Buy what you want. Motorcycles are easier to ride than a bicycle.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking; you're a grown man and it's your money, buy what trips your trigger. I personally know lot's of people where their Hog was the first motorcycle and are doing just fine and have ridden safely for years.
The other thing I agree on is if you've never ridden, the MSF course is a must. Good luck and remember to come back and post pictures of your new hobby!

 

pain in the *** to sell later on

 

Don't dump 17k on a bike until you know your comfortable riding. Get your license and spend a few hundred renting. Some times you can convince them to apply rental to purchase. However, with no experience you can't even say for sure you like riding. I'd wait.

 

You can find a much better deal than that pretty quickly if you contact multiple dealers and negotiate. Or better yet, look at the thousands of bikes available around the country with minimal miles, lots of accessories and a hugely discounted price. Craigslist, cycle trader, eBay and random google searches can turn up wonders. I live in Detroit area and found two models of my dream bike, one in New York and another only a couple hours away in Michigan, which I bought. I previously bought a bike from someone in New Mexico and another in Indiana. Going to your closest dealer tends to be the easiest but most expensive option.

I learned to ride on a Heritage Softail at 17 years old. My first bike was a 95 sportster 1200, then a 2002 fatboy. Despite he weight/size difference, I found the fatboy easier to ride so the "too big" opinions I think are bs, it all comes down to your comfort levels. (Although I submit my tank shift '38 knucklehead bobber is universally difficult!)

 

If you are dead set on buying a Harley (and I don't blame you), then buy and learn on a Sporty. They are lighter and more agile and you can get a feel as to whether or not riding is for you. You can also ride 2 up on a Sporty (don't let anyone tell you different.... I did it for many years because it was the only Harley I could afford). It will also give you an idea as to whether your wife will want to ride. You can buy a nice/used Sporty in the $4000 - $5000 range and can resale it if its not for you.

I started on metrics (1981 Kawasaki KZ1000 then moved to a Honda Shadow cruiser) but once I went Harley (a Sporty), I could never go back to a metric. I also lost money selling the metrics but actually got my money back when I sold my Sporty.

 

A lot of good common sense in these threads on advising you. MSF, cheap metric and go from there. I would not want to drop a 17k bike esp. if you had to make repairs as this might discourage you from riding. IMO

 

I'm with the buy a used bike, about 500cc's, learn to ride, after a year sell the bike and move up crowd. That's what I did when I started riding again and I can tell you it's a lot easier plus if you drop the bike, it doesn't matter much.

 

My advice is don't do it! Riding a motorcycle is a disease that has no cure. You will never be able to quit and you will need to buy new bikes every year to keep up with the new technology. Run down and get the anti motorcycle pill quick before it is too late!

 

I bought a Shadow in a January winter in Buffalo dirt cheap for $3k and sold it 3 years later for $3500. I would guess Reading PA winters are as bad as mine. You could do the same. Check this out in the Reading Craiglist for $1500 that you could ride and sell in summer for easily for $2500. My buddy had this bike and I rode it too, it was awesome and easy as hell to learn on. Buy the cheap bike, learn, and move up a year later. You won't be sorry

http://reading.craigslist.org/mcy/3491738907.html

Damn I want that bike!!