First Bike Advice
First Bike Advice
Hi Gang,
after spending my whole life breathless every time a beautiful Harley rolled by I have decided its time to act. At 45 I hope to still get some good riding in.
The million dollar question is this. Which bike? So half the folks I know say buy a light weight beater bike and the other half say after a couple of weeks I will wish I bought the bike I always wanted.
At 5'8" seat height is my issue because my legs are not long. While I am being told get a smaller lighter bike, they feel like I sit taller. The Fat Boy and Fat Boy Low while larger felt like I could rally plant my feet when sitting idle. Clearly they are my dream but if the average new rider really drops their bike all the time then thats dumb. I dont think I will but hope to get as wide a concensus as possible.
So for me its either a used sportster for short time or straight to a fat Boy Low. Thoughts?
Thanks,
Dave O.
after spending my whole life breathless every time a beautiful Harley rolled by I have decided its time to act. At 45 I hope to still get some good riding in.
The million dollar question is this. Which bike? So half the folks I know say buy a light weight beater bike and the other half say after a couple of weeks I will wish I bought the bike I always wanted.
At 5'8" seat height is my issue because my legs are not long. While I am being told get a smaller lighter bike, they feel like I sit taller. The Fat Boy and Fat Boy Low while larger felt like I could rally plant my feet when sitting idle. Clearly they are my dream but if the average new rider really drops their bike all the time then thats dumb. I dont think I will but hope to get as wide a concensus as possible.
So for me its either a used sportster for short time or straight to a fat Boy Low. Thoughts?
Thanks,
Dave O.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 13
From: 501
I say purchase what you think you would want two years down the road.
The Fat Boy sounds like it will win out! Just take your time getting comfortable on it.
I may have let my Geezer Glide drop to the side a couple of times, but it's the model I always knew I would own one of. Lifes getting shorter every day. Who knows when you will get your call.
So I say muck up , and get what you want right now. Times a wasting!
My $0.02
aka Bob
The Fat Boy sounds like it will win out! Just take your time getting comfortable on it.
I may have let my Geezer Glide drop to the side a couple of times, but it's the model I always knew I would own one of. Lifes getting shorter every day. Who knows when you will get your call.
So I say muck up , and get what you want right now. Times a wasting!
My $0.02
aka Bob
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
I'm 5.8 as well and have a Harley Deluxe and a Goldwing. Seat height isn't an issue on either.
Buy the bike you want and take your time and you'll be fine. If anything, rent a couple of bikes (with insurance) to see what you like.
Fat Boy Low seemed too small for me, but I wanted a different stance anyway. For an old style look you can't beat the Deluxe.
Buy the bike you want and take your time and you'll be fine. If anything, rent a couple of bikes (with insurance) to see what you like.
Fat Boy Low seemed too small for me, but I wanted a different stance anyway. For an old style look you can't beat the Deluxe.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
I would go to the Fat Boy Low or whatever model you see yourself on long term. The beater bike is a good idea IMO if bought cheap, used to get skills/license and dump back in market as soon as you have your sea-wheels under you.
Take your time, take a riding class and you can make it happen either way. Good luck!
Take your time, take a riding class and you can make it happen either way. Good luck!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 8
From: Huddersfield. U.K.
I was looking at a sportster, and in the end was persuaded to get a Fat Bob by the girl friend who when sat on the back, preferred the Fat Bob.
She still hasnt ridden on the back.....
I still like the look of the sportsters though. I'm hoping one day she'll get her license so I can have both...
She still hasnt ridden on the back.....
I still like the look of the sportsters though. I'm hoping one day she'll get her license so I can have both...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, CO
I'm 5'4" and my 1st bike was an '02 1200 Custom (I was in my early 50s and 1st bike ever). Since, I've owned an '07 Streetbob and now an '07 Heritage. I've had to mod all my bikes because of my size and the BIGGEST thing I did was change the seat. That might be all you need to do. I've ended up lowering the front and rear, just the rear, etc but nothing had a bigger effect than the seat change. Try that first. Keep in mind that lowering the bike affects the kick-stand height and, more importantly, the ride quality. Good luck!
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
I am 5'8" and I have a Fatty Lo. Seat height is perfect for me. I am however considering new handle bars or Risers to bring the handle bars just a little bit closer.
I just got back from the the local dealer and they had one of the new 2011 sportsters that was fantastic. It was fairly light, low to the ground and the tank had more of a tear drop shape (4.5 gal). In other words it was a little closer in appearance to a Big-Twin than other Sportys I have seen.
Keep in mind that if your dream bike is to tall, that can be handled with a different seat, handle bars etc.... In other words at 45 get what you want the first time.
I just got back from the the local dealer and they had one of the new 2011 sportsters that was fantastic. It was fairly light, low to the ground and the tank had more of a tear drop shape (4.5 gal). In other words it was a little closer in appearance to a Big-Twin than other Sportys I have seen.
Keep in mind that if your dream bike is to tall, that can be handled with a different seat, handle bars etc.... In other words at 45 get what you want the first time.