Did I make the wrong choice?
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
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From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
ORIGINAL: SteveInCA
Hey Joan,
I just got back into riding after a two year absence. I come from a strictly sport bike background(cbr, aprilia). I really wanted a harley instead of another japanese or italian sport bike. So, i decided to go with the Nightster. This is my first Harley.
I can see where you're coming from in regards to questioning whether or not it's a good beginner bike. I don't consider myself a beginner, but i do consider myself new to the Harley physics, turning, leaning etc. I've had my nightster for about five days now. I've only put 20 miles on her. I really need to get on and ride her more so i can get comfortable.
My main issues with the bike...or should i say concerns...are the jumpy throttle response and the turning. I'm not sure how much i'm allowed to lean into the bike without dumping her. Only riding time will help me get rid of these concerns. BTW, where did you hear/read that the Sportster is not a good beginner bike? Good luck to you Joan, have fun and ride safe
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Hey Joan,
I just got back into riding after a two year absence. I come from a strictly sport bike background(cbr, aprilia). I really wanted a harley instead of another japanese or italian sport bike. So, i decided to go with the Nightster. This is my first Harley.
I can see where you're coming from in regards to questioning whether or not it's a good beginner bike. I don't consider myself a beginner, but i do consider myself new to the Harley physics, turning, leaning etc. I've had my nightster for about five days now. I've only put 20 miles on her. I really need to get on and ride her more so i can get comfortable.
My main issues with the bike...or should i say concerns...are the jumpy throttle response and the turning. I'm not sure how much i'm allowed to lean into the bike without dumping her. Only riding time will help me get rid of these concerns. BTW, where did you hear/read that the Sportster is not a good beginner bike? Good luck to you Joan, have fun and ride safe
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I've seen several posts especially in the general chat area about Sportsters not being good for beginners and that's what got me second guessing.
However, I think that the advice I've gotten here is the best advice for me. The folks here own and ride the same type of bike and I think are a better source for Sportster info.
I'm going to keep riding, and enjoying. After 2 months, I'm STILL smiling...
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
My first and only bike so far is an 883C. I absolutely love it. I think that if you are comfortable with it that is all that matters. As for your riding partner... don't cave to peer presure... ride to your ability. Not to someone elses. Be safe, and have a great time with it.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 59
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From:
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
everyone's gonna yell at me here but, i don't think the sporty is a good beginner bike at all.
i think it's too powerfull and too heavy for a brand new rider. acceleration on a small 250cc bike is intimidating enough for a first time rider.
i know when i first started riding (on a honda rebel) that even the doodle bug power of that bike was a little scary.
i don't think the sportster is top heavy, especially the low models.
i think it's a great bike, and after all that i have said here , i think it's really boils down to what sort of bike you get used to riding.
joan, you sound like you're kickin butt on your sporty and i'm sure you'll continue and be a great rider, i just can't say any harley (including the sporster) is the best choice for a beginner.
you've had that first mishap, you've taken the msf course, and you're learning about your bike.
i think you're gonna be allllllllllllllllright!
ride safe
james
i think it's too powerfull and too heavy for a brand new rider. acceleration on a small 250cc bike is intimidating enough for a first time rider.
i know when i first started riding (on a honda rebel) that even the doodle bug power of that bike was a little scary.
i don't think the sportster is top heavy, especially the low models.
i think it's a great bike, and after all that i have said here , i think it's really boils down to what sort of bike you get used to riding.
joan, you sound like you're kickin butt on your sporty and i'm sure you'll continue and be a great rider, i just can't say any harley (including the sporster) is the best choice for a beginner.
you've had that first mishap, you've taken the msf course, and you're learning about your bike.
i think you're gonna be allllllllllllllllright!
ride safe
james
Banned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 2
From: Appling GA
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
can you do full lock turns with out putting your feet down? Can you drive it real slow without duck walking your feet? Have you taken a MRC class? If you can do these things or are on the way to getting these things under your belt, you areon the right track....
I would hear your responses before I wouldopine you pickedtoo large of a bike? I think folks should learn on small bikes prolly since I learned like that. Im biased.
I would hear your responses before I wouldopine you pickedtoo large of a bike? I think folks should learn on small bikes prolly since I learned like that. Im biased.
ORIGINAL: StargazerXT12
Don't get me wrong here, I absolutely LOVE my 07 883C. However, as a new rider I'm getting a bit paranoid reading a lot of posts that say the Sportster is NOT a good bike for beginners. That its top heavy, etc.
So, did I make the wrong choice? I bought the Sportster because it was a bit lighter than the bigger bikes and didn't have as much in the way of CCs as say the Heritage. Now I'm wondering if I did the right thing?
I'm not having any problems handling the bike, and (Knock on wood) I've only had the one fall. I do practice, like Everyday on the thing on different types of road conditions.
So, what do you guys, who have more experience and are much smarter than I, think?
Don't get me wrong here, I absolutely LOVE my 07 883C. However, as a new rider I'm getting a bit paranoid reading a lot of posts that say the Sportster is NOT a good bike for beginners. That its top heavy, etc.
So, did I make the wrong choice? I bought the Sportster because it was a bit lighter than the bigger bikes and didn't have as much in the way of CCs as say the Heritage. Now I'm wondering if I did the right thing?
I'm not having any problems handling the bike, and (Knock on wood) I've only had the one fall. I do practice, like Everyday on the thing on different types of road conditions.
So, what do you guys, who have more experience and are much smarter than I, think?
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 59
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From:
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
ORIGINAL: x2lee
The only Harley thats top heavier than a Sportster is the Buell
The only Harley thats top heavier than a Sportster is the Buell
ORIGINAL: swervedriver
i don't think the sportster is top heavy, especially the low models.
i don't think the sportster is top heavy, especially the low models.
it's top heavy compared to other harleys but, it still really doesn't feel like it to me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
Hi there. Nice to see other women posting here! I am in my 3rd season riding. I took the MSF course, came home thinking I was going to get on the Triumph Bonneville America that my then boyfriend, now hubby had been riding and gave to me. I got it out of the driveway, did one turn at the end of our dead end street, dumped it and knew right away that bike was not for me. Now THAT was a heavy bike, or at least "top heavy". I didn't have fully flat feet on the ground either so that didn't help. I went out and traded it for a Suzuki Intruder 800 which I really loved and it fit me so much better.Sameengine size, but totally different feel. A month ago I traded it in for my first Harley, and 883 LOW. I drove it out of the dealers and all the way home was almost crying, thinking OH MY GOD I HATE THIS BIKE !!!! Three days later coming home from work, I came in the house and said "Honey, I'm in love!" And it keeps getting better. SO while I'm not a brand new rider, I still consider myself a "newbie". I had been wishing I could afford a bigger bike, but to be honest, I think this will do me just fine for a while.And hey, it's about 80 cc's bigger than what I had!! I still feel I'm learning. But this bike fits me so good, even better than the Intruder, which was more "chopper" styled. Maybe in a couple more years with a little more riding under my belt I might then be ready to upgrade to something bigger. But it will have to be something low, and not too wide. I'm only 5 foot 3-1/2 inches. Keep riding, keep practicing, and just enjoy your bike. If YOU feel comfortable on it, then don't worry about what others say. It sounds like your doing great! I love seeing more and more women riders!! YAHOO!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
Wrong choice? No way! I'm also arelative newbie, but have put on3,400 miles in 2 months time. I'm by NO means an expert, butevery day I feel like I'm becoming a better and better rider. The Sportster is the right size, has the right looks, the right power, and right EVERYTHING!
I haven't looked back since getting my Sportster, and only look forward to many more wonderful days of riding it.
Those who badmouth the Sportster, don't or haven't ridden one. And if they have, who cares what they think!
Just ride within your limits, and you will learn and improve. Ride safe!
I haven't looked back since getting my Sportster, and only look forward to many more wonderful days of riding it.
Those who badmouth the Sportster, don't or haven't ridden one. And if they have, who cares what they think!
Just ride within your limits, and you will learn and improve. Ride safe!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 3
From: Billings, MT
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
I'm with you. I love my Sporty. After 43 years of not riding, I'm back in the saddle. I'm not real tall (5'9") and my feet can sit flat on the ground. Given my age, I like being comfortable. Passed my Motorcycle Endorsement test on the first try and the tester commented on how quick and agile the bike was, especially for a "big" bike after I made it through the very tight slalom course at a good speed without touching a marker. Would hate to have to take that test on anything bigger. I ride a lot of winding roads (Montana) with some serious hills - the bike handles beautifully. Enjoy your ride and ignore the naysayers. A quick run up and down the Beartooth Pass will quiet a lot of them.