petite female
It's your first bike and life happens. Get some experience under your belt and then buy a Harley.
I'll also say that after riding a Sportster for two weeks, I'm really glad I didn't choose that as my first bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 17
From: Between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Texas
I'll go another way completely. Get a cheap jap bike to learn and drop on and then get your dream bike. Take a basic riding course too and lower your insurance rate.
Crap! I see someone types faster than I do.
Crap! I see someone types faster than I do.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Honestly, I would start with something inexpensive, about 500cc and metric.
It's your first bike and life happens. Get some experience under your belt and then buy a Harley.
I'll also say that after riding a Sportster for two weeks, I'm really glad I didn't choose that as my first bike.
It's your first bike and life happens. Get some experience under your belt and then buy a Harley.
I'll also say that after riding a Sportster for two weeks, I'm really glad I didn't choose that as my first bike.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 600
Likes: 10
From: Rochester, NY
The Street 500, Street 750 and Sportsters are the smallest engined bikes Harley-Davidson makes but only buy one if you like the look, feel, and performance capabilities. All modern Harley's have similar seat heights now so shorter folks have more choices. Seat height is only part of the equation. If you have thick thighs or a bike with floor boards instead of foot pegs you may still have a hard time reaching the ground. Like others have suggested go to a dealer and sit on some bikes. Make sure your feet can sit flat on the floor when you are sitting down and the bike is upright. Harley also offers reduced reach seats that can help you be comfortable on most of their bikes. Good luck and post some pictures of you on your bike when you get one.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 460
Likes: 20
From: Manitoba, Canada
Step out back perki, I want to talk to you! 
Moegirl, from a not-so-petite female I will echo the idea of starting with something small and lighter to build some time on. You don't say how much riding experience you have but going straight to a heavy, powerful bike isn't a good idea. Make your mistakes on something cheaper. Don't worry, you will still have some mistakes left to make when you get to a more expensive bike but hopefully they will be smaller ones.
Moegirl, from a not-so-petite female I will echo the idea of starting with something small and lighter to build some time on. You don't say how much riding experience you have but going straight to a heavy, powerful bike isn't a good idea. Make your mistakes on something cheaper. Don't worry, you will still have some mistakes left to make when you get to a more expensive bike but hopefully they will be smaller ones.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 20,530
Likes: 2,305
From: texas panhandle
This is the correct answer. The type of Harley you buy will determine the model. Lots of good used rice burners and they are quality machines.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Jan 7, 2015 at 03:43 PM. Reason: Fixed quote
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