Hi guys, forgive me in advance for asking a noob question you've probably answered a hundred times.

I am an intermediate rider whose put in about 5000 miles on a couple different sport and standard bikes. GS500 and SV650. I've loved the Suzukis but I usually like riding the back roads and day trips and don't really ride that fast. So I was thinking a stripped down cruiser for my next bike and really like the Harleys.

I'm trying to decide between the Dyna and the Sportster. Cost isn't really an issue because if I got the sporty, I would probably get a brand new Custom. If I got a dyna, a 2008 or 2009. So right around the same price.

I love the looks of both bikes, but I worry about riding something twice the weight of my previous bikes, in terms of cornering and low speed maneuverability . On the other hand, I'm 6'01" and 275lbs, so I'm also worried about being too big for the sporty. And to be honest, the sportster's rep as a newbie bike.

I do about 90% riding in the city and county roads, but I want to put in a couple Seattle to Montana trips this summer.

I'm sure this is a pretty common noob question, but I would appreciate any input. I'm posting to this forum because I'm leaning toward the Sportster.

P.S. I haven't ridden either bike yet. But I rode a Road King around a parking lot one time and I thought it handled like a two wheeled truck.

 

Haha.......two wheeled truck. I have absolutely no interest in the bigger Harleys. I truely try to show interest when Im around the bigger bikes but I might as well be looking at a chevette. You on the other hand obviously have an interest in a Dyna. I would try to ride both and pick the one you like.

 

i was 6'1 and 300 when i bought my dyna.. i wanted a 48/nightster in the worst way, but just decided i was too big for one.. i'm sure someone is gonna come on here and say "i'm 6'5 and 500 pounds and feel 100% at home on a sportster" but at your size, look @ a dyna... i love my streetbob, and i don't look like a gorilla on a moped

 

Man I got to say if I had the $ I would get a carb fxd.

I love the 2000 1200 custom Sporty I am up on now but I lust for that glide.


Just saying. JonMon www.deckmastersllc.com

 

I'd stay away from the sportster for distance riding while I know someone is going to say I take routine 1000 mile trips on mine, I know i'd be more comfortable on a bigger bike for such things.

 

Ride both. You shouldn't buy without being educated anyway. Any dealership will let you test-ride the bikes so you can see for yourself which you like best.

Also, contemplate the style riding you'd be doing.

 

That would be me.......and do so in complete comfort knowing Im on a motorcycle and not a couch................or 2 wheeled truck

 

Oh, forgot my standard "cant do more than bar hoppin on a sportster" pic.

 

I bought my bike for financial reasons. It's what I could afford. If I had the money I'd love to be on an fxdx, but even at their used prices they were out of my price range. I routinely do 3-400mile rides and want to do more after. But at your size id lean more toward a dyna

 

To each their own, I like both Sportster's and Dyna's but obviousally ride a Dyna model. You can get many opinions on here, but opinions don't really mean much for your riding comfort, etc. I came from the sports bike scene before buying my first Harley. The Dyna to me is a beefed up Sportster with more power and added comfort for longer rides. I test rode some models of interest and settled on the Street Bob. Many go with a Sportster only to trade in a year later for a bigger bike, some keep them. But my suggestion to you is to go check them out in person and ride them. See which one works best for you and your budget and take it home

edit: Just saw your size, I would recommend a Dyna model as well.