Noob question pkease help
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Obviously buying and riding a Harley has nothing to do with losing weight and eating healthy. However, the fact you brought it up does show that it is something you have as a goal so that in itself is a good thing. It's on your mind and maybe you will make it a priority...bike or no bike.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 0
I've ridden bikes for over forty years. When I finally moved to Harley's I loved the style of several bikes. Knowledgeable Harley riding friends steered me to Heritage Classic Softail. I bought one and it was an excellent choice. Good value with included windshield and saddle bags. Don't know what I'd do without them.
You can easily modify the bike to long distance tourer, cruiser or sexy hot rod. Look at some of the photos in forum.
Only back surgery and subsequent injury forced trade of that bike for Triglide. Heritage was the best. Good luck.
You can easily modify the bike to long distance tourer, cruiser or sexy hot rod. Look at some of the photos in forum.
Only back surgery and subsequent injury forced trade of that bike for Triglide. Heritage was the best. Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Plenty of people of all ages love their sporties and nothing else. Sounds like you might be one of them. Yes, there are sensible arguments for getting a softail, dyna, touring bike....but there is no substitute for loving what you ride no matter how much sense other people's opinions make. What you want out of your motorcycling experience is completely subjective. Comfort is too. Post this question in the Sportser section and you'll get a lot of support for your taste for minimalism. You'll also see a lot of people who own big twins who can't resist "visiting" the sportster threads because, while they lust for one on some level, they hesitate over the "rational" arguments for sticking with a bigger bike and say things like "if I could have two bikes I'd have a sportster, but they are just not practical as an only bike." I lurk there myself from time to time. There is a lot of motorcycling joy expressed there..and great pictures of sporties. The 48 could be perfect or you.
I say follow your gut and go for it. If it turns out I be a mistake, you will correct it eventually. In the meantime, don't hedge your bets. Take advantage of the feeling that you want something you can have. Have it. Whatever follows will work itself out.
I say follow your gut and go for it. If it turns out I be a mistake, you will correct it eventually. In the meantime, don't hedge your bets. Take advantage of the feeling that you want something you can have. Have it. Whatever follows will work itself out.
Last edited by Thingfish; Oct 12, 2012 at 01:02 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 508
Likes: 2
From: Idaho Panhandle
So you don't know how to ride yet? Hmmm, yeah, a 48 or other Sporty might be a wise choice, although I of course would try to steer you towards a Dyna- bit more versatile. Road King is a great bike, but most newbie riders likely find 835 pounds of motorcycle a wee bit intimidating. Really, you should hold off on a new scoot and get a cheap used one for your first year of riding- get some skillz, and find out if you are actually gonna like it- daydreams and reality often don't jibe.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,820
Likes: 6,615
From: Northern California
Here's an idea to maybe think about-
First, get the bike you want. Park it for acouple of weeks.
Then get a cheap beater bike to ride around in parking lots or local roads that you might, uhm, drop occasionally. Ride it until you get comfortable on it- don't worry if it takes a couple of months until you feel confident enough to ride a brand-new big bike.
Then sell your beater bike (it doesn't really have to be a beater bike, but it'd be good if it was something that wouldn't break your heart if you dropped it). Some people actually sell their learner bike for more than they paid for it.
Then, you'll be left with a brand new bike to ride. It's probably alot more fun to ride if you don't have to stress about dropping it. Have you heard the saying, "There are two types of riders- those who HAVE fallen and those who WILL fall." ?
Everybody's different. Shop around for awhile. The more you absorb the clearer things get. Sometimes you can stumble across something that you instantly know is just right the minute you see it. Maybe go to a dealer with a rental department and try a couple and see if one calls your name....
First, get the bike you want. Park it for acouple of weeks.
Then get a cheap beater bike to ride around in parking lots or local roads that you might, uhm, drop occasionally. Ride it until you get comfortable on it- don't worry if it takes a couple of months until you feel confident enough to ride a brand-new big bike.
Then sell your beater bike (it doesn't really have to be a beater bike, but it'd be good if it was something that wouldn't break your heart if you dropped it). Some people actually sell their learner bike for more than they paid for it.
Then, you'll be left with a brand new bike to ride. It's probably alot more fun to ride if you don't have to stress about dropping it. Have you heard the saying, "There are two types of riders- those who HAVE fallen and those who WILL fall." ?
Everybody's different. Shop around for awhile. The more you absorb the clearer things get. Sometimes you can stumble across something that you instantly know is just right the minute you see it. Maybe go to a dealer with a rental department and try a couple and see if one calls your name....
Last edited by edilgdaor; Oct 12, 2012 at 02:29 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
I was happy to have an XL(sporty) for my first HDmoto, but it got old as I wanted to take it more places.
I currently have a FXDC(dyna) and she just might be my keeper. the heavier moto gets me more highway time.
have fun losing that weight, you could crush a Sportster.
I currently have a FXDC(dyna) and she just might be my keeper. the heavier moto gets me more highway time.
have fun losing that weight, you could crush a Sportster.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
With your size you could ride any bike that H-D makes but if you're like a lot of us no matter what bike you decide to buy, sooner or later you're going to want something bigger.
I'm with the "Softail" crowd (Heritage/Fatboy/Fatboy Lo/Deluxe) unless you have no plans to take long trips or to ride two-up very often.
Sporties are great little bikes for bar-hopping and short runs but most people just don't buy them for long runs.
Now I know there's going to be a few who will flame me for saying this and that's their opinion just as this is mine.
I ran into a guy at the dealer the other day who had brought his "new" Sportster in for service and he told me that he had put 155,000 miles on his last Sportster
Regardless of which bike you buy I would highly recommend that you have an engine guard bar, and saddlebag guards installed (if available) before you leave the dealer.
I'm with the "Softail" crowd (Heritage/Fatboy/Fatboy Lo/Deluxe) unless you have no plans to take long trips or to ride two-up very often.
Sporties are great little bikes for bar-hopping and short runs but most people just don't buy them for long runs.
Now I know there's going to be a few who will flame me for saying this and that's their opinion just as this is mine.
I ran into a guy at the dealer the other day who had brought his "new" Sportster in for service and he told me that he had put 155,000 miles on his last Sportster
Regardless of which bike you buy I would highly recommend that you have an engine guard bar, and saddlebag guards installed (if available) before you leave the dealer.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 508
Likes: 2
From: Idaho Panhandle
With your size you could ride any bike that H-D makes but if you're like a lot of us no matter what bike you decide to buy, sooner or later you're going to want something bigger.
I'm with the "Softail" crowd (Heritage/Fatboy/Fatboy Lo/Deluxe) unless you have no plans to take long trips or to ride two-up very often.
Sporties are great little bikes for bar-hopping and short runs but most people just don't buy them for long runs.
Now I know there's going to be a few who will flame me for saying this and that's their opinion just as this is mine.
I ran into a guy at the dealer the other day who had brought his "new" Sportster in for service and he told me that he had put 155,000 miles on his last Sportster
Regardless of which bike you buy I would highly recommend that you have an engine guard bar, and saddlebag guards installed (if available) before you leave the dealer.
I'm with the "Softail" crowd (Heritage/Fatboy/Fatboy Lo/Deluxe) unless you have no plans to take long trips or to ride two-up very often.
Sporties are great little bikes for bar-hopping and short runs but most people just don't buy them for long runs.
Now I know there's going to be a few who will flame me for saying this and that's their opinion just as this is mine.
I ran into a guy at the dealer the other day who had brought his "new" Sportster in for service and he told me that he had put 155,000 miles on his last Sportster
Regardless of which bike you buy I would highly recommend that you have an engine guard bar, and saddlebag guards installed (if available) before you leave the dealer.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 755
Likes: 32
From: Delaware
To look at it from a little different perspective, if this is going to be at least partially a wedding present, get the bike that you're going to be willing to keep forever, possibly even pass down. You and your wife are not going to be happy trading in your wedding gift. From that angle, I think the 48 is a great choice and then if you want something bigger down the road, its not terribly expensive to keep and buy a bigger bike.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Sportster is too damn small for you man. I know you like it's style, and that's important, but you will regret it if you get a Sportster for a few reasons. It's too small, and not comfortable for distance riding, or riding with a passenger. Sit on other bikes and see how they feel, then rent one you are considering buying (after your msf course and getting your license). If you aren't into the Road King I would recommend a Softail of the style that you like. Skip the Sportster and the Dyna at your size. My V-Rod is the most fun bike I've had, and it's comfortable for up to 400 miles in a day, but isn't great for passengers or carrying gear. Also, the V-Rod imho has a bit too much power for a new rider.