Harley Davidson 883
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 652
Likes: 7
From: Maui, Hawaii
From what I understand the MSF Basic Riders Course uses Honda Rebel 250's as a training bike.
My first motorcycle as an adult was a Suzuki s40 Boulevard (650cc Single Cylinder Thumper) I rode it about a year or so before selling it and buying my 2009 Sportster XL883L. Best decisions I made. I still have and enjoy my Sportster and I have customized it to suit my size and riding style, by the way I am a 71yo male 5'6" and 132lbs. It had a set of Vance and Hines Pipes and a Sreamin' Eagle Air Cleaner when I bought it, in the meantime I have added:
National Cycle Windscreen
Cast wheels (Got Tired of Rusted Spokes)
Forward controls (I have arthritis in my hips and the forwards are more comfortable)
An Ear Cannon Air Horn to get the attention of the distracted
A modulating headlight to be seen at intersections and by oncoming traffic
A moduating brake light to let the guy behind you that is not paying attention know that you are slowing/stopping...very important!
I also treated myself to a Corbin Genuine Stingray Leather Hollywood Solo seat (I never ride two up)
A Chrome luggage rack
Viking Braided Saddle Bags
Chrome Highway (Crash) Bars
The only items on this list that I would strongly recommend for you (Almost Mandatory) would be the Modulating Head Light and Brake light and also the Highway bars. The first time you drop the bike You'll be happy you bought them, They will save you from fuel tank dents and potential leg injuries as well as make it easier to right the bike when it is dropped.
Also spend some money on a DOT approved Modular Helmet, armored jacket, Kevlar riding pants and over-the-ankle boots.
Ride Safe - Ride Smart
"He Who Lives In Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca. 1750's
My first motorcycle as an adult was a Suzuki s40 Boulevard (650cc Single Cylinder Thumper) I rode it about a year or so before selling it and buying my 2009 Sportster XL883L. Best decisions I made. I still have and enjoy my Sportster and I have customized it to suit my size and riding style, by the way I am a 71yo male 5'6" and 132lbs. It had a set of Vance and Hines Pipes and a Sreamin' Eagle Air Cleaner when I bought it, in the meantime I have added:
National Cycle Windscreen
Cast wheels (Got Tired of Rusted Spokes)
Forward controls (I have arthritis in my hips and the forwards are more comfortable)
An Ear Cannon Air Horn to get the attention of the distracted
A modulating headlight to be seen at intersections and by oncoming traffic
A moduating brake light to let the guy behind you that is not paying attention know that you are slowing/stopping...very important!
I also treated myself to a Corbin Genuine Stingray Leather Hollywood Solo seat (I never ride two up)
A Chrome luggage rack
Viking Braided Saddle Bags
Chrome Highway (Crash) Bars
The only items on this list that I would strongly recommend for you (Almost Mandatory) would be the Modulating Head Light and Brake light and also the Highway bars. The first time you drop the bike You'll be happy you bought them, They will save you from fuel tank dents and potential leg injuries as well as make it easier to right the bike when it is dropped.
Also spend some money on a DOT approved Modular Helmet, armored jacket, Kevlar riding pants and over-the-ankle boots.
Ride Safe - Ride Smart
"He Who Lives In Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca. 1750's
Last edited by Str8chuter; Jan 21, 2015 at 06:07 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Do NOT buy a 575 pound motorcycle as your first. Unless you're stronger than I'm guessing you are, or you pick up learning to ride a lot sooner than most, you will regret this. It will sit in the garage.
How pretty it looks has nothing to do with this. How well it fits you has nothing to do with this.
At the very least, do not buy ANY motorcycle until after you take your riders course. The course will use lighter, much, much easier to handle motorcycles than a Sportster. If you take to riding like a duck to water, if you feel like you were born in the saddle, then buy anything you want. However, if you find the class challenging, and maneuvering a motorcycle harder than you thought it would be, then buy a used, 250-500cc Japanese bike. Ride it until you feel comfortable on it, and then sell it and buy your dream bike.
For the record, I've owned several Sportsters. I love Sportsters. They are NOT beginners motorcycles.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,232
Likes: 9,325
From: Georgia
Ha ha ha Thumper funny. Pretty good advice though. You can always get the sportster you want too Abby and bolt on a crash bar.If you drop it no big deal. Lowered Sportsters are more than manageable. I would rather pick a Sportster up than a Dyna any day.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 759
Likes: 52
From: Frederick County, MD
That said, one thing you can be sure of is that Harley is not going to sell the last 883 (Iron, I presume?) before you finish your MSF course.
There will be one waiting for you (new or used) whenever you decide to buy.
If nothing else, heed the advice here to take the class before you buy. The additional knowledge and experience can only inform your decision.
Good luck. Let us know what you end up deciding.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 648
From: Vegas, baby!
Abby,
I will post something I haven't seen from anyone else. Most everybody else is concerned with "Dropping your bike" yadda, yadda, yadda.
Your main concern is surviving until you get some experience and are a safer, more confident, rider. This will probably be easier on something smaller/lighter then a Sportster. A lot, most(?), of the guys that have posted mean well. But they are probably normal, at least, sized guys and don't understand the issue from the view of a smaller, weaker, person.
Your first few months/years, if you ride that long, can greatly affect your life. Don't be too quick to 'bite off more then you can chew'. Motorcycles, different sizes, brands, even Harleys, are not going away. And there is no shame in starting on something smaller, or not even a Harley.
I will post something I haven't seen from anyone else. Most everybody else is concerned with "Dropping your bike" yadda, yadda, yadda.
Your main concern is surviving until you get some experience and are a safer, more confident, rider. This will probably be easier on something smaller/lighter then a Sportster. A lot, most(?), of the guys that have posted mean well. But they are probably normal, at least, sized guys and don't understand the issue from the view of a smaller, weaker, person.
Your first few months/years, if you ride that long, can greatly affect your life. Don't be too quick to 'bite off more then you can chew'. Motorcycles, different sizes, brands, even Harleys, are not going away. And there is no shame in starting on something smaller, or not even a Harley.
Last edited by rjg883c; Jan 21, 2015 at 09:18 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
Well, Abby, it seems as though you've made up your mind. Even so, I'm going to tell you, don't do it.
Do NOT buy a 575 pound motorcycle as your first. Unless you're stronger than I'm guessing you are, or you pick up learning to ride a lot sooner than most, you will regret this. It will sit in the garage.
How pretty it looks has nothing to do with this. How well it fits you has nothing to do with this.
At the very least, do not buy ANY motorcycle until after you take your riders course. The course will use lighter, much, much easier to handle motorcycles than a Sportster. If you take to riding like a duck to water, if you feel like you were born in the saddle, then buy anything you want. However, if you find the class challenging, and maneuvering a motorcycle harder than you thought it would be, then buy a used, 250-500cc Japanese bike. Ride it until you feel comfortable on it, and then sell it and buy your dream bike.
For the record, I've owned several Sportsters. I love Sportsters. They are NOT beginners motorcycles.
Do NOT buy a 575 pound motorcycle as your first. Unless you're stronger than I'm guessing you are, or you pick up learning to ride a lot sooner than most, you will regret this. It will sit in the garage.
How pretty it looks has nothing to do with this. How well it fits you has nothing to do with this.
At the very least, do not buy ANY motorcycle until after you take your riders course. The course will use lighter, much, much easier to handle motorcycles than a Sportster. If you take to riding like a duck to water, if you feel like you were born in the saddle, then buy anything you want. However, if you find the class challenging, and maneuvering a motorcycle harder than you thought it would be, then buy a used, 250-500cc Japanese bike. Ride it until you feel comfortable on it, and then sell it and buy your dream bike.
For the record, I've owned several Sportsters. I love Sportsters. They are NOT beginners motorcycles.
So much shitty advice in this thread... and you people wonder why nobody in the world of motorcycles where people actually know how to ****ing ride that NO ONE TAKES HARLEY RIDERS SERIOUSLY.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: TX
Well, Abby, it seems as though you've made up your mind. Even so, I'm going to tell you, don't do it.
Do NOT buy a 575 pound motorcycle as your first. Unless you're stronger than I'm guessing you are, or you pick up learning to ride a lot sooner than most, you will regret this. It will sit in the garage.
How pretty it looks has nothing to do with this. How well it fits you has nothing to do with this.
At the very least, do not buy ANY motorcycle until after you take your riders course. The course will use lighter, much, much easier to handle motorcycles than a Sportster. If you take to riding like a duck to water, if you feel like you were born in the saddle, then buy anything you want. However, if you find the class challenging, and maneuvering a motorcycle harder than you thought it would be, then buy a used, 250-500cc Japanese bike. Ride it until you feel comfortable on it, and then sell it and buy your dream bike.
For the record, I've owned several Sportsters. I love Sportsters. They are NOT beginners motorcycles.
Do NOT buy a 575 pound motorcycle as your first. Unless you're stronger than I'm guessing you are, or you pick up learning to ride a lot sooner than most, you will regret this. It will sit in the garage.
How pretty it looks has nothing to do with this. How well it fits you has nothing to do with this.
At the very least, do not buy ANY motorcycle until after you take your riders course. The course will use lighter, much, much easier to handle motorcycles than a Sportster. If you take to riding like a duck to water, if you feel like you were born in the saddle, then buy anything you want. However, if you find the class challenging, and maneuvering a motorcycle harder than you thought it would be, then buy a used, 250-500cc Japanese bike. Ride it until you feel comfortable on it, and then sell it and buy your dream bike.
For the record, I've owned several Sportsters. I love Sportsters. They are NOT beginners motorcycles.
Thanks everyone for y'alls input!
I'm so excited to get started.
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Sweet! Welcome to the world of riding!
When you're ready to buy your first Harley, just do some test rides. That Slim is a very nice bike, but don't eliminate anything till you give it a try. You might fall in love with the one that's #3 on your list!
Enjoy your class, you'll have a ball.
When you're ready to buy your first Harley, just do some test rides. That Slim is a very nice bike, but don't eliminate anything till you give it a try. You might fall in love with the one that's #3 on your list!
Enjoy your class, you'll have a ball.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 691
From: Columbus Ohio
So glad to hear you're going to start out smaller. When you're ready for a sporty, give the Forty-Eight a try (1200cc). Its lower to the ground and has a lower center of gravity. I went through two sporties (a '95 and 883 Superlow) until I tried this and knew it was "the one."