Conflicted

[lloydo]

Didn't think this could happen...  I sold my '99 FLSTF three years ago and bought a '06 Sprint ST.  It's been a great bike and although I sometimes get the itch to try something else, I've always come back to the Sprint as being the "right bike".  So, here I am, on vacation (from home in PA) at my brother's house in Michigan and I decide to spend the afternoon on his '97 Heritage Springer (about as low tech a bike as you can get).  Guess what?  I miss my Harley.  I know, it's slow, heavy and loud; but it's also pretty comfortable and a whole lot of fun to just cruise around on.  

So, should I forget about this happening and stick with the Sprint?  Or, should I go home and buy that new Road King?

Decisions, decisions...  the dark side seems to be calling me back.

Lloyd

[scott-sts]

I think what happened is you got a touch of character in your blood and now you want more.  The Sprint, as good a bike as it may be, mimics the straightforward design of a Japanese bike.  It goes about it's business in a methodical way, not stirring any particular emotions.  Dare I say...boring?
The Harley, as basic as it seems, injects a sense of adventure and character that Japanese bikes lack, plus it massages your prostate just right.
So, you need the assy line quality of the Sprint with the soul and character of a Harley.

You my friend, need a DUCATI.

[chornbe]

Hmm... not sure how much help I can actually be to you there.

My garage = Street Glide, Sportster and an FZ1.

Right tools for various and very different jobs.

[Yankee Dog]

Does it have to be a Harley?  Consider getting a used cruiser of some sort and keeping the Sprint.  Which one you drive out of the driveway most days will tell you which one to keep.

By the way.  Used Triumph Americas can be had for under $5k. Plenty of panache and a nice bike as well.  

Yankee Dog

[lloydo]

Great replies so far...  I've been following the "Chornbe Saga" for quite some time; so, I was expecting that answer.  :-)  By the time he sees me in Marlinton, WV for the Region 6 meet I hope my conflict can be resolved (perhaps in the same way he handles his).

I hope it isn't secret enjoyment of the "prostate massage"--although on that evo it certainly exists.

I'm gonna leave right now for another ride on the Heritage to try to figure out why I don't like it.

Lloyd

[atadaskew]

You my friend, need a MOTO GUZZI.

Fixed that for ya!  The Ducs would be too sophisticated feeling.
Go get the 'new' Cali Vintage. Or a Griso.

[1KPerDay]

Buy the Harley you want and keep the Sprint. Everyone needs at least 4 bikes.

[surfsup]

as a current and long time harley owner - with a few sport touring years under my belt - i feel your pain.

i am conficted as well - the buell XB12XT looks like a possible blend of the 2 worlds... ?

hence my recent post... http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,29160.0.html

we could meet - swap bikes for a few days - maybe then we'd get over it???  

[rauchman]

I can relate.  Sold my 2002 Yamaha Roadstar a month or so ago for a 2007 Suzuki SV1000S and am really missing the Roadstar.  Used to bitch constantly about the sucky brakes, weight, lack of top end power, suspension........ but it was comfy as hell and police definitely didn't notice me as much.

[Bikenut]

Well. Summer before last I bought a TL1000S(Japanese Ducati ?) and sold my Hypertourer ZX12R. I consider that a half step Now this summer I bought a Road King and just sold the TL. Something to be said for chuffin' along unhurried. Even if ya do slowly ease into it


Still have the ZRX though

[Playinthestreet]

Sold my DynaGlide T Sport a year and a half go.  For the thing it "wasn't" I still miss it.   Sold it to a friend so I'll likely end up with it back some day.

[88blkbird]

I am just in the middle of this Exact problem, I own a Dyna Wide Glide which I put 10k on last year, it's a very pretty bike, runs superbly, sounds great, etc......  I'm considering a switch to the Sprint ST in favor of the handling, braking, sporty feel but I'm worried that I will make the change, love the Sprint and realize all too late I should have found another way to keep the Harley and buy an older model Sprint on the cheap.  Any of you made this decision and decided it was the right thing to do even if you still wish you had a Harley "in addition to" your sprint?

My first post on this forum.... I am over at Triumph Rat most of the time.

Thanks,
Dave

[Baron Samedi]

Sounds like you need a "proper" bike, These days, only  Harley, Enfield and Guzzi scratch that itch. Or get an old Brit classic. What you really NEED is a Norton 650ss. Or a Venom.

[88blkbird]

I have a 78 Triumph Tiger 750 in the process of being restored, possibly customized....so I suppose I'll be able to scratch that itch after it's back on the road.

[Ghost Dog]

After getting my Sprint, I kept my cruiser in the garage for a while. I thought having two different bikes would be pretty nice. But the reality was I rarely took the cruiser out. Heading out for a ride was like opening the refrigerator door and deciding between pastrami and swiss on rye with grey poupon, or Spam on white. I sold the cruiser to some kid just learning, who I figured would enjoy the bike more than I.

[Playinthestreet]

2yrs ago I had on 05 ST, an 01 DynaGlide and a 99 M900 Monster.  From Jan 1 thru Memorial day I had ridden the Monster less than 300 miles and the DynaGlide less than 1500 miles.  Didn't make much sense to keep all the stuff around.  Sold them all and bought an 88 K75 for a winter bike. (such as winter is here in central CA).  Got my 07 Tiger in Feb 07.  I kept the K75 around as I'd promised a bike to two different friends for trips in the summer.  When it turned out they were coming at overlapping times (more dumb luck) I bought the 01 ST.  After the trips the K75 went away and the Tiger and ST remain.  I can sit on my shop stool all day, cigarette and coffee in hand, and LOOK at that British racing green ST all day, but I can RIDE that fugly Tiger all day.  Currently I'm trying not to "need" a 675S.  The hazards of discretionary income late in life