I've ridden my 2000 sporty for over a year now and I'm ready to move up to a motorcycle I can ride for days. Yes, I'm hooked. I've decided to sell my current bike before I go looking for a new one.

I've ridden several models at various Harley Demo Days and have settled on either the Road King or the Street Glide. I'm leaning towards the Road King because the majority of my everyday riding would be around town. I like the idea of removing the windscreen and going open air, but would like to add a removable faring sometime in the near future so I can enjoy music while on the road. I don't like using my iPod because I want to hear whats going on around me. Has anyone gone this route? If so I'd love to hear your opinion.

Second, since I bought my Sporty from an individual, I have no experience in dealing with a dealership. I'd like to buy new so I can get the warranty and the new 103ci engine. I know you can haggle with car dealers but what about the Harley dealer? Do they negotiate or are the locked in to their prices?

Finally, anything else you can think of I need to know before stepping in the dealership?

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.

I went the other way. I had a big bike and added a Sportster. I am amazed on how many more miles I ride the Sportster--so much so that sometimes I feel guilty watching the big bike just sit.

Since you'll have two bikes, why not use the opportunity to turn a good mechanic loose on the Sporty? Go through the engine, rebuild the carburetor, update your exhaust system, add some chrome and paint...

I updated my Sportster's suspension. With enough fuel, I can go anywhere and keep up with bigger bikes. Lots of Sportsters go to Sturgis. It's the mental, not the metal.

How to get the best deal on a new harley.

1. Never be in a hurry to buy your new bike. Go to the dealership and make friends with the sales people and feel out who you like.

2. Do this at all the dealerships in your area. Talk to people, and see who has the best dealership that you will be able to deal with.

3. Are you paying cash or financing it? Harley dealers do make a lot of money on the bikes, there is room to get a deal.

4. Don't be afraid to ask for a deal. Pick the bike out that you want with whatever options that come from the factory that you want. Make sure that it is the bike that you want, they may just give it to you for the price that you want to pay.

5. Don't be afraid to walk out the door, may deals are made while you are walking out the door. The dealer does not what to be known for giving his bikes away. That is why you never hear about anyone getting a deal. Tell the salesman that you will keep the deal quite.

6. Once you made your deal, the dealer will usually give you 10% to 20% off any extras that you want to buy.

Last but not least December is a slow time for all sales of big ticket items. Check out the dealers and see if you can get a deal. Winter is a slow time if there is snow on the ground the dealers will be very slow. Take advantage of this time of the year.

Let us know how this turns out for you. Good luck and happy holidays!

I agree with Hardrider on every point. I believe additional points should be added.

Hardrider's comments and perspectives indeed apply with the purchase. To that, his perspectives apply when purchasing a new car, a hairdryer or a bag of stove-bolts. You must be a knowledgeable and informed shopper, and one of those slants is to build a relationship with their sales and service employees. I do that wherever I shop.

But I would like to add my own touch. Clearly, a Harley is not a bag of stove-bolts. While technically the bike is a piece of metal with holes drilled into it, the bike has a personality which evokes a visceral response. My bike is not a Dyna, it's "Betty." This is not a new concept. Consider the rifle creed of a Marine, "This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine."

I don't 'need' a Harley. In reality, I never needed any of the +/-dozens I have owned in my lifetime. And I will not ever need two of them at the same time, and yet that conditiion exists. As a "knowledgeable consumer" I screwed the pooch. I entered into a sales negotiation where I lost large sums of money for no reason.

I have several +$300 knives, and I could just as well get by with a 17 buck box-cutter. If we are to be honest here, a Harley is a "want" and never a 'need.' If we are to approach two-wheeled transportation as a handful of bolts, we could still get our nuts in the breeze by buying a SilverWing. If you read that and cringed, then you are wasting money, too, and you don't really care. Sometimes we do nutty things for pure fun, and a Harley is one of those things. Go get the bike...

it depends on the dealer and happy trals

If you can afford cash, go in get a out the door price on the bike that you want. Tell the salesman that you need to think about it wait a day or two go back with a cashiers check for a $1,000 less and hand it to the salesman. I have seen this work at some dealerships.