Good for a beginner?
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Good for a beginner?
The days are getting closer and I'm getting ready to go to the dealership and get a Harley. It's been a life long dream of mine to get a motorcycle, ever since my dad brought home his 1979 Roadster XLS, and at the age of 29 I'm finally going to get one.
I'm currently trying to choose between a 2000 Softail, 2001 Dyna Lowrider, and a 2001 Dyna Wide Glide.
I'm about 5'11 240 lbs. So I should probably getting something bigger than a Sportster...So how what kinds of things could I expect from a Softail? Pro's and Con's...I'd love to hear it
I'm currently trying to choose between a 2000 Softail, 2001 Dyna Lowrider, and a 2001 Dyna Wide Glide.
I'm about 5'11 240 lbs. So I should probably getting something bigger than a Sportster...So how what kinds of things could I expect from a Softail? Pro's and Con's...I'd love to hear it
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 784
Likes: 10
From: SE Pennsylvania
The two Harley's I'd stay away from for a beginner are the Sportsters and the Touring models. The Softails and Dynas balance so much better, and are actually easier to learn on. The other thing I'd personally not recommend for a beginner is the Heritage because the windshield (you can remove it) is an added distraction. These are only my personal recommendations. The easy balancing Softails would include the Crossbones, FatBoy, Deluxe, and the Slim. The Dynas you mentioned are also good. At your height, I'd stay away from the LowRider, but you may want to look at the Dyna SuperGlide....with it's mid-controls, it's one of the best handling common sense Harley's out there.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
I disagree with that.. my first bike was a 1992 Sportster XLH Hugger 883 and it was awesome. However, like you, I was (at the time) ~230lbs. The Sportster just didn't feel right under me, so I bought a FatBoy Lo. World of difference. Lower center of gravity, more power, engine not rattling all over the place. But it was also a ~720lb bike now vs a 475lb bike. But you get used to your bike and it grows on you.. or you modify it to make it fit you.
Listen.. take the riders course offered in your area, and if all three bikes are at a dealer, take them all for a short ride..or two rides..however many. When your butt hits the right bike for you, you'll know.
Listen.. take the riders course offered in your area, and if all three bikes are at a dealer, take them all for a short ride..or two rides..however many. When your butt hits the right bike for you, you'll know.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
Take the Rider's Course. Get your licence. Hit the Demo Days at your local dealer. You'll know when ride the right one.
Personally I don't think you will be comfortable on the Sporty or the Low-Rider. A Wide Glide is a very nice bike but the forward controls take some getting used to.
If you are after a Softie. A Heritage would be my suggestion but the seat height might be a bit low.
Ah heck buy a Road King. Who am I kidding. LOL.
Personally I don't think you will be comfortable on the Sporty or the Low-Rider. A Wide Glide is a very nice bike but the forward controls take some getting used to.
If you are after a Softie. A Heritage would be my suggestion but the seat height might be a bit low.
Ah heck buy a Road King. Who am I kidding. LOL.
Last edited by RevBlk; Feb 14, 2014 at 06:35 AM. Reason: sp
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 17
From: Ontario Canada
Don't buy the bike until you have had a chance to ride them to compare. All of the bikes you are looking at are good choices. My first was a Heritage softail and its low centre of gravity made it easy to ride. There is so much chrome available for the softail models that you will be able to stay broke forever.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 2
From: Dayton, TX
I'm 5'11 and my first ride was a Sportster 1200 (Nightster). I don't regret it at all, it was quick, inexpensive for a first bike, easy to ride and a hell of a lot of fun. Plus I actually got more when I traded it in than I originally paid for it. The only reason I traded up to a Softail is my wife started riding with me and we wanted to take longer trips, so needed a larger gas tank and a more comfortable ride.
However, some of the guys above already said it best: Take the course, take the course, take the course! THEN go bike shopping and make sure to ride them before you buy.
However, some of the guys above already said it best: Take the course, take the course, take the course! THEN go bike shopping and make sure to ride them before you buy.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
This is the best advice. If for no other reason, you will be able to test ride the bikes once you get a license. Of the bikes you mentioned, the Softails have great balance, and are just a pleasure.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 3
From: Montclair, CA.
As already mentioned, take a riding course as it will get you in the saddle faster.
We started with the '06 XL1200C, as seen in our avatar, with LOTS of mods to the suspension to make it better on the butt and back, the performance was great had guys give me a hard time about riding a "Girls" bike until I smoked them on the street, than they would shut up.
I'm only 5'8" and our Heritage fits me just fine after I moved the bars back so I was not leaning forward all the time.
Get your license and take the bikes your looking at out for a ride and let your butt decide which one is for you.
We started with the '06 XL1200C, as seen in our avatar, with LOTS of mods to the suspension to make it better on the butt and back, the performance was great had guys give me a hard time about riding a "Girls" bike until I smoked them on the street, than they would shut up.
I'm only 5'8" and our Heritage fits me just fine after I moved the bars back so I was not leaning forward all the time.
Get your license and take the bikes your looking at out for a ride and let your butt decide which one is for you.
Last edited by Ramboamt; Feb 14, 2014 at 12:48 PM.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
Take a rider's course and get your licence first, if you don't already have it. Go to a dealership and test ride the ones you like and decide for yourself, which one fits you the best.