quickly I also did a lot of research and reading professional reviews and owner opinions online. And I have been very, very happy.

Most bikes these days within the last 5-10 years, including H-D are pretty doggone reliable. True, H-D suffered under AMF, but those days are long past. I think the purchase experience will come down to finding the right bike (look, features, and "it" factor) combined with the right price. Usually, this is going to be a Metric bike (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki) as H-D's are pricey both new and used (unless you are buying an 883 Sportster).

As with anything used, if that is the route they take, how well any bike will run depends on how well it was maintained. I personally recommend Honda's Shadow line because there are so many choices, but the Yamaha Star line is great too. If I were trying to narrow down to some bikes, those would be it. But, there are so many choices, take some time, research, and buy what you like.

My .02 (and some change)

WigWag

 

What still looks good to me is a Knuckle Head and with todays high tech repops a Knuckle should run pretty strong.
Would owning a 350 Harley be considered a Harley owner? I had one back in 70 that I traded for a basket case Norton, still have the Norton.

.....=o&o>.....

 

I cant see calling it a knuckle if it was made after 1947.. Is the new one a twin cam with a "knuckle" looking top? Who makes it? HD?

I remember the 350s, its a Harley! (a little one, but a Harley!)

 

my dad is going to be riding it mostly. so he can enjoy the air. w/e but my mom and dad will be riding together accosionally.

They may be buying it today..

 

Back in 41 my dad had a 37 Crocker, later during the war he was in the Army Air Corps stationed in Santa Maria (southern Calif), home was Alameda (S.F. bay area). He 'borrowed" avgas and rode home on leave every chance he had.
Crocker's weren't sold unless the did the "Ton", they were faster than Harley's back then. Sad part he sold it and purchased the Speed Twin. Many dry lakes speed runs, blame him why i'm a speed / gearhead nut. Wouldn't have it any other way.
.....=o&o>.....

 

Last time I checked, Honda was Japanese. Even if the bikes are made here in the USA, the money still goes back to Japan.
Harley fixed their problems with oil leaks years ago, (they only had those problems in the years when Harley was owned by AMF and AMF was trying to cut as many corners as possible to make as much money off of Harley as they could) and you talk about "German engineering", arent German cars known for some of the worst quality/dependability ratings in the world?
No offense intended and I honestly dont care what anyone rides. Buy what you like and what you can afford. All that matters to me is that you ride.
However, like I said, there are only 3 brands as far as Im concerned: Harley, Buell and Victory.

 

LMAO...........so do you throw away the Japanese parts on the HD??

Showa suspension, Nippon Desmo electronics, Kehin carbs (pre-fuel injection)

I will give HD some props for at least keeping their assembly facilities her (I think)

 

Go ahead and buy an OEM tire at ANY dealership and see what you'll pay.

Why do people single out Harley when they talk about cost and attitude?

You can get that same attitude at any dealer. Have you seen the cost of BMW parts?? Every check the cost of Ducati parts? BMW actual sells a riding suit that's over 750.00.

Brand loyality? Who cares...

So, one guy rides a Harley, another a Beamer, someone else a Duc, another a Guzzi or something metic. The point is they're riding.

I just love statements like "I won't let him park his (insert motorcycle brand here) in my driveway, because it's (insert reason here, leaks, ugly whatever).

It's people like these that will never understand what the spirit of riding is about. All they can see is what they're riding and what the other person isn't riding.

Ever see a harley rider wearing protective gear?? You know Joe Rocket jacket , Alpinestar pants, full finger gloves, full face helmet? Is not the image of a harley rider, is it? Well, that's what I wear when I ride my harley. It's the same stuff I wear when I ride my sport bikes(they're not Buells). Once you go down wearing a t-shirt or shorts, I see cruiser and sport biker riders wearing this stuff, you will wear protective gear. Of course, no one thinks it will happen to them.

I acknowledge all riders when I'm on the road. Some riders don't.

So, does it matter what you ride, no. Does it matter that your are riding? YES.

 

Last time I priced a tire for my V-Star at the dealer, it was a heck of a lot cheaper than 280 with labor!

To each his own.

Also, you will never see me ride without full protective gear, no matter how dang hot it gets. Skin rash, at the very least, is slow to heal.

 

I think the 280.00 for a tire is a bit on shaded side. If he paid that much, it must included the service interval, maybe 500 mile check....

 

I order tires thru a out of state supply house, 40% less than dealer price, tax free and $6.50 shipping.
Same said brand X (to protect name leaker image) bike was kicked out of the owners town home as they have regulations on oil leaks in parking area. He added a quart every two days to that American built bike.

.....=o&o>.....

 

Speaking of which when said "buddy" took the bike in for first service, they found a small nail in the rear tire. They claimed that they could NOT repair it so a new tire and labor cost him 280 bucks.
All because of the Harley name on the tire I guess.



I would think plugging a hole in a new bikes tire, Harley or otherwise, would put the bike dealer in a liability pinch. Hard to ride a motorcycle on one wheel doing 6o mph , when a plugged tire blows out. <!-- / message --><!-- no sigs except when logged in -->

 

I never had "a plugged tire blows out" condition, a tire go down from a puncture or slow leak yes. Would this "blows out" be like a balloon stuck with pin pop? With 45 years on bikes never had a tire "blows out" at over 300K miles in the saddle.
Dad rode bike for 63 years, even with tires made in 1939 he never had "blows out" condition. We run tubes.
Maybe your tires are Made in China or your cruise zone is above tire's V ne?

.....=o&o>.....

 

I had a 1100 V-star and loved it, but I could not stand the people that do not/do not want/don't see you and I did not want to end-up as grandma's hood prop.

The V-star is awsome and ride is really smooth.

 

Ive got a 2006 HD XL1200R(Sportster) and it doesnt leak oil, its stone cold reliable, i had to replace the tire from a screw in it($150) but i wasnt dumb enough to go to the dealer, i got an HD tire from a local bike place, i would have gone with the same tire without the logo, but they didnt have one, so i payed the extra 20 bucks, if he payed 280 hes a moron. I may only have 5k miles on it since i got it 6 months ago, but i have a whole hell of a lot of fun on it, and the twisties are a blast on it, it handles better than you would think(i do enjoy draggin pegs, my pipes have hit the ground too). I dont care what anyone rides, just that they ride it, i enjoy what i ride, they enjoy what they ride, thats the end of it.