Originally Posted by farmboy555

Sportster 👎 at least get a dayna or bigger. This thing that you have to start on a sportster and work your way up is Bull

Originally Posted by kngpn

You said your friends convinced you.. that’s red flag 1. Friends can be morons.

Take a class! This is step one and mandatory since you have no real world experience. If you pass, thats the time to start looking at bikes, not before. Many people get on the road and decide quickly enough it’s not for them. It can be unnerving or everyone would do it. You have to be on your A game every time you ride. Too many brainless texting fools out there.

If you still want to ride after the class, don’t forget equipment in your budget. You want a decent helmet, jacket and boots and gloves. That stuff adds up. Buy the bike you want, and the bike you’re comfortable with. It’s your ***, not your buds. These days there are so so many great choices from HD to Honda, Yamies, etc. keep an open mind.

Originally Posted by NatureBoy916

Hey everybody, looking to get my start into motorcycles after having some buddies convince me that i need a Harley. So since this is my first bike ever i wanted everyones suggestions on what would be the best bike for me to learn and grow on. I'm about 5' 10" 180Lb, pretty fit, but like i said zero experience on a bike, except maybe a few hours on dirt bikes. I was told a Sportster or a Nightster would be best, but honestly the only bikes ive ever sat on are Dynas, one in more of a bobber style and one was an FXDX. PLEASE HELP, all information is helpful. Thanks

I forgot to mention my price range is about $5500....

Originally Posted by IdahoHacker

He's trying to save your life. I'll try to help as well. And, in his defense, when I read your opening post I figured there was well north of a 50% chance it was a joke. "I want to start riding a motorcycle, and my buddies tell me I should start out on a Harley-Davidson as my very first bike." Really?

Here goes, and I mean this with the utmost sincerity, and hope that you'll love motorcycling, and have a long, joyous life with your knees in the wind.

1. Before you do anything, take an MSF course and get your motorcycle endorsement.

2. You need to understand this one point, more than anything else: Taking a Basic Riders Course and successfully getting your endorsement prepares you for being able to get home from the parking lot without killing yourself. Having an endorsement does NOT mean you know how to ride. It means you're now ready to start learning how to ride. Keep that in mind.

3. If your budget is $5,500 and you want a Harley-Davidson, you basically have two choices, a used Sportster or an older used other model Harley. A Road King is not a learner's bike. You might "grow into it", and you might grow into a casket. That is exactly the same as giving a 16 year old the keys to a Corvette instead of a Corolla, because "they'll grow into it."

4. For $5,500 you have available to you roughly 187 different motorcycles that are not Harleys and would be far, far, better to start on than even a used Sportster. Sportsters weigh 575 pounds. A Dyna weighs around 675 pounds. A Road King weighs around 800 pounds. These are not beginner's bikes. You can buy an awesome used bike for $2,500 that would be perfect to ride for the first six months or so, and then you'd be able to sell it for basically what you paid. Get a used 500cc or so cruiser, and have at it. When you drop it, and you probably will, you won't break anything expensive.

5. Then, and only then, are you ready to test ride some different Harleys and decide what is best for you.

We're just trying to help. You asked for help. I'm being sincere and respectful.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by mauijohn

Aloha, several weeks ago I asked for advice starting a topic "New to Motorcycles" I was wanting to buy his & hers Harleys! Neither my wife nor I have ever riden a motorcycle! I came back to the forum with an update but my thread ended up in the Off Topic section, which I'm sure very few saw. I requested it get moved back to General Chat but was un successful! The information I received was invaluable! The path I took was No Harley, bought a starter bike! The above advice is spot on! I'll list my decesion process.
1) Took the DMV written test - Passed
2) Took the Basic Rider Course - Passed written test & riding test.
3) My instructor advised me against buying a heavy starter bike. Said my high score on my driving test did not reflect my skill level!
4) Bought a new Honda Rebel 500
5) Bought all the proper riding gear, helmet full face, pants, boots, gloves.
6) Had Honda delivered to city park where I practiced for about 5 hours.
7) Next morning, Thanksgiving day, decided to go for a ride. Started down steep, wet, driveway pointed towards neighbors house, instead of straight down. Had to basicically make an " S" turn. At the bottom of driveway over corrected left turn and Dumped the bike in the middle of road!
8) Dealer came and picked up bike and took it to repair shop.
9) 4 weeks later & $1600 bucks I got the bike back.
10) Im now Still practicing in neighborhood and parks and a little scared!
I'm 61 fit 5'4". No used bike available on an island that would fit my stature. Used bike would have helped. Wife decided not to buy a bike. You really will know more about your skill level or lack of skills once you take the riders course! I realized you can't rush experience!
Mahalo Again to all those who helped! And Happy Safe Holidays! Mauijohn

Originally Posted by mauijohn

Aloha, several weeks ago I asked for advice starting a topic "New to Motorcycles" I was wanting to buy his & hers Harleys! Neither my wife nor I have ever riden a motorcycle! I came back to the forum with an update but my thread ended up in the Off Topic section, which I'm sure very few saw. I requested it get moved back to General Chat but was un successful! The information I received was invaluable! The path I took was No Harley, bought a starter bike! The above advice is spot on! I'll list my decesion process.
1) Took the DMV written test - Passed
2) Took the Basic Rider Course - Passed written test & riding test.
3) My instructor advised me against buying a heavy starter bike. Said my high score on my driving test did not reflect my skill level!
4) Bought a new Honda Rebel 500
5) Bought all the proper riding gear, helmet full face, pants, boots, gloves.
6) Had Honda delivered to city park where I practiced for about 5 hours.
7) Next morning, Thanksgiving day, decided to go for a ride. Started down steep, wet, driveway pointed towards neighbors house, instead of straight down. Had to basicically make an " S" turn. At the bottom of driveway over corrected left turn and Dumped the bike in the middle of road!
8) Dealer came and picked up bike and took it to repair shop.
9) 4 weeks later & $1600 bucks I got the bike back.
10) Im now Still practicing in neighborhood and parks and a little scared!
I'm 61 fit 5'4". No used bike available on an island that would fit my stature. Used bike would have helped. Wife decided not to buy a bike. You really will know more about your skill level or lack of skills once you take the riders course! I realized you can't rush experience!
Mahalo Again to all those who helped! And Happy Safe Holidays! Mauijohn

Originally Posted by rjg883c

He only made 3 posts before he stopped playing with us.