Opinions on a motorcycle please

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Sep 7, 2010 | 02:18 PM

lfmn16

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 287

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From: charles town, wv

Opinions on a motorcycle please

My girl friend is interested in learning to ride. I found a '95 Fatboy with 25K on it for $8,000 in nice shape with a lot of options (screaming eagle pipes, aftermarket seat, windshield, chrome swing-arm/front end, saddlebags, etc.) She sat on it and can flat-foot it easily.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

Sep 7, 2010 | 02:21 PM

Nubz

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,820

Likes: 4

From: Somewhere In NY

I don't know much about these things since I don't own one myself yet
but isn't that an awful big bike for a beginner?

Sep 7, 2010 | 02:21 PM

chuckw2

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 2,965

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From: SoCal hi desert

I think a person with zero experience on a motorcycle should start out with something a little smaller than that like maybe a 500 or 750 something or other.

Sep 7, 2010 | 02:21 PM

gaber6

Cruiser

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 144

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From: Cincinnati, OH

I'd say get a $500 used metric cruiser first. Unless you want to spend $$ fixing clutch levers and turn signals from parking lot laydowns.

Sep 7, 2010 | 02:26 PM

rpbrown

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 1,417

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From: North Texas

My wife started on an 06 Fat Boy. We had bought it for her before she learned to ride. After she took the MSF class, I would only let her ride in parking lots and side streets for about 3 months. This was to allow her to get used to the bike. We had talked about a less expensive bike to start but decided to do it this way. That was 2 years ago and she has yet to drop it or lay it down (knocking on wood here). After the 3 months it was like she had been riding for a few years.

Sep 7, 2010 | 02:30 PM

chuckw2

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 2,965

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From: SoCal hi desert

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpbrown

If my wife wanted to learn to ride this is exactly how she would be. She is definitely a Harley lover and wouldn't want to be seen on anything but a big twin.

Sep 7, 2010 | 02:36 PM

brenn

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 4,933

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From: Kentucky

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfmn16

My wife started on a 883 Sportster, but many people say the Sportster is harder to ride than bigger bikes. I'm not sure I agree, but I can't see where a softail would be any harder. She's not going to hold up a 250 Honda by muscle alone, if she loses balance, so why not get something she'll want to ride for a while. Knowing what I know now, I'd say go for it - alternatively, you can get her a Sportser for half that price or less.