Question for the Dyna Ladies
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 20
From: Lakewood, IL
Question for the Dyna Ladies
My girl recently went through the MSF course and got her M endorsement. At first, I was letting her ride my Ducati, but she was so nervous about dropping it, she just couldn't relax and ride well (now I've sold it). She really wants to get an 883, but same deal - too nervous.
I could push her into getting the 883, but she'd rather get a cheap starter bike. I'm looking at a friend's 700 Intruder later this week - needs tires and a battery, but he only wants $1200 for it.
So, I need advice. Save the $1200 and go 883, or start cheap? Tough to beat the trade deal HD has going right now for when she's ready for the Dyna!
I could push her into getting the 883, but she'd rather get a cheap starter bike. I'm looking at a friend's 700 Intruder later this week - needs tires and a battery, but he only wants $1200 for it.
So, I need advice. Save the $1200 and go 883, or start cheap? Tough to beat the trade deal HD has going right now for when she's ready for the Dyna!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 1
From:
Here is my wife's reply:
She should have what is comfortable with. She bought a throw away before her many bikes to come. The point she makes is not only will your girlfriend by more comfortable about dropping the thing, she will probably be able to sell the throw away for the same thing she bought it for.
Makes sense, $1200 bikes with new tires should be easy to sell. You get off cheap then you can be a hero later when you help her get ...........a 1200 instead !
She should have what is comfortable with. She bought a throw away before her many bikes to come. The point she makes is not only will your girlfriend by more comfortable about dropping the thing, she will probably be able to sell the throw away for the same thing she bought it for.
Makes sense, $1200 bikes with new tires should be easy to sell. You get off cheap then you can be a hero later when you help her get ...........a 1200 instead !
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 3
From: Chesterfield, VA
Buy the Sportster now while the incentives are in place. Also buy the throw-away bike. Let her ride the cheapy, build her confidence and enhance her mechanics. It won't take her long to want to get on the Sportster once she gets into it.
Last edited by jmpancoast; Jan 24, 2009 at 04:36 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 14,849
Likes: 7
From: Fortville, IN
I started on a 750 Honda. I only rode it for 3 months before I traded it in on a Sportster. The Sportster only last 1 year before I traded for the Dyna.
If you have the money I'd go ahead and get the Intruder. It is less intimidating to learn on a smaller bike. However be prepared for that to only last a few months before you are buying a Sporty.
If you have the money I'd go ahead and get the Intruder. It is less intimidating to learn on a smaller bike. However be prepared for that to only last a few months before you are buying a Sporty.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 3
From: Palm Beach
I started on a 750 Honda. I only rode it for 3 months before I traded it in on a Sportster. The Sportster only last 1 year before I traded for the Dyna.
If you have the money I'd go ahead and get the Intruder. It is less intimidating to learn on a smaller bike. However be prepared for that to only last a few months before you are buying a Sporty.
If you have the money I'd go ahead and get the Intruder. It is less intimidating to learn on a smaller bike. However be prepared for that to only last a few months before you are buying a Sporty.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois
With H-D's financial state, I wouldn't be totally shocked to see that program continue on past the end of March, or be reintroduced at the end of the year.
I also wouldn't be surprised to see them expand that program to get people with Big Twins to move up to more expensive Big Twins.
I also wouldn't be surprised to see them expand that program to get people with Big Twins to move up to more expensive Big Twins.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Oldsmar, FL
My girlfriend took the rider safety course back in Sept. and bought a really nice, slightly used 08 Sportster 1200 in October. She's put a couple thousand miles on it already, and loves it.
BUT - she had never been on a bike before, and had never even driven a stick-shift car. A couple weeks before she took the riders course, I let her try my Wide Glide on for size (with me running right alongside the whole time.) Well, she didn't do very well with that, and I just blew it off as lack of experience. But then she failed the course the first time (I don't know anyone who's ever failed it) and went to retake it the following week (passing now.) I didn't have much faith in her learning to ride, but she insisted on buying the sportster (loaded with extras at a great price) and riding it. She was shaky for a few times out on it, even dropping it a couple times (luckily just a scrape or two here and there.) Then, it just seemed like one day she all of a sudden got it, and she's been riding the hell out of it ever since. We ride together every weekend now, she has no problem keeping up.
So, if you want to buy the cheapo first, and that's what she wants to do, then I'd do that. I tried to talk my gf into doing that, but she didn't want to go through the hassle of buying one bike, then another shortly thereafter. And it worked out great for her. Only problem - now she's got her eyes on a Deluxe. I'd be surprised if she doesn't go for the sportster trade-in deal soon!
BUT - she had never been on a bike before, and had never even driven a stick-shift car. A couple weeks before she took the riders course, I let her try my Wide Glide on for size (with me running right alongside the whole time.) Well, she didn't do very well with that, and I just blew it off as lack of experience. But then she failed the course the first time (I don't know anyone who's ever failed it) and went to retake it the following week (passing now.) I didn't have much faith in her learning to ride, but she insisted on buying the sportster (loaded with extras at a great price) and riding it. She was shaky for a few times out on it, even dropping it a couple times (luckily just a scrape or two here and there.) Then, it just seemed like one day she all of a sudden got it, and she's been riding the hell out of it ever since. We ride together every weekend now, she has no problem keeping up.
So, if you want to buy the cheapo first, and that's what she wants to do, then I'd do that. I tried to talk my gf into doing that, but she didn't want to go through the hassle of buying one bike, then another shortly thereafter. And it worked out great for her. Only problem - now she's got her eyes on a Deluxe. I'd be surprised if she doesn't go for the sportster trade-in deal soon!
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee area
My wife went from a Vespa, with only 650 miles on it, to a 1200 Sporty. She learned a few years ago to not get the smallest powertrain available.* Not knocking the 883, mind you, she just felt it was wiser to get the bigger motor. 1200 & 883 are the same size and weight (in fact, the 1200L is 2 lbs lighter than the 883L); she doesn't have to use the extra power of the 1200 if she doesn't want to, but can if she has to.
*In '03, she bought a Mustang with the 3.8l V6. I tried to convince her to get the GT V8, but she said, "No, the V6 is fine." 5 miles off the lot, she said, "I should have gotten the V8."
*In '03, she bought a Mustang with the 3.8l V6. I tried to convince her to get the GT V8, but she said, "No, the V6 is fine." 5 miles off the lot, she said, "I should have gotten the V8."
Last edited by Grind; Jan 24, 2009 at 09:34 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 3
Personally, no. Wrong train of thought. She just finished an MSF course. She learned lots of stuff in a short period of time. That's overwhelmed her. If you just stuck her on the road and said "follow me" then she needs to remember all that stuff because it's all important. Stick her in a parking lot and tell her to creep the bike forward and stop it then she needs remember only two things, clutch and brake. If she passed the course she can manage that.
The only issue with the bike is whether she can push it across the parking lot while setting on it. If she has to push with the tips of her toes then it needs lowered or she needs a differant bike. If she can do that then there is no reason for her to dump it other than carelessness. If she's going to ride it carelessly then the least of your concerns is repairing the bike. You aren't going to put her in a position where she gets overwhelmed from too much to remember and too little practice actually doing it.
The only issue with the bike is whether she can push it across the parking lot while setting on it. If she has to push with the tips of her toes then it needs lowered or she needs a differant bike. If she can do that then there is no reason for her to dump it other than carelessness. If she's going to ride it carelessly then the least of your concerns is repairing the bike. You aren't going to put her in a position where she gets overwhelmed from too much to remember and too little practice actually doing it.