New Rider
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 282
From: West Virginia
I saw that too and thought damn boy, eat a sammich.
ETA: Should add that my best friend is 6-6 and 210. He fits well on my bob with forwards.
ETA: Should add that my best friend is 6-6 and 210. He fits well on my bob with forwards.
Last edited by SmokeyHill; Sep 30, 2020 at 06:42 PM. Reason: Add info
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 85
Likes: 11
From: Detroit
Hi Everyone - I'm taking the learn to ride course in a couple of weeks, and we'll be learning on Harley Street 500s. I'm 6 feet 6 inches and weigh 130 lbs. So after the course, I'll be looking for a good starter bike but I'm guessing I'll be too big for the Street 500 ? Any recommendations what a bigger starter bike might be ?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
I'm 6'4" and did the class on the same bike. My issue was full lock either right or left turns, I would hit my knees limiting my turns. I had to throw my knee out to allow a full turn, which also caused my weight to shift. The shorter guys had a huge advantage on that bike. Fight through it, you will be fine.then get whatever bike your comfortable riding. I got a street glide special. Good luck and have fun, it's an awesome course!!!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 85
Likes: 17
From: Florida
In my opinion, most bikes can be modded to fit your height. Forward controls, seats and bars will get you set up. If you want a windshield, you may need a taller one.
As far as which bike to get, get something you want. I dont necessarily believe in starting small if you know you will want to upgrade soon. Assuming you are a reasonable person and arent going to get real wild with the throttle. Starting cheap isnt a bad idea though in case you do end up laying it down. A used version of whatever you want might make sense.
As far as which bike to get, get something you want. I dont necessarily believe in starting small if you know you will want to upgrade soon. Assuming you are a reasonable person and arent going to get real wild with the throttle. Starting cheap isnt a bad idea though in case you do end up laying it down. A used version of whatever you want might make sense.
Im 6'7 245 and my bike of choice for my size for many years (20+) was a WideGlide. The forward controls helped a lot with leg comfort, I actually have the Kurayakyn 3" extensions on the forwards
https://www.kuryakyn.com/products/230/3-extension-kit
With my height the Wideglide was very comfortable, I actually still have an 08 that I ride on occassion and have no desire to sell because I like the WGs so much.
For the last 4 years I ave switched to the Touring bikes and am on my second RG and love them.
I am of the same thoughts as Beersandbikes above, get something you want from the start. Start slow, learn the bike and respect your ability
https://www.kuryakyn.com/products/230/3-extension-kit
With my height the Wideglide was very comfortable, I actually still have an 08 that I ride on occassion and have no desire to sell because I like the WGs so much.
For the last 4 years I ave switched to the Touring bikes and am on my second RG and love them.
I am of the same thoughts as Beersandbikes above, get something you want from the start. Start slow, learn the bike and respect your ability
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
Hi Everyone - I'm taking the learn to ride course in a couple of weeks, and we'll be learning on Harley Street 500s. I'm 6 feet 6 inches and weigh 130 lbs. So after the course, I'll be looking for a good starter bike but I'm guessing I'll be too big for the Street 500 ? Any recommendations what a bigger starter bike might be ?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
I'm not trying to complicate things for you, but do you have any thoughts yet that are in your mind as to what you want to do? This may help us guide you.
I don't think you can possibly know what kind of rider you're going to be. City, long distance, short hops, touring, Hoka Hey, Iron Butt, once a week for Starbucks, passenger or solo, work and back, interstate, twisties, fair weather, winters off? Until you start riding and find friends who ride some of the above you can't tell.
Maybe buy a cheap Jap bike or even an older sportster and see if you like it first. Get used to riding in your locality, brave rush hour, get on the interstate, gravel parking lots, slow riding, parking lots, parking, backing up and turning around, U turns, stop and go traffic, dealing with looney car drivers.
Don't put 20-30k into a bike you eventually come to realize you are afraid of and have dropped a few times. Spend a couple thousand on something to familiarize youself with riding, sell it for what you paid or a litle less then go for it. All the things you learnt in MSF or Riders Edge take time to become natural. On the other hand some people go straight from the course to an Ultra and do just fine and put 25k on in the first year.
Maybe buy a cheap Jap bike or even an older sportster and see if you like it first. Get used to riding in your locality, brave rush hour, get on the interstate, gravel parking lots, slow riding, parking lots, parking, backing up and turning around, U turns, stop and go traffic, dealing with looney car drivers.
Don't put 20-30k into a bike you eventually come to realize you are afraid of and have dropped a few times. Spend a couple thousand on something to familiarize youself with riding, sell it for what you paid or a litle less then go for it. All the things you learnt in MSF or Riders Edge take time to become natural. On the other hand some people go straight from the course to an Ultra and do just fine and put 25k on in the first year.
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Chi/Mich
Good questions. Initially just ride around my neighborhood, but eventually doing some road trips.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
It's a whole different ball game when you are out on the streets. Semis, 6 gears, traffic and road signs, debris on the road, potholes, lunatics changing lanes, lack of signalling and all the other hazards you can think of. I love being on the bike but riding should be second nature while watching for all the hazards that can take you out. I'm not thinking about what gear I should be in or do I need a bit more or less throttle, where to position the bike for a stop or a turn but what or who is trying to kill me and how to be safe at all times.
Welcome to our world, hope you enjoy your course, let us know what you eventually buy. I'm not trying to put you off btw
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
I don't think you can possibly know what kind of rider you're going to be. City, long distance, short hops, touring, Hoka Hey, Iron Butt, once a week for Starbucks, passenger or solo, work and back, interstate, twisties, fair weather, winters off? Until you start riding and find friends who ride some of the above you can't tell.
Maybe buy a cheap Jap bike or even an older sportster and see if you like it first. Get used to riding in your locality, brave rush hour, get on the interstate, gravel parking lots, slow riding, parking lots, parking, backing up and turning around, U turns, stop and go traffic, dealing with looney car drivers.
Don't put 20-30k into a bike you eventually come to realize you are afraid of and have dropped a few times. Spend a couple thousand on something to familiarize youself with riding, sell it for what you paid or a litle less then go for it. All the things you learnt in MSF or Riders Edge take time to become natural. On the other hand some people go straight from the course to an Ultra and do just fine and put 25k on in the first year.
Maybe buy a cheap Jap bike or even an older sportster and see if you like it first. Get used to riding in your locality, brave rush hour, get on the interstate, gravel parking lots, slow riding, parking lots, parking, backing up and turning around, U turns, stop and go traffic, dealing with looney car drivers.
Don't put 20-30k into a bike you eventually come to realize you are afraid of and have dropped a few times. Spend a couple thousand on something to familiarize youself with riding, sell it for what you paid or a litle less then go for it. All the things you learnt in MSF or Riders Edge take time to become natural. On the other hand some people go straight from the course to an Ultra and do just fine and put 25k on in the first year.