Good for a beginner?
The days are getting closer and I'm getting ready to go to the dealership and get a Harley. It's been a life long dream of mine to get a motorcycle, ever since my dad brought home his 1979 Roadster XLS, and at the age of 29 I'm finally going to get one.
I'm currently trying to choose between a 2000 Softail, 2001 Dyna Lowrider, and a 2001 Dyna Wide Glide.
I'm about 5'11 240 lbs. So I should probably getting someting bigger than a Sportster...So how what kinds of things could I expect from a Dyna? Pro's and Con's...I'd love to hear it
I'm currently trying to choose between a 2000 Softail, 2001 Dyna Lowrider, and a 2001 Dyna Wide Glide.
I'm about 5'11 240 lbs. So I should probably getting someting bigger than a Sportster...So how what kinds of things could I expect from a Dyna? Pro's and Con's...I'd love to hear it
- Dan
Last edited by 2011 FXDB; Feb 14, 2014 at 11:42 AM. Reason: fixed url
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Sorry I didn't say anything, I have taken the course, and need to get my license here soon...My plan is start small, just tooling around back streets and stuff until I'm comfortable, but I'm not planning on riding any long distances or highways until I'm comfortable on it. Maybe do some riding in a church parking lot and stuff. I respect the bike, very much...I also have found a 1979 Roadster XLS like my father's for $3500 (Not exactly like it, but it is the same model) Maybe buy that first and learn on it? I'm open to suggestions guys
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Alberta Canada
Im hoping you have ridden a motorcycle before.. Otherwise a Harley isnt such a great starter bike being they are rather heavy. I know quite a few people that have been killed because they dont know how to manipulate the bike fast enough. If you dont have much ride time and you are set on a Harley i would go with a sporty of some sort. Might not look as cool but its hard to enjoy your new bike if youre dead.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Great Falls, MT
Haha are you trying to scare this guy? Don't buy a harley, you will die. Good advice man...get the dyna, it's not a hard bike to learn on. A 240lb man on a sporty isn't the answer. You will outgrow it within a month and be super uncomfortable doing it. Get something that fits you and take it slow until you get used to it. Ride with confidence, not fear.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,725
Likes: 38,313
From: Post Falls, ID
Wait until you can pay cash.
Theres really no definitive answer on what you should ride as your first bike.
My first bike ever was the bike in my sig..apes and all, and i had never ridden a motorcycle prior to that.
Just dont be stupid on it and be safe, and you'll be okay..ur a big guy, weight of the motorcycle really shouldnt matter to you, im 5'10" 180lbs, ive never even had a close call about dropping my bike
My first bike ever was the bike in my sig..apes and all, and i had never ridden a motorcycle prior to that.
Just dont be stupid on it and be safe, and you'll be okay..ur a big guy, weight of the motorcycle really shouldnt matter to you, im 5'10" 180lbs, ive never even had a close call about dropping my bike
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 46
From: East Hartford, CT
first bike
My first bike was a learning experience as I purchased 2 junk triumphs and made one a 1968 triumph bonniville 650 bored to 700.
originally purchased for $700.00 and two years and an additional $5000.00 and lots of bood sweat and tears I received a trophy first show as best ridden daily.
I learned everything you could by putting it all together. engine rebiult, front end, rear everything.
I think the best way to learn about a bike.
I rode that bike for 12 years. dumped it in a farmers field riding double after a few pops. just got muddy. lots of fun till then years went by and got bored with it.
I sold it and bought a 07 XL1200C . Wow what a difference.
I had that two years and now have my 09 FXDB. I love my SB.
With fowards the XL1200C was comfotable.
I have fowards on my SB. I am about 200 lbs at 5'8".
I was surprised how good the SB rides.
originally purchased for $700.00 and two years and an additional $5000.00 and lots of bood sweat and tears I received a trophy first show as best ridden daily.
I learned everything you could by putting it all together. engine rebiult, front end, rear everything.
I think the best way to learn about a bike.
I rode that bike for 12 years. dumped it in a farmers field riding double after a few pops. just got muddy. lots of fun till then years went by and got bored with it.
I sold it and bought a 07 XL1200C . Wow what a difference.
I had that two years and now have my 09 FXDB. I love my SB.
With fowards the XL1200C was comfotable.
I have fowards on my SB. I am about 200 lbs at 5'8".
I was surprised how good the SB rides.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
The dealer here doesn't have used bikes that old on the floor, not consistently anyways as most are 05 and newer.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
8-10 years is the oldest you will normally see at a dealer, as like has been said, no one will loan on an older bike. You said you would ride around in a parking lot but not a highway. After a few hours on a lot, it's important that you get on the highway at posted speeds. One, to get a feel for two wheels at speed, and two, riding at highway speeds is easier than slow parking lot speeds, as you will soon realize. A totally different feel between the two experiences.
Personally, I started on a 50cc bike and now 54 bikes and 45 years later, I'm on a Dyna, a Dual Sport 650 and a Sport Touring 1150. Each is different but equally as much fun as the others in the garage.
Get comfortable on all types of roads and circumstances, with a bike you can afford to buy and possibly drop, and then get the next bike that makes you really happy.
Remember, dropping an 87 Honda/Yamaha is no big deal in the scheme of things. Dropping an $8-10,000 Harley can be an expensive mistake and really screw up your insurance rates. have fun and be careful learning to enjoy motorcycling as a lifetime personal experience... tomp
Personally, I started on a 50cc bike and now 54 bikes and 45 years later, I'm on a Dyna, a Dual Sport 650 and a Sport Touring 1150. Each is different but equally as much fun as the others in the garage.
Get comfortable on all types of roads and circumstances, with a bike you can afford to buy and possibly drop, and then get the next bike that makes you really happy.
Remember, dropping an 87 Honda/Yamaha is no big deal in the scheme of things. Dropping an $8-10,000 Harley can be an expensive mistake and really screw up your insurance rates. have fun and be careful learning to enjoy motorcycling as a lifetime personal experience... tomp
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 34
I'd get the low rider. I have a ton of experience on various bikes but this is my first harley as well after some time away from riding. It's low, not too heavy you can touch flat foot for sure and they look great. You won't get bored with it and if you do you can customize it however you want. Craigslist and eBay are full of used parts as is this forum. I like carbs and wanted an evo so I got an older one on purpose