First Bike??
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I also have a back issue. shattered L3 vertebrae. I've rode RK's, FB's and a Heritage,
for my 6"2' and with my back the Ergo of the Heritage just fit and felt better than the other two... mostly I think its the bar height... so any of the three would have worked with mini-apes on them.. Just me..
Bottom line is sit on them and feel them out.. ride if U can and see which seat position feels right... them get the one U like... remember U ain't marrying her.. so U can make changes to her (bike) to improve the feel after getting her...
for my 6"2' and with my back the Ergo of the Heritage just fit and felt better than the other two... mostly I think its the bar height... so any of the three would have worked with mini-apes on them.. Just me..
Bottom line is sit on them and feel them out.. ride if U can and see which seat position feels right... them get the one U like... remember U ain't marrying her.. so U can make changes to her (bike) to improve the feel after getting her...
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Azusa, CA
Dyna Super Glide is a great bike. This is my first street bike. Got it last month. Took care of the MFS last October. Learned a lot. Highly recommended. Right now I'm just riding around my neighborhood. Streets and traffic I am familiar with. I wanted a bike that I can use to go to work (within 5 miles from home) as well as maybe day trips 100 to 200 miles from home (future trips). The SG is the least expensive big-v. It rides very well. I am very happy. Good luck.
Relax, ride safely, and enjoy God's creations.
Relax, ride safely, and enjoy God's creations.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 647
From: Vegas, baby!
[QUOTE=Snarly;6099721]
On the other hand I have seen new riders, which is what we are discussing here, discover that riding a motorcycle wasn't what they expected. Being out in traffic, or dealing with weather, isn't the same on a motorcycle as it is in cages. It might be easier, and more practical, for new riders if their first scooter was something a little smaller and with less of a monetary investment.
Of course some of this depends on the size/skills of the rider and the area he/she is beginning to ride. A rider's experiences at the beginning of their foray into riding will determine if they are a long time rider or 'flame out' fast.
Ron
Of course some of this depends on the size/skills of the rider and the area he/she is beginning to ride. A rider's experiences at the beginning of their foray into riding will determine if they are a long time rider or 'flame out' fast.
Ron
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
Being military myself I took the MSF course which is a must for any rider who goes in and out of post. The course may be free in your area as was ours. I recently purchased my 08 Nightster and it is my first "real" bike as well. Ive had to spin it around the parking lots a bit to get the hang of it but now it just fits me.... Enjoy your bike and thank you as well for your service to our country.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: East Tenn
wanted to say THANK YOU for your service to our country. second, nice bike you got. I own a 08 nightster too. when you are ready for it, try the air cleaner,race tuner, and some Vance Hines short shots. The chrome exhaults that are stock look real nice but are restrictive. and they really don't have the rumble. i got the detachable windshield which if i could only have ONE accesory is what i would chose. next accesory would DEFINITELY be the black engine guard. I put highway pegs on it and if you want to ride 50 or a 100 miles on her ,then this surely will make it a nice relaxing ride. the standard pegs kind of cramp your legs in the hips if you stop and start at traffic intersections. with the pegs on, i could ride cross country in comfort as much as the touring bikes. doing the mufflers with the V&H short shots REALLY sound like the Harley bikes used to. Plus i got 77 horsepower. that may not sound like alot, but consider the weight of the Nightster is only 545 pounds. Together with a 170 pound ride ,makes her pretty powerful. Try the accesory work up thinggy and see if she looks good with different add ons. Bet you will fall in love with the purr of the motor. I get lots of compliments about the sound. loud, but not too loud.and the torque is very noticable from the stock pipes. good luck with the Nightster. Mine is olive green (reminds me of the old war bikes). Thanks again for your service
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
And, lets face it, we all have limited budgets and most of us can't afford a 'starter' bike. Here's what I've learned since I bought my bike in 2005 -
1. Set your sights on a little bit larger framed bike (like a Touring) so that you only plan on buying one bike in the immediate future.
2. Buy a comfortable seat that gives you a little bit more 'stretch'.
3. Buy an adjustable backrest for this seat (critical for back comfort).
4. Buy floorboard extensions for this bike (that is, if you buy a Touring bike with floorboards) to give your legs a little more room.
5. Finally (most critical step here)...take a motorcycle safety course! This has been the best money I've ever spent on my bike.
If you do decide to buy a Dyna I would suggest it have forward controls so you can stretch your legs. I'm not aware of seat-backrest set-ups for them so check with the local dealer.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield, UT
It was not my first bike ever but a Super Glide Custom was the first large bike (like bigger than a single cylinder) I've owned. I had ridden a number of other bikes that friends had let me borrow over the years (V-Stars and Vulcans mostly with a couple of sportbikes thrown in for good measure) on long trips though so the Super Glide didn't feel completely foreign. I bought it last spring and have had a lot of fun with it since then. I find it to be a pretty comfortable bike, but I'm also five inches shorter than you are.
Definitely take the course though. I'm trying to convince the wife to go in the spring.
Definitely take the course though. I'm trying to convince the wife to go in the spring.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: Southside CT