Hey everyone, thank you for taking time to hop in on my thread here...
I have been on information overload the last couple weeks and I feel like I have an idea but then I second guess myself every single time.
So here is the premise I am working with:

I have never rode anything on two wheels- except my bicycle, which had a few thousand miles on it
I have a sizable down payment (if I go the dealer- which only improves my already good credit)
From what I am seeing online and at dealers, going new isn't exactly a bad thing... the used prices are within maybe 3k of going new
Finally got my permit... and the itch to actually ride is growing as these cold temps are slowly warming up in SW PA
I'm 250 lbs, more wide than round but I know I am not a bean pole.
Some guidelines I have put up for myself include: no more than 2 cyclinders, nothing over 900cc, nothing Italian, NO CROTCH ROCKETS
NO PURPLE & NO PINK - PERIOD.
I've sat on everything from the new Rebel 500 to a HD Fatboy
That said, most I have sat on have been "comfortable" with a few that made me feel like I was being pushed into the tank (lookin at you.. HONDA SHADOW)
Here is where I start being really unsure of where to go.
HD has a Street 750 which is really n00b friendly but it screams metric from the front tread to the rear. Even sounds like one....not sure I can justify spending twice the price just for a name badge for a metric...Then I see the 883...
The 883 would fit RIGHT into the above guidelines. An 883 used is almost as much as new... but new is "a bad idea for a first bike"...
Then I start down the rabbit hole of "used is going to break down more than you'll get to ride" which defeats the purpose of trying to get into riding.
Anything bigger is "scary torque" territory but I can find some really nice low mileage 1200's for about half what an 883 is going to cost.
I feel like everything is kind of redundant in this game and I don't have a clue how to play >_<

Hopefully someone can calm the storm that is brewing with words of wisdom or some "been there done that"... I do appreciate you all - thanks in advance

 

Not sure why the arbitrary self-limit of 900cc. But then you mention "scary torque."
My suggestion would be find a comfortable bike that fits you well, you like the looks of, and you can afford. Don't limit yourself, you will quickly find the engine size/torque not so scary.

I think the biggest reason the traditional wisdom is first bike should be cheap used one is because new riders quickly out grow them and want to move up to a bigger bike.
There are plenty of reliable used bikes, lots of used Harleys with extremely low miles. Sure, go for a smaller engine if you're going to buy used, you won't be hurting so much when you decide to move up in size.

 

First off Welcome. Lots of good info and very knowledgeable people. (They will post afternoon me).

Make no mistake the Sportster will be fast and have more than enough torque. Some guys with more experience will say they are good starters, some say not. Depends on what “fits” you. Only you can answer that.

For what it’s worth I’ve never bought a new anything. TONS of used like new conditions sitting in garages for sale.

I’d guess the majority of people here started on inexpensive metrics. That’s what I’d do. Spend a couple grand, and learn to ride it. It’ll hurt your wallet less when you drop it too. Either way, happy hunting!

 

You sound like you have the right idea, start off small and slow. At 250 lbs you will be ready to get off that 883 in about a month. Find yourself a good, used metric bike, 500 to 750 Ride it, drop it and get to where you are comfortable, safe and sure you belong on two wheels, then sell it for not much less then you paid for it. If you love to ride, after one season you will probably already be ready for a big twin, at that point a new Softail is a great place to start the Harley journey. Good luck, let us know what you decide.

 

One thought I have is on a Vulcan 800 @ said dealership (i know many will avoid a stealership like the plague but I have ONE bit of revolving credit and need the foot in the door)
It's fair priced with low miles- only thing that needs replaced with a quickness is the air intake... it is obnoxiously large and gimmicky.. not useful (just my opinion as a gear head)
The catch is the 1200R in good condition that is about 500 bucks more - at the same place.. I hate decisions. I always feel like I make the wrong ones lol

 

1200R?? Ducati?

 

Go to a dealership and see which one looks good, that fits you the best and then buy it. Another way is if a dealership has a demo day and test ride every bike that you like and choose it that way. After all, it's your choice and I can't and won't tell you which one to get because everybody has their own preference on which one feels and looks the best to them and that they can afford. Good luck.

 

Sportster 1200 Roadster

 

My suggestion: REST.


Stop trying to figure it out. Stop trying to see all the angles. Put it aside. Walk away. Rest does not mean no progress. I've done the "check all the boxes, see all the angles" thing before on what bike to get. The answer was clear when I walked away.


A Harley might have the look you want but it might not be the bike you want. Not when it's you alone on the open road and you're not looking at it, but when you hit the gas and things happen. Harley's have torque. Harley's are torque. Any Harley is going to have gobs more torque than any metric bike, even if it's a V-twin. V-twins make more torque than other engines. You need to be comfortable with torque and having instant torque at any time to ride a Harley. I've dynoed my bike, that torque power curve is a flat line from idle to full throttle, it's always there.


It's not always there on other bikes.


A couple you should look into:
-Suzuki SV650N (not the S, but Naked with a single headlight)- 650cc engine, V-twin but not overly powerful. A great starter bike but also one to grow into. I've put thousands of miles on one and I'm 6' and 220lbs last I checked. They're a lot of fun, and a Standard not a crotch rocket. You can buy one used for $1500, put 10,000 miles on it and sell it for the same amount.

-Take a look at Triumphs. They're mostly standards. Lot of cool things being done in the Cafe world with them.
-There are a lot of great bikes out there if you can get past the metric issue.

If it must be a Harley... find a privately owned 883, have the dealer inspect it. Just because it's used doesn't mean it's full of problems. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's problem free, heck I just had a rear bearing turn my bike unrideble with 6700 miles on it, and it's a 2017. It's why bikes have warranties.

But most of all, rest. Overthinking the problem makes for no progress. Ask me how I know.

 

Just get a Road King but not a Special. Extra set of bag guards and extra engine guard. Go to YouTube and watch videos of how to pick up a Harley touring bike. And that torque thing is a right wrist issue.