Why spend $31,000 for a cookie cutter HD with that little motor in it, whan you could buy a BDM for not alot more and get a complete custom.
Yes, I'm coming around to your way of thinking. I love my '05 Big Dog Chopper and will choose it 9 times out of 10 over my "Screamin' Eagle" Harleys to ride.
The Big Dog is just more fun, plain and simple

...always chomping at the bit, ready to "giddy-up and go!" The 117" S&S is a much better engine than Harley, in my opinion. And I'm hearing Harley's still got issues with their 110" CVO engine running extremely hot, with noisy valves, etc.
Last but not least...there's no comparison in the
"wow factor"...it's just not there with Harleys anymore, for me anyway...and I've owned various Harleys for over 25 years now.
So, I'm 90% sure a new Big Dog's the direction I'm heading. It would just be nice to see the final product to eliminate that 10% gap of uncertainity. And even if the bagger doesn't do it for me, my fall back plan would be new EFI K9 w/chrome package and set up for sport touring. My goal in 2009 is to get back to just
one all-around FUN bike in my garage, for economic and time constraint reasons..among other things.