Dude, I was wondering if someone was going to catch that. I totally screwed up. I left out a segment that I had prepared while I was editing. I'm pissed at myself. Basically the bike is great for beginners and people with a specific riding environment like heavy urban areas or short commutes. I'm going to pin this comment so more people can see. Sorry I messed this up
@@socalgolf9978 The guy at the dealership near me was explaining that they ceased production on the Street 500's. The 750 will continue, but the remaining 500's will be used for the Harley Academy only. No more sales. That's what he said anyway, haven't fact checked him.
If this video is a true indication of how you guys conduct business, then HD needs to hire you as a dealer/sales trainer. It boggles my mind, how clueless a lot of HD salesman are with their inventory, customer needs and just making a sale. Great video!!!!
I was at a dealer yesterday and the salesman said he’s been doing it for 15 years. Yet more than 5 times he had to correct himself as to what model a bike was. He lost me after that
I'm going to my local hd shop today to sit on a few, my fxdwg in their shop.asked what can you give me as a trade.wont give me a number until I choose a bike which I haven't made up my mind. And the one that kills me they keep pestering me about filling out the credit app. I'm not financing so really? I love how close this dealership is but their sales force is inept.
That's one of the most useful induction training sessions I've experienced in a while... As a biker of 30+ years and an L & D manager of 20 years.. Well done Matt indeed!
Depends on what tax bracket you're in if we are being honest. Some people don't even know the price of alot of the stuff they own. And some people can tell you exactly how much the sales tax was down to the penny.
Yea ill have to agree with you there. I bought a sportster 1200C back in 08. Wanted a Road Glide for about a decade now. Guess what. Still riding the sporty because I can't afford a 30k + bike. Especially now with the price of everything else going through the roof.
I thought so too, but have you checked recently? Their touring chassis bikes are pretty competitively priced, particularly when you consider that the Street Glide and Road Glide hold their value more than most touring bikes. The only big bagger/tourer that is actually cheaper is the Kawasaki Vaquero/Voyager. Next, the Soft Tails. The M8 engine is roughly 1800cc in metric talk. Honda offers the Valkyrie and Yamaha has the Vmax at $17,999, putting it midway through Harley's Soft Tail line. Indian starts with the Chief at $18,499. We'll talk about the 1100cc Scout when I get to the Sportster. For a big cruiser, Harley actually is both cheapest and most expensive, with Soft Tails ranging from the $14,599 Street Bob to the $20,599 Fat Boy. Now the other Cruisers. Honda Fury/Stateline/Interstate, 1300cc bikes, priced $10k to $11k. 53hp, 79ft-lb tq. Indian Scout, 1100cc, $9k-$16k. 72ft-lbs, 100hp. These compare to the Sportster 1200 at $10K and Forty Eight at $11,299. 73ft-lbs of torque, 67HP. The 883 at $9k with 53.8 ft-lbs of torque and 51HP would compare to a Yamaha Bolt 942cc 59.3 ft-lb $8K, Kawasaki Vulcan 900 $8k to $9k depending on equipment 58.2 lb-ft. It's not until this category that Harley is the most expensive. The Street bikes, at $6,899 to $8,699 compete with the following: Honda Shadow $7,699 to k$8k. Kawasaki Vulcan S, $7,099 to $7,699. Harley is still hurting from being the rich man's bike in the '90's when everyone was making bikes that could easily compete. So many people won't even cross-shop them anymore because we grew up knowing they were overpriced. Everyone else's prices caught up though.
Not cheap to buy but keeps its value very good, after a few years of fun very reasonable depreciation, lost more money on former japanese bikes and bmw’s
I can see both sides of the argument here. I have an xsr 900. Definitely not going to hold its value, but it's half as much as a softail, and yet has more hp (way lighter too). I think lowering the price would go a long long way though. It was the reason I hummed and hawed, then didn't buy a HD.
Ok, but if they lowered the price they would have to build their bikes differently, cheaper paint, finish, more plastics and then it would just be another bike, like indians are, famous brandname bought by polaris but nothing more than a good japanese bike 😔
This is an outstanding video! I rode dirt bikes growing up, and last year I randomly decided to take the MSF course. The day I completed it I went to Harley and bought a softail. It worked for me and did a ton of highway miles for about eight months. It gave me the experience of riding a motorcycle and common scenarios almost daily. I just recently switched to a road glide limited and it’s working out very well for me. I may have switched a little too quick but these salesmen in this video knew what they were talking about. Love it!
I've never rode and was looking to get into riding, I went to a harley dealer and was looking to get my license and bike all at once, the salesman was trying to push me into a $18k glider that was way too big and I wasn't comfortable and instead pushed me out the door
@@kentdavis4446 don’t let them sell you something that won’t fit you or your needs, you can always upgrade after you are comfortable with riding, be safe.
I was looking at a Low Rider. I ended up with a Sport Glide. It's amazing, it is so much more comfortable and insensitive wind than the lighter bikes I'm used to. It is very agile too.
Some salespeople really have no idea...I was told by one HD dealer that only those over 6 feet in height should own a RoadKing. WTAF? At 5'9" and been riding bikes since the 80's I bought my RoadKing from another dealer. A dealer that actually listened to what type of riding I was planning on doing. Thanks Matt for the excellent advice you present in this video.
I know I made a great decision years ago when I bought my '09 FXDL. I trained 2 days on a Honda 250 during my non-HD riding course (literally my only motorcycling experience up to that point) and went straight to the Low Rider without test-riding it. I thought I wanted a Sportster back then but had a friend talk sense to me as far as the riding I would be doing. It felt super heavy compared to the 250s and I was intimidated for sure, but my passion and intrinsic motivation muscled me through the learning curve. It feels light to me now (technique!) and meets most of my riding needs. It's a blast around town and is a beast on the highway as well. Thanks for mentioning saving money! I am a huge fan of delayed gratification, especially when you can remove debt/guilt from the equation. I don't plan on ever getting rid of my Bug Smasher, although this whole "Performance Bagger" genre has me thinking.... Great vid, as always man. Keep up the good work!
Matt, I’m a motorcyclist from Russia and now I’m choosing a Harley-Davidson for myself, I had a lot of questions about which motorcycle to choose and how to choose, just like I chose between street glide and road glide. But after your video, all the questions disappeared, I just want to thank you for your work, thank you so much!
The salesmen at Gateway Harley in STL need to learn a few things from this video, especially the budget part. They need to respect someone's budget and not try to shove a CVO down my throat.
joojr2779 All the Harley sales men are trained the same. Close hard and quick. Bank on people falling for all the Harley hype. Check out the local scan via Craig’s list. Plenty of Harley’s , even newer ones for sale. Some even for sale for the loan value. They just can’t make the $750.00 payments. Just don’t buy on the first go round. Theirvsalesmen remind me of hardware slingers or used car salesmen. Check other avenues before the local dealer.
@13:05, what a great point. I’m a big guy and currently looking for a bagger and trying to decide on either a Heritage or Road Kind, and have wondered about the look/feel between the two. I need to come to Baldwin Park and see you guys, you seem to really speak to the customer and seem extremely genuine and knowledgeable. I’m current on a Pan America Special and I’m clearly too big for it, I feel it every ride.
Great video. Reminds me of how I got my Harley. I went into the shop thinking about buying the Iron 883. I liked the budget and it seemed to fit my needs (riding through traffic). In the end, I bought the roadster even though it's more expensive. I tested it and I just loved it. The style for me.
I am retired so I purchased my 2019 HD Tri-Glide Ultra, specifically for long distance trips. Everything that came with my trike, plus the added amenities I installed after make sense to me, thus making my rides both comfortable and fun. My wife is 6'1"...so the trike made sense as well, as she is comfortable throughout the long distance rides. Enjoy whatever you choose to ride and be safe doing it!! 👊Respect 👊
Yes...the Heritage is the Swiss Army knife. I was a new rider in 2017...I’m 6ft tall...230 lbs.....I ride 80% highway for 12 hr runs. I have enough power....wind protection....storage....and it rides and looks awesome. I use my iPod and Bluetooth helmet speakers and cell phone/garmin gps on ram mount. Luggage rack replaces passenger seat most often. And Vance and Hines for the sound. Wide whitewalls for bling. It’s a perfect bike for me.
Good video. Over the last 28 years I've ridden all sorts, I only got into Harleys 18 months ago. I test rode most of them over a period at my local HD store and when I rode the Street Bob FXBB I was blown away with the connection between the bike and me. There is something very special about a Harley and it's hard to put your finger on, but when you find the right one you just smile every time you ride it, and you always want to ride it. So a decent route and the test ride for me are the most important part of the process of choosing a bike. The only thing I think you missed is the importance of the dealership, not all HD stores are the same. I love the passion of some (not all) of the HD dealerships, it's part of the experience and makes a massive difference to us riders and becomes a home from home.
Thanks Matt for this fundamental approach in motorcycles. Buying, and selling Harley Davidson. I just accepted a sales position at a locale Harley dealer in my area. As soon as I applied I began looking for information such as this. I will of course, be trained at the Dealer. But its always nice to have some fundamental stuff going in. I am excited about this opportunity and looking forward to selling Harley Davidson.
Adding another bike to my garage, coming from sport bikes, V-Rod was the only HD I could buy. Nothing else HD makes comes close to speed, power and handling of a sport bike like the V-Rod. Don’t like the small gas tank but I’ll keep my V-Rod until the day it dies!
You can change the gas tank and have a 5 1/2 gallon tank , I own a VRSCSE2 and I changed the tank , unlimited engineering is the company that makes the larger yank tank, look it up
definitely right on with advice! As the former owner of an Ironhead Sportster, 05 Road King , numerous asian and german tourers and crotch rockets and standards, and now a 2017 Ultra Glide, I totally agree with your approach. Plus, the new softails are no longer "Great handling and riding Harleys" , they now stand up to and in many cases surpass the best anyone has to offer in class. As for the budget, talk to other people who don't, and have never owned a harley, you see mostly a wistful far away look and hear "I always wanted one.." Get a bike you can be proud of, nothing is worth anything unless you sacrifice something! Great videos Matt, and good riding to everyone!
I live in North Dakota and have been working with a number of motorcycle dealers to buy my next bike. The Harley dealers, hands down, have been the most helpful, the most knowledgeable and let me test ride anything. I am not buying any bike I can’t test ride and there are a lot of them that won’t let you ride them. I was sold, with my own minuscule motorcycle knowledge, on the Softail Heritage Classic. I liked the price, the ride, features, price was a real driver. The HD dealers started spending more time with me to see what I want to do, offering suggestions, the Road King. I have now ridden a number of models of HD; sportster, softail, road king, street glide, etc…. So far the Road King is, well, the King. It has meant so much how they have helped me find the right bike. Plus, all these Laidlaw videos and owner rides/motovlogs are incredible.
I’m 15 and love watching Harley rides, looking to get one as soon as possible but from what I’m hearing is that the sportster is probably the best starter for me
@@trueaussie3097 i dont really mind what bikes i get, but my dream bike is probably a road king, obviously i wont start on that but yeah. anyways thanks for the advice
This is the most informative video on this topic I’ve ever seen. I only wish every Harley-Davidson dealership had guys like you so interested at getting the correct fit rather than just making a sale. It’s getting all too common at dealerships where their bottom line is the most important factor, and not customer satisfaction. Good on you for articulating your position, and letting us know why that’s important to your dealership. I wish I could have my buying experience at Laidlaws, I truly do! Well done!
Looking back, Texas Harley Davidson in Bedford, TX really helped me narrow down a bike best fitted for me. I had big ambitions to move to Chicago from Dallas, which meant selling my truck for my first Harley Davidson. I rode out of that dealership having shook the hand of Scotty Caster, no motorcycle endorsement but with experience racing dirt bikes, buying the most expensive 2018 Fat Bob there because of my passion for performance, sewed on my Social Distortion patch and literally made my way to Chicago. Today, the bike stays fitting like a glove and the 10K-mile-expected-yearly-mileage has already been exceeded. Truly grateful.
Got back into riding after 20 yrs and bought a little Kawa VersysX300. Found out quickly Im too old to ride off road. Plus the thing was a sail in the wind being so lightweight and with all that plastic. Sold it and bought a new Lowrider softail. Fits me perfect, seat is super comfy. Added detachable small windshield, luggage rack, and sissy bar. Great around town cruiser, plenty stable and comfortable on the highway. Throw a waterproof bag on the pillion for a backrest, a small cooler on the rack, and I can go across the US in style and comfort.
Love your videos, a different perspective. I’m 68 years old have been riding most of my life, with about a 12 year break since my last bike which was an Electra Glide. Last year I bought a 19 Road Glide special. In a year of riding I never achieved the confidence and comfort I once enjoyed. I have a long hilly gravel driveway that intimidated a lot. After a year and only putting about three hundred miles on the bike I had to make a tough decision. I’m now a proud owner of a 20 Tri Glide. I love it and having a blast.
Much respect for you, big man. I appreciate you putting the effort in to help riders and future riders. These smaller dealerships could take notes. Too bad I'm on the exact opposite side of the country from you
Very good info, but on your last point, for me in choosing 'which Softail', it came down to 1. cornering clearance 2. how much fuel the tank holds, and how convenient it is to swap in/out the saddlebags for riding with or without saddlebags and without detracting from the looks of the bike when riding without saddlebags. Why, because I like to go quick on winding roads, I don't want to be always thinking about fuel stops/how far is the next fuel station with those ridiculous small tanks, and I mostly ride without saddlebags.
Well, I have a lifetime of riding experience, and a great technique and awareness. I bought a Street Glide Special (my bad) and hated it because it is so top-heavy and bulky. It was not a pleasure riding it, especially at lower speeds around tow, And I was always afraid of dropping it from my foot slipping or not being fully concentrating at stops and low speeds. I did not feel it was the bike for me for sure. I did not ride it much because of those factors and just maneuvering it to get started in the direction i wanted to ride initially from my garage was a n annoying chore, always doing that waddle to be careful I did not drop or damage it. I traded it away quickly after only a couple months of ownership. Traded it on a Sport Glide. I lost $$ on the deal, but I ride a whole lot more and am happier with the bike,
I've had three Fat Boys and changed to a CVO Street Glide last summer and I haven't enjoyed the experience either, I also find them very top heavy and feel like they will topple over with only the slightest lack of concentration. Filtering through traffic is also awful on them as well, weaving from side to side to keep it straight at low speed isn't fun. Also find the tiny fairing completely insufficient for my needs and in particular listening to the radio at anything above 60mph is impossible.
How does the sport glide perform on highway? I don’t do much highway but occasionally do and need something decent on those high speeds when trucks are passing me
Been riding for 51 years. My first Harley was a 84 Sportster, then a 98 Dyna, 2004 Deuce (favorite Harley) , 2014 Street Glide Special (fell in love with cruise control and music), 2018 Sport Glide (best riding Harley but missed music) and now a 2019 Tri-Glide. I gave up the Street Glide because health changed and could not move my feet fast enough to the ground when I applied the ABS brakes in several quick braking situations. The bike then fell over (never got hurt except pride). Loved the Sport Glide but just missed all the extras that my Street Glide had. Saw your video on Tri-Glide and bought one just like it (same color). So another thing to add about which HarleyDavidson to buy would be health and reflex time. I've had quite a few riders ask me about trike. They are older and having same problem and like myself just do not want to give up riding Harley's and the life style of the Harley culture. Live up in Washington or would of bought it from you. Keep up good work and great videos and thanks for the Tri-Glide review. Oh and I love my Tri-Glide (very comfortable on Highway and I can ride my wife very safely and not worry about falling over.
I just got hired at Frazier Harley-Davidson here in Buford,Ga. I’m stoked to be a part of the H-D family and can’t wait to see your live stream Tuesday. 🤙🏻
Just follow this approach and you’ll do yourself and your customers a great service..all sales reps should watch this before getting thrown to the wolves..
There are so many choices. Small cruiser, large cruiser, medium cruiser and of course, for those of us who don't like cruisers, we can always try a cruiser.
Hi Matt, I am a beginner rider, 6’2 270, I sat on a lot of Bikes, the Breakout I feel the most comfortable on especially the forward controls and handlebar position. I have long arms .I live in Hawaii, so no Highway riding. What other bikes should I be looking at ? Your right the weight is intimidating.
Well said! I started with a 2014 iron 883, moved on to a 2014 Street Bob, then a 2017 Street Glide, and finally (for now lmao) I own a 2019 Road Glide! Love all of them.
Matt, that was an OUTSTANDING video! A segment of that video you were talking to my wife and she was actually listening. I got her a 2008 Fat Bob because it fit her well. Turns out its way to heavy for her, so your short person chat was right on point!
Great information Matt. Definitely will assist those who are going to buy their next Harley. Absolutely agree ... don't think price but what bike fits your needs. Well done ...
I'm currently 44 years old. I only started riding in 2016. I did the MSF course and bought a 2012 Yamaha V star 250. I only kept that for a year then got a HD Street 750 in 2017. I love this bike! I ride primarily in town traffic where I need to be fast and nimble the this bike does that in spades. I know everybody shits on the Street bikes but I don't care one ounce about that. Though I am technically too big for my age and comfort level for this bike, I admit. I'm 6'2" and close to 195 lbs. But the Street is still great for the city and can do the highway easily and better distance than any Sportster. Anyway, great video Matt!
Thanks for posting. I’m glad you covered the stature of riders. I’m 6’3” and 230 pounds with bad knees and, after a 30 year hiatus from riding, I’m itching to get back on the saddle so I’m looking for a Harley with leg room that I can stretch out on and cruise the countryside for a few hours at a time. Any advice? BTW, whoever added the subtitles to this video uses the word “writers” and “writing” instead of “riders” and “riding”. Just thought you’d like to know.
Love your vids. For me I think region is a big part of the equation. I live in Washington State and I do not enjoy riding in pouring down rain 7 months of the year. Right now I have a 2017 fxdls, but I commute to work and really need a street glide special. Backpack gets old after a while; but 28k is a hard sell for me since i know I wont be riding it all the time its raining. If I lived in CA or AZ would be a different story. I can more than afford one but paying a 400 a month bill each month to be able to ride maybe 4 months of the year.......you see where Im going. Keep up the great vids.
I Bought my CVO Road Glide Ultra a year ago from Laidlaw and its the best bike i have ever had, just got back from a 4000 mile 11 state trip and it was flawless
Another great video from Matt. Though I’m not on the West Coast, I still like to watch all the bike reviews, etc., that this channel offers. For the best, no-nonsense, straightforward, and informative videos on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, this is where you need to be!
My first Motorcycle was a 650 BSA while living in Chicago. I traded a 30-passenger school bus that I converted into a camper for the BSA. Sold it 10 years later after moving to Florida. When we moved to Kenosha Wi to spend our final years with family, I went to Uke’s HD and told the salesman I had 10 years’ experience on a 650 BSA. All I wanted was a Harley with 1200 or more CC’s that I could flat foot it. He pointed to a brand new Sporty (2014 XL1200T) that I was standing next to. It looked good and I could flat foot it with my knees bent. While I was still reluctant, he started it up and my pen jumped out of my pocket right into my hand. I had to have it. Really enjoyed riding it and after the warrantee expired, I did a stage one to it. Totally got disappointed in the loud exhaust. Could not hear my GPS even at idle. Bought the quiet baffles for the V&H exhaust and still had problems hearing the GPS when riding over 40 mph. Back problems caused me to sell the Sporty. Went back to Uke’s and told them my problem. Was asked to try a Softail and see if that would settle down the back pain. After reviewing what HD had, I settled down on a Lowrider. About three weeks later Uke’s got a new 2019 Lowrider in for me to test ride. It was great! No back pain and it was just fun to ride. Signed the paperwork on the spot. After 500 miles I got Uke’s to do a Stage 2 with the Torque cam, heavy breather, Street Cannons and the Auto tuner with wide band O2 sensors along with the extended warrantee. Drove it home and was extremely satisfied with the ride. Within a week I had my second spine surgery, it went bad. The Lowrider sits in my garage today with a total of 505 miles on it. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Looks like the VA will resolve the medical problems and I will be able to ride again!
I went in a dealership in Florida and sat on a whole bunch of different scooters, the big touring saddles made it hard to flatfoot the ground, the dyna just didn't feel right, and the sportswriter of course had the shortfalls. Love at first sight may be an illusionary concept, but I truly love my RoadKing, no frills, no add ons, no desire to trade up. Gotta love Harley Davidson
One year passed on my iron 883, nearing the two year mark..i know the pros and cons of my iron, i changed the looks and accessories to suit my built. I might buy a Softail or touring model after some years, but i might look into other brands too...
Biohazard64 if you're enjoying your Sportster, keep it; get another bike if you want but don't get rid of it. I traded mine on an Electra Glide and regretted it... and it was "only" an 883. Ended up getting another Sportster (1200 this time) and now that I have both, I can honestly say I ride the Sportster more.
Biohazard64 when you say slowest, do you mean it's because you always gotta stop for gas, or are you riding with super sports? Because your Iron 1200, even stock, shouldn't have much problem keeping up with touring bikes and some smaller displacement sport tourers. I can see windblast being an issue at higher speeds on the highway but if you can't keep up in the canyons, it's not the bike.
Great video Matt! Especially the point about budget. There is nothing worse than buying a bike just because it's less expensive, and then all you can think about is how you should have just bought the Road King, Heritage, or CVO. Prepare so you can buy the bike you will ride, and you won't regret it.
Not being in a hurry is a big help. Look ahead and start investigating. I want a Softail, I was thinking about a Softail Slim but I want a windshield from time to time. So, the Deluxe (which I think is the most beautiful bike ever made) was my next thought because a windshield would look great on it. Aha ! The Heritage is the choice. Touring capable, and strip it down and it's a Deluxe basically. Do your homework. And, thank you Matt, you're the best.
My first bike was a 07 street bob. I had zero riding experience and just took the beginner rider course. I rode my Dyna for 3 years and upgraded to a 19 Roadglide special. I recommend starting out on a Softail. Sportsters are awesome bike but a 883 iron will get old fast. I bought my wife one and she loves it buts she’s been riding it a few months now and she’s even starting to outgrow it. I think it’s all about what bike you feel comfortable on
I'm 5'6" so I can reach on a lot of bikes, not all and the seats are so wide and the bar placement is too far. I don't want to lean forward, I have back issues. There's a lot of short women that have to make crazy adjustments to ride. They should make smthg.
I’m so glad you made this video. I’m 5’9” and weight 225. Muscular guy and I can’t really decide between sport glide, street glide or fat bob. Test drove a fat bob, road king and several other soft-tails. The best hands down was the fat bob. I had no idea that would be the bike for me. I’m scared of the road king because I dropped it at a light. I wasn’t even in motion at the time and it went down. Guessing because I had the handlebars turned all the way to the left. Coming from CBR600rr. Now I’m going back and forth on what bike to get because I want to drive longer distances but not sure if fat bob is the one for that.
How you described the Softail frame is exactly what I was thinking and why I think a Softail Standard will be my first Harley. Appreciate this a lot 🙏🏽 idk when I'll be able to afford one but learning is always fun for me lol
Hello Matt, I truly wished I would have known about your dealership sooner....Well actually I did , I grew up in East Los Angeles and I knew about the dealership in the San Gabriel Valley. It's just that I was just 18 years old at the time and promised my mom I would not buy a motorcycle because she would be constantly worrying about me. I did not want to put my mom through the anguish. I moved away at age 21. went to the South Bay to live and never looked back at the East Los Angeles area. I also keept to my promise . My mom recently passed and I am heart broken over that. I found myself trying new things in order to try avoiding the sorrow. Then I remembered Harley - Davidson. My mom is gone so she wont be worried anymore. I remembered the attraction to Harleys. I went to a dealership out were I live (Mission Viejo) and purchased a Sport Glide. I loved the look of the bike. I don't have a license and I am not to save on riding so I had the bike delivered to my house and I am taking a class on riding on the 26th of this month. I think I made the right choice on the bike as I am 5' 6" . Like I said I wished I would have known about your You Tube entries earlier. I am keeping up with all your entries and learning a lot. Once I learn to ride I might trade mine for another one. If I decide to do that I will definitely go to Laid laws and seek your advice. I like the Street Glids for my next bike. Thank you Matt for all the information and your honesty. It means a lot.
I like the way you ask the 5 questions. That's very important in buying a bike. All Harley Dealerships should incorporate this into selling bikes. Great job Matt 👍
Really good video Matt, I say just buy one and chances are if your heart is into Harley’s you will own it for ever, it will rip your heart out to see someone else on it. The people you meet on Harley’s is priceless. This is proof of it 😀 The brand loyalty is second to no other product you can buy.
I’ll add this with a windshield and a second seat any Harley can go coast to coast! Want an adventure bike buy an Fxr the original and best adventure bike 🍺👍
I went from an 01 Softtail Standard to a Wide Glide , to a Road Glide. On a BMW R1200GSA now. I live in the Sierra Nevada and ride the forestry and dirt roads often but when in the asphalt I want decent wind deflection plus decent road manners, set up for the long haul as well. I’m eagerly awaiting the Pan America, hoping they do it right because I love the big on/road bikes.
Michael Sgambati Well tbh almost all the harleys are identical in sound and feel, just the ride quality varies on the chassis. In that regards, asking about budget would be sensible as then they would be able to get bikes off the showroom floor accordingly. For instance, if you run a HD dealership near a poor area and the people mainly have a budget of $9K, there is no way you will push them a Electra glide or brand new soft tail because that would be wasted inventory in your area. Instead you would go to certified pre owned for the majority of stock you hold so they can sell. You are in the business to sell good badass motorcycles, not to be a historian on everything HD.
I tell the salesmen, give me your best OUT THE DOOR PRICE, from the comfort of my own couch, and also mention we don't talk finance until we nail down that out the door price. Finally I remind the stealer that I will call your competitor with your best price.......we go from there.
Good points, when I bought mine no one asked me shit, they just showed me the bikes and I took 5 of them for a ride. Walked out with 2019 883 got till may of 2020 to trade it in and get me a softail, you’ll get over the 883 within 4 weeks, bro you should be going around the US and talking to salesmen, Harley should hire you as a REP
I HIGHLY recommend going to dealer demo days to ride as many of the different models as possible. I didn’t know anything about any models and let the bikes talk to me while I rode them. When I was done I picked the Street Glide, not knowing that it was the biggest seller for HD.
What was said makes sense. BUT, at the same time you're kind of perpetuating that Harley "mindset?" where bigger is better and if you don't have the biggest baddest Harley, you don't have a real Harley... and that's a HUGE problem the Moco is having. Their sales are going in the wrong direction and starting at the very top brass, Harley is trying to switch things up hence all the products that traditional buyers wouldn't expect from Harley ie the Street series, Livewire, FXDR, the new adventure bike, etc. But all of that is for naught if they dealers don't believe in the product. From someone new to the brand, you pretty much just wrote off Irons and most other Sportsters, along with completely disregarding the Streets. This never happens in the import world. The sport bike crowd talk about small bikes like Ducati Monsters, Ninja 250's, Rebel 500s, and Yammie R3's like they're the best things since sliced bread. That way, they build up confidence, fall in love with the hobby, and buy more bikes. But you're giving the impression that if you want to ride a Harley, and your friends have touring bikes, then you better get one too because you don't want to hold them up, irrespective of your riding ability. Or, it doesn't matter that an Iron is already half a foot longer and 200lbs heavier than that R6 you rode in on, but you better get a bigger bike because you look hilarious on that puny thing. Who cares about what your friends have, ride your own ride! Sorry but that's just wrong and that's why Harley is losing market segment. People get pressured into getting a bigger bike than they should because "they look better" on it, or they feel obliged not to hold up the guys with Street Glides, but then it totally turns them off the whole experience, they get rid of the bike, and never ride again. Either that, or they'll just walk out the dealership saying screw Harley and everything they stand for, I'll stick with Honda's Africa Twin DCT. See where I'm coming from? If not, take a step back and try to watch your video in someone else's shoes. Remember the old saying "you meet the nicest people on a Honda?" Well, they came up with that for a reason, it's still true for a reason, and they sell the most bikes in the world for a reason; they don't treat Grom riders like second class citizens because they know that guy is going to have that 125 mini bike along with a CBR1000RR. They don't care how big (or small) your bike is, and that "as long as you're riding" attitude is exactly what Harley needs, not getting people into big twins and touring bikes irregardless of everything else.
George Costanza totally agree... and I own Harley's. Here's why I say that. There's a sportbike group I ride with and one of the guys got a Z125. Everybody goes crazy over that little thing when it comes out with us. I got a turn on it too and gotta admit, it goes at a snails pace and a 5'9" foot 180lb dude looks hilarious riding it, but it is probably the most fun you'll have on two wheels. And if you think an Iron is a lead weight among touring bikes, wait till you see a 125 trying to keep up with 1000cc super sports :) But nobody has a problem with it, everyone blasts off like they usually do then chill out for a bit until it catches up. Anyways, when I got into Harley's I was ridiculed for being on an 883 and totally felt pressured to "upgrade". So I did and got an Electra Glide. But I didn't have nearly as much fun on it and felt like an idiot for being a 45 year old man succumbing to peer pressure. So, I got myself back into a Sportster (1200 Custom). Now that I have both, I can honestly say I prefer the Sportster, and take it at least 9 out of 10 rides. It's just so manoeuvrable, so easy to just hop on and bomb around town, with stage 2 upgrades it's got plenty of power, plus its so easy to just roll up and park anywhere I want(with the Electra Glide I gotta be extra careful to park it somewhere I can back out of). It just suits the type of riding I do, and I love it. Anyways, if you do too, then just get one and ride the heck out of it, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
I traded my Honda shadow Sabre 1100 in for a sportster 1200 48 special. Loved it rode it two years and just wanted a bigger bike since I’m a big guy. Traded my 18 in for a 20 fxbb. Best purchase I made. So satisfying to ride
I'm interested in a harley but don't know what would be right for me. I'm relatively new to riding just got my first bike about five months ago have about 2000 miles on it's a drz 400sm . I commute about 10 minutes away for work in little traffic and mostly country roads and no freeways. but will be starting a job about a hour away with a lot of traffic and freeways so I wanted something that's good for just cruising through town on weekends and running errands and can also ride on freeway with ease. I'm about 6'1 and weight about 255
I’ve not even completed the video , but I just wanna say thanks, I am from India, an Harley enthusiasts , and I watch your videos so regularly , thanks for all your videos Matt.
Learned riding on a small 80cc Suzuki dirt bike when I was a teenager, then there was a big gap, the first Harley I’ve got was street 500 and I loved it, after more than 2 years of riding I have traded it to Sport Glide and I am very happy, it has removable bags and fairing, big tank, hydraulic rear suspension lifter, inverted forks, cruise control. So its really good for highway riding and as well ad daily commute. If I had some extra 20K, would buy Deluxe as a second option, the best looking Harley in my opinion and pretty decent bike to ride. I like the CVO Road Glide in gunship gray but its way too expensive for me :D maybe someday will get it 😎
Scott Edson buy one you’ll never sell. If you’re smart, you’d take it serviced to the dealer AND KEEP RECIEPTS AND LOG THE MILEAGE AND MAINTENCE IN A BOOK to show to the seller so they know they’re buying a quality product.
Matt nailed it. The street 750 is niche... next!!! Lol i will say it is great for beginners, commuters or someone on a budget who likes sewing machines...But why when you can get a iron 883, forty eight 1200cc which is a way better motor/bike. I had sportbikes, cafe racers, 2016/2017 sportys now have a 2018 softail stage 1. The m8 and new softails have been good to me so far day in day out. Far superior stock suspension . The street bob FXBB and FLSL SLIM are easily customizable. perform and so far have been tons of fun. Rode them all over arizona and northern california/tahoe. No issues. My only gripe is the stock saddle/seat on any sporty or harley is NOT comfy for long rides. The stock exhaust blows. But thats why you pay the harley tax. Upgrade exhaust/intake/tuners/seats and handlebars to taste? Matt enjoy your vids as always. I might add the livewire is for a niche crowd for $30,000+ .... pindrop... NEXT HAHAH
God damn, I really couldn't figure out the difference between all the different Harley models. They do not make bikes in the same way as other manufacturers. This video was able to explain quite well what the underlying idea is behind the way the bikes are built. Made me like Harleys even more. Amazing job.
Great video but, I think you missed something! You said you would go over the street and what it’s niche is..but I did not catch what that niche is!
Dude, I was wondering if someone was going to catch that. I totally screwed up. I left out a segment that I had prepared while I was editing. I'm pissed at myself. Basically the bike is great for beginners and people with a specific riding environment like heavy urban areas or short commutes. I'm going to pin this comment so more people can see. Sorry I messed this up
@@MattLaidlaw or if you happen to be an Avenger.
I have a Street 750 and that's exactly what I use it for. 15-30 minute commute in DC area traffic back and forth to work.
the street 500s are cool bikes. they use them in the Harley Academy
@@socalgolf9978 The guy at the dealership near me was explaining that they ceased production on the Street 500's. The 750 will continue, but the remaining 500's will be used for the Harley Academy only. No more sales. That's what he said anyway, haven't fact checked him.
My man just educated me more than the harvard did!
Well nobody asked!!
@@prathmesh4793 nobody asked
Ah yes, the Harvard
Remember, THE Harvard
Just gotta let em MIT people know, huh?
The harvard
If this video is a true indication of how you guys conduct business, then HD needs to hire you as a dealer/sales trainer. It boggles my mind, how clueless a lot of HD salesman are with their inventory, customer needs and just making a sale. Great video!!!!
Thanks Blake. I appreciate the comment.
As as a long time corporate HR trainer that's what I feel too Matt!!!
I was at a dealer yesterday and the salesman said he’s been doing it for 15 years. Yet more than 5 times he had to correct himself as to what model a bike was. He lost me after that
I'm going to my local hd shop today to sit on a few, my fxdwg in their shop.asked what can you give me as a trade.wont give me a number until I choose a bike which I haven't made up my mind. And the one that kills me they keep pestering me about filling out the credit app. I'm not financing so really? I love how close this dealership is but their sales force is inept.
@@2667ooo They say it’s your choice in the same breath they push you towards their sales goal.
The right one for me was the one with no payments and fully serviceable at home.
That's one of the most useful induction training sessions I've experienced in a while... As a biker of 30+ years and an L & D manager of 20 years.. Well done Matt indeed!
Let’s be honest though, nothing impacts decisions like price
Depends on what tax bracket you're in if we are being honest. Some people don't even know the price of alot of the stuff they own. And some people can tell you exactly how much the sales tax was down to the penny.
Yep! I agree whit you
@@grey5135 True, but im talking about normal people making an average income, not people who are pocketing more than six figures a year
Yea ill have to agree with you there. I bought a sportster 1200C back in 08. Wanted a Road Glide for about a decade now. Guess what. Still riding the sporty because I can't afford a 30k + bike. Especially now with the price of everything else going through the roof.
@@StretchReality let’s be honest. If you’re not making at least $100k yr in 2021 and older than 30, you did something wrong in your life.
Harley would be much better off bringing their prices down significantly. Riders would be knocking their doors down.
I'll just tell Ferrari that if they lower their prices more people would buy, on ya mate. I'd even buy one if it was the same price as a Jeep!!!!
I thought so too, but have you checked recently? Their touring chassis bikes are pretty competitively priced, particularly when you consider that the Street Glide and Road Glide hold their value more than most touring bikes. The only big bagger/tourer that is actually cheaper is the Kawasaki Vaquero/Voyager.
Next, the Soft Tails. The M8 engine is roughly 1800cc in metric talk. Honda offers the Valkyrie and Yamaha has the Vmax at $17,999, putting it midway through Harley's Soft Tail line. Indian starts with the Chief at $18,499. We'll talk about the 1100cc Scout when I get to the Sportster. For a big cruiser, Harley actually is both cheapest and most expensive, with Soft Tails ranging from the $14,599 Street Bob to the $20,599 Fat Boy.
Now the other Cruisers. Honda Fury/Stateline/Interstate, 1300cc bikes, priced $10k to $11k. 53hp, 79ft-lb tq. Indian Scout, 1100cc, $9k-$16k. 72ft-lbs, 100hp. These compare to the Sportster 1200 at $10K and Forty Eight at $11,299. 73ft-lbs of torque, 67HP.
The 883 at $9k with 53.8 ft-lbs of torque and 51HP would compare to a Yamaha Bolt 942cc 59.3 ft-lb $8K, Kawasaki Vulcan 900 $8k to $9k depending on equipment 58.2 lb-ft. It's not until this category that Harley is the most expensive.
The Street bikes, at $6,899 to $8,699 compete with the following: Honda Shadow $7,699 to k$8k. Kawasaki Vulcan S, $7,099 to $7,699.
Harley is still hurting from being the rich man's bike in the '90's when everyone was making bikes that could easily compete. So many people won't even cross-shop them anymore because we grew up knowing they were overpriced. Everyone else's prices caught up though.
Not cheap to buy but keeps its value very good, after a few years of fun very reasonable depreciation, lost more money on former japanese bikes and bmw’s
I can see both sides of the argument here. I have an xsr 900. Definitely not going to hold its value, but it's half as much as a softail, and yet has more hp (way lighter too). I think lowering the price would go a long long way though. It was the reason I hummed and hawed, then didn't buy a HD.
Ok, but if they lowered the price they would have to build their bikes differently, cheaper paint, finish, more plastics and then it would just be another bike, like indians are, famous brandname bought by polaris but nothing more than a good japanese bike 😔
This is an outstanding video! I rode dirt bikes growing up, and last year I randomly decided to take the MSF course. The day I completed it I went to Harley and bought a softail. It worked for me and did a ton of highway miles for about eight months. It gave me the experience of riding a motorcycle and common scenarios almost daily. I just recently switched to a road glide limited and it’s working out very well for me. I may have switched a little too quick but these salesmen in this video knew what they were talking about. Love it!
Great advice Matt, if all dealers used your strategy it would be a great benefit to the motorcycle community in general. 👍👍👍
I've never rode and was looking to get into riding, I went to a harley dealer and was looking to get my license and bike all at once, the salesman was trying to push me into a $18k glider that was way too big and I wasn't comfortable and instead pushed me out the door
@@kentdavis4446 don’t let them sell you something that won’t fit you or your needs, you can always upgrade after you are comfortable with riding, be safe.
@@kennethreynolds8 yeah, that was a couple of years ago, now that winter is here again I'm considering getting one in the spring
I was looking at a Low Rider. I ended up with a Sport Glide. It's amazing, it is so much more comfortable and insensitive wind than the lighter bikes I'm used to. It is very agile too.
Some salespeople really have no idea...I was told by one HD dealer that only those over 6 feet in height should own a RoadKing. WTAF? At 5'9" and been riding bikes since the 80's I bought my RoadKing from another dealer. A dealer that actually listened to what type of riding I was planning on doing. Thanks Matt for the excellent advice you present in this video.
I know I made a great decision years ago when I bought my '09 FXDL. I trained 2 days on a Honda 250 during my non-HD riding course (literally my only motorcycling experience up to that point) and went straight to the Low Rider without test-riding it. I thought I wanted a Sportster back then but had a friend talk sense to me as far as the riding I would be doing. It felt super heavy compared to the 250s and I was intimidated for sure, but my passion and intrinsic motivation muscled me through the learning curve. It feels light to me now (technique!) and meets most of my riding needs. It's a blast around town and is a beast on the highway as well. Thanks for mentioning saving money! I am a huge fan of delayed gratification, especially when you can remove debt/guilt from the equation. I don't plan on ever getting rid of my Bug Smasher, although this whole "Performance Bagger" genre has me thinking.... Great vid, as always man. Keep up the good work!
Wow this story is almost EXACTLY mine! Only I ended up with an '09 FXD! But everything else is verbatim! :)
Matt, I’m a motorcyclist from Russia and now I’m choosing a Harley-Davidson for myself, I had a lot of questions about which motorcycle to choose and how to choose, just like I chose between street glide and road glide.
But after your video, all the questions disappeared, I just want to thank you for your work, thank you so much!
The salesmen at Gateway Harley in STL need to learn a few things from this video, especially the budget part. They need to respect someone's budget and not try to shove a CVO down my throat.
joojr2779 perhaps your test numbers are low, everyone knows a cvo will fix that
It's like that in Kansas city as well!! If I owned a dealership I would never allow people to be treated the way they do.
joojr2779 All the Harley sales men are trained the same. Close hard and quick. Bank on people falling for all the Harley hype. Check out the local scan via Craig’s list. Plenty of Harley’s , even newer ones for sale. Some even for sale for the loan value. They just can’t make the $750.00 payments. Just don’t buy on the first go round. Theirvsalesmen remind me of hardware slingers or used car salesmen. Check other avenues before the local dealer.
Sales people at all Harley dealers have a lot to learn
go look at a Indian,
@13:05, what a great point. I’m a big guy and currently looking for a bagger and trying to decide on either a Heritage or Road Kind, and have wondered about the look/feel between the two. I need to come to Baldwin Park and see you guys, you seem to really speak to the customer and seem extremely genuine and knowledgeable. I’m current on a Pan America Special and I’m clearly too big for it, I feel it every ride.
Great video. Reminds me of how I got my Harley. I went into the shop thinking about buying the Iron 883. I liked the budget and it seemed to fit my needs (riding through traffic). In the end, I bought the roadster even though it's more expensive. I tested it and I just loved it. The style for me.
I am retired so I purchased my 2019 HD Tri-Glide Ultra, specifically for long distance trips. Everything that came with my trike, plus the added amenities I installed after make sense to me, thus making my rides both comfortable and fun.
My wife is 6'1"...so the trike made sense as well, as she is comfortable throughout the long distance rides. Enjoy whatever you choose to ride and be safe doing it!! 👊Respect 👊
my first bike was a year ago and it was a street bob. I had never been on one before the class.
And how did do you like it now, did it take you a while to grow into?
Yes...the Heritage is the Swiss Army knife. I was a new rider in 2017...I’m 6ft tall...230 lbs.....I ride 80% highway for 12 hr runs. I have enough power....wind protection....storage....and it rides and looks awesome. I use my iPod and Bluetooth helmet speakers and cell phone/garmin gps on ram mount. Luggage rack replaces passenger seat most often. And Vance and Hines for the sound. Wide whitewalls for bling. It’s a perfect bike for me.
Words of wisdom Matt. Thanks again. I’m looking forward to your live broadcast on Tuesday as the 2020’s are being announced,
Thanks Clint.
Thanks Matt. You just showed me I need to get my FXBB. Can’t wait to see the new colors
Glad I could help. Hopefully you like the new colors
Good video. Over the last 28 years I've ridden all sorts, I only got into Harleys 18 months ago. I test rode most of them over a period at my local HD store and when I rode the Street Bob FXBB I was blown away with the connection between the bike and me. There is something very special about a Harley and it's hard to put your finger on, but when you find the right one you just smile every time you ride it, and you always want to ride it. So a decent route and the test ride for me are the most important part of the process of choosing a bike. The only thing I think you missed is the importance of the dealership, not all HD stores are the same. I love the passion of some (not all) of the HD dealerships, it's part of the experience and makes a massive difference to us riders and becomes a home from home.
Thanks Matt for this fundamental approach in motorcycles. Buying, and selling Harley Davidson. I just accepted a sales position at a locale Harley dealer in my area. As soon as I applied I began looking for information such as this. I will of course, be trained at the Dealer. But its always nice to have some fundamental stuff going in. I am excited about this opportunity and looking forward to selling Harley Davidson.
Adding another bike to my garage, coming from sport bikes, V-Rod was the only HD I could buy. Nothing else HD makes comes close to speed, power and handling of a sport bike like the V-Rod. Don’t like the small gas tank but I’ll keep my V-Rod until the day it dies!
You can change the gas tank and have a 5 1/2 gallon tank , I own a VRSCSE2 and I changed the tank , unlimited engineering is the company that makes the larger yank tank, look it up
Straight forward, no bull information.
I've spoke with this guy on the phone and he's about his business. Super friendly and knowledgeable
definitely right on with advice! As the former owner of an Ironhead Sportster, 05 Road King , numerous asian and german tourers and crotch rockets and standards, and now a 2017 Ultra Glide, I totally agree with your approach. Plus, the new softails are no longer "Great handling and riding Harleys" , they now stand up to and in many cases surpass the best anyone has to offer in class. As for the budget, talk to other people who don't, and have never owned a harley, you see mostly a wistful far away look and hear "I always wanted one.." Get a bike you can be proud of, nothing is worth anything unless you sacrifice something! Great videos Matt, and good riding to everyone!
I live in North Dakota and have been working with a number of motorcycle dealers to buy my next bike. The Harley dealers, hands down, have been the most helpful, the most knowledgeable and let me test ride anything. I am not buying any bike I can’t test ride and there are a lot of them that won’t let you ride them. I was sold, with my own minuscule motorcycle knowledge, on the Softail Heritage Classic. I liked the price, the ride, features, price was a real driver. The HD dealers started spending more time with me to see what I want to do, offering suggestions, the Road King. I have now ridden a number of models of HD; sportster, softail, road king, street glide, etc…. So far the Road King is, well, the King. It has meant so much how they have helped me find the right bike. Plus, all these Laidlaw videos and owner rides/motovlogs are incredible.
I’m 15 and love watching Harley rides, looking to get one as soon as possible but from what I’m hearing is that the sportster is probably the best starter for me
No, not buy a country mile. The Indian scout is the best starter bike for you.
If your deadset on a Harley, 883 sportster or street 500/750
@@trueaussie3097 i dont really mind what bikes i get, but my dream bike is probably a road king, obviously i wont start on that but yeah.
anyways thanks for the advice
@@servicarrider lol Indian…
This is the most informative video on this topic I’ve ever seen. I only wish every Harley-Davidson dealership had guys like you so interested at getting the correct fit rather than just making a sale. It’s getting all too common at dealerships where their bottom line is the most important factor, and not customer satisfaction. Good on you for articulating your position, and letting us know why that’s important to your dealership. I wish I could have my buying experience at Laidlaws, I truly do! Well done!
Great video Matt! If I lived in SoCal I would definitely buy from you!
Looking back, Texas Harley Davidson in Bedford, TX really helped me narrow down a bike best fitted for me. I had big ambitions to move to Chicago from Dallas, which meant selling my truck for my first Harley Davidson. I rode out of that dealership having shook the hand of Scotty Caster, no motorcycle endorsement but with experience racing dirt bikes, buying the most expensive 2018 Fat Bob there because of my passion for performance, sewed on my Social Distortion patch and literally made my way to Chicago. Today, the bike stays fitting like a glove and the 10K-mile-expected-yearly-mileage has already been exceeded. Truly grateful.
Love your “No dealer markup” sign😎👍🏻
That's why I'm passing two closer dealerships to me, too buy from laidlaw!
They don't need to Mark the price up they have a nice service department will they make all their profit. Harley's break down alot.
@@patrickdecambra2219 I disagree. I had a Harley and it never broke down. Harleys are reliable.
Those days are over.
@@rogerbohman2589 I just decided I am going to do the same thing. Thanks for the post, totally encouraged me.
Got back into riding after 20 yrs and bought a little Kawa VersysX300. Found out quickly Im too old to ride off road. Plus the thing was a sail in the wind being so lightweight and with all that plastic. Sold it and bought a new Lowrider softail. Fits me perfect, seat is super comfy. Added detachable small windshield, luggage rack, and sissy bar. Great around town cruiser, plenty stable and comfortable on the highway. Throw a waterproof bag on the pillion for a backrest, a small cooler on the rack, and I can go across the US in style and comfort.
Great video Matt, I can see you put a lot of thought into it. This should be standard viewing for anyone jumping into Harley-Davidson ownership.
Love your videos, a different perspective. I’m 68 years old have been riding most of my life, with about a 12 year break since my last bike which was an Electra Glide. Last year I bought a 19 Road Glide special. In a year of riding I never achieved the confidence and comfort I once enjoyed. I have a long hilly gravel driveway that intimidated a lot. After a year and only putting about three hundred miles on the bike I had to make a tough decision. I’m now a proud owner of a 20 Tri Glide. I love it and having a blast.
Much respect for you, big man. I appreciate you putting the effort in to help riders and future riders. These smaller dealerships could take notes. Too bad I'm on the exact opposite side of the country from you
Very good info, but on your last point, for me in choosing 'which Softail', it came down to 1. cornering clearance 2. how much fuel the tank holds, and how convenient it is to swap in/out the saddlebags for riding with or without saddlebags and without detracting from the looks of the bike when riding without saddlebags. Why, because I like to go quick on winding roads, I don't want to be always thinking about fuel stops/how far is the next fuel station with those ridiculous small tanks, and I mostly ride without saddlebags.
Well, I have a lifetime of riding experience, and a great technique and awareness. I bought a Street Glide Special (my bad) and hated it because it is so top-heavy and bulky. It was not a pleasure riding it, especially at lower speeds around tow, And I was always afraid of dropping it from my foot slipping or not being fully concentrating at stops and low speeds. I did not feel it was the bike for me for sure. I did not ride it much because of those factors and just maneuvering it to get started in the direction i wanted to ride initially from my garage was a n annoying chore, always doing that waddle to be careful I did not drop or damage it. I traded it away quickly after only a couple months of ownership. Traded it on a Sport Glide. I lost $$ on the deal, but I ride a whole lot more and am happier with the bike,
I've had three Fat Boys and changed to a CVO Street Glide last summer and I haven't enjoyed the experience either, I also find them very top heavy and feel like they will topple over with only the slightest lack of concentration. Filtering through traffic is also awful on them as well, weaving from side to side to keep it straight at low speed isn't fun. Also find the tiny fairing completely insufficient for my needs and in particular listening to the radio at anything above 60mph is impossible.
How does the sport glide perform on highway? I don’t do much highway but occasionally do and need something decent on those high speeds when trucks are passing me
Been riding for 51 years. My first Harley was a 84 Sportster, then a 98 Dyna, 2004 Deuce (favorite Harley) , 2014 Street Glide Special (fell in love with cruise control and music), 2018 Sport Glide (best riding Harley but missed music) and now a 2019 Tri-Glide. I gave up the Street Glide because health changed and could not move my feet fast enough to the ground when I applied the ABS brakes in several quick braking situations. The bike then fell over (never got hurt except pride). Loved the Sport Glide but just missed all the extras that my Street Glide had. Saw your video on Tri-Glide and bought one just like it (same color). So another thing to add about which HarleyDavidson to buy would be health and reflex time. I've had quite a few riders ask me about trike. They are older and having same problem and like myself just do not want to give up riding Harley's and the life style of the Harley culture. Live up in Washington or would of bought it from you. Keep up good work and great videos and thanks for the Tri-Glide review. Oh and I love my Tri-Glide (very comfortable on Highway and I can ride my wife very safely and not worry about falling over.
I just got hired at Frazier Harley-Davidson here in Buford,Ga. I’m stoked to be a part of the H-D family and can’t wait to see your live stream Tuesday. 🤙🏻
Cool man. Welcome aboard.
Just follow this approach and you’ll do yourself and your customers a great service..all sales reps should watch this before getting thrown to the wolves..
There are so many choices. Small cruiser, large cruiser, medium cruiser and of course, for those of us who don't like cruisers, we can always try a cruiser.
Sharp lesson plan with a great sign in the background ( No dealer added markup) !!! I could watch your video’s all day long !!! Thanks !!! 😳
Hi Matt, I am a beginner rider, 6’2 270, I sat on a lot of Bikes, the Breakout I feel the most comfortable on especially the forward controls and handlebar position. I have long arms .I live in Hawaii, so no Highway riding. What other bikes should I be looking at ? Your right the weight is intimidating.
Well said! I started with a 2014 iron 883, moved on to a 2014 Street Bob, then a 2017 Street Glide, and finally (for now lmao) I own a 2019 Road Glide! Love all of them.
Dang you ran the full gambit! Nice Progression.
And you're still paying finance charges for how many years? Motor Co. loves you.
Matt, that was an OUTSTANDING video! A segment of that video you were talking to my wife and she was actually listening. I got her a 2008 Fat Bob because it fit her well. Turns out its way to heavy for her, so your short person chat was right on point!
Great information Matt. Definitely will assist those who are going to buy their next Harley. Absolutely agree ... don't think price but what bike fits your needs.
Well done ...
Thank you! and thanks for watching
I'm currently 44 years old. I only started riding in 2016. I did the MSF course and bought a 2012 Yamaha V star 250. I only kept that for a year then got a HD Street 750 in 2017. I love this bike! I ride primarily in town traffic where I need to be fast and nimble the this bike does that in spades.
I know everybody shits on the Street bikes but I don't care one ounce about that. Though I am technically too big for my age and comfort level for this bike, I admit. I'm 6'2" and close to 195 lbs. But the Street is still great for the city and can do the highway easily and better distance than any Sportster.
Anyway, great video Matt!
This cleared up the HD Line in my mind majorly. I was so confused. Thanks for doing this!
So refreshing to see an honest sales person. Well done Matt.
Thanks for posting. I’m glad you covered the stature of riders. I’m 6’3” and 230 pounds with bad knees and, after a 30 year hiatus from riding, I’m itching to get back on the saddle so I’m looking for a Harley with leg room that I can stretch out on and cruise the countryside for a few hours at a time. Any advice?
BTW, whoever added the subtitles to this video uses the word “writers” and “writing” instead of “riders” and “riding”. Just thought you’d like to know.
Get you a Fat bob or fatboy
Owned several Harleys for the past 20 years, never knew the difference between the models. Excellent vid!
Love your vids. For me I think region is a big part of the equation. I live in Washington State and I do not enjoy riding in pouring down rain 7 months of the year. Right now I have a 2017 fxdls, but I commute to work and really need a street glide special. Backpack gets old after a while; but 28k is a hard sell for me since i know I wont be riding it all the time its raining. If I lived in CA or AZ would be a different story. I can more than afford one but paying a 400 a month bill each month to be able to ride maybe 4 months of the year.......you see where Im going. Keep up the great vids.
I Bought my CVO Road Glide Ultra a year ago from Laidlaw and its the best bike i have ever had, just got back from a 4000 mile 11 state trip and it was flawless
Another great video from Matt. Though I’m not on the West Coast, I still like to watch all the bike reviews, etc., that this channel offers. For the best, no-nonsense, straightforward, and informative videos on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, this is where you need to be!
My first Motorcycle was a 650 BSA while living in Chicago. I traded a 30-passenger school bus that I converted into a camper for the BSA. Sold it 10 years later after moving to Florida. When we moved to Kenosha Wi to spend our final years with family, I went to Uke’s HD and told the salesman I had 10 years’ experience on a 650 BSA. All I wanted was a Harley with 1200 or more CC’s that I could flat foot it. He pointed to a brand new Sporty (2014 XL1200T) that I was standing next to.
It looked good and I could flat foot it with my knees bent. While I was still reluctant, he started it up and my pen jumped out of my pocket right into my hand. I had to have it. Really enjoyed riding it and after the warrantee expired, I did a stage one to it. Totally got disappointed in the loud exhaust. Could not hear my GPS even at idle. Bought the quiet baffles for the V&H exhaust and still had problems hearing the GPS when riding over 40 mph. Back problems caused me to sell the Sporty.
Went back to Uke’s and told them my problem. Was asked to try a Softail and see if that would settle down the back pain. After reviewing what HD had, I settled down on a Lowrider. About three weeks later Uke’s got a new 2019 Lowrider in for me to test ride. It was great! No back pain and it was just fun to ride. Signed the paperwork on the spot. After 500 miles I got Uke’s to do a Stage 2 with the Torque cam, heavy breather, Street Cannons and the Auto tuner with wide band O2 sensors along with the extended warrantee. Drove it home and was extremely satisfied with the ride. Within a week I had my second spine surgery, it went bad. The Lowrider sits in my garage today with a total of 505 miles on it.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. Looks like the VA will resolve the medical problems and I will be able to ride again!
Laidlaws will always work with you! I love this dealership.
Best experience ever.
I went in a dealership in Florida and sat on a whole bunch of different scooters, the big touring saddles made it hard to flatfoot the ground, the dyna just didn't feel right, and the sportswriter of course had the shortfalls. Love at first sight may be an illusionary concept, but I truly love my RoadKing, no frills, no add ons, no desire to trade up. Gotta love Harley Davidson
One year passed on my iron 883, nearing the two year mark..i know the pros and cons of my iron, i changed the looks and accessories to suit my built. I might buy a Softail or touring model after some years, but i might look into other brands too...
Love the honesty Matt. The more I watch your channel the more I enjoy them. Keep up the good work and hope to see your team soon.
Yup got a sportster in January I wanna upgrade to a soft tail now
Biohazard64 if you're enjoying your Sportster, keep it; get another bike if you want but don't get rid of it. I traded mine on an Electra Glide and regretted it... and it was "only" an 883. Ended up getting another Sportster (1200 this time) and now that I have both, I can honestly say I ride the Sportster more.
George Costanza I love my iron 1200 well I guess when I group ride I’m the slowest/needs gas more is when I wanna upgrade haha
I've had my Sportster 4 years, love it. Yes I'd like to get another bike too lol
Biohazard64 no way a 1200 sportster is slower then those heavy ass baggers
Biohazard64 when you say slowest, do you mean it's because you always gotta stop for gas, or are you riding with super sports? Because your Iron 1200, even stock, shouldn't have much problem keeping up with touring bikes and some smaller displacement sport tourers. I can see windblast being an issue at higher speeds on the highway but if you can't keep up in the canyons, it's not the bike.
Great video Matt! Especially the point about budget. There is nothing worse than buying a bike just because it's less expensive, and then all you can think about is how you should have just bought the Road King, Heritage, or CVO. Prepare so you can buy the bike you will ride, and you won't regret it.
Can you redo this video for 2024?
Not being in a hurry is a big help. Look ahead and start investigating. I want a Softail, I was thinking about a Softail Slim but I want a windshield from time to time. So, the Deluxe (which I think is the most beautiful bike ever made) was my next thought because a windshield would look great on it.
Aha ! The Heritage is the choice. Touring capable, and strip it down and it's a Deluxe basically.
Do your homework. And, thank you Matt, you're the best.
Great video, Matt! I appreciate you taking the time to do these videos...very helpful. I'm very happy with my 2019 Heritage Soft tail...thanks again!
Thank you! Enjoy.
Dude this is just the video I've been looking for thank you so much thx
I like the Shawn Smoak approach. One of everything 😁
Laidlaw is my dealer of choice, they've always been there for any of my questions and repair needs. A ONE PLUS dealer.
My first bike was a 07 street bob. I had zero riding experience and just took the beginner rider course. I rode my Dyna for 3 years and upgraded to a 19 Roadglide special. I recommend starting out on a Softail. Sportsters are awesome bike but a 883 iron will get old fast. I bought my wife one and she loves it buts she’s been riding it a few months now and she’s even starting to outgrow it. I think it’s all about what bike you feel comfortable on
Would lime to see a video showing fit for women. Height, weight, changing seats and handlebars and moving floorboards/pegs forward or backward.
Yes there is close to nothing out there for women riders
I'm 5'6" so I can reach on a lot of bikes, not all and the seats are so wide and the bar placement is too far. I don't want to lean forward, I have back issues. There's a lot of short women that have to make crazy adjustments to ride. They should make smthg.
I’m so glad you made this video. I’m 5’9” and weight 225. Muscular guy and I can’t really decide between sport glide, street glide or fat bob. Test drove a fat bob, road king and several other soft-tails. The best hands down was the fat bob. I had no idea that would be the bike for me. I’m scared of the road king because I dropped it at a light. I wasn’t even in motion at the time and it went down. Guessing because I had the handlebars turned all the way to the left. Coming from CBR600rr. Now I’m going back and forth on what bike to get because I want to drive longer distances but not sure if fat bob is the one for that.
19:12 my man is skipping every other stair
How you described the Softail frame is exactly what I was thinking and why I think a Softail Standard will be my first Harley. Appreciate this a lot 🙏🏽 idk when I'll be able to afford one but learning is always fun for me lol
Best one for me Matt is a second hand one mate .... save millions.
Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Hello Matt, I truly wished I would have known about your dealership sooner....Well actually I did , I grew up in East Los Angeles and I knew about the dealership in the San Gabriel Valley. It's just that I was just 18 years old at the time and promised my mom I would not buy a motorcycle because she would be constantly worrying about me. I did not want to put my mom through the anguish. I moved away at age 21. went to the South Bay to live and never looked back at the East Los Angeles area. I also keept to my promise . My mom recently passed and I am heart broken over that. I found myself trying new things in order to try avoiding the sorrow. Then I remembered Harley - Davidson. My mom is gone so she wont be worried anymore. I remembered the attraction to Harleys. I went to a dealership out were I live (Mission Viejo) and purchased a Sport Glide. I loved the look of the bike. I don't have a license and I am not to save on riding so I had the bike delivered to my house and I am taking a class on riding on the 26th of this month. I think I made the right choice on the bike as I am 5' 6" . Like I said I wished I would have known about your You Tube entries earlier. I am keeping up with all your entries and learning a lot. Once I learn to ride I might trade mine for another one. If I decide to do that I will definitely go to Laid laws and seek your advice. I like the Street Glids for my next bike. Thank you Matt for all the information and your honesty. It means a lot.
Ahh if only I could buy them all . . . 😪
YES!!!
Bye bye, bank account
I like the way you ask the 5 questions. That's very important in buying a bike. All Harley Dealerships should incorporate this into selling bikes. Great job Matt 👍
Such a great video, regardless of people choosing Harley's or not. Lots of important tips. Appreciate the insights
Great Format of Last few Harley Davidson Promo videos Matt, Nick and Andrew. Harley for Life.
I’ve got a sportster that I’ve put about 25k on, I definitely should have bought a dyna
Robert Kraft Exactly I miss my sporty although I ride a street bob
Really good video Matt, I say just buy one and chances are if your heart is into Harley’s you will own it for ever, it will rip your heart out to see someone else on it. The people you meet on Harley’s is priceless. This is proof of it 😀 The brand loyalty is second to no other product you can buy.
Well said. Thanks for the comment Aggie.
I’ll add this with a windshield and a second seat any Harley can go coast to coast! Want an adventure bike buy an Fxr the original and best adventure bike 🍺👍
Damn ; I just like that softail slim -
Thanks Matt for going the extra mile -
🤠❤️👍🏻
If I lived in the US I would come to you! Breakout for me btw. 😉
I went from an 01 Softtail Standard to a Wide Glide , to a Road Glide. On a BMW R1200GSA now.
I live in the Sierra Nevada and ride the forestry and dirt roads often but when in the asphalt I want decent wind deflection plus decent road manners, set up for the long haul as well. I’m eagerly awaiting the Pan America, hoping they do it right because I love the big on/road bikes.
The number one question I ask when selling someone a Harley: “how much money do you have?” And we go from there. Lol
That's not a great sales strategy. They will never tell you the truth when you ask that question.
Michael Sgambati Well tbh almost all the harleys are identical in sound and feel, just the ride quality varies on the chassis. In that regards, asking about budget would be sensible as then they would be able to get bikes off the showroom floor accordingly. For instance, if you run a HD dealership near a poor area and the people mainly have a budget of $9K, there is no way you will push them a Electra glide or brand new soft tail because that would be wasted inventory in your area. Instead you would go to certified pre owned for the majority of stock you hold so they can sell. You are in the business to sell good badass motorcycles, not to be a historian on everything HD.
Better question is " do you like overspending for inferior quality"?
I tell the salesmen, give me your best OUT THE DOOR PRICE, from the comfort of my own couch, and also mention we don't talk finance until we nail down that out the door price. Finally I remind the stealer that I will call your competitor with your best price.......we go from there.
👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
Good points, when I bought mine no one asked me shit, they just showed me the bikes and I took 5 of them for a ride. Walked out with 2019 883 got till may of 2020 to trade it in and get me a softail, you’ll get over the 883 within 4 weeks, bro you should be going around the US and talking to salesmen, Harley should hire you as a REP
I've been riding for 46 years and notice as you get older weight and size of the bike becomes an issue.
That’s true. I probably should have addressed getting older.
I HIGHLY recommend going to dealer demo days to ride as many of the different models as possible. I didn’t know anything about any models and let the bikes talk to me while I rode them. When I was done I picked the Street Glide, not knowing that it was the biggest seller for HD.
What was said makes sense. BUT, at the same time you're kind of perpetuating that Harley "mindset?" where bigger is better and if you don't have the biggest baddest Harley, you don't have a real Harley... and that's a HUGE problem the Moco is having. Their sales are going in the wrong direction and starting at the very top brass, Harley is trying to switch things up hence all the products that traditional buyers wouldn't expect from Harley ie the Street series, Livewire, FXDR, the new adventure bike, etc. But all of that is for naught if they dealers don't believe in the product. From someone new to the brand, you pretty much just wrote off Irons and most other Sportsters, along with completely disregarding the Streets. This never happens in the import world. The sport bike crowd talk about small bikes like Ducati Monsters, Ninja 250's, Rebel 500s, and Yammie R3's like they're the best things since sliced bread. That way, they build up confidence, fall in love with the hobby, and buy more bikes. But you're giving the impression that if you want to ride a Harley, and your friends have touring bikes, then you better get one too because you don't want to hold them up, irrespective of your riding ability. Or, it doesn't matter that an Iron is already half a foot longer and 200lbs heavier than that R6 you rode in on, but you better get a bigger bike because you look hilarious on that puny thing. Who cares about what your friends have, ride your own ride! Sorry but that's just wrong and that's why Harley is losing market segment. People get pressured into getting a bigger bike than they should because "they look better" on it, or they feel obliged not to hold up the guys with Street Glides, but then it totally turns them off the whole experience, they get rid of the bike, and never ride again. Either that, or they'll just walk out the dealership saying screw Harley and everything they stand for, I'll stick with Honda's Africa Twin DCT. See where I'm coming from? If not, take a step back and try to watch your video in someone else's shoes. Remember the old saying "you meet the nicest people on a Honda?" Well, they came up with that for a reason, it's still true for a reason, and they sell the most bikes in the world for a reason; they don't treat Grom riders like second class citizens because they know that guy is going to have that 125 mini bike along with a CBR1000RR. They don't care how big (or small) your bike is, and that "as long as you're riding" attitude is exactly what Harley needs, not getting people into big twins and touring bikes irregardless of everything else.
George Costanza totally agree... and I own Harley's. Here's why I say that. There's a sportbike group I ride with and one of the guys got a Z125. Everybody goes crazy over that little thing when it comes out with us. I got a turn on it too and gotta admit, it goes at a snails pace and a 5'9" foot 180lb dude looks hilarious riding it, but it is probably the most fun you'll have on two wheels. And if you think an Iron is a lead weight among touring bikes, wait till you see a 125 trying to keep up with 1000cc super sports :) But nobody has a problem with it, everyone blasts off like they usually do then chill out for a bit until it catches up. Anyways, when I got into Harley's I was ridiculed for being on an 883 and totally felt pressured to "upgrade". So I did and got an Electra Glide. But I didn't have nearly as much fun on it and felt like an idiot for being a 45 year old man succumbing to peer pressure. So, I got myself back into a Sportster (1200 Custom). Now that I have both, I can honestly say I prefer the Sportster, and take it at least 9 out of 10 rides. It's just so manoeuvrable, so easy to just hop on and bomb around town, with stage 2 upgrades it's got plenty of power, plus its so easy to just roll up and park anywhere I want(with the Electra Glide I gotta be extra careful to park it somewhere I can back out of). It just suits the type of riding I do, and I love it. Anyways, if you do too, then just get one and ride the heck out of it, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
I traded my Honda shadow Sabre 1100 in for a sportster 1200 48 special. Loved it rode it two years and just wanted a bigger bike since I’m a big guy. Traded my 18 in for a 20 fxbb. Best purchase I made. So satisfying to ride
Would like to hear more from lady rider viewpoints.
i see alot of women on softail slims, mainly imo, due to its low seat height.
my goal was cross country riding with secure storage so i got a trike; never been sorry. i love my bike!
I'm interested in a harley but don't know what would be right for me. I'm relatively new to riding just got my first bike about five months ago have about 2000 miles on it's a drz 400sm . I commute about 10 minutes away for work in little traffic and mostly country roads and no freeways. but will be starting a job about a hour away with a lot of traffic and freeways so I wanted something that's good for just cruising through town on weekends and running errands and can also ride on freeway with ease. I'm about 6'1 and weight about 255
First tip: get high paying job so you can afford one or 2 or 3 avg paying jobs!!
I’ve not even completed the video , but I just wanna say thanks, I am from India, an Harley enthusiasts , and I watch your videos so regularly , thanks for all your videos Matt.
My gas tank can outlast my buttcheeks between fills, no question.
Learned riding on a small 80cc Suzuki dirt bike when I was a teenager, then there was a big gap, the first Harley I’ve got was street 500 and I loved it, after more than 2 years of riding I have traded it to Sport Glide and I am very happy, it has removable bags and fairing, big tank, hydraulic rear suspension lifter, inverted forks, cruise control. So its really good for highway riding and as well ad daily commute.
If I had some extra 20K, would buy Deluxe as a second option, the best looking Harley in my opinion and pretty decent bike to ride.
I like the CVO Road Glide in gunship gray but its way too expensive for me :D maybe someday will get it 😎
"Extra $30/mo." I don't even like financing primary transportation, but NEVER FINANCE A TOY
Make it your primary?
@@maygorfungus9094 I would love for my bike to be my primary. Still, pay cash. Even H-Ds are depreciating now.
Scott Edson buy one you’ll never sell. If you’re smart, you’d take it serviced to the dealer AND KEEP RECIEPTS AND LOG THE MILEAGE AND MAINTENCE IN A BOOK to show to the seller so they know they’re buying a quality product.
Not as much of a problem when you have a very low interest rate. But anything above 3-5%, I agree with you.
Matt nailed it. The street 750 is niche... next!!! Lol i will say it is great for beginners, commuters or someone on a budget who likes sewing machines...But why when you can get a iron 883, forty eight 1200cc which is a way better motor/bike.
I had sportbikes, cafe racers, 2016/2017 sportys now have a 2018 softail stage 1. The m8 and new softails have been good to me so far day in day out. Far superior stock suspension .
The street bob FXBB and FLSL SLIM are easily customizable. perform and so far have been tons of fun. Rode them all over arizona and northern california/tahoe. No issues. My only gripe is the stock saddle/seat on any sporty or harley is NOT comfy for long rides. The stock exhaust blows. But thats why you pay the harley tax. Upgrade exhaust/intake/tuners/seats and handlebars to taste? Matt enjoy your vids as always.
I might add the livewire is for a niche crowd for $30,000+ .... pindrop... NEXT HAHAH
0:44 😂
God damn, I really couldn't figure out the difference between all the different Harley models. They do not make bikes in the same way as other manufacturers. This video was able to explain quite well what the underlying idea is behind the way the bikes are built. Made me like Harleys even more. Amazing job.
Matt said he rides 65mph or faster, think he ment to say 85mph AND FASTER!!
Yea, you got me.