Ironhorse or Dogs

[sun_bill1974]

As some of you know, I'm in the market for a custom and I visited a dealer this weekend, who carried both dogs and horses. The dealer explained the Ironhorses are usually more expensive, but they've recently signed a contract to only carry BD products so they're are slashing all there prices for the Ironhorses...$24,995 for any 07 Ironhorses, and they had about 10 left. I almost bought one, but my wife convinced me to buy something I want, and not something cost effective. Its hard to walk away from that kind of price, but my wife does make a good point. Also, what's a reasonable price on an 07 K-9? If anyone is interested in the dealer, please see:
www.blackdogmotorcyles.com
I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death, so can someone attach an old archived discussion with regards to a dog and horse comparison.

Thanks

 

[BDWB]

Your wife is wise - buy what you really want - I bet you could get into a Big Dog for a little bit more. Although not perfect I beleive Big Dog does try to do the right thing by their customers - you will read this in many posts. I also heard rumors the AI was potentially going out of business - which may explain the great deal. There are great opportunities to pick up used bikes right now - perhaps this is an option.

I LOVE my Big Dog even with some of its wartz - good luck with your search.

 

[narow37]

FYI, I've heard from rumor and dealership that Ironhorse is going out of business.

 

[Gas Man]

A buddy of mine has a AIH, and we have had both in the garage. I like their tank mounting better. I like that its got more rake and their tanks are longer. But I hate their hand and forward controls. Cheap looking. And the ride was much worse than my chop.

 

[cavracer21]

i almost bought a ironhorse, im very glad i didnt

they are no wheres near a bigdog.

 

[jwoolf]

I've also heard parts are near impossible to get for them.

 

[jwoolf]

Don't get me wrong.... I almost bought one too but, I'm really glad I didn't.

 

[Cobrafast1]

I waited 2 years to get my BDM Chopper. I bought it used, of course, but I got a real deal on it.

I looked at Bourget, Ironhorse, Thunder Mountains and Big Dog's. At first, I loved the Bourget. They were really cool, but then I started looking around. I didn't like the Ironhorse, because the tank was so long and skinny. For some reason that just did not appeal to me. That's personal opinion and taste, that's why they all look a bit different. The Harley dealership pissed me off on the Thunder Mountain and it looked like a Harley with that Screaming Eagle engine. Just a juiced up Harley. I have a Softail and I like it, but given the choice to ride daily, 99.9% of the time I ride my chopper. I keep the Softail here as the wife prefers being a passenger on it.

I loved the lines of the Big Dog Chopper. It just appealed to me more than that others. So I kept watching eBay and bidding and not meeting the reserve prices. Then along came this one. Bad divorce and the need for immediate money by the seller made my decision to buy this one. I would have preferred a red or orange one, but this black beauty won my heart and soul.

I think the BDM's are the better bike. Some will argue. That's okay. I've never regretted buying the chopper and this forum is the greatest asset to support that decision.

The choice is yours. I'd choose BDM any day.

 

[txchopperguy]

When I was shopping back in 06 for my Dog, many of the dealers were carrying both brands but were about to stop carrying AIH. AIH is not very dealer friendly...which translates into warranty problems for the customer.
And yes there are many rumors running rampant inthe industry that AIH is in big trouble.
When looking at the bikes side by side, look at the attention to detail...the welds on the frame, the way the wires are run...all the little things. The Big Dog comes out on top every time.
And while sales overall may be down, we know that as a company, Big Dog is not in trouble.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Buy and ride what it is that YOU want. Just make sure you GET what you really want, as this is a considerable investment.

 

[orangek9]

Also check insurance cost. When I bought mine I was checking rates on several different bikes. Big dog was the only one that my insurance company would insure without going to a secondary company and charging me almost 3x as much. I think is has something to do with the DOT approval and that its a manufactured motorcycle, not custom. I have also seen a few used K9's on the web for about the same price as that AIH.

good luck john

 

[Fibersnake]

I would give it serious thought on any bike before you put the money down. You want something that will keep the smile on the face for a long time to come. So far the Big Dog has done that for me and I too had compared AIH and BDM side by side.

I felt and still do that the overall quality and build was much better on the BDM than AIH. Also has far as facotory service support goes, BDM is hands down excellent for the vast majority.

Not sure what is up with AIH, but as many have pointed out already, there is rumors that AIH is in trouble. Something that you may want to give serious consideration and do some research on. Would not want to have one that there is is no company support for if you need it.

I know my local dealer sells both and in informal coversations, they have indicated that BDM is much easier to deal with as far as dealer than AIH. If you are talking to BlackDog (is that the Black Dog in Harrisonburg PA), ask them why they are no longer going to deal with AIH. If you can talk to one of the long time wrenches in the back informally, try to get their take.

Good luck and we look forward to the pics regardless of what ever you get. Hope that you can join some of on the road also.

 

[Vegas]

It's time to steal a custom and I would let your dealer know that. You can probably get a good K9 used for around 20k.

 

[ChuckRB05]

re

One of my friends I ride with has an AIH LSC...and it's always in the shop with electrical problems. He'll go 2 or three weeks with no problems, then boom...won't start, will start then shutdown...it's all over the place. I have to admit that it does look sharp though.

 

[BubbleHead]

I agree with FS, BDM is a safer bet than AI but at the end of the day buy what makes you smile from the heart. That which makes YOU feel that special feeling when you just sit on it. If that smile truely comes from within when you park your ass on it, then that's proably the one. Yea FS he's talking about Mike Bowers place, BlackDog Motorcycles in Harrisburg pA. That's where I go to get my BDM serviced and I nave no complaints so far. Good people that really reach out to BDM owners.
BBD

 

[jimizee028]

personally i can not stomach that hideous gas tank they have on there bikes,allthough this year they have new models that look pretty good

 

[slowrower]

I like many in this great forum spent many months researching and riding all the models out there including: AIH, BBC, Thunder Mountain, Big Dog and a few customs made by a well respected builder. The Big Dog to me was much cleaner looking, quality controls, excellent paint and great factory support -- my second choice would have been a Big Bear Chopper. Go test ride as many as you can and look over all the fine details. Good Luck!

 

[BubbleHead]

Hey Jimi, where that True colors body shop located? I run the body shop parts divison for Schaefer & Strohmingers Body shop. We need to get together soon and throw a few down.
BBD

 

[N8KAM]

Go with the Big Dog. :up:
we all might be biased towards "Our" bikes but 25.000 owners can't be wrong. I bet all of us here shopped around and compaired different bikes. but we all chose the Big Dog..
here is just 1 Quote..
"Big Dog Motorcycles scored above the industry average in 14 of the 17 criteria and scored above Harley-Davidson and Victory in 13 criteria. These numbers clearly make Big Dog Motorcycles the number one American V-Twin Motorcycle Manufacturer".:2thumbs:
Go to Big Dog Motorcycles and read the press releases under the Experience tab Heck just check out the whole site you will spend Hours there. Looking forward to see what you Get.. John

 

[TCALZ06]

Ride them both and see what you think. I've never been on one but one of my friends I ride with a lot owns one. It seems to be a good bike but I can tell
you anywhere we go my bike gets the attention. Even the guys at a couple harley dealerships here have told me Big Dog is the way to go if you want a chopper.
as other have mentioned look at some of the details but things I've noticed and don't like are
1. two front brake rotors
2. Looks of brake calipers
3. forward controls
4. Ignition

 

[cavracer21]

Ride them both and see what you think. I've never been on one but one of my friends I ride with a lot owns one. It seems to be a good bike but I can tell
you anywhere we go my bike gets the attention. Even the guys at a couple harley dealerships here have told me Big Dog is the way to go if you want a chopper.
as other have mentioned look at some of the details but things I've noticed and don't like are
1. two front brake rotors
2. Looks of brake calipers
3. forward controls
4. Ignition

i would also like to add the lack of LED's on most bikes.
and i just plan dont like the look. i payed an extra 5g's over a texas chopper for my k-9 and never looked back.