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Went to Harley Demo Days and rode a Sport Glide, Harley's latest addition to their softail line released in 2018 1/2. I kinda fell in love with it. The comfort, the instantly removable paniers and mini batwing fairing and of course that 107 Milwaukee engine. In short, a very different ride than the CB1100 which I love too. Turns out the demo is the color I would want and they are very motivated to sell it as it has 650Km on it (which I am uneasy about). When I bought my CB, it had 0Km. The paperwork will be ready to sign on Monday when presumably I will take possession of the Harley and say goodbye to the 2016 CB1100. I can only have one bike at a time as I live in an apartment complex.
A cool but sunny day here in Sudbury Ontario and I was out on the CB all day getting as much as I could before she's gone. The more I rode, the more I appreciated what a great bike she is, maybe all the more because our time is short. What am I doing trading in the CB for a bike that will cost more to maintain and service, take more room beside the shed where my CB is currently parked and have me making a monthly Harley payment? I rationalize it this way: At 66, I figure, notwithstanding the unforseen that I have about ten good years of riding, hopefully more and if I want a more touring oriented bike I will have to make payments because precious time is slipping away. Despite this rationalization, I can't sleep tonight mulling all this over.
Read a quote in Common Thread that really resonated. "I saw a bad decision on the horizon and throttled toward it full-tilt boogie."
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I say go for it. You can always sell the Harley and buy another CB if it doesn’t work out...good luck with whatever you decide.
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A friend of mine also likes the new Harley but I personally would NEVER get rid of my CB to get a Harley but you have to do what you desire.
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When I testrode a Roadking some years ago I also was tempted to trade the relative fresh CB in for it but could resist for some reason, which was good afterwards.
I like my Honda. Don't want to become a member of the Harley clan. At least don't want to spend so much money on top of the CB. Anyway, don't have a parking place for the bike at home, which is simply to fat to park at the place where the Honda is still standing. The Roadking rides well, but my rationalism won the challenge and I'm not unlucky with the decision, just the opposite.
Wisedrum
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If I was looking for a new HD the Sport Glide is the bike I would buy as that is basically what I built my '03 Nighttrain to be - I've always called it the Night Glide Convertible. My wife and I have toured most of the US and eastern Canada on it with zero complaints or problems to the tune of 110,000km.
I don't think you will be disappointed.
Please give us a bike review after you have put some miles on it.
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Keep CB forever and buy another bike of your desire that you love 
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(09-22-2018, 05:10 PM)Mandrau_imp Wrote: Went to Harley Demo Days and rode a Sport Glide, Harley's latest addition to their softail line released in 2018 1/2. I kinda fell in love with it. The comfort, the instantly removable paniers and mini batwing fairing and of course that 107 Milwaukee engine. In short, a very different ride than the CB1100 which I love too. Turns out the demo is the color I would want and they are very motivated to sell it as it has 650Km on it (which I am uneasy about). When I bought my CB, it had 0Km. The paperwork will be ready to sign on Monday when presumably I will take possession of the Harley and say goodbye to the 2016 CB1100. I can only have one bike at a time as I live in an apartment complex.
A cool but sunny day here in Sudbury Ontario and I was out on the CB all day getting as much as I could before she's gone. The more I rode, the more I appreciated what a great bike she is, maybe all the more because our time is short. What am I doing trading in the CB for a bike that will cost more to maintain and service, take more room beside the shed where my CB is currently parked and have me making a monthly Harley payment? I rationalize it this way: At 66, I figure, notwithstanding the unforseen that I have about ten good years of riding, hopefully more and if I want a more touring oriented bike I will have to make payments because precious time is slipping away. Despite this rationalization, I can't sleep tonight mulling all this over.
Read a quote in Common Thread that really resonated. "I saw a bad decision on the horizon and throttled toward it full-tilt boogie."
Haha...I like that quote...am in the process of selling a home and looking for a new one...don't have to, mostly of choice. It's exciting, yet terrifying.
Good luck!
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Go for it. If something pulls at your heartstrings, you'll regret not capitulating to the siren's song. Especially at 66.
That said, I'm not convinced the HD will cost more to maintain and service. No valves to adjust, no chain to deal with, bigger aftermarket. Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Keep us posted and send pics!
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Before committing to that HD I’d make the effort to visit an Indian dealer. Was in there two weeks ago and the hardware they offer is absolutely stunning. I have no preference for either brand but if you’re considering a cruiser style bike especially in that price range you need to ensure you looked at all options.
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I did the opposite of what you are contemplating. I am 66 also. I owned a Harley CVO Softail Springer for 10 years prior to my 2017EX. I was a beautiful bike, and I suppose it was a "bucket list thing" to experience the Harley mystique. Choice of motorcycle is a very individual thing, and they all have some Pros and Cons. From my Harley experience, I will tell you why, for me the change to the CB1100 was the right thing, so you will have some feedback to consider. In the final analysis, the choice is yours regardless of what anyone else says, and I hope you are happy with whatever you choose, just go into it fully informed. What I have to tell is from my experience only, and others may have legitimate difference of opinion.
Harleys are expensive to maintain and insure. There is a standing joke that "HD" stands for "Hundred Dollars", i.e., you cant go into a Harley shop without ending up spending at least one hundred dollars. I prefer to do most of my maintenance, including oil and filter changes. None of the Harleys have a center stand, and probably could not be lifted onto a center stand if they had one. Consequently oil changes have to be done at the shop with a bike stand, or done at home on the side stand. Because the oil filter is horizontal n the front of the V Twin engine, doing an oil change at home is considerably more difficult and messy.
Harley V Twins are tuned very lean from the factory, in order to satisfy California emissions. Consequently they typically run very hot. I always had this nagging worry in the back of my mind, that the rear cylinder might not be getting enough air over the cooling fins, and I really felt the heat on my legs during long stop lights.
Getting older, and not quite as strong as when I was younger was definitely a concern for me. My Harley was over 750 Lbs., and by going to the CB, I shaved off over 250 Lbs. of bike weight. I can get the CB onto the center stand for maintenance and oil changes with no problem, and whereas getting the Harley out of the garage for a ride was a wrestling match, getting the CB out is a breeze.
The Harley was a great bike for cruising on a straight highway, but the twisties and low speed around town was like wrestling a tank ( at least for me ). I found that safely riding a Harley required a different riding style and mind set. This included going into curves more slowly, and increasing following distances. The more weight ( mass ) in motion, the more the handling characteristics change, and the longer it takes to slow down and stop. Although there are techniques to get a heavy bike upright by yourself if it is laid down, the more weight, the more difficult it is to do, especially if you are older.
I certainly am not bashing Harley, as I did get a lot of enjoyment out of mine for the 10 years I owned one. That said, Harley is in MHOP, a whole different ball game from what you are used to with your CB. My CB is a joy to own and ride in all aspects, including DIY maintenance, and riding in all situations and speeds. At this point in my life, and at my age, it was the right choice at the right time for me. I hope you will enjoy whatever bike you choose.
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