Its very difficult to rationalize a person spending upwards of $15k on a new bike having not ever ridden before. Was your first car brand spankin new? No? Why?

Many people, including myself, all started out on cheaper metric bikes and moved up from there. My first bike was a 74 cb550 that cost me $100. carb rebuild, new battery and tires...and I was good to go. Next bike was 73 yamaha tx500 $400. that was street ready. Rode it all over northeast (nj,ny,ct). next bike was 78 yamaha xs1100 $900. That think was touring ready. I rode it from upstate NY to as far south as SC. So, don't think you have to spend 10k+ on a new bike just because...

Learn to ride first on something that doesn't require a monthly payment. If you wreck, you're not out a lot of money...if you wreck your NEW HD you're out a lot.

I've also known people who have done just what you want to do..and within 1 week they totalled their first and brand spankin new HD.

Maybe Im from the old school. It just doesn't make sense to me though.

 

Yeah, I would sit on some, don't rule the sportsters out. I love my fat bob, and it was my first Harley, I got a metric to start on, that way if I dropped it (which I did once) it wouldn't matter much. Very glad I got a Dyna. Far more comfortable to me than any of the softails I sat on. It is very much a personal comfort level. You will know your bike. I promise.

 

Mus0r, been there with you.

I had ridden in college, but when I wanted to get back on a bike, there was no choice for me but a HD. Always wanted one. I took a MSF class to get refreshed and get my license. Then I went to two different HD demo ride days and rode 1200 Sportster Custom, 1200 Sportster Low, Fat Bob, Dyna Low, Street Bob, Heritage Softail and a Road Glide.

Then I did some thinking and research for two weeks. I followed that up with several test rides of the two favorites at a dealer, and finally came to this conclusion: While I liked the 1200 Sportster Low, I loved the Dyna Low. I figured that since I knew I would eventually trade in a Sportster, why not get what I loved now, be thrilled from day one and invest my mods, energy and time in my favorite bike...a Dyna Low. Was it more money? You bet. Am I happy today. Damn right.

At the end of the day I bought what I wanted. Not what anyone else told me to get. And believe me, I heard from countless "experts" during my search. The Dyna Low (FXDL) fits me perfectly. I am 5'10 and 175. It is actually easier to ride than the Sportster. It is not as quick as the Sportster, but the lower center of gravity makes the FXDL a joy in small spaces and riding two-up.

Test ride numerous bikes before you buy or find a factory demo day at a dealer in your area. They are fun. There are so many unique and positive features to every HD that you must ride several HD's to know what you "love", not just what you "like".

Good luck.

 

i started out on a honda 600! And moved up to a street bob. If you have done any riding before you will be fine! I bought my street bob 3 hours before I took my license test and passed with flying colors! street bobs are great to start out on and ride 2up!!!!

 

My fatbob is my first bike, and I had the same concerns that you have when I was ready to buy my bike. But I've ridden mopeds since I was 12...surely they were not anything close to motorcycles, but I think it helps put you in the "mindset" of riding a two-wheeled vehicle on the road. So I think if you have any kind of two wheeled motorized riding before and take the MSF course, you should be fine. Only you know yourself and your abilities, be honest with yourself, macho will only get you dead. I do not regret my decision one bit.

On a side note...I did gently lay down the fatbob the first week I had it, was not paying attention while parking and stepped onto an oily spot on the asphalt, i started to go down and couldn't save it...was able to lay it down slowly, but I did tweak my wrist, and slightly scratched the exhaust...but, gave me an excuse to upgrade to the exhaust I wanted

Good luck in your choice. let us know what you end up doing. Ride safe

 

I had ridden mopeds before, then bought an old Moto Guzzi V7 Ambassador, had that sitting around for about a year and a half (it never ran, always waiting for parts) and when it got stolen bought a brand spanking new 1991 FXRS. Took my time getting to know the bike, build up my confidence and never looked back.

MSF course highly recommended!

 

At 5'10 and 200 pounds you'd fit just fine on a Sportster but if you are wanting to ride 2 up I'd get a Dyna.

 

Started with a used 05 Sporty, great bike, but I'm 250lbs, and with a rider and those bikes being top heavy not good. Sporty is a commute and around town bike. It will do the highway with one person and bags, but two is a strech. One year later I bought a 08 Street Bob, handles better (IMHO) because of wider tires, not a effected by grooves in the road as much, although you still feel them. Sporty was better at the twisties. If you are going to do twisty roads on a Dyna you will probably want some handling mods done, True Track, Sputhe, or a fork brace. All of my research says a Sputhe front stabiizer and the fork brace cure 80% of the problem, unless you are a maniac. Whatever you buy think about your mods before you do them. Go by what suits you needs not what is cool or what everyone else is doing. If you buy new now the dealer may throw in some upgrades. But also with the economics so bad plenty of low mileage used bikes. Dynas have plenty of power stock and are loud enough stock. Safety, and comfort mods come first in my book then if you have money or the need, engine and exhaust mods. While you are at it good safety gear is a must. Never figured out folks spending 3,4 grand on mods riding with a $75 half helmet, T-shirts and sneakers. Full Face, Snell rated helmets (DOT means nothing really), protective clothing, gloves and above the ankle boots. If course I'm an old fart dinosaur, and being safe is one reason I'm old and have not left any skin on the road. PS I took the basic MSF, and then the advanced a year later.

 

The dealer here charges $300 as well, But if you buy a bike from them aftewards (not sure if there's a time frame involved) the $300 goes towards the down payment of store credit. Makes the learning process free that way. Might be something to ask your dealer about?

 

If you will ride on highway at all the sportster is not comfortable. I had a Sportster 1200 custom and traded it for a Dyna Fat Bob. I am 6'1 225 and now I am much happier and way more comfortable.