Your friend might want to consider a use, low mileage Honda VTX1300. I'm not talking about the new models with the kicked out front end, but the original-styled 1300. It's a good bike, with a strong engine, and there is an LT model with windshield and saddlebags. The engine is strong enough for the kind of riding he intends to do, and it's easy on gas, as well. You can find use VTX1300's for very reasonable prices, used. He would be interested in the VTX1300T model, although you can add the shield and bags anytime.

 

Your friend might want to consider a use, low mileage Honda VTX1300. <...> for very reasonable prices, used. He would be interested in the VTX1300T model, although you can add the shield and bags anytime.

He won't consider used motorcycles. Has to be brand spanking new. I've
suggested that he look for new, non-current V-Star 1300 LT via Cycle
Trader, and to get OTD price quotes.

 

I'd tell him to get the Nomad or the Heritage. Or, if he wanted a good Harley with hard bags, a Road King. The Heritage wasn't REALLY eliminated due to the lack of hard bags, otherwise you wouldn't suggest the 900 LT!

Harley Davidson might make expensive motorcycles, but they're good motorcycles. If he can afford it, I'd tell him to get that one!

 

I'd tell him to get the Nomad or the Heritage. Or, if he wanted a good Harley with hard bags, a Road King. The Heritage wasn't REALLY eliminated due to the lack of hard bags, otherwise you wouldn't suggest the 900 LT!

Keep in mind that he'll be a re-entry rider and hasn't been on any
motorcycle since 1986. I myself took a 10-year hiatus, and got a
1986 GL1200I which weighted 700-lbs with low COG. That first ride
was nerve wracking.

Although he's a heavyset guy, he has short legs and long torso so
the FLSTC fit him best. He didn't want to pay big bucks for set of
HD hard bags plus it's not liquid cooled. 900 Classic LT would've
been a lot cheaper plus can get the hard bags for $200 or so.

I've a friend who owned 2007 V Star 1300 with Corbin seat, trunk,
bags, and fairing until forced to sell it due to bills. He said it was
a great bike, and better than his old Suzuki 1500LC.

 

I strongly recommend he go sit on a2012 vstar 1300. It sounds like he and I have similar build, and the 1300 fit me well. It just didnt fit my checkbook, and I found a nomad with the proper mods.

 

He did sit on 2012 V Star 1300 Tourer. There sure are some good
deals on used 1500/1600 Nomads. Not sure why he insists on new
bike. I'll ask him later as he's pretty busy looking for a new home.

 

If he won't consider used, then, if he can afford it, then I second the Heritage Softail Classic. It's the same size, dimensionally, as the 900' but has a bigger engine. It's a little heavier than the 900, but as was mentioned above, the weight pretty much disappears once you let out the clutch. The 1700 is a long machine, but well balanced. It's heavy, too, at 834 lb. for the Nomad. And the No ad only gets about 40 mpg at best, while the HD is good for 50 mpg on the road. Also, it's only a couple about $2500 more than the Nomad. To me, it's a no brainer if it is affordable. HD's are good bikes nowadays.

 

I myself like the Heritage Softail Classic, too. That's the onus on Nomad
getting 30-40mpg plus getting bathed by excessive engine heat during
hot days. We'll see if he stays with the Yamaha V Star 1300 Tourer or
switches to something else. I don't know if he tried the Street Glide as
it has a fairing rather than windshield. Thought the Switchback as well
as the Victory Cross Roads might be viable options.

 

I don't know about anybody else, but this comparison is like picking between an apple, Orange or a banana, there all fruit but...... These are 3 distinctly different bikes designed for 3 distinctly market segments. If all the riding he is going to do is around town, the 900 might be the better choice, if he is going to do a lot of long distance stuff the 1700 would be the better bike, if brand acceptance is an issue, it would a Harley.

Only he wi;ll know whats best for him.

 

Interstate droning is his forte. Yamaha V Star 1300 Tourer seems to fit
the bill for that as it gets good gas mileage and has good power. That's
virtually the same displacement as the older Harley 80-inch baggers. As
far as brand acceptance, he doesn't give a flip.

 

OP, you mentioned he was going to do some "droning", but is that all of what he's going to do? Is he also going to ride to work? i've taken my 500 to NYC, OCMD, and Pittsburgh in a straight shot and not complained, but I use it mostly locally. To me, you should first focus on what you're going to be spending the MOST time doing.

If he's going to be spending most of his time going to/from work, I'd get the 9, only because it's very similar to the HD with a lower price point. Guys on here don't have a problem riding two up, and if he's a bit bigger, then so what? It'll take him a little longer to get going from a stop, but he'll still hit highway speed alright.

If he's going to be spending the majority of his time touring, get the Nomad and tell him "Okay, you're parking lot bound for the next month." One of my co-workers just inherited his dad's 1995 HD (Electroglide? Ultraglide? One of those glides) touring bike, hadn't ridden in twenty years. He's still re-learning, but he's spending a lot of time doing basic maneuvers and going around the block. I can already tell he's better and more confident.

It all comes down to what HE wants, since it's his bike. A friend of mine bought a Ninja 1000R as his first bike, and all I could do was shake my head when he hi-sided on it. If he thinks he can learn quickly and is willing to practice, get the Nomad. If he wants to play it safe, get the 900. If he wants to spend WAYYY much more than he needs to, get the HD.

 

OP, you mentioned he was going to do some "droning", but is that all of what he's going to do? Is he also going to ride to work? <...>

No moto-commuting as he's a retired old phart.

If he's going to be spending the majority of his time touring, get the Nomad and tell him "Okay, you're parking lot bound for the next month." <...>

Touring, touring, and more touring. He lives 8-9 hours southwest
of me so I can't help him with the riding aspects.

It all comes down to what HE wants, since it's his bike. A friend of mine bought a Ninja 1000R as his first bike, and all I could do was shake my head when he hi-sided on it. If he thinks he can learn quickly and is willing to practice, get the Nomad. If he wants to play it safe, get the 900. If he wants to spend WAYYY much more than he needs to, get the HD.

Yamaha V Star 1300 Tourer seems like a good compromise btw 900 & 1700.

 

I honestly think the 900 would be plenty. As a heavyset guy that does a lot of two up on a 900LT, I can definitely recommend it. Won't be as comfortable as a nomad or a Harley... but it's definitely got the power to handle it.

 

Tell him to get the Nomad.

I went on a multi year hiatus as well. 15-20 years.

I went to a V2K. It's a heavy monster as well. If he can hold it up, then get the bigger bike. I've never heard anyone saying they wish they would've gotten a smaller bike.

 

Go with the Nomad. My Classic is dressed up for the interstate. I couldn't imagine riding anything smaller. It's all what you get used to I suppose. If you ride and practice on a bigger bike then there really is no issue.

 

Go with the Nomad or the Harley. I hadn't ridden a bike since the late 70's early 80's. Got a 2003 VN1500 Classic last September. Glad I didn't go with a smaller bike. I like to go 2 up occasionally. Has just enough power. Would like to have a bit more when going 2 up. It's nice having a little extra weight when on the highway and getting hit with a cross wind.

 

What he really needs to do is ride all of them and do his own comparison before deciding. In the end, it's the bike that speaks the loudest to HIM, and no one else. There's lots to say for all of these choices, but he needs to be the one to decide since he is the one who will be riding whatever he gets. Most everyone will tell you that what they ride is THE way to go because they like what they are riding. At least at the time. If money is no object, then he should buy the bike he likes the most. But first, take a test ride on all of them before shelling out his $$$$$'s.