03 Dyna Low Rider_Ask the Experts
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7
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03 Dyna Low Rider_Ask the Experts
All
I know you may not all be experts but you have more experience then me. Looking to get my first Harley, a 2003 Dyna Low Rider. Wanted to get your opinions on this as a first bike and any issues I should look out for once I purchase. Any assistance/opinions will be greatly appreciated.
I know you may not all be experts but you have more experience then me. Looking to get my first Harley, a 2003 Dyna Low Rider. Wanted to get your opinions on this as a first bike and any issues I should look out for once I purchase. Any assistance/opinions will be greatly appreciated.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
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From: Brunswick, OH
Your first bike, or first HD? If it's your first bike, I say get something lighter and cheaper. Run the **** out of it, sell it for what you paid, and upgrade to a HD once you get the hang of it.
As far as the bike goes, there's not much that I know of to look out for. If it's clean, runs strong, and you think it's a fair price then go for it! There are several cool things about pre-06 Dynas you don't get with newer bikes, like drain screws on the forks, ability to add the HD dual front brake kit, etc. You don't get the 96" engine or 6 speed, but for me neither of those two things was an issue (I own an 05 FXDC).
As far as the bike goes, there's not much that I know of to look out for. If it's clean, runs strong, and you think it's a fair price then go for it! There are several cool things about pre-06 Dynas you don't get with newer bikes, like drain screws on the forks, ability to add the HD dual front brake kit, etc. You don't get the 96" engine or 6 speed, but for me neither of those two things was an issue (I own an 05 FXDC).
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
You sure aren't giving us much detail to work with here but, I would say go for it if the price is right and it is the bike you want. I would ask some questions about who maintained it and if the previous owner had any issues with it. Like I said, if it is the bike you want....go for it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
Go for it. One of my lady friends got a wide glide for her first bike. I thought she was nuts and recommended she get something smaller to start with. Three years later - never a problem with the wide glide. Her boyfriend just picked up a sportster, and she teases him all the time about having such a small bike. Do take the new rider course, and ride conservatively until you get some experience.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
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Sorry about not giving more details on it. The bike is in great condition, one owner, 7,000 miles. I have taken the riders course but have to be honest and tell you it has been quite awhile since I rode on a regular basis. I'm a big guy so a sportster is out of the question. This Dyna does have mid controls but the highway pegs will work. If I get it I will switch to forward controls when the budget and time allows.
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
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From: Southwest Florida
Sorry about not giving more details on it. The bike is in great condition, one owner, 7,000 miles. I have taken the riders course but have to be honest and tell you it has been quite awhile since I rode on a regular basis. I'm a big guy so a sportster is out of the question. This Dyna does have mid controls but the highway pegs will work. If I get it I will switch to forward controls when the budget and time allows.
The words 'logic' and 'Harley-Davidson' seldom belong in the same sentence. Or even in the same conversation.
Just learn to respect the bike. Not fear it, respect it. Respect the fact that riding a bike is nowhere near, not even close to, the same as piloting a car, a boat, or an airplane. Take it really slow, understand that turning radiuses are different, stopping is different, taking off from a standstill is different and the power is different. Real different.
I'm not a big guy, but I've never cared for forward controls. Maybe it's because I'm not a big guy. I like the mid-mounts because it feels better in turns and I feel like I have more control.
I have highway pegs on mine, I used the highway peg mounting plates from Custom Chrome and they look great. Really good. If I'm on the road, I use them a little bit. But more as a place to shift my feet around and get the blood circulating in my legs.
But everybody's different and everybody wants different stuff and a different look on their bikes.
Which is what makes Harleys so cool. No two are ever the same.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Ga
Depending on how big you are you may find the Lowrider too low. I preferred the stock height of my Street Bob to my gf's '00 Lowrider and I'm only 5'9". She's a munchkin (5'0") so we dropped the back end of hers and now I feel like my knees drag.
My standard advice is always to buy a used 5-10 y/o metric for your first bike. Buy right, ride for a year, sell for what you paid. You won't worry as much about dropping it and you'll have a MUCH better idea what fits and doesn't, what you like, prefer, and hate.
But if you must have a Harley, consider looking around for a Wide Glide. Might fit your height better.
My standard advice is always to buy a used 5-10 y/o metric for your first bike. Buy right, ride for a year, sell for what you paid. You won't worry as much about dropping it and you'll have a MUCH better idea what fits and doesn't, what you like, prefer, and hate.
But if you must have a Harley, consider looking around for a Wide Glide. Might fit your height better.