What's best starter harley bike?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
You know what? I think you should buy a Sportster. Here's why:
Everyone knows they are a girls bike, so if you are a girl, you are good to go. If you are a guy, well, then you will just have to tell people you borrowed your wife's bike cause your's is in the shop.
They don't go fast. That's why the girls like them.
They are the cheapest Harley out there. This is why people buy them most likely, you know, just something to ride that says Harley...why they save their money for a bagger.
Everyone knows they are a girls bike, so if you are a girl, you are good to go. If you are a guy, well, then you will just have to tell people you borrowed your wife's bike cause your's is in the shop.
They don't go fast. That's why the girls like them.
They are the cheapest Harley out there. This is why people buy them most likely, you know, just something to ride that says Harley...why they save their money for a bagger.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Austell, GA
They call the Ultra for a reason. Save yourself all the hassle of trying to sell your sportster when your ready to move up and just start at the top.
Plus people, thinking you are older and wiser, will start conversation with you by saying, "What kind of oil should I use in my bike."
Plus people, thinking you are older and wiser, will start conversation with you by saying, "What kind of oil should I use in my bike."
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
Love the Sportster but hate the low to no speed handling characteristics. I definitely wouldn't call it a starter or beginner bike. I think the big twins are better balanced and more stable/comfortable to ride overall. Cost is almost always a factor so go from there.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
With a little practice, all Harleys are pretty easy to ride. None will throw a surprise wheelie or be too "flickable" liek a sportbike. They're all pretty stable.
When some of these guys talk about a certain Harley being "too hard for a beginner," that just shows that they don't ride non-Harley bikes that much.
Sportsters, Road Kings, Super Glides, and Fatboys........all real friendly to ride.
Just pick your price point, budget for a helmet'jacket/gloves/boots, stick to your guns, and then find which one speaks to you.
Good luck!
When some of these guys talk about a certain Harley being "too hard for a beginner," that just shows that they don't ride non-Harley bikes that much.
Sportsters, Road Kings, Super Glides, and Fatboys........all real friendly to ride.
Just pick your price point, budget for a helmet'jacket/gloves/boots, stick to your guns, and then find which one speaks to you.
Good luck!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
What's wrong with your Sportster? Mine handles just fine at low speeds. I mean, not like a dirtbike, but for a streetbike, it handles great.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
All i've ridden prior to buying this Sportster was metric inlines *not crotch rockets* so thats my comparison to handling. Sportsters just aren't balanced well but they do handle exceptionally well at speed that's for sure. As good as metrics no but it is what it is and i love my Sportster and have no trouble handling it at all. If a friend was new to riding i would recommend a Shadow 750 before a Sportster by far. Don't think the OP is new just seeking some opinions so i a gave mine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 3
From: southern indiana
start out on a bmw, then as soon as ya get to the harley dealer upgrade to a ultra glide asap............
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
First gear is too low for speeds under 10mph without running some RPMs and slipping the clutch not to mention Sportsters are very top heavy compared to metrics. Haven't ran gears rev limiter to rev limiter but you can push 30mph in first gear. You can downshift into 1st at 25 mph and not slide the rear.
All i've ridden prior to buying this Sportster was metric inlines *not crotch rockets* so thats my comparison to handling. Sportsters just aren't balanced well but they do handle exceptionally well at speed that's for sure. As good as metrics no but it is what it is and i love my Sportster and have no trouble handling it at all. If a friend was new to riding i would recommend a Shadow 750 before a Sportster by far. Don't think the OP is new just seeking some opinions so i a gave mine.
All i've ridden prior to buying this Sportster was metric inlines *not crotch rockets* so thats my comparison to handling. Sportsters just aren't balanced well but they do handle exceptionally well at speed that's for sure. As good as metrics no but it is what it is and i love my Sportster and have no trouble handling it at all. If a friend was new to riding i would recommend a Shadow 750 before a Sportster by far. Don't think the OP is new just seeking some opinions so i a gave mine.
Sportsters may feel top-heavy compared to Big Twins and metric cruisers, but compared to other bikes? No. Zillions of new riders buy a Sportster as their first bike and do fine.
Yeah, you do have to slip the clutch at slow speeds, but you really need to on any bike to some extent. Motorcycle clutches are designed for that--they're different than car clutches. Plus, the higher-revving engine actually gives more stability. In general, the Sportster tranny/clutch is pretty forgiving and easy to use.
The dry clutch on my Ducati demands a little more respect. And if you don't give the respect, it will remind you to
