I have been looking around the forum quite a bit. Im 49 yr old male.... looking to ride soon. I will get the learners permit shortly and then will take a MSF class.

As a kid i had experience in 3 wheeler...small dirt bikes... but yes im a newbie to street bikes. Im in pretty good shape and ride a road bicycle often.... clipped into petals etc... so my balance is pretty good.

I like the look of the sportsters and think they would be a good fit for me. Im 5' 8" and 155lbs. I see myself doing day rides but not much touring.

I see folks mentioning that an 883 does not have much power and go with a 1200... but at my size what do you think? Im looking to pick up a used bike for around 6k... and see where im going with all this.

Thanks!!

 

Go with the 1200. You won't be sorry later.
Good luck.

 

Honestly, you would be better off in the long run just getting something like the heritage softail...at you size it will be more comfortable and versatile.

 

A sporty is a great bike to start out with, and will probably fit you nicely.
Go with the 1200 for sure.
I had a couple of them when I was a kid, but if I get on one now, it seems like a minibike. haha
For $6K, you should be able to find a real nice sporty!
I don't let anyone tell you it's a girls bike, it's not.
Weight to power ratio makes it a pretty quick bike, and they handle nice too IMO

 

 

The man's probably not wrong.

I also learned at 49. Took the MSF course and picked up a Sportster (1200) on the way home from the third and final day. And it was a great bike to learn on. But less than a year later (8 months), I traded it in for a '14 Heritage.

 

Thanks i think you and others are convincing me

 

i plan on going to dealership tomorrow to check these bikes out in person... not buy mind you. Determined to buy used for sure

 

Will check them out at dealer. But i do ride a road bike 50 to 60 mi rides ... 3 to 4 hrs ... some grueling rides in a way more uncomfortable posture than any motorcycle i think. But i do see the versatility aspecr

 

I would not go with a sporty to be honest. I think you'd be happier on an older used Fatboy or Heritage softail. I say 'older' because you're learning. Dropping $12,000 on a 3 year old bike or newer is not a great idea....especially if/when that thing gets dropped. You can get a nice 2005-2008 Fatty Or Heritage for maximum around 7 or even much less considering the current time of year. My first HD was a 2003 FatBoy....still have it and still love that bike. They sit lower to the ground than a Sporty which at your height and weight (same as me BTW) you'll appreciate as it feels like you're sitting 'in' the bike and not 'on'. If you're going on day cruises and on the bike for a few hours at a time, you'll be happier as well.

BTW.....DEFINITELY take the MSF class. I think every rider nowadays should take this class. The information and practice techniques are things that you'll want to know always. I still go back to what I learned in the course from time to time when my 'confidence' on the bike starts to go down.

Best of luck and let us know what you decide