Choosing First Bike - Knowledge Please
Start small and trade up... IMO its better to grow out of something and spent money in increments than blow a chunk of cash and struggle, worry or worse get scared off!
I spend 4-5 years on an old suzuki, GS650, love it... had no problems camping with a passenger and wasnt too worried about dropping a cheaper bike with easily/cheaply replaceable parts (which I did a few times). I just traded up to a Street Bob and i'll be honest, it took a little getting used too. Glad I did it that way, it's likely I would have had a nasty accident otherwise.
For comparison I'm 5'7" and a 165lbs and usually a risk taker - not on two wheels tho!
I spend 4-5 years on an old suzuki, GS650, love it... had no problems camping with a passenger and wasnt too worried about dropping a cheaper bike with easily/cheaply replaceable parts (which I did a few times). I just traded up to a Street Bob and i'll be honest, it took a little getting used too. Glad I did it that way, it's likely I would have had a nasty accident otherwise.
For comparison I'm 5'7" and a 165lbs and usually a risk taker - not on two wheels tho!
Ultimate HDF Member
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From: Nomad
why else would I be here?
Cruiser
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From: Minneapolis
You sure seem to care about your image and persona though. If you don't, perhaps you should modify your writing style.
Just a suggestion though.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: USA
lol...well said. There's a lot of care giong into not caring here. Just saying.
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From: Nomad
Some people matter to me, most don't.
Supporter
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From: NW Ontario
Notice how this got carried away on a whole different tangent in dealing with other ppl's issues. The OP has not even commented in the last 3-4 pgs. That's likely because she has already gone off and bought her new bike and is out riding her new ride as we argue about biker legitimacy.lol
Danielle21, whatever you end up buying take the best from everyone's suggestions and most importantly: Ride safe, learn from those that have something relevant to offer and have fun. Take courses, watch rider videos and practice. Good luck.
Lobo
Danielle21, whatever you end up buying take the best from everyone's suggestions and most importantly: Ride safe, learn from those that have something relevant to offer and have fun. Take courses, watch rider videos and practice. Good luck.
Lobo
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Joined: May 2011
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From: United States - Tulsa, OK
Nope - I haven't purchased yet! I have spent the majority of this week gathering information and trying to decide what bike is best for me. I have looked at several and sat on a few.
I have been reading the posts - with each thread I either: 1. LOVE the info and appreciate the shared opinions of people with real experience, 2. Roll my eyes, or 3. laugh. I can tell you that I am blown away by the willingness to share and most of the guys that have been explaining things are very articulate and mention points that I didn't even consider. This has been very helpful to me and I hope it continues. Thank you ALL for sharing, I wish I could thank each of you individually. Don't stop posting either - I can never have too much information. THANKS AGAIN! xoxoxox
I have been reading the posts - with each thread I either: 1. LOVE the info and appreciate the shared opinions of people with real experience, 2. Roll my eyes, or 3. laugh. I can tell you that I am blown away by the willingness to share and most of the guys that have been explaining things are very articulate and mention points that I didn't even consider. This has been very helpful to me and I hope it continues. Thank you ALL for sharing, I wish I could thank each of you individually. Don't stop posting either - I can never have too much information. THANKS AGAIN! xoxoxox
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
From: NE Oklahoma
I just got a Super Glide and I went to Myers Duren and test rode a few and got the one that felt the best to me. The guys were very helpful even suggested a few different bikes. But defenitely get the bike YOU feel right on and ride safe
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Corona, Ca
sit on a few different models, test ride them, imagine what youll be taking with you on a long trip or short trip..how much storage youll need (ie: saddle bags). mid pegs or forward controls for comfort( i have forwards for city riding and mid pegs for hwy), what kind of handlebars for riding position (i have apes becuase its more comfy for my back)
all sorts of options, for me it came down to the street glide (bagger) or street bob, i chose my dyna becuase its what my wallet allowed me to have without tightening the the belt anywhere else...
all sorts of options, for me it came down to the street glide (bagger) or street bob, i chose my dyna becuase its what my wallet allowed me to have without tightening the the belt anywhere else...
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
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Nope - I haven't purchased yet! I have spent the majority of this week gathering information and trying to decide what bike is best for me. I have looked at several and sat on a few.
I have been reading the posts - with each thread I either: 1. LOVE the info and appreciate the shared opinions of people with real experience, 2. Roll my eyes, or 3. laugh. I can tell you that I am blown away by the willingness to share and most of the guys that have been explaining things are very articulate and mention points that I didn't even consider. This has been very helpful to me and I hope it continues. Thank you ALL for sharing, I wish I could thank each of you individually. Don't stop posting either - I can never have too much information. THANKS AGAIN! xoxoxox
I have been reading the posts - with each thread I either: 1. LOVE the info and appreciate the shared opinions of people with real experience, 2. Roll my eyes, or 3. laugh. I can tell you that I am blown away by the willingness to share and most of the guys that have been explaining things are very articulate and mention points that I didn't even consider. This has been very helpful to me and I hope it continues. Thank you ALL for sharing, I wish I could thank each of you individually. Don't stop posting either - I can never have too much information. THANKS AGAIN! xoxoxox
I should have asked this in my first post, but what sporter are you looking at? You mention an '09 Super Low, but they did not make the Super low in '09?
If you do choose a sporty and there are some really good deals on sportys, I think you will be much happier with a 883/1200 custom with a 1/2" longer pair of quality shocks on the rear or any of the sportys that have decent suspension travel, 883, 883R and the 1200R. The Nightster, 883 Low, Iron, 48 or virtually all the Lows have extremely limited suspension travel, the exception is the 1200 Low which has 1/2" more travel on the front than any of the other Lows. Of course you can add some travel to the rear of any of the Lows using longer shocks, but on the front you will need to change your damper tubes and fork springs. Both the 1200 Custom and the 1200 Low have the larger gas tank which is must, unless you like stopping every 100 miles or less, and forward controls which may suit you well. I have ridden many a sportster and the custom with the forwards was pretty comfortable out of the box and come to think of it so was the 1200L, but the L still needs more travel on the front. Bottom Line on the Sportsters, not unlike but more so than the Dyna, you need a quality rear shock and some decent front fork springs. I would also stick with the 1200 rather than an 883.
Last edited by dynabobster; May 20, 2011 at 04:32 PM.