Hi Guys! My first post here! My name is Martin, and I just got my motorcycle license this morning after completing a training course here in S. FL.!!! I'm 33-yo, born and raised in commie Poland, and ever since I could remember I wanted an American muscle car and American motorcycle (think of it as my american dream of a poor kid raised in a prison without walls). Anyways, I lived in this wonderful country for 17 years now (yes I came here legally :P), got married here, both my kids were born in S. FL., even bought my own 1/4 acre of paradise in Coral Springs Wife rides a nice car already, and I saddled on a Honda Civic to take me to and from work (the muscle car I like is north of $35K, so that will have to wait till my mid life crisis kicks in ); however, she-who-must-be-obeyed agreed to let me get a bike of my choice! So...

Truth be told, I looked at Victory 8-Ball, and like it, buuuuut it does feel a bit cheap. Wife says "spend whatever you need, within reason", and she was OK with nearly $13K price tag on a new V. BUT HD 883 and 1200 Custom looks soooooooooo much nicer!!!! I love those bikes, but fear they are a bit too small for me! I am 6'4" (193cm), rather skinny at around 185 lbs.

I sat on a 1200 few weeks ago, loved the feel of it, but the break and gear shifter were too close; can those be moved forward? Also, friends tell me that if I get 883 I will want bigger engine quickly. Is that your experience? I'm a new rider, I plan on commuting to work etc; not riding on long trips.

Anyways, I trained on Yamaha V 250 (pics below) and sat on 3 different bikes (more pics below ).

Please let me know if it's possible for tall, skinny fellow to be comfortable on a smaller bike like 883 or 1200, and what modifications can be made to accommodate me!

Thanks!!!

 

im 5'6" tall when i had my xl1200c it had forward controls and 12" apes and i was loving life, you can go with either bike , at ur height i would suggest extended forward controls and possibly 16"-!8" apes , and just so you know although apes do not look comfortable they are extremely comfortable i had 12"s on my sporty before she was killed in action and now have 14"s on my softail, ill never go back to reg. bars again anyway in all of that i hope you get some useful info ..................didnt think about engine id def. for with the 1200 that more than enough engine for you im 235lbs the wife 200 lbs and with loaded saddlebags and a sissy-bar back pack loaded to the gills that engine climbed the mountains of Pa no problem the 883 a buddy of mine had and he was about 175 soaking wet and his ole lady about 130 and he said his engine would drag under the load anyway for the price she allowing you to pay you could find a good used softail which would be easier on your wife rear but ur call whatever you get ride safe and keep the shiny side up

 

You're gonna be cramped on a sporty of any type. Move up to a dyna or softail. Much better ergonomics for long inseams. Hell, that Victory you sat on is even better of a choice. Those are damn good bikes in all regards. But yeah, the XL line is probably a bad place for you to start.

 

In HD land, I'd suggest you look at a Fat Bob. It's a long reach to it's pegs. Don't discount the Victory, they're really good machines. I have one and I really like it.

 

Hi I'm 6'2" 230# I have both a Softail & a Sportster 72. I love both bikes. They both have forward controls, for long legs. They both have plenty of power for my weight. The sportser has 12" apes & I moved the Mustang seat back 1 1/2" (made my own bracket). I've owned an 883 Hugger before, it was small & fast around town kinda like riding a dirt bike but no good on the freeway. I think as long as you've got forward controls and over 1000cc, a comfy seat & bars you''ll be OK. Good luck with your choice and welcome to the riding community

 

I'm a half inch shorter than you, 240 lbs. My 883 is a little cramped (still bigger than most of the bikes I've had) but the 1200C is fine after a seat change. I swapped out the stock seat for a Harley "Pillow Look", not only much more comfortable for me and passenger, but it sets me back about two inches, and that made a big difference. The 1200 has way more power, too, really noticeable two up on hills, though you'll have to ride a ways to find one of those where you live.

Something else to consider is a used Sportster. From 2004 up they have rubber mounted engines (solid mounted vibrate!), and modern sportsters are probably the most reliable Harleys ever made. So many people get them for starter bikes and don't put many miles on them that even 10 year old ones often have less than 10,000 miles. You should be able to find a nice one under $5000, a lot less investment for something you might scratch up a bit getting proficient on, and/or might not want to keep after all; you won't really know it's the bike for you till you get used to it. If you get a low mileage used one, check the tire dates! It's not unusual for a 10 year bike to have 10 year old tires; I'd replace anything older than 5 years, and not with the old stock Dunlop tire pattern, they follow irregularities like tar strips in the road rather badly.

 

Here's my vote! It has forward controls and you can position the OE bars to your liking!

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...venty-two.html

 

My .02 cents I will go with the Harley any day of the week and2c on Sunday , it's the ultimate motorcycle dream , get a 1200 with forward controls already or you can always replace a mid to forward so it don't really matter but if you can test ride a sportster 72 or 48 or what ever I GUARANTEE YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH ONE!!but again that's just my .02..and P.S I also trained on 250cc it's a Suzuki GZ250 same feel as your Yamaha 250..

 

With your height, and If you go the sportster direction; definitely a 1200 and forward controls. That being said, I looked extensively a year ago and considered both Sportsters and Dyna's. I'm 6'0" with a long inseam and I almost went with a Dyna. It has a lot in common with a sportster; just a little bigger. I ultimately went the sportster direction; but if I was a couple of inches taller the Dyna would have been very appealing.

Ditto's on the used bikes. I picked up a 2002 883XLH w/ 6000 miles for $3800. Lot's of good deals on Sporty's and Dyna's out there. Be patient and good luck!

Regards

Rod