Hi everyone,


I'm a new rider and need help to find a good bike for me. I'm 27 years old, 5`11 240 pounds. I'm looking for a Harley that I can do short city rides and also long cruises. My budget is around 10000$ . I currently have my eye on the XL1200 custom 2006 or the nightrod 2008.


Open to all suggestions


Thanks have a good day

 

In my opinion, based on your size and the type of riding you spoke of; you would likely be happier with a Softail or a bike from the Touring family, such as a Road King. It will be a bit of a challenge to find one, in that price range, but it can be done if you look around enough.

 

Heritage Classic. It will do what you want with ease.

 

In that price range you can also probably find a decent Fat Boy which would probably satisfy both your needs

 

No offense, but at your size, you're going to look like a monkey on a football on a Sportster. I'm 5'11 and 215 and I looked at a lot of bikes before deciding on the Road King. Even the Switchback looked small with me on it. Being a new rider, you probably don't want to jump on a touring sized bike, and that is understandable. So, take your time, try a few different bikes out. You'll be surprised at the balance and ease of handling of some of the bigger bikes. Sit on many, ride those you like, buy the one that speaks to you. As far as the Nightrod goes, where I feel the Sportster is too small for you, the Nightrod is too much bike for you. My humble opinion. Try looking at a Street Bob, or similar bike that you are comfortable riding. You can move up to a bigger bike after a few years of riding. Good luck to you. Oh, and you need to go to the new members section and intro yourself. Forum etiquette and all.

 

Between the two I would go with the night rod. The night rod has Harley's most reliable engine and it's most powerful. It also performance well in stop and go city traffic due to the liquid cooled engine. The night rod will also fit you better. I think the sportster would feel a little too cramped for a guy your size. Good luck and ride safe.

 

Have you ridden either one?
Your size and wanting long rides, says Nightrod but it's really up to you.

 

You could easlily get a 07-up Dyna for 10k (at least in the US). Get one with forward controls and you will be all set. Super Glide or Street Bob are the most basic, so should be least expensive, all other things being equal.

Mine is my first and only bike to date. Great for cruising around my twisty local roads, more than adequate for longish highway trips.

 

And...peel $250 - $300 off your budget for BRC expense, if you haven't already completed.

 

You didn't mention your riding experience in detail...I will assume you have been riding awhile otherwise I am hard pressed to say you should start on a 700 pound bike as you absolute first bike.

Now back to the choices it pretty much is as everyone says. You will likely find a sportster to be on the small and cramped side, though they are great bikes. I like the sounds of the fat boy or really any softail.