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I am a new rider looking for my first bike. I am 59 ~280. My uncle told me that if I got a sportster I would probably want to upgrade pretty quick so considering something bigger. I am most looking to cruise around town/parkways on something comfortable. I love the look of the Fat Boy and this particular bikes looks are 10/10 for me
It is a 2008 fat boy with about 5,600 miles bluebook says about 8,500 but you cant enter miles so not sure how much that might be off. Is $11k too much? Should I start with something smaller/cheaper as a first time rider?. What do you all think?
I would normally recommend you get something smaller and cheaper, but you are a pretty big boy. But, I still think a cheaper bike for a first bike is a good idea. See if you can find something like a Honda 1100 or 1300 shadow. You should be able to find one for half of what they are asking for the Fatboy, ride it for a year and sell it for what you paid for it.
find a metric cruiser to cut your teeth on, and hopefully in a year the stupidity pricing of HD bikes will go away.
I'm going to tell you this right off the bat, and this is from being a big guy myself, you are going to be at the limits of the crap HD suspension no matter what you buy, so be prepared to drop another grand ++ to get Progressive fork internals and install the clips to get the max spring rate, and new shocks you can spec out the springs for your weight setting the rebound and sag
I'm also of the school that says get something cheap and learn to ride on a bike that if you dropped it, you wouldn't mind. My advice to new riders is to consider the first six months of riding to be getting basic skills down. And it takes about two years to have experienced a lot of different riding situations. So go cheap for now and ride it at least six months before thinking of a more expensive machine.
I would normally recommend you get something smaller and cheaper, but you are a pretty big boy. But, I still think a cheaper bike for a first bike is a good idea. See if you can find something like a Honda 1100 or 1300 shadow. You should be able to find one for half of what they are asking for the Fatboy, ride it for a year and sell it for what you paid for it.
I think $11K is way to much for that bike.
this is a good suggestion, start out with a less expensive model. that way if you find you really love riding then you could sell go to a bike you really want. a lot of guys change hobbies every 6-8 months, that is why so many low mileage second hand machines are out there.
Softail family would be a good bike to start on and grow into. I do highly recommend taking a MSF Beginning Rider Course.
Thanks I am signed up for the MSR course but they were booked out to August.
Found a 2007 street Bob with 20K miles for $6,200 which seems like a more reasonable price (again not sure Im new) and I think should be a bit smaller than a fat boy.
I have to agree with what others have said. Get something cheaper, especially for your first bike. The hit to your wallet won't be as bad, insurance will be cheaper, and you won't be as worried about scratching it up. I had been wanting a motorcycle for years, but at 43 I'm glad I waited. I would have gotten too much bike for me and been in trouble. You can always sell it or just keep it, but less bike will definitely make it easier to learn. You won't be so worried about the bike and you can focus on learning. Good luck!
I am a new rider looking for my first bike. I am 59 ~280. My uncle told me that if I got a sportster I would probably want to upgrade pretty quick so considering something bigger. I am most looking to cruise around town/parkways on something comfortable. I love the look of the Fat Boy and this particular bikes looks are 10/10 for me
It is a 2008 fat boy with about 5,600 miles bluebook says about 8,500 but you cant enter miles so not sure how much that might be off. Is $11k too much? Should I start with something smaller/cheaper as a first time rider?. What do you all think?
can you talk them down a bit on price? Id ask $9,500. Its funny, the books will all give you pretty low valuations but that one seems to be priced a tad high but around what Ive seen lately for that year and mileage. Thats actually a clean looking low mileage bike I dont think 9-10 bills is out off this world for it. Its also riding season in the north so that may be why. I paid 8k for my 07 and it had a lot more miles but I loved the color and some of the add ons it came with. To me it was worth the price and thats all that matters......Im your height but I go 220lbs and Ill tell you what, a Fatboy to me feels pretty stable. Just get a crash bar and take your time.
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New rider looking for pricing/first bike advice
