11-09-2014, 10:20 PM
I had a 13 and then moved up to a Deluxe 14. So the previous advice from Rick of color, standard versus DLX is spot on - if you are looking at the standard 14 black vs the 13 model, then the 13 is a fantastic buy at this price. The 14 Deluxe is awesome but another $5K over what you are considering and tricky to find. I personally find the sixth gear a big help (but its a matter of riding style) - 6th noticeably reduces the revs about 50mph - cruising at 4k revs is a thing of the past. I also like the DLX four into two exhausts, and the instrumentation is upgraded - onboard computer and gear indicator, instrument switches etc. I am really glad I made the switch up. Having had both it is all about what you intend to do with the bike - if you are weekend fun, in-town commute and riding around the twisty's then the 13 is for you - at these prices its hard to beat (for the $5K saving go and buy an old Harley or Vstar for cruising). However if you regularly drive more than 20 miles at on the interstate at 70mph then the Deluxe or standard 14 is the bike - hands down - knocking those revs down is way more comfortable than 4k revs making you knuckles white after an hour - which is what you get on the 13. However not your typical cruiser - 13 with a windshield is also better than naked on the highway.
I think my 13 was a bit more lively around those twisting bends because of the gearing and the tank while smaller than the DLX, well the tank on the standard looks a little better. I got the 14 because this is such an awesome machine and I intend the keep it for years. That lack of the 6th gear was beginning to drive me nuts (but this is a personal riding preference - I like the engine revs lower when rolling along).
The seat on the 14 dlx is very retro and eye catching. love that.
So net net - 14 Deluxe is awesome - 6th gear most important consideration.
Standard 13 vs standard 14 - take the 13, spend the difference on accessories, extra gear on an after market sprocket or buy and old HD for those cruising moments you find yourself in.
And good luck finding a DLX if thats your choice - I had to search high and low for mine for a while, almost impossible to find until next year.
Given that - I would take the red 13 over the black 14 any day of the week - so whats your color is the big question. Good news is there is not a bad decision here and you will be happy.
I think my 13 was a bit more lively around those twisting bends because of the gearing and the tank while smaller than the DLX, well the tank on the standard looks a little better. I got the 14 because this is such an awesome machine and I intend the keep it for years. That lack of the 6th gear was beginning to drive me nuts (but this is a personal riding preference - I like the engine revs lower when rolling along).
The seat on the 14 dlx is very retro and eye catching. love that.
So net net - 14 Deluxe is awesome - 6th gear most important consideration.
Standard 13 vs standard 14 - take the 13, spend the difference on accessories, extra gear on an after market sprocket or buy and old HD for those cruising moments you find yourself in.
And good luck finding a DLX if thats your choice - I had to search high and low for mine for a while, almost impossible to find until next year.
Given that - I would take the red 13 over the black 14 any day of the week - so whats your color is the big question. Good news is there is not a bad decision here and you will be happy.