Hello everyone...questions
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 425
From: Right Here
Assuming he's not a troll, we as experienced riders should offer beneficial advice, we can bs with him later..
if he has no experience on a bike, msf is gonna loan him a 125 enduro..
Stepping up to even the smallest Harley is gonna be a huge difference, and then throw in traffic instead of cones..
Didn't mean to call you out bud, but I was raised to respect people, until they give you a reason not to.. If he is a troll, it won't take long for everyone here to figure it out..
if he has no experience on a bike, msf is gonna loan him a 125 enduro..
Stepping up to even the smallest Harley is gonna be a huge difference, and then throw in traffic instead of cones..
Didn't mean to call you out bud, but I was raised to respect people, until they give you a reason not to.. If he is a troll, it won't take long for everyone here to figure it out..
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 914
Likes: 245
The 1200 sportster is a good choice. If you're on the larger side sometimes a Dyna can be more comfortable, but don't think "it's just a sportster, I'll grow out of it." The 1200 is a quick bugger. And I know a guy who's over 6', long legged and over 200lbs whos loved his for the past 6 years now. When I test road different bikes for my own I found his Sportster was faster by the seat of your pants than a Lowrider (dyna)... not the S version, but the standard one. He hadn't even done a Stage 1 at that time.
So I guess theres that too, if you're more comfortable on a Dyna they might be worth looking into. They'll be heavier mind you and that's makes them harder to control.
Also a good starter bike is a Suzuki SV650. You can sell it for what you bought it for, however if you want a Harley, get a Harley. I'd say go to a dealer and check out their used section. Sit on a bunch of them. See what you like.
Don't buy ANYTHING till you take the course though. Not everyone who takes it finds riding is for them.
So I guess theres that too, if you're more comfortable on a Dyna they might be worth looking into. They'll be heavier mind you and that's makes them harder to control.
Also a good starter bike is a Suzuki SV650. You can sell it for what you bought it for, however if you want a Harley, get a Harley. I'd say go to a dealer and check out their used section. Sit on a bunch of them. See what you like.
Don't buy ANYTHING till you take the course though. Not everyone who takes it finds riding is for them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,471
Likes: 6,342
From: pacific northwest
while I do not know your personal financial situation and your being a new rider my advise do not spend a fortune on a brand new bike, there are many second hand ones out there at reasonable prices.
the reason for saying this is many guys decide to get in to motorcycling and find that it is just not there bag, and many guys change hobby's as often as shorts and socks.
then if you find that you really love riding and plan on it as a life long hobby, you can sell the second hand bike at not a big loss then buy the bike of your dreams.
the reason for saying this is many guys decide to get in to motorcycling and find that it is just not there bag, and many guys change hobby's as often as shorts and socks.
then if you find that you really love riding and plan on it as a life long hobby, you can sell the second hand bike at not a big loss then buy the bike of your dreams.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
As so eloquently put by 6 gun, you will receive many opinions. :-) The way I see it, there are 2 camps: the start small and work your way up, and the jump right in and buy what you like. I'm in the "start small" camp. Perhaps I'm in that camp because of the way I learn best - by trial and error. I can read a dozen books and you can tell a dozen times how to countersteer or bring the bike upright before locking the brakes or steer clear of sandy shoulders or wet leaves, but until I actually ride in the conditions and get it right [or wrong], it just remains theory with me. And it's not just riding. One need only park their bike once on a 95 degree day in direct sun and come back and see it laying on it's side because the side-stand dug into the blacktop like a hot knife thru butter before they declare, "I won't do that again". And if you get it wrong and the bike ends up on it's side, which do you want to pick up - the 900 lb. bagger or the 500 pound Sporty or Ninja or Shadow? And how about potential damage? Which will cause you more grief - damage to your $10K, $15K, $20K dream bike or the high mileage, $2,500 starter bike you intended to resell at the end of riding season? Whatever you decide, good luck with that decision, be safe and most of all, enjoy.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 388
Likes: 3
From: Brunswick, Ohio
get whatever you like best. when i started riding, i never even rode a dirt bike before. didnt take the riders course or anything. i loved the night trains so thats what i bought with the big bore kit and everything. everyone told me i was crazy, but i got what i wanted and didnt have to trade up at a later date
Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 237
Likes: 38
From: Joisey
My first bike was a 2003 sportster 1200c. I rode the **** out of that bike for 6 years. I wouldn't say I out grew it, It was more of a comfort thing as I put on about 10k a year in the northeast. So, I would say there are no right or wrong answers for your starter bike. It all depts on your rising style, how much you plan to ride, tour, bar hop, pose, etc. With that being said a dyna or a softail slim would be a good choice if your vertically challenged. 
Good luck with whatever you buy, I'm sure you will be happy!
Knees
Good luck with whatever you buy, I'm sure you will be happy!
Knees
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
There is TONS of information on this very subject on this very forum! Suggest you do a search, or...if that function doesn't work, just hunt back a dozen pages or so on the various sub-forums, for additional information.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 830
Likes: 121
From: Hill Country, Tx
Here you go Joe. Here are a few off Craigslist here in San Antonio. I am from a different camp.......I say get the bike that fits you and you feel comfortable on for your first bike, no matter the brand or model.
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...508320142.html
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...515863613.html
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...529257924.html
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...522512136.html
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...528601265.html
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...508320142.html
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...515863613.html
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...529257924.html
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...522512136.html
https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/mc...528601265.html
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 59
Likes: 10
From: western Mass
i would say go to your dealer and just take a few different bikes out, that's what i did when i was looking for a new (old) bike, and i didn't bother with there demo days, went out alone with bike.