Help choosing my first Harley
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
If the Sportster is more in your budget range but too small, consider a base FXD Superglide for around $12K, which is a great price on a Big twin. Not the Low Rider version. At over 6' you won't need it, it has less suspension travel, and it costs more. If the stock seat has you a little cramped it's easily changed.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I started, first motorcycle ever, with a Streetglide. A friend of mine started this year on a Road King. We're both over 6'2". Getting a bike that is big enough for you is important. What you need to decide is what kind of riding style do you think you will enjoy. Touring bikes are great for some, but not everyone likes them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
We could be twins...I'm the same size you described. The 883 is much too small a bike for you...cool looking but after a week on it you'd be shopping it to get something bigger. Don't discount the touring bikes. They're the ones you see really, really big men riding. Buy used if $$ is a problem...lots of low mileage garage queens around the country...thats how I found mine.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Novice
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Two years ago my mom won a 883L. I went to pick it up at the dealer, rode it 35 miles home and never wanted to sit on it again. It was way too small and uncomfortable for me, 6'1" 220 lbs. Get what you want and you won't regret it later.
2007 Streetglide
2000 Fatboy
2007 Streetglide
2000 Fatboy
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 1
From: dual citizen nomad
dude dont listen to these ol hasbeens n neverwas types who are saying the samething "get a oldman ride like mine". go get a hot chick from your family n friends circle to go with you and have HER tell you how you look cuz its what hot chicks think that counts not some crusty ol greybeard. if your going big twin show her the ULTIMA choppers pics at the same time you show em the big twin pics and ask HER which one would a girl like her wants to be seen on. like i've said i've seen big guys on a sportster an no prob. i'm average US male size 6' 200. the oldman types are right on one thing get the 1200 cuz you will regret the 883s power very shortly after buying. good luck an have a blast!!
Last edited by ernofsteel007; Jun 6, 2009 at 10:11 AM.
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
wow, thanks for the awesome replies, way better than i expected. As for my situation, money is a problem, i have around $8000 i can spend, i know it isn't alot, but i'm hoping it'll at least get me on the seat of something worth riding. As far as financing, that really isn't a problem, but if i can avoid it, I prefer to. I don't really care for the looks of the touring bikes, i really like the curb appeal of the sportsters/nightsters. if the 883 is going to be too small, would the 1200 be any lager of a frame?
i've read that forward mounted controls really help the bigger rider on some bikes, but as i said, i am probably the most inexperianced new bike owner you will ever meet. Several years ago, i rode a rice rocket (yamaha yzf600r) but thats been many moons and 2 kids ago, I just want to get back on the road. I will rarely, if ever do any road trips on the bike i get, it will mainly be for cruising around the backroads of North Carolina, and maybe the occasional trip into town. I will not be riding any passengers either.
Monday morning, we are taking a trip to the dealership here to see what they have to offer, I may not buy anything, but I'll at least have a good idea in my head when I go, Thank you all for your opinions.
i've read that forward mounted controls really help the bigger rider on some bikes, but as i said, i am probably the most inexperianced new bike owner you will ever meet. Several years ago, i rode a rice rocket (yamaha yzf600r) but thats been many moons and 2 kids ago, I just want to get back on the road. I will rarely, if ever do any road trips on the bike i get, it will mainly be for cruising around the backroads of North Carolina, and maybe the occasional trip into town. I will not be riding any passengers either.
Monday morning, we are taking a trip to the dealership here to see what they have to offer, I may not buy anything, but I'll at least have a good idea in my head when I go, Thank you all for your opinions.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 1
From: dual citizen nomad
dude to these old men EVERYTHING thats not a short fat ugly golf cart (glides,roadkings) is too small an if its not covered in chick repellent (front fairing,hard bags) its too small. the 883 an 1200 are the same size with power n pulleys the difference. bro your NOT too big for a sportster. your on a old man anti sportster site asking about sportster so your gettin the expected answers. go to xlforum.net thats 100% sportster buell chopper site for a tonnage of info an pics. i go to all these sites cuz they all got good info an biased disinfo you learn to weed out. swapping out the bars does alot to all rides, but do it yourself cuz its easy and the dealers assrape your wallet for the simple job and forward controls help all but tiny riders enjoy cruising more so jump all over em. try 2 remember chrome rusts an alotta riders end up dechroming eventually. the **** guys who ride only if the stars are aligned right an they get a sign dont worry about rust cuz they nearly never ride
Last edited by ernofsteel007; Jun 6, 2009 at 03:08 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 308
Likes: 1
From: Independence, KY
As a new rider I love my 09 Street Bob. Easy to get my feet down and can throw my hips into the curves.
I am just over 5"10 and max out the mids. You would defenitely need forward controls with your size.
Someone suggested the Road King Classic touring bike. If you can afford it, that's what I would go with now that I have been riding for 6 months. I love my Street Bob, but I am alot smaller than you are. I will have spent over $1000 on bags and turn signal relo and still don't have the windshield.
I am just over 5"10 and max out the mids. You would defenitely need forward controls with your size.
Someone suggested the Road King Classic touring bike. If you can afford it, that's what I would go with now that I have been riding for 6 months. I love my Street Bob, but I am alot smaller than you are. I will have spent over $1000 on bags and turn signal relo and still don't have the windshield.
