Start Expensive - or cheap??
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, WV
Start Expensive - or cheap??
Hey guys,
Lately, my wife has taken a big interest in wanting to ride her own bike... she's loved riding 2 up with me everywhere, and to be honest, she's a real road warrior... she almost goes everywhere i do. That's the biggest reason i've brought up this question... She has her heart set on a Harley. I suggested maybe starting out metric, so if she has a little mishap, i won't feel too upset. So, onto the question...
Go ahead and start her off on the harley (she wants the brand new street bob pictured below...) and take a risk of her maybe dropping it over. (she's never driven a mile on a motorcycle)
OR convice her to start out cheaper on a good metric bike - see how she likes riding, and then bump up if need be. Keep in mind CONVINCE is the key word. She's set on this HOG because she's afraid the guys i ride with will josh her a little bit for riding metric...
Opinions welcome...
Lately, my wife has taken a big interest in wanting to ride her own bike... she's loved riding 2 up with me everywhere, and to be honest, she's a real road warrior... she almost goes everywhere i do. That's the biggest reason i've brought up this question... She has her heart set on a Harley. I suggested maybe starting out metric, so if she has a little mishap, i won't feel too upset. So, onto the question...
Go ahead and start her off on the harley (she wants the brand new street bob pictured below...) and take a risk of her maybe dropping it over. (she's never driven a mile on a motorcycle)
OR convice her to start out cheaper on a good metric bike - see how she likes riding, and then bump up if need be. Keep in mind CONVINCE is the key word. She's set on this HOG because she's afraid the guys i ride with will josh her a little bit for riding metric...
Opinions welcome...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 10
From: FL
Just know if she starts on a metric, you will loose your *** at some point on the bike when she's ready to move the the HD. I wish I would have started on the HD. Could have saved lots of money.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 3
From: Jefferson, Oregon
My pappy once said, "If the wife is happy, your happy."
Even though I agree that she should start on a cheaper used bike, many have made the leap and bought a brand new one and been really happy. Maybe convince her to put some crash bars on it...just in case. Let her remove them after a year or 10k miles. I kinda feel that after 10k on a bike...your pretty experienced.
Even though I agree that she should start on a cheaper used bike, many have made the leap and bought a brand new one and been really happy. Maybe convince her to put some crash bars on it...just in case. Let her remove them after a year or 10k miles. I kinda feel that after 10k on a bike...your pretty experienced.
i stated the wife on the virago 250 she loves the bike... LOVES IT... now she has been riding for over 4 years, she is conforatble on any size bike... let her decide... that is what it comes down to it... it is her bike, she shoudl pick it out and be comfortable. do not let the 250 scare you away she has no problem keeping up with us, as well as you can always toss in some new gears. i will warn you though... i have just as much wrench time into hers as i do mine!
her bobber just took best in show last weekend!
i created a monster! now she has 2 bikes and is looking at a new Victory hammer low
her bobber just took best in show last weekend!
i created a monster! now she has 2 bikes and is looking at a new Victory hammer low
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 4,883
From: Missouri City,TX
IMO, get her enrolled in a MSF course BEFORE you purchase any type of bike to see how well she does and if after passing the course she still wants to ride then decide what bike is best to buy.
If she handles the course with great results and she can't wait to get out on the streets with her own bike you probably should get her what she really wants...cuz if momma ain't happy, you ain't gonna be happy.
If she handles the course with great results and she can't wait to get out on the streets with her own bike you probably should get her what she really wants...cuz if momma ain't happy, you ain't gonna be happy.
Last edited by SBRob; Oct 5, 2009 at 04:25 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 894
Likes: 4
From: Newberg OR
Dang it Rob u stole my thunder!
After she passes her MSF course, rent her a bobber for a day and make sure that's where she wants to start out.
B.t.w. that bob sure looks good on her, you're a lucky man!
After she passes her MSF course, rent her a bobber for a day and make sure that's where she wants to start out.
B.t.w. that bob sure looks good on her, you're a lucky man!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
Your wife will likely be more motivated to learn to ride if she's on a bike she likes. IMO, ALL H-D's are somewhat top heavy when compared to the smaller metric bikes. She's probably not going to be ripping around town any time soon anyway, regardless of what you get her. When my wife wanted to learn to ride just this past spring, I looked a little for something smaller and cheaper and they really aren't as available as you think. We bought a Sportster within the trade-up timeframe, she took a MSF course, and now we'll be trading the Sportster for an SG Custom. We're not going to lose much on the deal, so no regrets, and I don't think she would have been able to get comfortable riding like she has if she would have started on a big twin right away, but your wife may make the leap. Best advice I could give is that she's going to have to learn to ride from someone and you may not be the best instructor, being sovested in the outcome. You also want to start slow and within her comfort zone so that something doesn't scare her away from riding.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 16
From: Norfolk, VA
She looks like a grown woman to me, I would think it would be her decision. You know if it is not her decision and you push her into something you will probably regret it.
If it were me I would start with the Harley. By the look of the pics it appears she has her heals off the ground. Get the Bob, drop it in the rear a little and I bet she will be fine. If you are concerned about "drops" and not crashes than a engine guard might be a good idea. I would not want to waste the money on a metric if you know in the end you will end up with the harley anyway.
If it were me I would start with the Harley. By the look of the pics it appears she has her heals off the ground. Get the Bob, drop it in the rear a little and I bet she will be fine. If you are concerned about "drops" and not crashes than a engine guard might be a good idea. I would not want to waste the money on a metric if you know in the end you will end up with the harley anyway.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
I'm a fan of buying a cheap metric and then upgrading later. I've known people who go out and buy the harley and then within a month dump it and it costs them big money to fix.
Maybe a suzuki savage or honda rebel to start. The rebels seem to hold their value pretty well as long as they're not all beat up.
It's really up to the rider though.
Maybe a suzuki savage or honda rebel to start. The rebels seem to hold their value pretty well as long as they're not all beat up.
It's really up to the rider though.
