Best Ride for a Beginner
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
At 5'5'' I think you will find a Dyna Lowrider or Heritage Softtail easier to flat foot than a Sportster. They both have a lower center of gravity and are easier to handle. My wife and I bought a used Sportster 1200L. Then I came across a too good to pass deal on a Lowrider and bought it for me. It was a night and day difference in handling. The Lowriders are not a whole lot heavier than a 1200L.
Then she test rode a Heritage and bought one a couple of days later. Yep, we had the 1200L less than a year and took a hit on it when we sold it. By the way my wife is 5'4'' and can flat foot the Heritage Softtail.
We could have saved several thousand if we had bought a big twin to start with.
sporty06
Then she test rode a Heritage and bought one a couple of days later. Yep, we had the 1200L less than a year and took a hit on it when we sold it. By the way my wife is 5'4'' and can flat foot the Heritage Softtail.
We could have saved several thousand if we had bought a big twin to start with.
sporty06
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: NEPA
Hi all,
I am a NEW rider.
I recently took a MSF course and am now looking into purchasing my first bike.
I did a lot of research online and nobody can seem to agree on what is a good first motorcycle.
I personally like the Sporster 883 Low but I read a lot of people strongly advising against a Cruiser as a first bike and sometimes even more against a Harley. I have nothing against getting an Asian Cruiser but I was originally looking into Harley's.
My concerns from what I have read is essentially revolving around the weight of the bike.
Have any of you some advice?
Thank you!
I am a NEW rider.
I recently took a MSF course and am now looking into purchasing my first bike.
I did a lot of research online and nobody can seem to agree on what is a good first motorcycle.
I personally like the Sporster 883 Low but I read a lot of people strongly advising against a Cruiser as a first bike and sometimes even more against a Harley. I have nothing against getting an Asian Cruiser but I was originally looking into Harley's.
My concerns from what I have read is essentially revolving around the weight of the bike.
Have any of you some advice?
Thank you!
The preference is always all about YOU. Not what anybody else says.
Test ride, rent...know your limits , be safe and happy.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 990
Likes: 10
From: Redondo Beach, California
No one will be able to agree on what is the best 1ST bike for YOU! Only YOU can make that determination. I agree with some though, that for a 1ST bike, a inexpensive used bike is not a bad idea as you can get some road miles on it and build up some confidence in your abilities. Plus, any small accidents that you may have will not be done on the NEW bike that you may want in the future and after some riding experience you will have a better idea of what you want in a bike and what kind of riding that you will want to do with it. Another issue is that most people like what they ride so they will want to suggest that you pick the kind of bike that they ride. Sportster riders will say that you should ride a Sportster and Dyna riders will say that you should pick a Dyna to ride and so on. I also agree that you should try to find as many test rides as you can so that you can make a better decision when it comes time to actually buy something for you to ride on. Make sure that it fits you and that you are comfortable on it or you will not like what you bought and you wont ride it as much as you would if you did fit on it. You mentioned that you were looking at the XL883L Low because you can sit flat footed on it and if it could handle a passenger on rides. I own five Sportsters and two of them are XL883 Sportsters and I take long 300 500 mile rides on them and I take passengers with me with our luggage and I have had no problems doing it on these bikes at Highway speeds of 80+ MPH. I just want you to know that these bikes are capable of doing what you want it to do and so are the bigger Harley Vee Twins. I also agree that many, many people buy Sportsters as their 1ST bike and later trade them up for a bigger Harley Vee Twin. The Harley dealers even have a deal now that allows you to buy a Sportster and ride it for a year and trade it in for a big Vee Twin without much loss on your original purchase price. You might think about that as an incentive to go with a Sportster for now. In any case, I hope that you make an informed choice and that you are ultimately happy with it and that you get to start riding, as that is what it is all about in the long run. Hey, after you get your 1ST bike, let us all know what you finally bought! Take care and ride safe! 
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 447
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
I Agree
You should also try a sporty low, my wife is 5'1" and can sit flat footed on a Sportster low. Try them before you buy them. I totally disagree with anyone who says a cruiser is not a good first bike. They are awesome!
They make one for everyone, any size any shape.
They make one for everyone, any size any shape.At 5'5'' I think you will find a Dyna Lowrider or Heritage Softtail easier to flat foot than a Sportster. They both have a lower center of gravity and are easier to handle. My wife and I bought a used Sportster 1200L. Then I came across a too good to pass deal on a Lowrider and bought it for me. It was a night and day difference in handling. The Lowriders are not a whole lot heavier than a 1200L.
Then she test rode a Heritage and bought one a couple of days later. Yep, we had the 1200L less than a year and took a hit on it when we sold it. By the way my wife is 5'4'' and can flat foot the Heritage Softtail.
We could have saved several thousand if we had bought a big twin to start with.
sporty06
Then she test rode a Heritage and bought one a couple of days later. Yep, we had the 1200L less than a year and took a hit on it when we sold it. By the way my wife is 5'4'' and can flat foot the Heritage Softtail.
We could have saved several thousand if we had bought a big twin to start with.
sporty06
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis, MN
That would be a good choice if thats what you like. I really don't get the theory of getting a cheap bike/used jap cruiser for the first one. Sure they cost less and people say that if you wreck etc etc etc... but if you have insurance it really doesn't matter what you paid.
Get what you want!!
Get what you want!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,900
Likes: 4
From: way down upon the Suwannee River
Sounds like the Harley sporty trade in sale is a good deal. Get a 883 for close to what a metric sells for, learn to ride, and if you want a bigger ride you get all your money back on trade. Who knows, you might want to stick with the sporty. I've had a couple and loved them. My .02
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 890
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
Sportster
Get the 883, ask the dealer if they still have the buy back program.
If you trade it in with in the first year, you get what you paid for it as trade in on something bigger. Plus if you like the feel of the bike you can upgrade from an 883 to a 1200.
Remember, when buying a Harley you're getting a life style.
If you trade it in with in the first year, you get what you paid for it as trade in on something bigger. Plus if you like the feel of the bike you can upgrade from an 883 to a 1200.
Remember, when buying a Harley you're getting a life style.
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My First bike is my 09 Nightster. People just say don't get a harley as a first bike cuz they are jealous that they don't have either the time to learn how to ride or the money to have a Bike they actually want. You won't regret a sporty
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,687
Likes: 6
From: Kalaui Kona HI
I am the same height as you and rode both the 1200R one of the tallest HD and my Low. One of the lowest. The Low is easier to ride than a sporty more balanced. I would look at all options.