Best bike for new rider
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 521
From: USA
He's tall!
If a Harley maybe a used Dyna over a Sportster.
Many other choices...Honda 750, Moto Guzzi, Kawasaki KLR.
Low rpm motor over a "screamer" for a new rider might be a good statement.
If a Harley maybe a used Dyna over a Sportster.
Many other choices...Honda 750, Moto Guzzi, Kawasaki KLR.
Low rpm motor over a "screamer" for a new rider might be a good statement.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 778
Likes: 178
From: Maine
I'm thinking because you're on a HD Forum that you're wondering what Harley he should look at. I think the Wide Glide you mention is a great bike for him to look at. I think $6,200 for an 02 is a bit too much though. I would stick to the Dyna or Softail lineup. A Wide Glide, Lowrider, FatBob, FatBoy or Heritage would make a great first bike. I'd get an older one simply because they already took the majority of the depreciation and if he doesn't like riding all that much he won't be out too much money if he sells......and obviously the older the bike the less out of pocket $$$$ he'll be spending.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 515
Likes: 198
From: Oklahoma
I'm in the school of thought any new rider should buy used, and small (light) to learn the basics. A lot of people get into trouble by buy big and fast for a first bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,967
Likes: 7,069
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Once he takes (and successfully completes) the course, THEN you ask HIM what he wants. Not us.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,106
Likes: 51,387
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Size has squat to do with it I knew a kid in highschool who was 6'5" & 260 lbs and rode a Triumph 250 single cylinder. For a cherry rider look for a mid size cheap import of some kind preferably not the popular rocket bikes or an older dyna base harley. Sportster will be a waste of money he'll outgrow it skill wise quick and want something bigger.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 886
From: Upstate New York
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 364
Likes: 90
From: Kansas City
My first bike is my current bike, 2009 Dyna. Its bigger than a Sportster but still lighter than a Softail/Touring. If you can find an older Dyna, I'd go that route. Then take the MSF course and then practice practice practice!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 240
From: On 2 rails...
My son is tall also. We got a Suzuki SV650.and when he took the course the 250s were too small for him to ride in a standard position so they threw him on a 500. worked perfect. Now 8 years later he is still riding the SV. It had 15K on it when we purchased it in Ct as a repo, he's moved it to Georgia and now Texas and currently has 78K with only routine maintenance. He still enjoys it at 30 years old. He says for the fun factor he can't find anything to replace it.
You stated you were in Ct where is he taking the course?
As an afterthought my son had no experience either we learned the basics in driveway, like clutch control and not to use front brake when turning sharply. I replaced a clutch lever and shift lever from those experiences before he took the course in Plainfield Ct.
You stated you were in Ct where is he taking the course?
As an afterthought my son had no experience either we learned the basics in driveway, like clutch control and not to use front brake when turning sharply. I replaced a clutch lever and shift lever from those experiences before he took the course in Plainfield Ct.
Last edited by bobg03; Jan 14, 2019 at 07:47 AM.