Choosing the Right Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle for You
Harley-Davidson® has a wide variety of bikes, so which motorcycles should you be test riding? For those who are looking to join the legacy of Harley-Davidson® and want to buy their own Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, here at St. Charles Harley-Davidson®, we’ve provided some of the basic considerations that should be informing your motorcycle choice. Take a look, and if you find you’re still a little hazy on how to choose a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, talk to our professional staff about what you want and need from your bike and they’ll help you find the best fit. We’re located in St. Charles, Missouri, near St. Louis, Columbia, and St. Peters.
Style
Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are infamous for their style. They practically set the American standard for the motorcycle industry. Whether you’re looking for the modern muscle bike or a throwback to the chopper and bobber days, you’ll find a bike that gets you started. But as important as style is, don’t get too hung up on finding the perfect fit. Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are also well known for their customization. You can buy any model and trick it out to fit your preferred aesthetic. Touring bikes are generally more well known for their function over style, but you can upgrade by customizing the handlebars, fenders, wheels, and anything else you can think of. Talk to a Harley-Davidson® dealer about the best customization options for each model you look at and let them know how they can help you create the ultimate road machine.
Feel
No matter how stylish a bike is, there’s nothing quite like riding a motorcycle that’s smooth and handles well. Perhaps you’re the kind of person that likes these seamless rides. If that’s the case, we’d recommend a model from the Softail® family. These bikes come with hidden rear shocks so you won’t feel all those little bumps and jolts in the road. Plus, many of the newer models have completely counterbalanced engines to make the ride even smoother. This is the bike made for people who are looking for a casual, smooth commute.
Then again, some people prefer a stiffer ride, something that will really tear up the pavement and go the distance. In this sense, a Softail® might also still be a good bet. You can customize your bike so it’s got a stiffer frame to make sure your bike rides harder and longer. In fact, the Dyna® family is another great option for adjusting the feel of your bike. They start off fairly smooth and easy to handle, but you can improve the performance, your vision is just a few adjustments away.
Performance
Performance is a big issue to consider when you’re looking at a bike. What kind of riding will you be doing and how will you need your ride to perform in order to accomplish what you want? There are essentially two types of bikes: cruisers and touring bikes. Cruisers are built more for style and casual commuting. The Sportster® is a great example of a bike that looks stylish and is ideal for a couple hours on the road. These bikes are definitely the coolest vehicles, but most owners don’t take them on long distance trips.
Long distance riding, or touring, requires slightly different equipment. Harley-Davidson® has an entire touring line built specifically for the motorcycle riders who travel the country. These bikes are a little heavier for the much needed endurance and stability on the road. They also come with a lot of extra padding so you won’t get too tired while riding for hours on end. Many of the other models fall somewhere in between these two styles, so consider how much commuting you’ll do and how much touring and let your dealer help you find the right fit for your needs.
There’s a lot to consider when you’re picking out a Harley® motorcycle, but don’t forget that just because one model has something you don’t like, doesn’t mean you can’t change it later. All Harley-Davidson® bikes are easily customizable so even if you can’t find the perfect bike, you can make the perfect bike. If you’re ready to check out some of the models on our showroom floor, stop by St. Charles Harley-Davidson® in St. Charles, Missouri, near St. Louis, Columbia, and St. Peters.