First motorcycle... undecided
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 992
Likes: 143
From: eastern NC
From another 6'1" guy at 250 lbs---here is what I have learned. Forget the under 900cc thing. Reving the crap out of something to keep from stalling really gets old quick. Ask me how I know.
Also torque is your friend. No such thing as too much weather you have been riding a week or a decade. Smaller, less powerful bikes are no safer---just smaller and less powerful. Safety comes with your respect and skill. Just because a bike has power does not mean you have to come off smoking the rear tire at every light.
My first Harley was an 883 Sporster. Loved it---kept it less than 2 months after I did a demo ride on a Softail. Bigger Harleys are easier to ride than small metrics, crotch rockets, or sport touring. I never would have believed it until I did it myself. They have a very low center of gravity and are well balanced. Never seen a small metric bike win a slow ride competition.
Older Dynas and Softails are cheap enough and most Harleys are well cared for and unless you plan on racking up plenty of miles right to start with, then a used HOG is fine. Better to buy a nice used Harley than a new metric. However---bang for the buck, it is hard to beat a used VTX1300 for what you will pay if you really want to stay small and cheap.
Also torque is your friend. No such thing as too much weather you have been riding a week or a decade. Smaller, less powerful bikes are no safer---just smaller and less powerful. Safety comes with your respect and skill. Just because a bike has power does not mean you have to come off smoking the rear tire at every light.
My first Harley was an 883 Sporster. Loved it---kept it less than 2 months after I did a demo ride on a Softail. Bigger Harleys are easier to ride than small metrics, crotch rockets, or sport touring. I never would have believed it until I did it myself. They have a very low center of gravity and are well balanced. Never seen a small metric bike win a slow ride competition.
Older Dynas and Softails are cheap enough and most Harleys are well cared for and unless you plan on racking up plenty of miles right to start with, then a used HOG is fine. Better to buy a nice used Harley than a new metric. However---bang for the buck, it is hard to beat a used VTX1300 for what you will pay if you really want to stay small and cheap.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 6,345
From: pacific northwest
There is a reason why most people don't recommend spending a lot of money on a first bike other than growing out of it... you might not like riding. A lot of people like the image of a biker and want to be that, but when it comes down to it they have no passion to actually ride.
I've seen people buy two brand new Harley baggers only to find out they didn't enjoy riding. That was a very expensive mistake.
Riding a motorcycle is completely different than a bicycle. Two wheels and seat is all they have in common. They move completely differently, you move completely differently.
What this boils down to is taking the MSF course is $50 to determine if you should put in $1000s into riding. And yes, you need to try out different bikes on the road, I've sat on ones that where just fine and then found they where extremely uncomfortable once I got it moving. Think of it like a $10,000 shoe, sitting on a bike is like putting the shoe on your foot, riding the bike is like standing up and walking in it. We can go back and forth on what a good "shoe" is, but if it doesn't fit you it doesn't matter. And the only way to know if it fits you is to 'walk' in it.
Think of it like you're getting into photography (not selfies, but real photography). You're going to want to try to take a few photos with a $100 camera to make sure you even like doing it as there is a lot more to it than point and shoot. Would you put down $20,000 in equipment if you didn't know you had a real passion for it? Just saying I knew a lot of people in college in the photography classes that where glad they where able to just borrow a camera at the end of it. The people you're talking to on here are the people that went and bought thousands of dollars worth of gear at the end of the class.
A starter bike might not have the image you want, just be aware holding onto the image you want of your first bike and you on it changes within the first year of riding. For some people it changes to no bike at all. A good starter bike will sell for what you paid for it and if you find riding isn't for you you're just out your efforts, not $10,000.
If it has to be a Harley to start, start with the 883. Know you'll sell it.
(some don't and love it forever because it's a great machine, at 250lbs though you'll almost certainly end up wanting more eventually. You'll notice it most on the freeway. Some dealers have a Sportster buy back promotion, might be worth looking into it. ).
The bike will probably get dropped. Something will probably break on it. And you'll find either you discover you can't live without one or you'll end up wondering what all the fuss is about and end up selling it because it's not worth the effort. And that critical answer can only be answered by you and on the road.
So relax. Go into this knowing no matter which way you go there is a borderline certainty that you will end up selling whatever choice you make. Either you sell it to no longer ride or you sell it to buy something new that you've grown into.
I've seen people buy two brand new Harley baggers only to find out they didn't enjoy riding. That was a very expensive mistake.
Riding a motorcycle is completely different than a bicycle. Two wheels and seat is all they have in common. They move completely differently, you move completely differently.
What this boils down to is taking the MSF course is $50 to determine if you should put in $1000s into riding. And yes, you need to try out different bikes on the road, I've sat on ones that where just fine and then found they where extremely uncomfortable once I got it moving. Think of it like a $10,000 shoe, sitting on a bike is like putting the shoe on your foot, riding the bike is like standing up and walking in it. We can go back and forth on what a good "shoe" is, but if it doesn't fit you it doesn't matter. And the only way to know if it fits you is to 'walk' in it.
Think of it like you're getting into photography (not selfies, but real photography). You're going to want to try to take a few photos with a $100 camera to make sure you even like doing it as there is a lot more to it than point and shoot. Would you put down $20,000 in equipment if you didn't know you had a real passion for it? Just saying I knew a lot of people in college in the photography classes that where glad they where able to just borrow a camera at the end of it. The people you're talking to on here are the people that went and bought thousands of dollars worth of gear at the end of the class.
A starter bike might not have the image you want, just be aware holding onto the image you want of your first bike and you on it changes within the first year of riding. For some people it changes to no bike at all. A good starter bike will sell for what you paid for it and if you find riding isn't for you you're just out your efforts, not $10,000.
If it has to be a Harley to start, start with the 883. Know you'll sell it.
(some don't and love it forever because it's a great machine, at 250lbs though you'll almost certainly end up wanting more eventually. You'll notice it most on the freeway. Some dealers have a Sportster buy back promotion, might be worth looking into it. ).
The bike will probably get dropped. Something will probably break on it. And you'll find either you discover you can't live without one or you'll end up wondering what all the fuss is about and end up selling it because it's not worth the effort. And that critical answer can only be answered by you and on the road.
So relax. Go into this knowing no matter which way you go there is a borderline certainty that you will end up selling whatever choice you make. Either you sell it to no longer ride or you sell it to buy something new that you've grown into.
that is why if one is a new rider is best to not splurge big on their first bike until they see if they really have the passion for riding, or is just until they find another hobby.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Originally Posted by SixDD
More then likely this is the best way to go. Do riders courses provide the bike? I don't know I've never taken one. I think I will someday.
Over the ankle riding boots and FULL fingered gloves.
Rarely does any student , regardless of years of experience, not get anything out of a basic rider course.
In an Advanced Rider Course (ARC) you'll ride your OWN bike. But it must be licensed & insured. This is when we/you get to have some fun. Try it, you'll see.
Don't be frightened about the word "advanced". It isn't that advanced...
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 919
Likes: 245
BTW, a quick craigslist search puts Harley 883s listed for around $3000. One third of the cost of a new one.
I mean heck, this one actually has a beautiful cafe thing going on, less than 10k on it:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/m...469022691.html
https://www.moonmotorcycles.com/vehi...fcc27579abf844
I get worrying about things breaking down on you, but another way to look at it is if you can buy the same thing used for $3000, how much could you do with $6000? Buy two more, all the repairs or parts, all sorts of things. Only reason I bought mine new is because it was an LR-S and you had to buy it new because there where no second hand ones.
I mean heck, this one actually has a beautiful cafe thing going on, less than 10k on it:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/m...469022691.html
https://www.moonmotorcycles.com/vehi...fcc27579abf844
I get worrying about things breaking down on you, but another way to look at it is if you can buy the same thing used for $3000, how much could you do with $6000? Buy two more, all the repairs or parts, all sorts of things. Only reason I bought mine new is because it was an LR-S and you had to buy it new because there where no second hand ones.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 996
Likes: 324
From: Ponce Inlet
My first bike was a 650 V-star. A good starter bike, but lacked power. Moved up to a 1200 Sportster, and probably the only bike I regret getting rid of. Traded it in for a Heritage Classic.
If you go with the Sportster, it's easy to handle and the 1200 has plenty of power to keep you satisfied a while.
If you go with the Sportster, it's easy to handle and the 1200 has plenty of power to keep you satisfied a while.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,688
Likes: 1,903
From: Depends on who wants to know.........and why.
Yes, we supply the bike, some boots & gloves and a helmet. You can sub your own helmet providing it is a FF with eye protection. And that it's DOT.
Over the ankle riding boots and FULL fingered gloves.
Rarely does any student , regardless of years of experience, not get anything out of a basic rider course.
In an Advanced Rider Course (ARC) you'll ride your OWN bike. But it must be licensed & insured. This is when we/you get to have some fun. Try it, you'll see.
Don't be frightened about the word "advanced". It isn't that advanced...
Over the ankle riding boots and FULL fingered gloves.
Rarely does any student , regardless of years of experience, not get anything out of a basic rider course.
In an Advanced Rider Course (ARC) you'll ride your OWN bike. But it must be licensed & insured. This is when we/you get to have some fun. Try it, you'll see.
Don't be frightened about the word "advanced". It isn't that advanced...
I think I will try it. I think I heard they have them here at Trident Technical College, not sure yet. I've been riding for 38 years; started on a XR75 dirt bike at age ten. My first street bike was a CB400F at age 16. There are areas in my riding that can use improvement. I read and I practice a little each time I go out. I ride well yet I know my limitations and do not exceed them. That's probably kept me alive and riding.
Last edited by SixDD; Feb 15, 2018 at 06:27 AM.
Yes, we supply the bike, some boots & gloves and a helmet. You can sub your own helmet providing it is a FF with eye protection. And that it's DOT.
Over the ankle riding boots and FULL fingered gloves.
Rarely does any student , regardless of years of experience, not get anything out of a basic rider course.
In an Advanced Rider Course (ARC) you'll ride your OWN bike. But it must be licensed & insured. This is when we/you get to have some fun. Try it, you'll see.
Don't be frightened about the word "advanced". It isn't that advanced...
Over the ankle riding boots and FULL fingered gloves.
Rarely does any student , regardless of years of experience, not get anything out of a basic rider course.
In an Advanced Rider Course (ARC) you'll ride your OWN bike. But it must be licensed & insured. This is when we/you get to have some fun. Try it, you'll see.
Don't be frightened about the word "advanced". It isn't that advanced...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,243
Likes: 3,267
From: west Michigan
What I see in this thread is "cruisers" vs "riders". If all you want to to is cruise and be a Harley rider, buy a big Harley. If you really want to learn how to ride, buy something that you can ride hard and throw around. I love my Road King but I'd never have a Harley for an only bike.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 919
Likes: 245
You made a lot of good points in your post but I disagree with this one because the physics for powered and non-powered cycling are basically the same. When I was a kid, I learned how to go fast on two wheels by riding my bicycles to and past the limit, sometimes with painful results, and I'm not going to go into the "CS" thing. I also did a lot of dirt riding on 2 and 4 stroke bikes.
What I see in this thread is "cruisers" vs "riders". If all you want to to is cruise and be a Harley rider, buy a big Harley. If you really want to learn how to ride, buy something that you can ride hard and throw around. I love my Road King but I'd never have a Harley for an only bike.
What I see in this thread is "cruisers" vs "riders". If all you want to to is cruise and be a Harley rider, buy a big Harley. If you really want to learn how to ride, buy something that you can ride hard and throw around. I love my Road King but I'd never have a Harley for an only bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 4,696
From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
Riders Course if you haven't done so. in 2013, I hadn't ridden in 30 years, but had the bug. Decided on a Switchback off Craigslist. It was a little torky at first but ended up being at great nimble bike I for a couple of years. Then traded for the Street Glide Special.
Question.. Where will you be riding, in town, bars, destinations, mountains ?
I think it might make a difference.
Question.. Where will you be riding, in town, bars, destinations, mountains ?
I think it might make a difference.