Best Ride for a Beginner
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
What kind of riding do you want to do? A cruiser is a great first bike if you want to cruise. (And "cruising" covers almost anything you'd do on a paved, public street.) They tend to be low, which gives you a flat-footed stance when straddling them and that not only makes you feel confident, it gives you mechanical advantage over the bike when it comes to holding it up.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Newburg,Pa
Nothing wrong with sporty,if you are on the larger side,or will be riding with passenger,you should look at the Dyna family.Lowrider was my choice,but can't go wrong with any Dyna.Sit on,and ride as many as you can before making choice,and welcome.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From:
Any sportster would be excellent choice, although you may outgrow it...maybe make that move to Dyna! But seriously what kind of riding do you want to? Wife/gfriend riding as passenger also? Maybe not now, but in the future? maybe a 1200 sporty would be better. The new Iron looks amazing. Real friends don't let friends ride jap cruisers ( unless it is a rune )
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From:
I started on a sportster, it was a good bike, but traded for a Street Bob a year later. No comparison..IMHO big twins are EASIER to ride than sportsters. I thought my sportster was top heavy/tippy. Big twins have a low center of gravity and are very stable. IMHO, look into a used 2006 or above Dyna, whatever model you like. Pretty good prices on used Dynas now.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Muscatine, IA
First bike was a Fatboy. The Sportster is loads lighter in weight. In reality, weight is NOT an issue. Wife is 5'3" about 135 lbs, and her first bike ( and she still rides it ) is a Softail Deluxe.
Get what YOU want, Don't let anyone tell you different, If they say go Jap, it must be that they are jealous of you getting the Harley they always wanted.
Most importantly, make sure that whatever bike you go with, FITS you. Sit on alot of bikes, Test ride any that you can, and then decide.
Alot of folks start with a Sportster, But beware, LOADS of those people trade it in after a year for something bigger..Take that into consideration.
Get what YOU want, Don't let anyone tell you different, If they say go Jap, it must be that they are jealous of you getting the Harley they always wanted.
Most importantly, make sure that whatever bike you go with, FITS you. Sit on alot of bikes, Test ride any that you can, and then decide.
Alot of folks start with a Sportster, But beware, LOADS of those people trade it in after a year for something bigger..Take that into consideration.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
If you're a brand new rider and it sounds like you are, might want to give some thought to getting a beater bike for about 6 months or so. By that time you'll have more confidence and a better idea of what you want in a bike. And you'll probably be able to sell it or trade it in w/o much of a loss.
Alternately you could go with the Sporty. That is if HD still has the Sporty trade in deal going. Might want to check it out. As I understood it you could buy a Sporty and trade it in up to 2 years later at msrp.
As you can see the wife and I didn't follow my advice. Didn't have the patience to wait. Our first bikes were brand new Softails. After having my bike for just over a year I'm looking to move up to a touring bike. But because I bought mine new, I'll be taking a much bigger loss on it.
Point is, what you like riding today may not be what you like riding next year. That's especially true if you're a new rider.
____________________
2008 Heritage Classic: His
2008 Deluxe: Hers
Alternately you could go with the Sporty. That is if HD still has the Sporty trade in deal going. Might want to check it out. As I understood it you could buy a Sporty and trade it in up to 2 years later at msrp.
As you can see the wife and I didn't follow my advice. Didn't have the patience to wait. Our first bikes were brand new Softails. After having my bike for just over a year I'm looking to move up to a touring bike. But because I bought mine new, I'll be taking a much bigger loss on it.
Point is, what you like riding today may not be what you like riding next year. That's especially true if you're a new rider.
____________________
2008 Heritage Classic: His
2008 Deluxe: Hers
Last edited by jimmers1817; Apr 14, 2009 at 08:41 PM.