Hello everyone!
I am new to the forum and to the HD world. My girlfriend has recently convinced me to look into the Harley side of riding. Naturally growing up and racing dirt bikes, I always wanted a Yamaha or a Honda but as of lately I have gained an immense interest in Harleys. We were actually at my local Harley Davidson dealer (the fantastic women and men of Southern Devil Harley Davidson in Cartersville GA) and would like some advice. Being a shorter guy I was looking at the sportsters like the forty-eight and would like some advice as to how easy and affordable it would be to make a bobber out of one. Any advice given would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance and ride hard!

 

Welcome from Iowa.Look on craigslist and ebay,I see harley bobbers and project bike's for sale frequently.Good luck.

 

Good advice, just be certain that you're not buying a project bike that is not up to your standards of safety and quality of workmanship.

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

 

how short are you? i'm 5'4'' and ride a roadglide, comfortably. sportsters are fun bikes, but most people 'outgrow' them quickly. i rode one for 4 years before making the switch.

a dyna is a good platform for a bobber as well, and being a little larger, might last you longer.

but if you are set on a sportster, some of the major 'milestones' to look for: up to and including 2003, the engine was hard mounted to the frame. 2004 up are rubber mounted, less vibes. 2007 saw them being fuel injected. 2014 introduced abs.

 

Best advice I can pass on is pay close attention to this part she's telling you something you may not be picking up.

Best of luck on what ever you decide on but rule of thumb is everyone who buys a smaller bike ends going to bigger one in the not to distant future.

 

This. I would not go any smaller than a 1200 sporty. Honestly, I would seriously not go any smaller than a Dyna. Look at the Low Rider... It's called Low Rider for a reason. As long as you are 5'4" or above, you should be fine.

If your chick wants you to look at Harley, she means get one that she can ride comfortably with you on. IMHO, a Sporty will be pushing that. Any Dyna or Softail will work fine.

Buy once and buy right.

 

skratch, You are right about the "milestones". I have a 2009 XL883L that I have set up to be the perfect bike for me. I am a 71 year old male, 132 lbs, 5'6" with a 29" inseam. IMHO the Sportster 1200 series should fit the needs of most riders, in my judgement the only reason to trade-up to a larger, more powerful Harley is if you decide to ride two-up regularly or do cross country (Mainland) type rides. Bottom Line, I love my Sportster and find it to be a very responsive and maneuverable. Bear in mind that I live on an island (Maui) that is 46 miles long and 26 miles across at its widest point so for me to put 100+ miles on a ride means I'm going in circles, also once you've done one of the rides, you are simply seeing the same views over and over. I envy those of you on the Mainland who can put thousands of miles on your Harleys every year. In the past two years I've put 5000 miles on my 2009 XL. For the Island that's considered pretty good.

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

skratch, You are right about the "milestones". I have a 2009 XL883L that I have set up to be the perfect bike for me. I am a 71 year old male, 132 lbs, 5'6" with a 29" inseam. IMHO the Sportster 1200 series should fit the needs of most riders, in my judgement the only reason to trade-up to a larger, more powerful Harley is if you decide to ride two-up regularly or do cross country (Mainland) type rides. Bottom Line, I love my Sportster and find it to be a very responsive, maneuverable and fun ride. Bear in mind that I live on an island (Maui) that is 46 miles long and 26 miles across at its widest point so for me to put 100+ miles on a ride means I'm going in circles, also once you've done one of the rides, you are simply seeing the same views over and over. I envy those of you on the Mainland who can put thousands of miles on your Harleys every year. In the past four years I've put 8000+ miles on my 2009 XL. For the Island that's considered pretty good.

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

 

Welcome to the forum. The above comments are most excellent advice and you should take these tips to heart.


Your questions are often asked by new riders who end up coming here looking for advice and the answers are pretty much always the same....


Save yourself a step or two by following these suggestions

 

Go to a dealership. Ride the ones you fit and like and can afford. The rest is easy.