Heritage a good first bike?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: somewhere in the swamps of jersey
RE: Heritage a good first bike?
Thats why one shoild learn all these little things about biken on a smaller more manageable bike....NOT A HERITAGE. There is something to be said for "real world" experience. Doesnt fully come to you riding a scooter through cones. IMOP
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 12
From:
RE: Heritage a good first bike?
well i started on a 04 883 cust. but i had never rode anyting but the occaisional quad. and that was few and far between. i'm a city boy.
9 mos later i got a low rider. that was stollen a yr after that and now i have this 02 heritage. if i were u with all that dirt bike experience i would get what u really want b/c these thing are not cheap and u will get killed if u try to trade it in. and u also had the bike training classes? i wouldn't even bother with the heritage. it seems to me that u and ur wife are gonna be doing alot of long distanceriding. just get the ultra and ride it alot before u put her on the back. when u feel good enough for her to get on u'll know it.
the heritage is an awesome bike. it is even great for touring imo. iwouldn't trade itfor the world,but to have a radio and all the other stuff, it comes down to what do U want on the bike. i wanted to be able to go solo at a moments notice. i love the solo look on any bike. it would have been damn near impossible todo that with a full dress. thats why i didn't get a F/D.
well good luck in what u decide.
jay.
Marsh.
i couldn't dissagree with u more. there is no way that a sporty is harder to ride than a heritage. lower center of gravity... yes.but much heavier. and the ape hangers take some riding skill.
if we are just talking starter bikes than yes. the sporty would be the way to go. then step up to whatever from there. but i don't think u'll have a problem with a bigger bike right off the bat. it depends on how tall u are,but other than that, i'd say go for it. just be sure that u are ok with it.
don't buy anything from what we say. u have to make those dicisions on ur own,i'm sorry to say.
9 mos later i got a low rider. that was stollen a yr after that and now i have this 02 heritage. if i were u with all that dirt bike experience i would get what u really want b/c these thing are not cheap and u will get killed if u try to trade it in. and u also had the bike training classes? i wouldn't even bother with the heritage. it seems to me that u and ur wife are gonna be doing alot of long distanceriding. just get the ultra and ride it alot before u put her on the back. when u feel good enough for her to get on u'll know it.
the heritage is an awesome bike. it is even great for touring imo. iwouldn't trade itfor the world,but to have a radio and all the other stuff, it comes down to what do U want on the bike. i wanted to be able to go solo at a moments notice. i love the solo look on any bike. it would have been damn near impossible todo that with a full dress. thats why i didn't get a F/D.
well good luck in what u decide.
jay.
Marsh.
i couldn't dissagree with u more. there is no way that a sporty is harder to ride than a heritage. lower center of gravity... yes.but much heavier. and the ape hangers take some riding skill.
if we are just talking starter bikes than yes. the sporty would be the way to go. then step up to whatever from there. but i don't think u'll have a problem with a bigger bike right off the bat. it depends on how tall u are,but other than that, i'd say go for it. just be sure that u are ok with it.
don't buy anything from what we say. u have to make those dicisions on ur own,i'm sorry to say.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Heritage a good first bike?
Pulled in to get gas in Bandera, TX last Sept and did not lock the kick stand in and mine did try to come over and I'm not built like a bull. Adrenalin kicked in and my bike didn't hit the ground, but it did take everything I had!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 3
From: Parkton,MD.
RE: Heritage a good first bike?
I have been riding for over 40 yrs. I've had 6 Rice Burners, a couple Triumph's and 5 Harley's.I just sold my 2005 Ultra Classic with 39K miles on it and boughta 2008 Heritage Softail, this is my 3rd Heritage. My son and I ride6500 milesWest every year from Maryland plus a few 2K rides around home. My Ultra was a real comfort to ride on long trips but just too big and bulky for local riding. The Heritage's are reasonably comfortable on long trips and they really handle exceptionally well.They are great for local tooling around as well. They are missing a little storage space but with the many luggage racks and bags they too are great on the long hauls. I don't see how you can go wrong on buying a Heritage for your first bike, just take it easy until you get the feel of the bike and you could take a Riders Edge Course as someone has already suggested. Buy your Heritage.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
RE: Heritage a good first bike?
ORIGINAL: Hrd Rider
I have been riding for over 40 yrs. I've had 6 Rice Burners, a couple Triumph's and 5 Harley's.I just sold my 2005 Ultra Classic with 39K miles on it and boughta 2008 Heritage Softail, this is my 3rd Heritage. My son and I ride6500 milesWest every year from Maryland plus a few 2K rides around home. My Ultra was a real comfort to ride on long trips but just too big and bulky for local riding. The Heritage's are reasonably comfortable on long trips and they really handle exceptionally well.They are great for local tooling around as well. They are missing a little storage space but with the many luggage racks and bags they too are great on the long hauls. I don't see how you can go wrong on buying a Heritage for your first bike, just take it easy until you get the feel of the bike and you could take a Riders Edge Course as someone has already suggested. Buy your Heritage.
I have been riding for over 40 yrs. I've had 6 Rice Burners, a couple Triumph's and 5 Harley's.I just sold my 2005 Ultra Classic with 39K miles on it and boughta 2008 Heritage Softail, this is my 3rd Heritage. My son and I ride6500 milesWest every year from Maryland plus a few 2K rides around home. My Ultra was a real comfort to ride on long trips but just too big and bulky for local riding. The Heritage's are reasonably comfortable on long trips and they really handle exceptionally well.They are great for local tooling around as well. They are missing a little storage space but with the many luggage racks and bags they too are great on the long hauls. I don't see how you can go wrong on buying a Heritage for your first bike, just take it easy until you get the feel of the bike and you could take a Riders Edge Course as someone has already suggested. Buy your Heritage.
RE: Heritage a good first bike?
The Heritage was my first bike and still is.
I dont really know what bike he sat on for it to feel like his knees were in his chest unless it was modified for a short person.
I am over 6'0 tall and I ride comfortably on my Heritage.
To me the touring style bikes make my legs feel more uncomfortable.
For those that say the Heritage is not a good starter bike. You really don't know unless you started there.
The Heritage is great for around town and for long distance travel.
I dont really know what bike he sat on for it to feel like his knees were in his chest unless it was modified for a short person.
I am over 6'0 tall and I ride comfortably on my Heritage.
To me the touring style bikes make my legs feel more uncomfortable.
For those that say the Heritage is not a good starter bike. You really don't know unless you started there.
The Heritage is great for around town and for long distance travel.
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