Noob question pkease help
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 497
Welcome to the forum. The 48 is a great little scoot. If it fits your needs (riding style) and is your dream bike, then I say go for it. BUT....next summer we'll be here to help you pick out your next bike too. 
Sorry for the sarcasm. Realistically and from experience I would suggest the following:
1. Take the course/get endorsement
2. Figure out what you'll be using the bike for most (commuting, bar-hopping, trips or touring w/wife, etc)
3. Use the dealer/salesperson for what they get paid to do...help you find the RIGHT bike. Ask questions, explain what you want to get out of your new bike, describe the style you prefer, let him/her know what is important and what isn't, and what the primary use will be.
4. Test ride or rent at least three of the bikes that meet your needs (make sure you ride two-up on the test rides if the wife ever plans to ride with you)
5. Go home and discuss your experiences with the missus. Make note of your likes/dislikes and what will need to be added or changed to each model you rode in order for it to be THE bike. And then sleep on it.
6. Get back w/your saleman and let him know what you've come up with and would like another test ride. Find out if they can set the bike up with the things you wanted added/changed (they will do this for you if they are a good dealer/salesmen) and take her for another spin.
7. If that's the bike for you, you will know. If not, back to the drawing board. But from experience, more than likely you will be riding home on your new scoot.
Sorry for the sarcasm. Realistically and from experience I would suggest the following:
1. Take the course/get endorsement
2. Figure out what you'll be using the bike for most (commuting, bar-hopping, trips or touring w/wife, etc)
3. Use the dealer/salesperson for what they get paid to do...help you find the RIGHT bike. Ask questions, explain what you want to get out of your new bike, describe the style you prefer, let him/her know what is important and what isn't, and what the primary use will be.
4. Test ride or rent at least three of the bikes that meet your needs (make sure you ride two-up on the test rides if the wife ever plans to ride with you)
5. Go home and discuss your experiences with the missus. Make note of your likes/dislikes and what will need to be added or changed to each model you rode in order for it to be THE bike. And then sleep on it.
6. Get back w/your saleman and let him know what you've come up with and would like another test ride. Find out if they can set the bike up with the things you wanted added/changed (they will do this for you if they are a good dealer/salesmen) and take her for another spin.
7. If that's the bike for you, you will know. If not, back to the drawing board. But from experience, more than likely you will be riding home on your new scoot.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,422
Likes: 2
From: Las Cruces, NM
The only thing I would add is as someone else mentioned.........by a beater bike to practice/learn on. Once you are comfortable with it follow the above steps and get what you really want and like!
I don't know how easy it would be to pass the MSF course on some beat up crappy 250cc and then go straight to a Harley dealer and rent a bike as I know I would have been terrified to ride a rental out of the dealer parking lot and into traffic.
I'd agree with many of the comments, buy something else first like a Honda Shadow that's cheap and not the end of the world if you drop it while you learn to ride and get experienced with traffic, turning, stopping, starting etc. That being said you could learn on a Harley and plenty of people do, but you'd sure need to know what kind of riding you're likely to do so that you don't pick the wrong first bike.
I'd agree with many of the comments, buy something else first like a Honda Shadow that's cheap and not the end of the world if you drop it while you learn to ride and get experienced with traffic, turning, stopping, starting etc. That being said you could learn on a Harley and plenty of people do, but you'd sure need to know what kind of riding you're likely to do so that you don't pick the wrong first bike.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 27
From: San Diego, CA
I love the way almost everyone on this forum always says if you get the Sportster, you'll grow out of it and want something bigger in a short time. I fell in love with the Sportster DECADES AGO! I bought one and never looked back. They also like to say that a Sportster is not good for long trips, again, bull. I have gone to the East coast a couple of times and up to Canada too on my Sportsters. I have tried other, bigger bikes but they just weren't the same as my Sportster so I never bought anything other than them. The one I have now is a 2007 1200 Sportster Custom because I like the forward controls best. Oh sure, I have updated the shocks and seat, installed a windshield as well as a few other things. So, just because others have felt that a Sportster is just a good starter bike and that you will be looking for something bigger in no time, isn't always true. If you look on the Sportster threads you'll even find there are a lot of Sportster riders out there that went the other way. And there are a lot that started with a Sportster then went big and got tired of them and went back to a Sportster. It's all dependent on you and not what others have felt. Go with your heart!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 15
From: River City Western Canada
well thankyou for your advice. i rode a 48 and an 883 yesterday and have decided on the 48. it suits what im looking for im not buying a harley To impress anyonenits always been a dream of mine and this fits me. Thankyou for the advice ill be posting picsthisweek of the bike i am pickingit uptomorrow and doungthe msf course this weekend . btw im down to 254 yay
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 500
Likes: 18
From: SW Burbs
well thankyou for your advice. i rode a 48 and an 883 yesterday and have decided on the 48. it suits what im looking for im not buying a harley To impress anyonenits always been a dream of mine and this fits me. Thankyou for the advice ill be posting picsthisweek of the bike i am pickingit uptomorrow and doungthe msf course this weekend . btw im down to 254 yay
Congrats, and be safe.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Ooops I guess I was late, looks like he took the 48... Good luck with that. I think you'll be upgrading in the future, I'd almost bet on it. 
Last edited by MADHOG; Oct 15, 2012 at 04:13 PM.