Sportster for 1st Bike?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
I'll never forget during my motorcycle training course last fall that I took with my brother in law.
I had already bought an 07 Superglide. We are outside at the class and during a break, my brother in law says " what size engine do you think all these bikes have?" I told him that they all seem to be between 200 to 250 cc's. So he says, "How many cc's is your Harley?" I told him 1,582 cc's.
You should have seen the look on his face!!
.
I had already bought an 07 Superglide. We are outside at the class and during a break, my brother in law says " what size engine do you think all these bikes have?" I told him that they all seem to be between 200 to 250 cc's. So he says, "How many cc's is your Harley?" I told him 1,582 cc's.
You should have seen the look on his face!!
.
pretty much the same for me.. the weekend of riding the suzuki 250's was killin me knowing i had a fatty at home waiting on me once i got my license..
i was advised by two long time riders that said to forget about the small bike, ie sportster and get what you want and like. its way easy to learn on the bike you want then to buy something too small, lose money on it and then relearn riding the bigger bike that you really wanted to begin with. ..
so far its worked out for me.. and it had been 30 yrs since i was on any type of motorcycle..
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville NC
And yeah, make no bones about it. I realize I'm a big dude, which was part of my reason for bringing all this up. In a perfect world, I'd want a bike that's both big enough that's a comfortable fit (and I don't look like a "circus bear" on it), but that also is somewhat forgiving in the power/weight department for somebody who's new to riding.
With as dedicated as I usually am about practicing things, though, if I have to sacrifice one I'd probably lean toward getting a bigger more comfortable bike that I have to be more cautious with to start.
With as dedicated as I usually am about practicing things, though, if I have to sacrifice one I'd probably lean toward getting a bigger more comfortable bike that I have to be more cautious with to start.
"Circus bear" man that made me laugh...
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
Anything smaller than a 1200 I think you will get cramped up on. When I was 15 I started riding on a 1300. Rode metric for about 2 1/2 years and now I am on my Nightster. Has a lot more torque and is a lot more nimble. It is way more fun to ride. Just don't get a bike you won't be comfortable on.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 10
From: Oklahoma
My advise - take the MSF course then buy what you like. My mistake was going from a Honda to a Dyna to a Road King. It would have been much more economical to buy the RC from the get go. After you get your scooter spend some time on back roads, parking lots, etc., get to know the bike. I will probably get flamed for this - I like the Sportsters and seriously considered buying a new one. Thing is, a lot of Sporty owners (on the boards and locals), spend way too much time defending the fact that they do not ride a "girl's bike" or "budget entry bike". Had I bought a Sporty (same as the Dyna), I would have traded up to the RC sooner or later. Again, the Sportster is a fine scooter, just not for me (6'1", 225#).
Last edited by mmcbeat; Apr 21, 2011 at 09:13 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 324
Likes: 3
From: Florence,Ky
Like yourself I had never rode in my life. Took the MSF course and bought a 07 Sportster 1200 low. The sales people told me that I would want something else especially since I wanted my wife to ride with me. I got lucky because Harley did the buy back and we now have a Softail Deluxe. I loved the Sportster for riding solo but the Softails are great for 2 up riding. I had no problem with the Sportster even though I had never rode a bike ever. Just depends on what your plans are. I would get the 1200 for sure if Iwas you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
a stock 1200 sporty will outrun a stock 96" any day of the week. It'll easily keep up with a 103 UP TO 100 mph any day of the week.
Those bigger bikes do have a smoother ride to them.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 735
Likes: 23
From: New Brunswick, Canada
Just my opinion from someone who has exeprienced it. My very first bike was an 883L and at the time the bike was great to learn on but the moment I learned to ride, I was ready to get rid of the 883. I am five feet tall and if I felt small on my bike then you being taller will most definitely feel cramped. I could hardly wait to get rid of my sporty. It was too small, too loud, and rode too rough. I wasn't throwing a bunch of money into seats and shocks and those sorts of things because I knew I wasn't keeping it and putting money into it to not get on resale was crazy.
I traded up to a street bob and it was the best thing I've ever done for myself.
If you do really want a sporty, I agree, go 1200 custom. Taller bike, lots of power to keep you satisfied but I can be almost guaranteed you will to trade up before long. The 883 is also a very powerful bike but the power doesn't cover up the comfort issue.
Another thing to consider is the depreciation value of the sporties. I bought mine and 5 months later took it in to trade up and I lost $3000 off of it by just riding it off the lot. I had it for two years and when I traded up this year, I got $4000 for that bike from the dealer. So if you do buy, buy a cheap good working one that you won't be losing on when you choose to trade up in a year (which I am sure you will)
I traded up to a street bob and it was the best thing I've ever done for myself.
If you do really want a sporty, I agree, go 1200 custom. Taller bike, lots of power to keep you satisfied but I can be almost guaranteed you will to trade up before long. The 883 is also a very powerful bike but the power doesn't cover up the comfort issue.
Another thing to consider is the depreciation value of the sporties. I bought mine and 5 months later took it in to trade up and I lost $3000 off of it by just riding it off the lot. I had it for two years and when I traded up this year, I got $4000 for that bike from the dealer. So if you do buy, buy a cheap good working one that you won't be losing on when you choose to trade up in a year (which I am sure you will)
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