new rider
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,653
Likes: 4,147
From: Virginia
It really depends on who you are as a person. I have taught riders on sportsters , 600cc metric bikes, even a road king. I think going through the MSF class before deciding on a bike is a great idea.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
IMO you shouldn't be thinking about what bike to get at this point. Harley, Honda, or 250 Suzuki as a first bike isn't the question, At this stage, what matters most is your personal safety, regardless of what bike you think you want to ride. This means taking the MSF class or Harley Riders Edge(same thing). Then start shopping for bikes and don't just run out immediately and throw down a lot of money on a bike before taking test rides. You won't know if you really will enjoy riding a particular bike until you try it. Harley's are not cheap and there is a reason that the used bike section at HD dealers have lot of very low mileage bikes sitting on the floor. Take your time through the process. Bikes will always still be there and aren't going away.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 615
From: San Antonio, Texas
IMO you shouldn't be thinking about what bike to get at this point. Harley, Honda, or 250 Suzuki as a first bike isn't the question, At this stage, what matters most is your personal safety, regardless of what bike you think you want to ride. This means taking the MSF class or Harley Riders Edge(same thing). Then start shopping for bikes and don't just run out immediately and throw down a lot of money on a bike before taking test rides. You won't know if you really will enjoy riding a particular bike until you try it. Harley's are not cheap and there is a reason that the used bike section at HD dealers have lot of very low mileage bikes sitting on the floor. Take your time through the process. Bikes will always still be there and aren't going away.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I would agree with all the above. You should have some decent experience on a bike before you plop down several thousands of dollars for a heavy old pig!! Definitely take an MSF course. Get some time under your belt. Do some looking and talk to local riders. Take your time and don't get the urge and buy the first thing you see.
Get a factory manual for your bike of choice. A parts manual is a useful tool as well. Get a three ring binder and record all the maintenance, repairs, add-ons, accessories, and "stuff" you do to your bike. I do this on every bike I've had. This gives you great reference and shows your attention to service. Also get a fuel mileage app for your cell phone. I use Simply Auto. I know how large my tank is, I know my fuel mileage, and how far I can go on a tank. I reset the odometer at each fill up and use that as my fuel gage. If your bike has a fuel gage, don't trust it! If you don't have a fuel gage, this becomes uber important.... I get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding. 240-250 on trips.
Above all learn your bike, learn your skills. Understand that you are always in a learning mode. After 50 years of riding, I still learn something new!!! Good luck and keep us posted.
Get a factory manual for your bike of choice. A parts manual is a useful tool as well. Get a three ring binder and record all the maintenance, repairs, add-ons, accessories, and "stuff" you do to your bike. I do this on every bike I've had. This gives you great reference and shows your attention to service. Also get a fuel mileage app for your cell phone. I use Simply Auto. I know how large my tank is, I know my fuel mileage, and how far I can go on a tank. I reset the odometer at each fill up and use that as my fuel gage. If your bike has a fuel gage, don't trust it! If you don't have a fuel gage, this becomes uber important.... I get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding. 240-250 on trips.
Above all learn your bike, learn your skills. Understand that you are always in a learning mode. After 50 years of riding, I still learn something new!!! Good luck and keep us posted.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 1,232
From: Depends on where I am
I am a believer in starting small and really learning how to really ride before buying an 800 lb Harley.
Five years ago I had never ridden a motorcycle. I had a vague fantasy / dream of riding a motorcycle around the country, seeing the national parks and various sites by bike. I looked at several bikes and honestly was a little intimidated by many of the larger touring types. I took the MSF and bought a Ninja 250 and V-Star 250 and rode for a full year before upgrading. I took a bit of ribbing while riding the little bikes but I learned a lot and made some mistakes that would have been a lot more expensive on a bigger bike.
I am now on a Road King and have been on it in 20 states, planning on adding a few more this year.
Five years ago I had never ridden a motorcycle. I had a vague fantasy / dream of riding a motorcycle around the country, seeing the national parks and various sites by bike. I looked at several bikes and honestly was a little intimidated by many of the larger touring types. I took the MSF and bought a Ninja 250 and V-Star 250 and rode for a full year before upgrading. I took a bit of ribbing while riding the little bikes but I learned a lot and made some mistakes that would have been a lot more expensive on a bigger bike.
I am now on a Road King and have been on it in 20 states, planning on adding a few more this year.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 270
From: Wellsboro, PA
Matt, you don't have to go 250 cc or 400. My 1st one was a Suzuki Intruder 800, and I outgrew it in about 6 weeks, once I got some confidence. (Notice I said Confidence, and not Experience!) You can get good experience on a bigger bike, like a Yamaha V Star 1100 or 1300, but if you wanna go Harley, I bet you'll be just fine on a FatBoy or Heritage Softtail. The day before my safety course (never ridden) I got on my nephew's Yamaha RoadStar. THAT was a big bike for a first timer, but I had no problem on his buddy's FatBoy. That was 15 years ago. I'm on my 3rd Ultra now. Give it a couple years on "smaller" bikes, and then you'll know what to do on a big bike. A used V star 1100 will be a real inexpensive way to get that confidence. It goes exactly like a Harley!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,651
Likes: 4,891
From: Missouri City,TX
IMO you shouldn't be thinking about what bike to get at this point. Harley, Honda, or 250 Suzuki as a first bike isn't the question, At this stage, what matters most is your personal safety, regardless of what bike you think you want to ride. This means taking the MSF class or Harley Riders Edge(same thing). Then start shopping for bikes and don't just run out immediately and throw down a lot of money on a bike before taking test rides. You won't know if you really will enjoy riding a particular bike until you try it. Harley's are not cheap and there is a reason that the used bike section at HD dealers have lot of very low mileage bikes sitting on the floor. Take your time through the process. Bikes will always still be there and aren't going away.
^^^this^^^...take the MSF class and get your MC license... THEN start looking at what kind of scooter you want.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Rosemount, MN
I had not ridden since I was a kid. Waited for kids to get older and bought a Road King. I don't feel its to big for me. I am 5'11 200 pounds and some what athletic. Each person is different. Touring bikes are better on the open road and a little tougher to maneuver in the city. Make your decision based on what you feel comfortable with and what style of riding you plan to use it for.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post