softail custom first bike
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5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
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RE: softail custom first bike
i dunno voyager i personally think id be ok with 883cc sportster. Ive never road a bike on the road so im not sure on the difference but i know \\;\\\\\\; i gotta keep a eye on everything because even off road people come at you from nowhere. \\;ive road dirt bikes for years everything from little 50ccs - 650 cc i mostly roade 85 and 125s but i have rode my uncles 650 a few times and \\;\\\\\\; 883 is 200 cc more then that tho its on a different style of bike so will be something to get used to. I think if i just take the safety courses and what not ill be ok lon as im careful and dont hit \\;\\\\\\; large highways the day after i get a license wich isnt hard because i live in a rural area. Only bikes ive seen smaller then the hareys 883 cc bikes are some kawasaki bikes that are 500 and 124 cc and \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\; that might be better but the people in \\;\\\\\\;my family that rides bikes learned on \\;\\\\\\; harleys and did fine.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
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RE: softail custom first bike
I love the FXSTC but as a first bike I believe it's to heavy, powerful and expensive to learn on. Ditto the sportster...much lighter and easy to ride. Glad to see you're not into the "crouch rockets"...my son wanted one and I said no way. It would have been his first bike and he loves speed...luckily the insurance at $400 per month ended our conversation. Welcome to the addiction...ride safe, whatever you get. 
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 494
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From: Paola, Kansas
RE: softail custom first bike
If anyone asked me what they should buy for there first bike, and wanted something that looked nice, I'd recommend a 750 shadow. \\; It's low, it's light, decent power for a new rider, they sound pretty good for a 750, and they're cheap.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 492
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RE: softail custom first bike
I completely agree...they are nice looking bikes and have great reviews. Additionally the 750 probably gets great gas milage. Everyone I've talk to that has one really likes it. \\;
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Living in open carry state :D
RE: softail custom first bike
Being that you are a novice driver I would not get anything that big. I would take the MSF or similar course and then get a very cheap bike to start out on. One that does not have a lot of plastic that needs to be replaced when dropped, i.e. sport bikes. I do know some people that started out on a bike the size you mentioned, but they already had been driving cars for awhile.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Living in open carry state :D
RE: softail custom first bike
My son also wants to get a crotch rocket. Sure hopes his senses get the better of him. Those are the worse things to get for a first bike. Real touchy on the throttle and you have to keep the RPMs up. No torque down low to get you started out. They are the main cause for all the safety regulations the Military has now. In the Marine Corps if a Marine wants to buy a bike he has to get counseled by the commander on some bases.