You will never get a concrete answer on this. I love my Deluxe and would tell everyone out there that they should own one. However, when my wife decided she wanted to learn, I got her a decent 1988 Sportster 1200.

There is only one way to resolve your concerns. Talk to the dealer and take all three for a test drive of about 10 to 15 minute each. It may annoy a dealer that you want to ride three bikes but if they want a sale, they will let you do it. Some will let you ride with just a permit, others require a license.

 

Take the rider's course if you don't have your endorsement yet.

Then test ride a handful of Harley's you like. And consider the type of riding you're going to do. For instance, I'm primarily a big city urban rider who does that daily. But I like to take hours long trips on occasion. So I have a bike that has enough power and comfort for me. But I have a bit of a stripped down, nimble bike to get me in and out of tight spots.

If I toured up and and down the state, I'd have a different bike, a tourer. That's not to say you can't do the city on a tourer, and you can't tour on a stripped down bike. You can. It's just right tool for the right job tends to work out well.

Also, a sporty is still a big bike relative to all motorcycles. It's just smaller for a Harley.

I'm not trying to be an **** here, and I only mention it because I slipped with my weight for a while. But if your 240 bills is not a healthy 240 bills, at 5'11'' and age 29, it might be a better idea to think about shrinking to fit a bike of your choice, as opposed to growing to fit ever bigger ones.

Just my comment from the peanut gallery on that. Again, I only bring it up because I'm 45 and have dropped nearly 30 soft pounds over the last several years, and have never ridden better and enjoyed riding more. None of the aches and pains and comfort issues I was getting when I was heavier.

 

First off, as everyone has said...take the course. Once you get your bike, practice, practice, practice.

Secondly, don't buy into the bullshit that if you're going to ride a certain way, you need this type of bike. Any Harley will suffice for bar-hopping, daily commutes or touring...it's just that some models do it better than others, or are more narrowly focused for a particular riding style. Buy what you want and what you can afford; then make it your own.

All the models you mentioned are excellent choices. You'll know which one is right, as it will pick you...if you get my drift. Kind of hard to explain, as mentioned, you'll know it when you sit on it. It appears that you're a good-sized lad, so I'd opt for a big-twin for sure and any of the models you mentioned will get you where you want to go. Good luck...

 

"I'm currently trying to choose between a 2000 Softail, 2001 Dyna Lowrider, and a 2001 Dyna Wide Glide."

Well, like the others said, take the training course and test drive a few models. IMO, there are easier models to handle than the three you mentioned, if by "Softail", you're talking about a Softail Custom (I'm guessing that because of the other two models you mentioned). The Dyna Low Rider is somewhat of a misnomer. Its low for the Dyna line, but not a low sitting bike. The Wide Glide sits even higher, and it has the longer front end, which a lot of people find a little more difficult to handle. Any of the Softails sit lower and have a lower center of gravity, but if you are thinking about the Softail Custom, it has the longer front end similar to the Wide Glide. Most of the other Softail models with a "regular" front end will be easier to handle, plus they have that low seat height. The lower the center of gravity, the easier it is to handle the bike at slower speeds. Most Softails have a seat height under 25", depending on the year of the Low Rider it will be in the 25"-26" seat height range, and the Wide Glide will be closer to 27" high. But like a lot of people mentioned, try them out and then decide what "fits" you. Good luck and ride safe!

 

I have taken a rider course...just not the Harley one, it certifies that when I go take the test I can go straight to a license as I've already met the DOT required riding hours. I'm going to try not to base my decision too much off looks as the aesthetics can always be changed to make it my own.

 

If looks isn't a major concern get the Low Rider or Wide Glide.

 

! just got my first bike last year and it was a tough decision. I did lots and lots of research and still had a hard time making up my mind! The one piece of advice I think helped the most was to just get what you like and learn on that. Dont worry about what's best for a beginner. The best bike is the one you'll ride, and ride allot! You have no prior riding experience so you won't really know what you're missing if you bought this bike or that bike but you will know if you're not 100% satisfied with your purchase!

I picked mine because I loved the way it looks, it had bags and a windshield on it already and it was good for 2 up riding. That's what got me interested, but the thing that sold me was when I sat on it and started it up. The rest is history!

 

Happened to find a 1979 Roadster XLS like my father's for $3500...sending it to the mechanic here in a week to make sure everything is sound and get some new paint on it...Thanks for the advice guys

 

Nice find & good on you for getting the mech check...hope the bike's solid and make sure you get in on the MSF rider course to hone your skills.

 

Can't go wrong with the rider course...all the bikes are good...yada yada... Everyone here is correct so I won't repeat what they said. If I may throw in my two cents... I'm not much older than you and have ridden all sorts of bikes. Vintage sport bikes, newer sport bikes, sportys even a shadow (which is a great bike I might add) my best advice is buy a CHEAP bike. Even after you take the course you won't be an expert. You will be a step ahead of some of us, eh em, that learned the hard way. Accidents happen to the best of us. I've dropped every bike I've ever owned, including the heritage I ride now. So my best personal advise is get a cheap crappy bike off craigslist and ride the hell out of it for a season. Then get that dream harley when you get a few miles under your belt. I watched a man drop a brand spanking new cvo street glide in a gas station parking lot five feet away from me. It broke my heart and it wasn't even my bike. That's just my opinion. If you're gung ho go get that harley. Be careful and enjoy the ride brother!