First bike for beginner
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 827
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I learned on a Suzuki SV650 and my first purchase was a new dyna super glide. Everyone is different and everyone has different experiences. If you want a Harley, buy a Harley. If I could do it over, I would purchase used but if it's Harley you want, go for it. Your size and weight play a big factor as well, Sportsters may be a less expensive option bit if your 6-03, 230lbs, that won't work.
Thos is your best advice. Buy a used bike that you don't mind dropping a few times. Cut your teeth on something cheap.
Harley parts cost big bucks and dumping a brand new bike is gonna hirt your wallet.
Buy a metric. At least a 700. Ride it for a few months,then buy a Harley.
My old lady went through this last summer. She dropped my v-star twice. Killed her confidence and did about 1000 dollars damage.
I bought her a 450 nighthawk. Her riding skills have improved 10 fold and she hasn't laid that one down yet.
Buy what you can afford to fix.
Harley parts cost big bucks and dumping a brand new bike is gonna hirt your wallet.
Buy a metric. At least a 700. Ride it for a few months,then buy a Harley.
My old lady went through this last summer. She dropped my v-star twice. Killed her confidence and did about 1000 dollars damage.
I bought her a 450 nighthawk. Her riding skills have improved 10 fold and she hasn't laid that one down yet.
Buy what you can afford to fix.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
I went the Sporty route
Got myself a 10 year old 883 Low as a "learner" bike. Worked just fine for its purpose. I did have to sink a little more money into it to keep it running (gasket, starter cable, etc). But I got it cheap enough to begin with that this wasn't a major issue. And I had the work done at a local Harley-centric custom shop, not at a $tealership service dept.
I rode it about 1500 miles over a summer to get used to it, and then went out and got a brand new bike. Passed the 883 to the Wifey, who also 'learned' on it for about a year before she moved on to a new bike. I sold the 883 on Craigslist to another enterprising young newbie at a fair price. Happy to have had it.
A few notes to help you in your quest:
1) Harleys are a dime a dozen on ebay, craigslist, etc. By that I don't mean they're actually cheap -- quite the opposite, you have maniacs out there who think that any bike with an H-D logo on it can be sold for it's weight in solid 24k gold. I mean that in total there are more Harley's available for private sale than pretty much anything else out there. Take your time, have a friend and/or mechanic check out any used bike you're interested in, and DON'T be afraid to pass up on any offer. There's another H-D offer right around the nearest corner. That was my point here.
2) Take the MSF Basic Rider course.
3) Take the MSF Basic Rider course.
and lastly 4) take the MSF Basic Rider course.
Or don't take the course. And just do this:
Up to you.
I rode it about 1500 miles over a summer to get used to it, and then went out and got a brand new bike. Passed the 883 to the Wifey, who also 'learned' on it for about a year before she moved on to a new bike. I sold the 883 on Craigslist to another enterprising young newbie at a fair price. Happy to have had it.
A few notes to help you in your quest:
1) Harleys are a dime a dozen on ebay, craigslist, etc. By that I don't mean they're actually cheap -- quite the opposite, you have maniacs out there who think that any bike with an H-D logo on it can be sold for it's weight in solid 24k gold. I mean that in total there are more Harley's available for private sale than pretty much anything else out there. Take your time, have a friend and/or mechanic check out any used bike you're interested in, and DON'T be afraid to pass up on any offer. There's another H-D offer right around the nearest corner. That was my point here.
2) Take the MSF Basic Rider course.
3) Take the MSF Basic Rider course.
and lastly 4) take the MSF Basic Rider course.
Or don't take the course. And just do this:
Up to you.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
Likes: 103
From:
Old lady learned on a Nighthawk and I bought her an 87 Rebel. The Rebel won't go over 65 mph so not the best choice. Great to learn on, not so much for traveling. I have never ridden a Nighthawk.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 463
From: On a Lake, not far from the Gulf
As others have said buy something that you wouldn't mind if it fell. I learned on a 86 Honda vt700. Sold it for what I bought it for after 3,000 miles. Then bought the RG. Oh yeah, and take the MSF Basic Rider course, but that may have been mentioned before also.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
As stated above:
Take an MSF course if you already haven't.
Purchase a bike that will let you enjoy the experience and learn; not intimidate you.
Lastly, DON'T multi-post on different sub-forums!!! This one was appropriate...Didn't need to post on Softail and Touring as well. (Said with a smile and a wink)
Welcome to the wonderful world of two wheels.
Take an MSF course if you already haven't.
Purchase a bike that will let you enjoy the experience and learn; not intimidate you.
Lastly, DON'T multi-post on different sub-forums!!! This one was appropriate...Didn't need to post on Softail and Touring as well. (Said with a smile and a wink)
Welcome to the wonderful world of two wheels.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
Get a new Road Glide. It's ugly enough that if you drop it a few times it won't matter. 
Or, better still, get a cheap used smaller metric and thrash it around for awhile and then move up to a Harley if you are still interested. When I was young and inexperienced and used to riding a 250cc bike, a Sportster was pretty intimidating the first couple of times I rode it. However, it did have an extended front end. But you don't want to be scared off because you dropped your Harley a couple of times in the beginning. Later on, it doesn't matter that much.
Or, better still, get a cheap used smaller metric and thrash it around for awhile and then move up to a Harley if you are still interested. When I was young and inexperienced and used to riding a 250cc bike, a Sportster was pretty intimidating the first couple of times I rode it. However, it did have an extended front end. But you don't want to be scared off because you dropped your Harley a couple of times in the beginning. Later on, it doesn't matter that much.