im planning on buying an 06 fxst softtail and i wanted to see if there were any people on here that ride. i found a pretty good forum for harley's.

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

In my experience, the Harley service departments are a bunch of crooks. If you want to own a Harley, learn to do your own wrenching.

i plan to do most of my own wrenching.im buying the carbed bike and not the efi for that reason. im buying from chesters(used to be chosas). they are very well known and very nice people.

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

I don't believe the word crooks properly defines my limited experience with dealerships. I did find a great indy for those jobs that I don't feel like doing, and just like the MB indies, these guys are in business for themselves so they do it right and reasonable. I even gave up even trying to buy one from them, ended up building one out of a box.

Actually spent y'day and today wrenching on it, put on the two piece rocker box covers. resealed the primary and installed an alarm. As soon as I get my shock compressor back from Progressive, I'll be on the road for the summer.

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I really gets fun when they all don't run

84 500SL
99 Jeep XJ
93 Jeep YJ
03 Custom Softail

Didn't realize a carb was still an option.on the the 06 88B Twin cam motors Still stuck on EVO

I have mixed experience with "dealer" work. Some good. Some bad. Most of my issues are work quality, not cost. Parts cost what they cost and shop rates are what they are. Just don't fiddle around and waste time, especially with after market electronics, etc trying to get it right. Or break or damage something else while working on the bike!
And then deny any fault!

I will say that I have always had positive experieces when I've needed a dealer traveling out of town for emergencies. Best exp. for me North End Harley, Plattsburg NY July 1996 Great co-op from dealer.;

Good luck with the bike.

Ride Safe, Ride Free, Ride Far.

Well, my very close friend rides an '05 V Twin, and her dealer in Auburn, up the road from Sacramento, treats her just fine

And if you are getting an '06, you will be under warranty.

And best of all, if you are ON THE ROAD and have trouble, go right to the dealer, people in trouble on the road, go TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE at the service department, now is that cool or what. The "cage" dealerships could learn from that.

When you do/get one, you will instantly become a member of a very large group of friendly people who like to ride, and help each other out, whether you join H.O.G. or not. (When Beverly bought her new '05 the dealer threw in the first year's membersship to HOG Through '06, for free. That was cool.

Great move. Good ride, POTATO, POTATO, POTATO. Plus, you can get a tatoo, if ya want. (I wouldn't be saying that if you bought a Suzuki though-but you already knew that()

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Be sure to ride the other models before you buy a Softie. In my opinion, this is the absolute worst riding frame that they ever made. It was designed for looks only, and it sells based on looks. Not only is the ride quality worse (in my opinion), but the system is much harder to service than any of the others.

Add to this the fact that the Softie has a solid-mounted engine, unlike any of the others. The engine has two chain-driven balance shafts added - more stuff to break.

Ride a FL (Road King, for example) before you settle for a Softail.

Matt L is correct about the ride quality of the soft tail. Try one of the touring or dyna models and you will probably change your mind on the bike you purchase. As for dealers I have never had a problem with any dealer and I have been riding for almost 20 years off and on.

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Keith Schuster
2006 E350 98K miles
2013 Ford Explorer 15K miles

Look at a Triumph before you buy.
regards
Mark