Is it best to begin with a sportster
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 131
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From: PA
Is it best to begin with a sportster
Just completed the MSP and got class M license. Been shopping for a Harley for past month and there are so many options/models/years/features/engines/carb vs. EFI/etc. it gets frustrating!
Is it best to start out on a Sportster and work the way up from there? Maybe keep it for a year and trade up?
I'm 6'0, 220 and sat on Sportsters and I just don't seem to "fit" I feel cramped all around.
I've sat on a Road King, nice bikes but just felt like too much of a bike for my liking.
Is it best to start out on a Sportster and work the way up from there? Maybe keep it for a year and trade up?
I'm 6'0, 220 and sat on Sportsters and I just don't seem to "fit" I feel cramped all around.
I've sat on a Road King, nice bikes but just felt like too much of a bike for my liking.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 148
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From: Wisconsin
Sportster is a very good bike to learn on, Personally I own a 2000 sporty and I don't want anything different, On one hand the sportster is only around 500 lbs and mid controls are a good way to learn how to "lean" but if it dosn't fit right you wont be comfortable learning. I think a soft tail weighs in around 600 or so
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Georgia
It's the best way to spend the most money. I wanted to ride a Road King Classic, so that's what I bought. I spent lots of time in parking lots getting used to it. It all depends on the person.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: PA
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Canyon Country
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It is probably worth the $ to rent a sporty with forward controls to see if you like it...know plenty of guys your size that are comfortable on a sporty.
Do the same with a Dyna, Softail & Road King.
You will know which you like best after that.
Do the same with a Dyna, Softail & Road King.
You will know which you like best after that.
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To me the size of the bikes being too big is myth. Especially when it comes to women and bikes.
Lots of people that don't know much (but wanna sound like they do) say to start on a sporty cause they're small and light. Well, the stock size for Harley for years was 1200.. so I don't buy that.
These things are so well built and made anybody can ride any one of em. And I mean anybody. If you aren't strong enough to get it off the kickstand would be your only limiting factor. Even then, go buy the trike.
If it were up to me, I wouldn't waste money on a sporty unless thats the specific bike I wanted.
Lots of people that don't know much (but wanna sound like they do) say to start on a sporty cause they're small and light. Well, the stock size for Harley for years was 1200.. so I don't buy that.
These things are so well built and made anybody can ride any one of em. And I mean anybody. If you aren't strong enough to get it off the kickstand would be your only limiting factor. Even then, go buy the trike.
If it were up to me, I wouldn't waste money on a sporty unless thats the specific bike I wanted.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 7
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From: Hawaii
Aloha, I was in the same predicament as you. I just completed my MSP about two weeks ago. Most of my friends suggested that I start out with a smaller bike and work my way up to a larger bike. Instead, I did a lot of research and when the right deal came along, I went and bought a 07 Deluxe (about a month ago). Until then, I had NO experience riding. My way of thinking was buy once, cry once. Since then I've put on about 200 miles. I still have a lot to learn BUT glad that I didn't start smaller.
Last edited by BigIslandMark; Apr 16, 2012 at 03:12 AM.