First Motorcycle
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Denver
First Motorcycle
I'm planning on getting my first motorcycle this summer, and am considering a Sportster. \\; This forum has given me a ton of information (so thanks everyone for that), but I have a few questions that I couldn't find answers to. \\; A little about me: I'm 5'9", 165, 39 years old, an accomplished mountain and road biker (15+ years), but have never owned a motorcycle. \\; I have rented various small motorcycles / scooters over the years, and ridden a few times on the back of a sportster, but never owned or operated a full sized motorcycle. \\; I plan to use it for some commuting, but primarily for soul rejuvenation.
My questions:
1. \\; I've seen various rider safety courses referenced in the Forum. \\; Harley promotes their "Riders Edge" program, which frankly I was planning on doing until I saw some references to others on this Forum. \\; Possible to get pros / cons of the Riders Edge program compared to any others? \\; Does this program cover the "M" endorsement?
2. \\; Is this the process I should go through:
a) Take motorcycle safety course
b) Get motorcycle license
c) Arrange for insurance
d) Buy and register motorcycle
e) Ride my a$$ off
3. I've seen a few other bikes suggested as alternatives for the Sportster (Honda Shadow Spirit, Honda Shadow Sabre, Vulcan 900, etc). \\; Frankly, none of these seem as cool as the Sportster. \\; But I haven't seen any comparisons to a Triumph (Speedmaster, America, etc). \\; Does anyone have any comments on the differences?
4. \\; This is really just a bonus question, but after researching the Harley website, I can’t really get through the marketing stuff to discern the main differences between the Dyna and Softtail lines. \\; Is it really just the way the engines are mounted and the rear suspension, or is there more do it than that?  \\;
Thanks in advance - I can't wait to get started.
My questions:
1. \\; I've seen various rider safety courses referenced in the Forum. \\; Harley promotes their "Riders Edge" program, which frankly I was planning on doing until I saw some references to others on this Forum. \\; Possible to get pros / cons of the Riders Edge program compared to any others? \\; Does this program cover the "M" endorsement?
2. \\; Is this the process I should go through:
a) Take motorcycle safety course
b) Get motorcycle license
c) Arrange for insurance
d) Buy and register motorcycle
e) Ride my a$$ off
3. I've seen a few other bikes suggested as alternatives for the Sportster (Honda Shadow Spirit, Honda Shadow Sabre, Vulcan 900, etc). \\; Frankly, none of these seem as cool as the Sportster. \\; But I haven't seen any comparisons to a Triumph (Speedmaster, America, etc). \\; Does anyone have any comments on the differences?
4. \\; This is really just a bonus question, but after researching the Harley website, I can’t really get through the marketing stuff to discern the main differences between the Dyna and Softtail lines. \\; Is it really just the way the engines are mounted and the rear suspension, or is there more do it than that?  \\;
Thanks in advance - I can't wait to get started.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: First Motorcycle
ORIGINAL: CoffeeGuy
I'm planning on getting my first motorcycle this summer, and am considering a Sportster. \\;\\\\\\; This forum has given me a ton of information (so thanks everyone for that), but I have a few questions that I couldn't find answers to. \\;\\\\\\; A little about me: I'm 5'9", 165, 39 years old, an accomplished mountain and road biker (15+ years), but have never owned a motorcycle. \\;\\\\\\; I have rented various small motorcycles / scooters over the years, and ridden a few times on the back of a sportster, but never owned or operated a full sized motorcycle. \\;\\\\\\; I plan to use it for some commuting, but primarily for soul rejuvenation.
My questions:
1. \\;\\\\\\; I've seen various rider safety courses referenced in the Forum. \\;\\\\\\; Harley promotes their "Riders Edge" program, which frankly I was planning on doing until I saw some references to others on this Forum. \\;\\\\\\; Possible to get pros / cons of the Riders Edge program compared to any others? \\;\\\\\\; Does this program cover the "M" endorsement?
2. \\;\\\\\\; Is this the process I should go through:
a) Take motorcycle safety course
b) Get motorcycle license
c) Arrange for insurance
d) Buy and register motorcycle
e) Ride my a$$ off
3. I've seen a few other bikes suggested as alternatives for the Sportster (Honda Shadow Spirit, Honda Shadow Sabre, Vulcan 900, etc). \\;\\\\\\; Frankly, none of these seem as cool as the Sportster. \\;\\\\\\; But I haven't seen any comparisons to a Triumph (Speedmaster, America, etc). \\;\\\\\\; Does anyone have any comments on the differences?
4. \\;\\\\\\; This is really just a bonus question, but after researching the Harley website, I can’t really get through the marketing stuff to discern the main differences between the Dyna and Softtail lines. \\;\\\\\\; Is it really just the way the engines are mounted and the rear suspension, or is there more do it than that?  \\;\\\\\\;
Thanks in advance - I can't wait to get started.
I'm planning on getting my first motorcycle this summer, and am considering a Sportster. \\;\\\\\\; This forum has given me a ton of information (so thanks everyone for that), but I have a few questions that I couldn't find answers to. \\;\\\\\\; A little about me: I'm 5'9", 165, 39 years old, an accomplished mountain and road biker (15+ years), but have never owned a motorcycle. \\;\\\\\\; I have rented various small motorcycles / scooters over the years, and ridden a few times on the back of a sportster, but never owned or operated a full sized motorcycle. \\;\\\\\\; I plan to use it for some commuting, but primarily for soul rejuvenation.
My questions:
1. \\;\\\\\\; I've seen various rider safety courses referenced in the Forum. \\;\\\\\\; Harley promotes their "Riders Edge" program, which frankly I was planning on doing until I saw some references to others on this Forum. \\;\\\\\\; Possible to get pros / cons of the Riders Edge program compared to any others? \\;\\\\\\; Does this program cover the "M" endorsement?
2. \\;\\\\\\; Is this the process I should go through:
a) Take motorcycle safety course
b) Get motorcycle license
c) Arrange for insurance
d) Buy and register motorcycle
e) Ride my a$$ off
3. I've seen a few other bikes suggested as alternatives for the Sportster (Honda Shadow Spirit, Honda Shadow Sabre, Vulcan 900, etc). \\;\\\\\\; Frankly, none of these seem as cool as the Sportster. \\;\\\\\\; But I haven't seen any comparisons to a Triumph (Speedmaster, America, etc). \\;\\\\\\; Does anyone have any comments on the differences?
4. \\;\\\\\\; This is really just a bonus question, but after researching the Harley website, I can’t really get through the marketing stuff to discern the main differences between the Dyna and Softtail lines. \\;\\\\\\; Is it really just the way the engines are mounted and the rear suspension, or is there more do it than that?  \\;\\\\\\;
Thanks in advance - I can't wait to get started.
I can address #1 and 2, but I'm not terribly mechanical so someone else will have to handle those.
 \\;
Take the MSF course. \\; I don't know about your area, but the Rider's Edge course I took locally covered Group Riding. Period. \\; Got a pin, got a book, all for 7.00. \\; I took the beginning course and this year took the Experienced course. \\; It was the BRC that got me the endorsement. \\;Plus if you need to get on post/base you'll need that Red Card.
 \\;
I bought my bike, took the course, and of cousre when I bought the bike Insurance was taken care of. \\; I DID get a discount after taking the BRC.
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
Likes: 12
From: The Peach State
RE: First Motorcycle
Basically yes, but you won't be able to get insurance until you have a bike as your insurance will be based on that make and model. \\; MSF is generally about a $100 cheaper than Rider's Edge. \\; I took the MSF and not Rider's Edge so cannot compare. \\; Sportsters are great. \\; \\;People either love them, keep them and ride them all over or decide they want something bigger for longer distances later. \\;
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga, TN
RE: First Motorcycle
I agree with the above posts.
 \\;
BUT, I will attest to one thing about the Sporty.
 \\;
We initially bought 2 Sportsters. \\; One has already been replaced after only 9 months. \\; The other one will be replaced shortly also. \\; Sportys are great little machines. \\; Fast, nimble, and a HOOT to ride around the local areas. \\; Some folks have used them for touring bikes. \\; Not me. \\; Make darn SURE that a Sportster will meet your needs before you buy. \\; We replaced one with a Deluxe, and the other will be replaced with a Heritage. \\; Much, MUCH better ride and does basically everything a Sporty will do.
 \\;
If you're the least bit hesitant about getting a larger bike, DO IT NOW......you'll save yourself a lot of cash in the long run.
 \\;
BUT, I will attest to one thing about the Sporty.
 \\;
We initially bought 2 Sportsters. \\; One has already been replaced after only 9 months. \\; The other one will be replaced shortly also. \\; Sportys are great little machines. \\; Fast, nimble, and a HOOT to ride around the local areas. \\; Some folks have used them for touring bikes. \\; Not me. \\; Make darn SURE that a Sportster will meet your needs before you buy. \\; We replaced one with a Deluxe, and the other will be replaced with a Heritage. \\; Much, MUCH better ride and does basically everything a Sporty will do.
 \\;
If you're the least bit hesitant about getting a larger bike, DO IT NOW......you'll save yourself a lot of cash in the long run.
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
Likes: 12
From: The Peach State
RE: First Motorcycle
True, you get hosed when trading in a sportster as the dealers all have tons of them as they are an introductory bike for lots of people trying to figure out if they're going to enjoy the experience. \\; Most do, then trade them in for a bigger bike hence the glut of them. \\; I had my sportie for six months then got a deluxe.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 828
Likes: 8
From: western Mass
RE: First Motorcycle
Coffee Guy, first, welcome! This place is pretty good for info, and techno help etc. Gotta wade through some bullshit sometimes, but overall a really good site that will answer almost any question you can come up with re motorcycles. So far as the courses are concerned, take whichever, just take one! I can't tell you the \\; Rider's Edge is any better than any other BRC. I believe it has as much to do with who's teaching the course as anything else. Get yourself a copy of the dvd Ride Like A Pro. Trust me, you will learn a whole bunch of extremely useful stuff that no ordinary riders course will ever teach you. Which bike? The one you want. The Sportster is an awesome motorcycle, and just right for a lot of folks. Many who start on a Sporty quickly trade to a different model. Often this is mistakenly referred to as "trading up." it's just a different kind of ride is all. You should pick the bike you like best. The one that grabs you. Try at least sitting on all the ones you're interested in and see which one feels best to you then concentrate on that one. Lots of people will tell you to start on a small metric bike not an HD. When I was 13 years old, I learned on a 47 Knucklehead. My first bike was a 51 Pan. I've only ever had/ridden HD. I have had mostly FL's, with a couple Sportsters mixed in. If you start out on some smaller machine to "learn the basics" and then trade up to a different bike, you only have to relearn that new bike cause they're all different. Be careful, take the course, get your bike, practice, have fun! And don't ever stop learning to ride a motorcycle cause then you're in some deep ****! Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
RE: First Motorcycle
Buy a POS metric with about a 1100 engine.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Woodstock, GA
RE: First Motorcycle
I agree with most of what's already here. The Sporty is a great bike but don't fall into the trap of assuming it is the HD starter bike simply because it has the smallest engine and price tag. It is set up and balanced differently than all the other HD's. I had one for 11 months and really enjoyed it but, honestly, after about an hour and a half of riding, I started to feel cramped on it. Not really enjoyable to go long distance touring or two up a whole bunch on it either, although many folks do. Take a course (I took the MSF BRC), get your license, then beg, borrow, steal, rent, test drive until your butts killing you and your wallet's empty. By that point, you will have fallen in love with a particular model - simply follow your heart!
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Joined: Jun 2008
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RE: First Motorcycle
For #2 I added a step between c and d: I rented a few bikes to feel the differences (Honda Rebel, Honda 750, and the Sportster). By the end of trying those out, I knew I should get what I really wanted (see below).
GeorgiaGirl's right - you can't get the insurance 'till you're at the dealer getting the bike...but you can shop around. Ask for the Safety Course discount (assuming you do the Riders Edge or MSF, etc. I did the MSF here in Fairfax, VA done by a group called Apex: great job. I'm going for a 1:1 Individual course on Monday with a group called MRC (Motorcycle Riding Concepts - a group of former bike cops)...so I agree with the Ugly Troll (never stop learning).
Good luck - get what you really want, and then enjoy.
-R
GeorgiaGirl's right - you can't get the insurance 'till you're at the dealer getting the bike...but you can shop around. Ask for the Safety Course discount (assuming you do the Riders Edge or MSF, etc. I did the MSF here in Fairfax, VA done by a group called Apex: great job. I'm going for a 1:1 Individual course on Monday with a group called MRC (Motorcycle Riding Concepts - a group of former bike cops)...so I agree with the Ugly Troll (never stop learning).
Good luck - get what you really want, and then enjoy.
-R
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 98
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From: Denver
RE: First Motorcycle
Wow - first let me say "thanks" for the great welcome and the great information. \\; I actually had considered the Sportster the HD entry level bike but also pretty much fell in love with the way the Nightster looks. \\; I need to keep telling myself that I need to try out a bunch before committing (sounds like my love life too... ). \\; So thanks everyone - please keep the advice coming.