Opinons on beginner bike
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 339
From: Northeastern Indiana
I think you're right on with a metric as a starter ... you can pick up a Honda Rebel, she can drop it few times while learning to ride, then sell it for around the same price when she is finished. There are always people looing for beginner bikes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,967
Likes: 7,069
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Get her some training first, BEFORE you even THINK about a specific motorcycle. Chances are, her instructors may recommend a smaller/lighter easy to learn to ride, motorcycle. Listen to them.
Nope, not even close. Now, a Street 500, THAT would be a much wiser choice.
Would a Sportster 1200 be a good bike for someone to learn on?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 691
From: Columbus Ohio
Good to hear 
A nice shadow 600 would be a great bike. I have some friends who ride the Shadow 750s and love them. Lots to choose from.
A nice shadow 600 would be a great bike. I have some friends who ride the Shadow 750s and love them. Lots to choose from.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 195
Likes: 42
From: SoCal
I'm a dude so, fortunately nobody's wife.
The first week a January will be a full year of owning my first bike. And I love it. I was the only one deciding what I wanted and here is the outcome at a year."I still ride every single day and when I'm not riding, I spend a lot of time just staring at her smiling!"
I test rode a Road King and a Heritage in the late summer, thinking that trading up in size would be my next move. "NOT!!!" I want to eventually be able to take 1000+ trips with ease maybe even two up but, from the test ride experience I know I wouldn't be interested in riding a bigger bike like I ride my Sportster. Also along with the size, the only other reason I picked my bike is, "it's so dang hot!" I mean "straight up sexy!" People even walk up and remind me of this every time I fill up that 2.1 gallon tank that I'll be changing someday.(LOL) Now I plan to just get a second bike after I'm done paying on Sportie.
The funny back story is; Setting on it on the showroom floor was very uncomfortable because I have a good size belly and the low slung bars with forward controls. I went out multiple times to test ride but each time it would start raining. I liked the mini-apes on the Street Bob so, giving up on a test ride, I told the salesman, "just throw some of those bars on it, I'll be alright!"
I couldn't have been righter!
Just help her have her experience, don't have it for her. There could be something she hates about any bike just picked for her.
Last edited by Trudger1272; Dec 23, 2017 at 11:31 PM. Reason: added content
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 276
Likes: 147
From: Alabama
https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/...-S40-122783032
I'm a big fan of the Suzuki 650 thumper as a beginner bike.
They're narrow, light, low seat height, and very easy to ride.
Also, they actually look pretty good.
I'm a big fan of the Suzuki 650 thumper as a beginner bike.
They're narrow, light, low seat height, and very easy to ride.
Also, they actually look pretty good.
Last edited by Timbo64; Dec 24, 2017 at 09:34 AM.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 900
From: Omaha
Thanks all for the input.
I was only looking for opinions on whether or not a 1200 Sportster was good bike for a female beginner but as it usually occurs even on the Softail forum I got more information than I was needing.
That being said too much information is always preferred over not enough.
As I somewhat expected, a 1200 Sportster might be more than she can handle while trying to learn.
I think I'll just get her a nice 2007 and up Nighthawk 650/750.
If she takes to the Nighthawk she'll easily be able to keep up with me on my Heritage.
If she doesn't take to it, as long as she doesn't dump it I should be able to recoup most of my investment.
I was only looking for opinions on whether or not a 1200 Sportster was good bike for a female beginner but as it usually occurs even on the Softail forum I got more information than I was needing.
That being said too much information is always preferred over not enough.
As I somewhat expected, a 1200 Sportster might be more than she can handle while trying to learn.
I think I'll just get her a nice 2007 and up Nighthawk 650/750.
If she takes to the Nighthawk she'll easily be able to keep up with me on my Heritage.
If she doesn't take to it, as long as she doesn't dump it I should be able to recoup most of my investment.
Last edited by Bluraven; Dec 25, 2017 at 10:20 AM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 897
Likes: 1,823
From: Wellsboro, PA
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Deep South Texas
Are you planning on riding with your wife? You have a heritage, do you really think a shadow or 883 can comfortably cruise the same as a heritage? Would you be willing to ride a 883 at highway speeds for very long?
if you are planning to stick to the city or town roads, the lower priced options would work. If not, you are setting both your wife and yourself up for some additional stress. i looked at all the options when my wife started to ride, we just bit the bullet and bought a heritage. Yes she dropped it a few times, it happens. You would be very surprised what a beating those bikes can take with out actually damaging anything other than the engine guard.
I have seen families take the cheaper route and end up having to upgrade in a few months taking a big loss on the original purchase. Just some things to consider when you are ready to make the purchase.
if you are planning to stick to the city or town roads, the lower priced options would work. If not, you are setting both your wife and yourself up for some additional stress. i looked at all the options when my wife started to ride, we just bit the bullet and bought a heritage. Yes she dropped it a few times, it happens. You would be very surprised what a beating those bikes can take with out actually damaging anything other than the engine guard.
I have seen families take the cheaper route and end up having to upgrade in a few months taking a big loss on the original purchase. Just some things to consider when you are ready to make the purchase.