Tips For Buying First Dog

[IrishMan85]

Hey everyone needing some advice on buying my first dog. First should I try to find a 117 in my price range or if I find a good deal on a 107 should I jump on it. Second, right now I am aiming at a K-9 05-07 seem to be in my price range but also looking at the Mastiff and Bulldog. What are the major handling differences between the 3 and is their a big difference in handling between the 250 and 300 rear tires. All my riding experience is on crotch rockets so going to be a big change but im looking foward to it. I am 6'1 180 lbs if that helps to match a body to a bike. Finally when talking to people about a bike what are some good Big Dog specific questions to ask? I know that you always ask the usual questions when buying anything but really looking to learn from ya'lls good and bad buying experiences. Any help is greatly appreciated and sorry for being long winded!

 

[erldawg]

Keep in mind K9's are 06 n up with 300 tire with exception to the new K9 250 which is a 2011.

The older Choppers and Pro street models come with the 250 tire. Pro Street 07 and up I think came with 300 tire

The 107 is a good engine however also keep in mind that 2005 and up are right side drive which has a little better balance. I believe there are some 04 Bull Dogs with RSD. Left side drive bikes tend to be left side heavy. Disclaimer: Some guys with the LSD say the ride is just fine. Personal preference here.

The 250 tire will definitely handle better than the 300 and will get more miles off the rear tire.

Last but not least Pro Street or Chopper style (K9 & Choppers) again all personal preference I would at a minimum sit on them all and test ride if you can. Last I knew Dingo had a real nice 05 Chopper for sale.

 

[aspen874]

I have a 07 Mastiff with the 117 motor, not really much different from the K9, I believe the K9 rides a little better because of the lenght. If possible I would try to by a 07 only because there isn't any major difference between an 07 than a new one. The Mastiff, K9, and Bulldog from 07 and up have same motor, transmission and suspension.

The 07 Bulldog came with EFI as standard, where the Mastiff and K9 were carb or efi. I don't know what year the Bulldog changed to the bagger, which is a completely different, but some one here will chime in and let you know

 

[steve03mastiff]

i have an 05 ridgeback for sale. it's getting all new clutch parts and new outer hub.

my personal advice... anything you buy with a 117...(05 up) make sure it has GOOD CLUTCH PARTS!!!!!!!!
i'm going through HELL getting mine running again.. but parts on the way are all upgraded. so my problems will be over.

i'm 6'1" and 190. i've ridden the mastiff. (too short for my taste) and i rode a dt chopper (same problem) i felt crowded.
the K9 and Ridgeback fit me perfectly! great ride with the 300 tire and due to the length they both give a great ride.

good luck with your purchase!

RIDE ON!!

 

[PurpleDog]

Advice; like others mentioned - 1st decide bike style fits you and your personality - Chopper vs Pro-Street
2nd - Decide if you want a soft tail or rigid bike.

Understand that differing years came with different parts / updates (TP rocker boxes vs S&S) whereas S&S boxes are preferred imho.

Ask for the maintenance history, the clutch history & upgrades, EHC updates and/or elimination. Recall history.

Do some more searching reading on here, all of this has been covered several times.

Finally, conclude that the K9 rules the pack ---hahah, j/k....

Thanks for your service...:flag:

 

[NascarNutCase]

Got a 107 CI Mastiff 2004. I've never riden a RSD but I can say my LSD handles just fine and plenty of throttle, but I ride alone so how much throttle does a solo rider need. Color me happy.:2thumbs:

 

[IrishMan85]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone. Yeah sitting on one would definietly help however being in Afghanistan makes this a little difficult. Right now I am pretty sold on a K-9 and to judge riding positons of different models I have been watching Youtube videos...kinda cheesy I know but watcha gonna do. What are the major differences between the years for the K-9? Thanks for all the help so far everyone.

 

[08mastiff]

Also keep in mind that ridgebacks, bulldogs, and pitbulls are rigid models, and k-9 and mastiffs are softails. May factor into your decision depending how much and how far you plan on riding.

 

[bigdawg876]

Bulldogs are also soft tail models...not rigid.

 

[05 old dog]

yep bulldogs are soft tail with air ride being on the 05 model...

 

[ScubaJustin]

Just to chime in as a fellow deployed member, my first dog bought this past January was an 09 Mastiff...I was in the same boat as you for this being my first non crotch rocket bike. The first right turn you make on it will be a whole new experience...the 100+ inch wheel base and monster rear tire (compared to a 190 on sport bikes) make you think a little more about those turns than a razor sharp GSX-R or similar. Mine has the 117 with a couple pieces of the epa junk yanked off...more to go away when I get home. Having rode a couple liter bike crotch rockets then the 117 v-twin...wow...it will surprise you just how hard it likes to pull and puts a huge smile on my face all the time! By the way I am 6 foot as well and it is a comfortable fit but I am thinking of 3 inch peg exetension just for fun.

 

[francoblay1]

Advice; like others mentioned - 1st decide bike style fits you and your personality - Chopper vs Pro-Street
2nd - Decide if you want a soft tail or rigid bike.

Understand that differing years came with different parts / updates (TP rocker boxes vs S&S) whereas S&S boxes are preferred imho.

Ask for the maintenance history, the clutch history & upgrades, EHC updates and/or elimination. Recall history.

Do some more searching reading on here, all of this has been covered several times.

Finally, conclude that the K9 rules the pack ---hahah, j/k....

Thanks for your service...:flag:

:iagree: style which fits your personality

I am also in Afghanistan and done all the shopping via Internet. a bit risky but I couldn't wait, I had very clear in my mind I wanted a K9... there was two where to choose from... in one week one already disappeared so... I went forward and bought the 2006 model which was left.

 

[Ray]

You are invited to go for a ride on a 2004 Ridgeback with a 107 and an old guy. The best part of the video is after the music begins...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwWGzFDcDh0&feature=related]Going to and riding Highway 96 South on the Scooter - YouTube[/ame]

I like everything about my scooter. Have ridden it over 500 miles one day. The 250 handles great for the length,,, not blazing in curves but kool isn't always over 100mph.

Ray

Ride whatever you decide on if at all possible... you will love the dog. :2thumbs:

 

[Slick-Dog]

Nice video Ray!!!

My 03 chopper handles like a dream...(took some time getting use to j/k) But like everyone on here has said "you`ll love your dog"

Get what you want and what you like...

My wife is taking my 03 chopper and iam in the market for an 06 K9 or an 07....but i really like the ninja wheels on the 06`s LOL

 

[PZNIVYCHOPPER]

2006 chopper here. 117 with the 250. Handles like a dream. Have to agree, first right turn I leaned to far and scraped my heat shield, Had the bike 10 minutes. Point being .you can corner on the 250 real easy.

 

[asphaltcowboy]

I went from three GSXR's to a brand new 06 K-9! I am 6'1'' so I added the 2.5'' extension. As all the others have said it takes some getting used too. I scrapped the heat shield on my first right turn during a test ride! But the ride and comfort of a K-9 is unmatched. Farthest I have gone on one trip was from Jacksonville to Panama City. 100 mph+ down I-10 was a blast! Only thing I have had go wrong is the EHC; when it did I upgraded to wire plus, so I would be sure to ask about that when looking. Happy hunting!

 

[IrishMan85]

Wow ya'll have been more than helpful can't thank ya'll enough. Quite of few people on this thread and others have said that the 250 handles better than the 300 which in obvious terms make sense. Now I haven't rode in a couple years since joining the Army and being stationed in Alaska a motorcycle didn't really make a whole lot of sense. That being said will I be alright looking at the k-9s with the 300 rear tire or am I bitting off more than I can chew? Not looking to go race through the twisties just want a nice looking comfortable crusier and no offense to the harley guys that doesn't look like everyone else's bike. Thanks again for all the advice everyone, and ya'll were right the hunt has been alot of fun thus far!

 

[Slick-Dog]

K9 UP!!!!!

 

[aspen874]

After two miles and a couple of turns, you will be comfortable, not really a big deal on the 300 tire bikes

 

[bruce]

I have 2006 K9, 300 rear tire and love it, looks and rides great. had main shaft on trans. break at around 25000 miles - but baker took care of me and rebuild whole trans. for about $350.00. also have had to replace gaskets under both rocker boxes, I have the TP heads - but was pretty easy to do, couple hours and 20 or 30 bucks for gaskets, rear head at around 10000 miles, front at around 20000. no other problems, but I do regular maintenance. also get a shop manual, you will be happier if you learn to do your own work, at least most of it. hard to find a good shop. I now have over 33000 miles and have been on some pretty long rides and it rides and handles great 1000 miles plus one way.