First motorcycle... undecided
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 97
From: Corona, Ca
First bike should be a dirt bike. It will help you learn how to control your bike and body in sketchy situations like rear tire slide outs. Also dirt is way more forgiving than asphalt. Once your confident on a dirt bike then go for a bigger street bike...imo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 53
From: Myrtle Beach,SC
There is a bike most dyed in the wool Harley riders would **** their pants on. Believe me, there is no bike better than the 1200C Harley and I have had all of them for a short time since 2014. PrevioudsHarley was in the 90's. Sold it rodr metrics until I moved east. MUCH less riding in the SE. Hot Humid no great destinations like out west.
My first bike was a naked GL1000 Gold wing. I preferred the stability then over the handling. Eventually bought a Sport bike. But I was always enamored with the V Twin. I rode Honda Shadows for many years. Had three of them.
Decided moving east my riding would go from 1000 miles a month to barely 200. So I bought the Sportster and never looked back. After having a 2014 Uktra Classic (sold after two recalls) Heritage Softail (nice bike but a real slug as far as acceleration) 2012 Road King......Not a fan. I went from big to small.
I am 5"8" 170 so the Sporty is good enough.
In your case buy the bike you want. Find an entry level Sport Standard after 5 months rent a few Harleys. Test rides are crap. You need to ride the bike a day or two.
IF I had done that I would not have purchased the Ultra, Road King or the Heritage. I would have gone straight for the Sporty.
1. It is very easy to work on. You can rebuild a carb on your kitchen table in 20 minutes.
2. In most towns, there are a lot of Independent mechanics charging far less than Harley. Most of those Independents LOVE their work too.
3. Look up changing the bet on a Big twin....$1000. On a Sportster, you can do the job in less than an hour. Swing arm does not have to be moved.
Finally, read this article. There are some nuggets of gold along worth the negative speak. The article covers the M8 as well.
http://www.jamesrussellpublishing.bi...buyharley.html
http://www.jamesrussellpublishing.bi...tster1200.html
My first bike was a naked GL1000 Gold wing. I preferred the stability then over the handling. Eventually bought a Sport bike. But I was always enamored with the V Twin. I rode Honda Shadows for many years. Had three of them.
Decided moving east my riding would go from 1000 miles a month to barely 200. So I bought the Sportster and never looked back. After having a 2014 Uktra Classic (sold after two recalls) Heritage Softail (nice bike but a real slug as far as acceleration) 2012 Road King......Not a fan. I went from big to small.
I am 5"8" 170 so the Sporty is good enough.
In your case buy the bike you want. Find an entry level Sport Standard after 5 months rent a few Harleys. Test rides are crap. You need to ride the bike a day or two.
IF I had done that I would not have purchased the Ultra, Road King or the Heritage. I would have gone straight for the Sporty.
1. It is very easy to work on. You can rebuild a carb on your kitchen table in 20 minutes.
2. In most towns, there are a lot of Independent mechanics charging far less than Harley. Most of those Independents LOVE their work too.
3. Look up changing the bet on a Big twin....$1000. On a Sportster, you can do the job in less than an hour. Swing arm does not have to be moved.
Finally, read this article. There are some nuggets of gold along worth the negative speak. The article covers the M8 as well.
http://www.jamesrussellpublishing.bi...buyharley.html
http://www.jamesrussellpublishing.bi...tster1200.html
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 145
Likes: 7
From: Houston
If you're still looking I would suggest this...Don't buy a metric new. You will take a HUGE bath on it. You should be able to find a used metric that you can finance at any multitude of used bike dealers or other dealerships that have taken them in trade. I am a big fan of the buy a really cheap used metric from someone on Craigslist for 2000-2500, put a few thousand miles on it, and sell it for the same price. Then get the HD that you want. Once you have a few thousand miles in the saddle you will know more about what you're looking for in seating position and feel on your next bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
Few things - You'll get in trouble quicker on a small displacement sport bike then you would on a 1200c. That said - And I know its been said a million times before, and Im not even saying buy a small metric... Buy used and figure out what you want. I have had many friends buy new and then change in a year. Going from nothing to a 700 to 1000 pound beast could be a lot of money flushed
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: ma
First bike
i took the course and bought used iron 883, it was great, still is, but moved up to fatboy for more comfort. I think you will have no problem with 883 or 1200 sporty. The good thing is if you buy a used sportster, you can pretty much get most of your money back if and when you decide to go bigger. I dont think youll get bored, youll gain confidence and if you can put forward controls or highway pegs, it will be more comfortable. Sportsters are fun little bikes. If I could have afforded to keep it, Id have both.
Last edited by jay25; Mar 22, 2018 at 10:32 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 77
Likes: 25
From: IN
Buy whatever you like. I know fat short guys with 883's that think they are amazing, I know guys that refuse to ride anything less then an Ultra Glide, and of course dozens of guys that won't touch something with less then 130hp.
A lot of it is perspective an experience. I have a '72 Bonnie, back in the day a 650 Brit was the pinnacle of speed, braking, handling and overall performance. Today, it's a complete junk wagon. Barely 45hp, horrible drum brakes, a noodle for a frame and shocks right off a Har.... oh never mind.
Point being, if your not planning on getting a lot of experience on multiple platforms, you'll never know what you are a missing and will be happy as can be.
My 88TC Dyna, it does nothing great. Mediocre speed, mediocre Handling, mediocre breaking, mediocre long range comfort. It's an amazing bike despite that because that's all it needs to be, a cool looking bike that sounds great and is fun to ride. Just riding two wheels is 90% of the enjoyment.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 187
From: Florida
I haven't read the answers to your question, but I'm sure the suggestions are to go with a smaller bike. Probably not a Harley, because you know, owning a Harley is an exclusive membership type of thing. I did notice that you're a big guy. If you buy a small bike, you'll end up spending more money in the long run because you won't be happy with the small bike in about a day.
I'd suggest an older Softail model. You should be able to pick one up fairly cheap in today's market. It has a low center of gravity, which makes it feel lighter than it is. Respect the bike and you won't have to worry about too much torque or hp. And you can ride it forever if you want and still not look like a German Shepard making love to a Toy Poodle. At your size, go with the biggest bike that you're not quite comfortable with today. You'll love it & thank me tomorrow.
I'd suggest an older Softail model. You should be able to pick one up fairly cheap in today's market. It has a low center of gravity, which makes it feel lighter than it is. Respect the bike and you won't have to worry about too much torque or hp. And you can ride it forever if you want and still not look like a German Shepard making love to a Toy Poodle. At your size, go with the biggest bike that you're not quite comfortable with today. You'll love it & thank me tomorrow.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,967
Likes: 94
I learned on a Honda, then a big assortment of bikes. Sold and traded em, had up to 8 in my garage at one time.
Point is this: it took me a bunch of bikes to get the perfect one for me. You can learn on anything.
Kept the night train longest.
Go get whatever blows your hair back. You'll learn to ride it in no time.
1st scooter: Honda Magna 750
2nd: Harley Night train
3rd: 72 Harley superglide
4th: 51 Panhead
5th: 77 Superglide
6th: Kaw vulcan 800
7th: 79 Low Rider
8th: 06 Superglide
9th: 14 Low Rider
10th: 17 Low Rider S
Point is this: it took me a bunch of bikes to get the perfect one for me. You can learn on anything.
Kept the night train longest.
Go get whatever blows your hair back. You'll learn to ride it in no time.
1st scooter: Honda Magna 750
2nd: Harley Night train
3rd: 72 Harley superglide
4th: 51 Panhead
5th: 77 Superglide
6th: Kaw vulcan 800
7th: 79 Low Rider
8th: 06 Superglide
9th: 14 Low Rider
10th: 17 Low Rider S
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Road Master
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 899
Likes: 1,824
From: Wellsboro, PA
I am 57, never rode anything two wheels beside s a bicycle myself. My son wanted a Harley, my wife said I should get one too. A year ago he and I both bought new 883 Sportsters. I am 5'8", 195. I love my Iron. Never considered anything else.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,735
Likes: 9,243
From: Snow Hill, NC
Nice thing about getting a 1200 with mids is you can put a set of highway bars and pegs and voila 2 nice riding position...you can also get a set of covers and ride a little further in the cold season with a bit more wind protection...Solid bikes....
If a metric bike is what you want go for it... I had 6 metrics before my first Harley-Davidson...it was. A 05 XL883C put 20k miles in 2 years traded up for my current 10 year old dream bike...
If a metric bike is what you want go for it... I had 6 metrics before my first Harley-Davidson...it was. A 05 XL883C put 20k miles in 2 years traded up for my current 10 year old dream bike...
Last edited by Notgrownup; Mar 24, 2018 at 06:48 AM.