Advice on 1st Harley
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 635
Likes: 29
From: Bakersfield, CA
I was pretty much in the same boat as you a couple of years ago. I test drove some new bikes at the local dealership. That helped a lot. At that point, I didn't feel comfortable with the weight of a touring bike (rode an Electra Glide Classic). Sportsters and Dynas didn't feel like more than short-term bikes to me. The softail felt "just right"... so I bought a new Heritage. It goes across town, or across the country. Love it, and haven't looked back or really wanted anything else. That was my journey. Of course, you need to make the choice that is right for you. I'd courage you to go try some of the ones you like. Don't go with just what someone else says.
There is also a wise school of thought that says, "don't buy a new Harley... get a used metric and get your ya-ya's out for a year or so before you decide". I think that's great advise too.
There is also a wise school of thought that says, "don't buy a new Harley... get a used metric and get your ya-ya's out for a year or so before you decide". I think that's great advise too.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
Just ask for test rides at the dealer of bikes you think you would like. You will eventually find what you like. Also, there is nothing wrong with starting with a metric. You can always purchase a used Honda shadow very cheep and get road experience and be in a position to really know what you want. Resell the Honda and get the Harley you want if your mind is set on it. It's probably just as expensive as buying a Harley you think you might like but realize you prefer something else six months later. After trading in the harley for your dream model, you already are in the hole worse than with the Honda method. And the Shadow is a good bike to start off with for a few months,
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 165
Likes: 15
From: Kentucky
Looking for some advice for my 1st Harley bike. 6'5" 240lbs with limited riding experience. Took the riding course and got my endorsement so now just need a bike. Being tall with long legs and arms makes it hard for me to decide on what I want.
New or used? Touring or Roadster with forward controls?
All suggestions welcome!
New or used? Touring or Roadster with forward controls?
All suggestions welcome!
Man, I was told the same things that the majority of the others on here are saying. "get used" "get cheap". I went completely against that. I had ZERO riding experience. Literally..... NONE!!!! I found a bike that I fell in love with and just HAD to have it. A brand spanking new 2016 Softail Slim S in green. Man I had to have it. So I bought it. Without even a test ride. I did the paper work the day it was unveiled, my salesman asked if they could keep the bike for a week to display. I had no problem with that since I had to get my temp permit.... yup.... you read that correctly. I bought a bike that I could not even legally ride.... Took the test on a Thursday, took delivery of the bike Friday. I took a couple laps around the dealership. That was my familiarization period... Then my buddy says "Alright. Lets go" and we went. 6 months and 4500 miles later, I traded it in for a 2016 Street Glide because I learned what I wanted.
Moral of the story, buy cheap and buy used. Learn what kind of bike it is that you want in the long run. Trust me.... It is cheaper that way....
Hope this helped
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
Man, I was told the same things that the majority of the others on here are saying. "get used" "get cheap". I went completely against that. I had ZERO riding experience. Literally..... NONE!!!! I found a bike that I fell in love with and just HAD to have it. A brand spanking new 2016 Softail Slim S in green. Man I had to have it. So I bought it. Without even a test ride. I did the paper work the day it was unveiled, my salesman asked if they could keep the bike for a week to display. I had no problem with that since I had to get my temp permit.... yup.... you read that correctly. I bought a bike that I could not even legally ride.... Took the test on a Thursday, took delivery of the bike Friday. I took a couple laps around the dealership. That was my familiarization period... Then my buddy says "Alright. Lets go" and we went. 6 months and 4500 miles later, I traded it in for a 2016 Street Glide because I learned what I wanted.
Moral of the story, buy cheap and buy used. Learn what kind of bike it is that you want in the long run. Trust me.... It is cheaper that way....
Hope this helped
Moral of the story, buy cheap and buy used. Learn what kind of bike it is that you want in the long run. Trust me.... It is cheaper that way....
Hope this helped
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 481
Likes: 111
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
You will hear, buy a light metric to learn on.... there is a lot of validity to that statement. however, most folks are not going to listen to that and wind up on a Harley anyway, that's what I did, and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Don't buy a new Harley as your 1st bike, I cant say that you are going to drop it or you will ruin it or any other scary story, what I can say is that your 1st bike wont be the one you want. You may think it is, but after a year, your mind will change. I would recommend a used dyna with forward controls, there are thousands out there, ride that a while and figure out what you want out of a scooter.
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