The nightster will do you well for a long time unless you plan on taking long road trips then you'll long for a little larger bike.

 

I took the course at Harley and got a free rental out of it.&nbsp\\; Rent some bikes or do the demo days before you ride.&nbsp\\; I was also thinking about a sportster until I rode a Dyna, no comparison.&nbsp\\; The Sportys are fun bikes but I think the Dyna/softail/touring is a better choice
in the long run. I bought a Superglide, great bike. Just my opinion though.&nbsp\\; Ride some bikes and that will help you make an informed decision you'll be happy with.

 

I took the Rider's Edge course at my local dealer.&nbsp\\; They teach the same information provided by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation...then they do some Harley specific stuff... like a tour of the shop, showroom, parts dept, etc.&nbsp\\; Upon completion, I got a certificate to take to motor vehicle to get my M endorsement, and didn't have to take the test at motor vehicle.
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Either course should help, but I understand MSF is less expensive.
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Whichever course you choose and whichever bike you choose, have fun!&nbsp\\;
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PS... pick a course and book now, I know our dealer's course is booking 2 months in advance, it may take awhile to get in!

 

I have a Softail, the hubby has a Dyna.&nbsp\\; It is the engine placement.&nbsp\\; Mine is more forward, makes for different balance. Dyna rides harder.&nbsp\\;You do not have to take riding test at DMV if you have taken ANY Rider Safety Course,you automatically get your M.I take that back,may be different in different states.If you dont want to waste money,buy a used metric to practice on then go get Harley.Or if you love the Sporty,get it, period.&nbsp\\; Have fun!!

 

John
&nbsp\\;Take a ride up to Loveland to the Stealer, doing the day, Tell the sales guy your looking for a bike and tell him to take a smoke.
&nbsp\\; Look over the Sportster .sit on them , best look at used ones. the new will have a sign on them not to sit on the bike. then look at the used Dynas, sit on them. Then when the sale guy comes back asked if you can ride a used one.
&nbsp\\;when your done riding then look at a new one.&nbsp\\; OH MY GOD look at the difference in price. go back to a used one you like. make the deal. that it home, drop it ,lug it ,ride it for a year then think about a new one. By that time you will have that used bike looking the way you want it and save a bunch of money. and keep it for 10 years. Welcome a good luck.
&nbsp\\;Oh your 5'9' your knnes would be in your chin on a sporty, look at G Gorl, and picture her on a sporty
Also get roll bars.

 

Awesome - I just signed up for the Riders Edge course at Mile High weekend of July 25th.&nbsp\\; Its right by my house and seems like the easiest approach - they'll let me use a helmet, etc.&nbsp\\; Thanks for everyone's advice - I am definitely going to take a closer look at the dyna and/or softtail.&nbsp\\; I also like the idea of a used bike.&nbsp\\; Thanks for everyone's help.

 

As for what bike if you have the $ a Dyna or Softail would probably be best. Also Sportster don't keep resale as good. But for me, 5' 10" 180 lbs I'm on my 2nd Sportster. I always get a custom because they come with forward controls, that way I have no problems getting cramped. I also put on pegs with stirrups so I can move my feet around. When I go on long trips I put on my saddlebags and windshield and I'm good to go. Someday I might get a BT, but for now I'm very happy with my 06 1200-C...
Best of luck to you, ride safe...

 

Cant speak to Riders Edge. I took the MSF class . I think they are mostly the same, but that is my opinion.

I took the class, got the license, bought the Sporty, and ride the crap out of it. I bought a Sporty and love it. No plans to trade up.

 

If your looking at the 1200 N i would get the forward controls on it just forward peg.
&nbsp\\;I was on HD site and compared the 1200c ,the fxd and the uFlstreet&nbsp\\;fl. They are almost the same ,ALMOST dam it. except the fl has bags and bigger tires.&nbsp\\; Buy a used FXD

 

I decided to get a motorcycle so I took the MSF course, around here in IL its free.&nbsp\\; Hard to signup for, but you can show up and take an empty seat if there is one (worked for me).&nbsp\\; After passing the course, you take your card to the DMV and get the M on your license.&nbsp\\;

I didn't know what kind of bike I wanted.&nbsp\\; Thought real hard about a used SV650 (naked crotch rocket) but thought maybe I'd like to ride farther, or camp, or something.&nbsp\\; Bought a used yamaha vStar 650 for $2500 with bags and windshield and all that (Oh no! An old mans bike!)... figured I'd ride for a while on that to see if I liked it... and what type of riding I liked.

Turned out I really liked the bike ('cept the lack of power) and longer rides, so a Harley bagger it would be!&nbsp\\; Whew, I would probably have bought a deuce or something at first, never would have thought I'd want a bagger!&nbsp\\; Now I've been camping on my bike and I love it.&nbsp\\; Traded the yamaha in for $2200 and it knocked over $200 off the taxes I owed on the new bike, so I pretty well broke even.&nbsp\\;

Its not a bad idea to buy a cheaper metric bike at first, so you can decide if you like to ride, how you like to ride, and figure out what kind of bike you REALLY want.&nbsp\\; Plus its a little easier on the psyche if you ding it up.&nbsp\\; But, you'll lose money compared to just buying what you want up front, if you know for sure what that is.&nbsp\\; Buying a nice new bike and THEN realizing you want something else will REALLY cost you.

Don't worry about insurance until you buy the bike, you should generally be covered on new purchases for a few days on your current auto policy.&nbsp\\;

Sportster
Dyna
Softail
Touring
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Thats pretty much the order of it, from 'sport' to 'touring' (not cheap to expensive, thats irrelevant).&nbsp\\; Don't rule anything out.&nbsp\\; Oh, and for whatever reason, the best sounding bikes I've ever heard are sportsters.