2005 Harley-Davidson reviews

Been a great bike so far, been to Sturgis and all over Western Montana-- no problems, great power. Mine is the silver one. Hoping this will be a collector as the production numbers are very low. The bigger displacements run hotter than the 88 so you should get an oil cooler or parade fan. Show less

Hear is why I choose those 2 to decide between. I wanted three basic features in my next bike. 1-belt/shaft drive=low maint, 2-fuel INJ=better in cold & mileage, 3-Liguid cooled=comfort on hot riding days. With requirement like that, the list of eligible late model bikes under $11,000 becomes limited. Yes, Yamaha's new cruiser did fit the bill but I refuse to buy the first production year of any motorized vehicle. First let me say I love this bike. It fits my style and I have always told my friends that the only Harley I like enough to buy is the V-Rod. And it was my budget that allowed me to get this bike instead of the VTX1800. So after one year of learning to ride on a 2004 Suzuki SV650 I upgraded. After 3 weeks the farthest traveled on one trip is about 150 miles, passenger included. The bike is not without flaws but what bike isn't? Wind drift due to the solid front rim is apparent but not as bad as people have led me to believe. Basically don't try riding next to other riders above 45MPH until you are comfortable with the bike. Drifting was only in my own lane, and I have ridden my new/used V-Rod in some pretty high winds on open country back-roads where gusting is frequent. Next was fuel mileage. I am getting about 120 to a tank. But I do not intend to ride 500 miles in one day; one tank worth of riding is a good day by me and my women. Its power band does not kick until 4000RPM's but watch out when you find it. It's actually kind of cool because the lazy response makes low speed cruising more rumbly and comfortable, and to get the power you only need to drop 2 and twist. Again I love this bike, and by adding the usual accessories: tall boy seats recommended for riders close to 6' or taller, straight pipes for better sound, EFI power commander ($300+) required on all EFI's when pipes are upgraded for fuel mapping I KNOW IT SUCKS, & removable bags for those longer rides, it will be everything I need and more... Notes on the VTX1800F I compared Even though it is a much larger engine it actually has slightly less power, you've got to love Porsche for designing that great V-Rod 1130cc engine. The VTX was much heavier about 100lbs and it felt much heavier when it was upright. Last, when riding both bikes courtesy of my brother-in-law's VTX1300C=same frame as VTX1800 with just a smaller block, it surprised me that I felt much smaller on the VTX. Even he said he felt considerably bigger on the Vrod. Hope this helps. Show less

This bike has been wonderful. Got caught on the edge of hurricane Alberto in the summer of 06 and the bike handled well and kept on runnning without a problem. Had to replace 1 rear light bulb in all the miles. Show less

First off, let me say a few things. 1. I am not a die hard Harley fan. I don't like lots of chrome or super loud pipes or Harley bikes for the sake of being Harleys. 2. Sportsters aren't 'rice rockets' and won't perform like them but are very potent with a rider who knows how to ride one 3. Although good 'beginner' bikes, test ride a few of the 2 wheeled sofas before you 'upgrade'. A lot of you will thank me then stick with your sporty. These bikes do have a special place with me because its history as the original superbike, its performance capability and growing up around them. But I will say this, they are straight out fun to ride. I love the torque and it delivers throughout the power range, but 6000 rpm was too soon of a cut off for me, just when it was starting to get fun. As far as reliability, I have had head gasket leaks after some work (cams), rocker box leaks (fixed myself), and neck bolt came loose (dealership couldnt figure it out). I am always worried that it's gonna break down, but it hasn't.....then again I tend to beat the hell out of it....more then the average rider it seems. Stock - it feels very torquey and seems to beg for more up until the top end, then it flattens out. But just some basic motor (exhaust intake etc) make a world of improvement. This motor has a ridiculous amount of potential for what it is (115 rwhp is possible wihtout NOS or turbos using aftermarket stuff). Stock handling is pretty decent but again can be improved a lot, same with comfort. It is a great all around bike but not great in any one area. Be sure it is what you are looking for. If you are willing to spend some more money and like tinkering, you can make a Sporty a very capable bike in any manner. With my slightly more then basic mods, I still frustrate a lot of rice rocket riders off the line, and they really don't like it when you are doing about a 100mph staying with them and using your highway pegs or when you blow by them in curvy mountain pass. I have also embarrased several Harley big bike riders. I personally love the bike for these reasons. Depending on the look you are going for it is a nice looking bike, I get a lot of compliments. Harley support depending where you are at can be little more then a bad joke at times. If you are looking for respect from the Harley crowd or other bikers...don't really expect much, you are on a 'girls' bike to the Harley guys (not the ones that know the Sporty) and the rice rocket guys will think - Harley junk. I plan to do more in depth aftermarket motor mods and plan on putting an aftermarket seat and rear shocks. At that point, I can't really complain anymore. Despite everything negative I have said, I won't ever get rid of this bike if I can help it. I love the thing and am making it what I want. Just make sure it is what you want, you understand the quirks and what you can do with it.... those who do usually become part of the small die hard Sporty club. Show less

I ride my Sporty 5 or 6 times a week, in all kinds of weather. It has been perfectly reliable. It's a great bike to learn to ride on. I will definitely buy another Harley someday. Show less

Being a newbie (Nov 06), I was not sure if I wanted to move up to a bigger bike having gotten comfortable with my Honda 600 Shadow. My husband and the salesmen tried to convince me that I would be fine, that the Deluxe would be much easier to handle than the Shadow. I had my doubts being a bigger bike. There everyone stood as it was brought out of the dealership on a busy Sunday afternoon. All waiting for me to drop it. The butterflys felt like 747's. I took it around the corner and what a great feeling that was. It handles like a dream, well balanced and smooth. It will be a long relationship. My husband likes the fact that he can trade off from his RoadKing to my Deluxe as well. Show less

This bike is a beauty...performance, style, reliability...more smiles per mile. I took my bike on a 26 state Posse Ride and its performance was spectacular. I was a former V-Star 1100 rider and while that bike fulfilled my needs, I have never looked back after getting my Road King Custom. Loading the bike with luggage and riding it long and hard, it took it all and was ready for more of the open road. Electronic Cruise control made the ride a breeze. Power to pull and climb up mountains came effortlessly, and manueverability at slow speeds came naturally. This bike wanted to stay up on its own, a balanced and beautiful beast. The Road King Custom is an awesome partner for the longer rides in your life. One suggestion, forgo the stock seat and purchase a Corban seat for true comfort. Show less

I like the bike, it is the first Harley Davidson that I have owned and I love it. It is a little bit on the heavy side but as for comfort and a custom bike look, it takes it hands down I think. I see people trying to compare to V-max and other bikes and for the HP it is close, I am at a 137 rear wheel horsepower with my mods so far and plan on putting on a turbo. I have a friend that is running about the same set-up except he has the Destroyers pipes on his as well as a turbo and lets just say the Hyabusa's can not keep up. Show less

WOW! When I first sat on this bike, I knew I had to have it. The fit and feel are perfect, with Harley's lowest stock seat height of 24 inches, and large swayback handlebars, the fit is perfect, and is the way a motorcycle is suppose to be. More torque than I need and a ride that is what put Harley Davidson on the market as a true leader in cruisers. This bike turns heads at every light. Its vintage looks with that nostalgia design make this a true legend in the Harley line, and a bike for all serious riders. I added a few items to make it unique to me, and the additions are all designed specifically for this model to ensure the look stays consistent. The ride is so smooth, and with those Hines Big Shot pipes, the sound is exactly what you would expect. I have never had a bike where you can just turn the throttle in any gear you are in and it just goes! So, if you are in the market for a bike which in my mind and experience is far above the rest, this bike is the one for you. I don't want to look like everyone else, I want to represent me, and this Harley Davidson Deluxe it the answer. Live to Ride! Show less

This is a used Sportster. Makes no dif to me. Nothing as pure motorcycly as a Sportster. I told a friend who has a Road King about my Sporty when I got it, he said that he liked his better than the Road King for day-to-day stuff and he misses his. I've had lots of bikes, this is my first H-D. The quality is amazing. Cold blooded carb, but it fits me fine, plenty of power, good for 75-100 miles at a stretch. Harleys don't cost more. They're just worth more. Show less