Hey there. Not only am i new to this forum but i am also going to be a new harley owner. And so thats the problem. i have never owned my own bike. I would ride my dads 750 yamaha whatever around every once in a while but thats the extent of my experience other than dirtbike. i know the bike i am catchin feelings for is the forty eight. With no real experience i can only go off what other people say. And ive heard "its too big get an 883", "883 is a girls bike", "get a yamaha or something first" etc etc. Ok i am not a very big guy 5'9 130lbs. But i can sit on the sportster 1200s with good reach for my arms and legs. The guy at the dealership says yea your gonna want a 1200 but hey who knows he could just be trying to sell me a more expensive bike i dunno. So i decided to make an account here and get some advice. I am ready to ride but i dont want to be a danger to myself or others. Help me out here please and thanks.

 

Don't bother with an 883

 

Please go to a dealership and test ride the ones you fit and you're interested in and can afford. The ones you fit, will be your best bet, no matter what others say.

As for Sportsters/883 being a "girls bike"...only is a girl is riding it.

 

I suggest you go to the Sportsters section here on the forums. You will hear from the Sporty owners. I would recommend the 48.

 

I've seen tiny tiny girls handle touring bikes just fine, so size isn't an issue

 

There's a video-blogger I enjoy, XXXDeadhead, who rides an 883 Iron that has been bored out to 1200cc. Here's a link to a video he posted on the Iron, and whether it's a "girl's bike."

 

Lady friend of mine rides an '02 Fatboy and she is 5-6" and if she weighs 100 lbs, I'd be surprised.

 

Greg - If she's single - send me her digits

Like some have said - go test ride - you might be surprised on what you really might like

 

I agree with chickenonachain.......

same here, have seen many average size women riding big touring models.

 

I will add that about a year ago I had five bikes in the garage and I decided to reduce that number. Guess what I sold three, well actually four and kept the 1200 Nightster. I said no way am I getting rid of this one. I did purchase another bike in this period, a 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Limited. So now I'm down to just two. The thing is I really like the feel of the sporty and I can care less what some folks say about it being a girly bike. At the end of the day it's my bike and that is what matters.