Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Choosing the right bike - newbie

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2009 | 12:54 PM
  #1  
Terry S's Avatar
Terry S
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Default Choosing the right bike - newbie

Looking for some guidance on choosing the "right" bike for my size (6'2" 250+) and riding two up with my wife who is "not slight".

I've already purchased what I believe is the wrong bike (2009 Sportster Custom), beautiful bike bit feels REALLY light in the front end with me alone much less with my wife on the back. So I'm already looking to trade for something larger.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 01:08 PM
  #2  
aviator's Avatar
aviator
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
Default

the two of you should go to a dealer and sit on any bike that strikes your fancy. try to hit the demo days, or rent one. with that said, I never had a problem with a dealer pushing out a model I showed interest in and letting me take it for a ride. doesn't hurt to ask.

IMO: I'd think any of the tour bikes, Heritage or Fatboy would work.... I'm sure others will chime in with their choices.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 01:24 PM
  #3  
Cheesecake's Avatar
Cheesecake
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 3
From: Houston, Texas
Thumbs up

Newbie.... to motorcycling or to HD?

Lots of people tour on sporty's but as a 250+ guy myself I don't think I would want my wife on the back.... she is maybe 120.... (don't tell her I guessed that high)

I'm with aviator on the Heritage and Fatboy or you might even look at a Road King ...

go to a dealer... bring your wife and sit on one....

then rent one for a weekend!

BTW... fill out your profile... It will help lessen your Troll status...
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 01:28 PM
  #4  
Mordrapheus's Avatar
Mordrapheus
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 3
From: Long Island, NY
Default

Originally Posted by aviator
the two of you should go to a dealer and sit on any bike that strikes your fancy. try to hit the demo days, or rent one. with that said, I never had a problem with a dealer pushing out a model I showed interest in and letting me take it for a ride. doesn't hurt to ask.

IMO: I'd think any of the tour bikes, Heritage or Fatboy would work.... I'm sure others will chime in with their choices.
+1 to this...though sporties will work for you I think that you will find that the Road Kings and Heritage Classics will be more comfortable and just as easy to ride. If you are new to Motorcycling I would advise against Ultras as you first big bike. But if you are comfortable riding and have some experience def look at those too.

But basically test them out, go to demo days, or rent a HD for a day to test it
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 02:55 PM
  #5  
jed1069's Avatar
jed1069
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 873
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Default

I'm 5'10 and 210 with a fatboy. My wife rides with no problem. But if I were any bigger I think I would be looking at a road king.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 03:09 PM
  #6  
ibecruzn's Avatar
ibecruzn
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From:
Default

Heritage, Heritage, Heritage!! Right size, smooth ride, classic style. Opinions are like....well, you know, but try them on for size. I went in to buy a Road King, but the Heritage was a better feel for me. Demo days and/or rentals will tell you which way to go.
Ride on!!
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 03:17 PM
  #7  
GregH's Avatar
GregH
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
Default

I'm 6' 2" @ 230 and my GF weighs..... under 200 (just) . I have the softail in my sig and we ride just fine on that. She had an '08 Sportster and it wasn't right for us when riding 2 up for any distance. Now she has an '09 RKC and it is a dream with us riding 2 up. Very comfortable!
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 03:54 PM
  #8  
'05Train's Avatar
'05Train
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Default

I have heard that for large-framed people, nothing is more comfortable than a Road King.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 14, 2009 | 06:11 PM
  #9  
Chazmanian's Avatar
Chazmanian
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Default

I must be creepy as I wanna see a photo of the OP busting the scales at 6'-2" 250#'s with what he describes as his "Not Slight" wife on the back of that 09' Sporty.

Just cuz' I cant imagine it?

Heres my thought. (Not that its worth a Rats Fart)

Send Wifey to Riding school...Give Wifey said 09' Sporty.

Terry then heads down to Dealership and purchases the bike he feels most comfy on. Could be a fatty, Could be a Heritage, May be a Bones or even an Evil Train or Softail custom so he can stretch out and get comfortable.

The couple that rides together???

Who really knows what they but if I could get my narrow assed mean spirited Bike hating old lady on a sporty I think life would be pretty derned good.

Long rides in the mountains together. Me yelling at her for going too slow or too fast, Her yelling back...

Yeah. The couple that rides together!
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2009 | 07:22 PM
  #10  
BLKnCHRME09Deluxe's Avatar
BLKnCHRME09Deluxe
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 7
From: kansas city,mo
Default

sounds like a road king is in your future or street glide. If i were to choose between the 2 i would say street glide
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:37 PM.


Top

© 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands

Follow Us        



When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE