Pro-Touring Harley, what model would you start with?

[ACEFOOTER]

I have been wanting a Harley for a few years now, but getting major crap from traditionalists on my idea of what I want. Just like my 68 Firebird, I want a motor I can build up, good handling when I want to push hard in the twisties and brakes that will keep me out of trouble. No I don't want a Japanese bike, no I don't want a BMW, and no I don't have any false expectaions. I'm not looking for long haul comfort, just a bike to ride some poker runs, head to the beach, lay some rubber in a long loud burnout, ya know, a Pro-Touring style Harley. What year/Model/motor you you start with?? Thanks for your input, Ace

[cheapthrillz]

This always reminded me of pro-touring/streetfighter. I know its a sportster, so it probably wouldn't be very comfortable on a long haul, but it definitely looks the part.

[ACEFOOTER]

I'm too tall for a sportster but I agree thats a good looking fighter!

Carburation vs fuel injection, 5sp vs 6sp?

[hardline_42]

You might as well get a Buell and be most of the way there. Also, search for Harley cafe racer builds. Most are done on old ironhead sportsters with modern fork assemblies, brakes and shocks from sportbikes installed.

[David Sloan]

This is what i went with, an its a blast!!

http://www.smartcycleshopper.com/mot...w/article.aspx

[MuscleRodz]

or go with a V-Rod

[ACEFOOTER]

looked at the V-rods and the Buell but still not the Muscle style I want.

Evo vs Twin Cam vs Counterbalance motors?

[Chad-1stGen]

I'm not looking for long haul comfort, just a bike to ride some poker runs, head to the beach, lay some rubber in a long loud burnout, ya know, a Pro-Touring style Harley.

Not to start a pro-touring debate but honestly your build description there sounds more like a chopper which I'd say is more akin to a pro-street car.

If you really want twisty handling and Sportsters and Buell's are out then I'd look at the Dyna. Personally, Softail variants are my favorite but they are not going to handle as good in the twisties. They don't have as good of a lean angle and the fork angles are also not designed for handeling. I still have fun in the twisties with my softail but if I really start pushing it I start dragging metal way before I run out of grip on the relatively skimpy rubber I have.

Dyna narrows your engine choice down to Evo vs Twin Cam (w/o counter balance). Unless things have changed a lot in the past few years only the softails came with the twin cam counter balance motors. Dyna's were still rubber mounted. For pure power the non balance motors are best anyways. I think the twincam motors are better potential than Evo unless you want to by an off the shelf screamer from companies like S&S. A few years back when I followed Harley's closer most of the big cube aftermarket motors were still based on Evo designs.

What is your budget? How much time do you really want to spend? Are you looking for a basket case to build up? You looking for something nice to just customize a bit? If going the basket case route you might consider building the bike from scratch with an aftermarket frame.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to custom Harley and Harley based bikes.

[XLexusTech]

Harley beat you to it

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/C...#/model/vrscdx

[Damn True]

I've always been partial to the work of Russell Mitchell at Exile Cycles.

[JayR]

This one is super raw and bad to the bone. If I were buying a two wheeler, this would be it. http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...omment-page-3/

[6'9"Witha69]

I am still partial to Buell. Seriously. They HANDLE, have a comfortable ride, comfortable seating angle and while not really fast on the top end (versus a crotch rocket) they are torquey. Raelly fun to ride. The models have become more complicated over the last few years (it seems to me anyway) but they are great out of the box and have serious mod potential.

[progoat]

I have a buell now for sale for my 65' build and its a blast to ride but if your not into them thats cool. If I were you I'd buy a NightTrain I Bought one brand new in 2000 and kinda wish I still had it!

[andrewb70]

http://www.streetfighter.ducati.com/...ter/action.jsp

Andrew

[6'9"Witha69]

Also, a fun one is a MotoGuzzi. Probably not your taste if your not looking for a Bimmer style bike, but man they can fun too!

[Chad-1stGen]

This one is super raw and bad to the bone. If I were buying a two wheeler, this would be it. http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...omment-page-3/

Except for the price tag that thing looks sweet!

[class67]

[Tony_SS]

Here's my old Ducati Monster:

[PT Sportwagon]

Look into a 96" twin cam they are super smooth running. I just picked up a 08 96" twin cam Fatboy. You can barely feel it run, and rides like a dream. Great power. Any of the newer air cooled big twins are twin cam 96" you can go with a hard tail look with a Softail, The 08-09 fatboy have 200MM rear tires. You can go with a bagger which a lot of guys are building awesome customs with. With a pro-touring flair.
Check out the Harley web site to check out different bikes and use you imagination on what you can do to one.

Tim

[ACEFOOTER]

Thanks Chad, great info, seems to follow most of what I have been thinking as well.

Russell builds an awesome/simple/clean bike that looks mean for sure True!

Night Train is on the list for sure, Chrome vs Black engine though.

As for the Ducs, I thought about that for a bit but like the idea more of all the add on goodies available for the Harleys.

Anyone have experience with the FXDX(T) models?