From what I have seen here, it seems to be people who don't ride Sportsters telling people not to get one. My girlfriend started out on a 06 1200L and absolutely loves it.
(So do I, he he he). She has tipped it twice and both were learning experiences for her. Once when she killed it starting out, and once when she came to a stop with the wheel turned on all front brake. No damage, but she learned from both. She has done awsome on it. As for your riding partner, I would never think of leaving a beginner behind and trying to catch up. Ride your ride and have fun.

 

I find it pretty AWSOME. I can ask silly questions and no one has a problem... and the people here are VERY supportive. I'm really glad I found this place! As a new rider, it makes a world of difference to have a place you can go and get good advice and lots of support.

 

Joan,

I can't add much to what has been said here. You're doing great! Stay positive and keep up the good work!

I will emphasize that you should never, never, never, ride beyond your comfort zone. If it takes you a little longer to reach that comfort zone, so be it. Whether it is speed, freeway, or other locations/situations take them at your own pace. You will get there.

Now go out and continue having fun.

 

Not yet, but I'm working on it.

Also working on it.

Yes. and passed with flying colors!

I'm practicing every day and working on the above things.

 

Joan,

I started riding this year as well, and frankly have had about the same experiences as you.

At first I was a bit intimidated by the size of the bike. I'm a 20 year old guy weighing in at 154 lbs at 5'7".... I'm small, but wanted a Harley, and this fit me like a glove, so I bought the same bike. Only mine's Fire Red Pearl / Black Pearl.

I had a nice little spill before I took the MSF course. Ironically, almost exactly what you did to yours, except I hit a curb instead of a ditch and landed it in my neighbor's lawn. Scared me off for a bit until I took the MSF course.

Since then, I've had my licence 35 days. I've ridden the bike 850 miles since then. I can't and won't stop except for pouring rain. I've logged highway, city, twisty country roads, milled roads, steel grates and feel more and more confident every day.

I'm loving the forward controls, despite them being the biggest regret about a new bike. It took a little bit to adjust to, but now I can't imagine anything else.

You're happy, therefore you've made a good choice. You may have been able to make a BETTER choice per se, but you love your bike, don't EVER doubt it.

Tim

 

You just keep it up. You have a real nice bike, keep it shiny side up and be safe. Dont let your riding buds push your limits, thats how you get hurt. And the guy thats always leaving you behind? He needs some lessons in road manners. Tell him thats rude... If he rides with you tell him to ride WITH you.

 

i don't think any of us are smarter first of all. anyway, i started out on the 1200 custom. it is not the easiest bike to learn on but it comes real quick.the narrow fronttire bothered me a little until i learned to not look at the holes andjoints in the road. once you know the bike i bet you will like it for the exact reasons some folks don't. it gets around alot easier than the baggers, and you can fix one up on the cheap. just enjoy and stay safe. there alot of good folks here to help with any particular problems.

 

Stargazer,
Do not feel too bad about that touchy throttle. I have close to 20 thousand miles in the last two years. (Not a lot for some but a lot more than others) I for the last 8 months and 8000 miles have been riding an Electra Glide Standard. When I bought my wife her Sportster and rode it home I was turning a corner through an intersection where there was some rough pavement and I learned really quickly how touchy that right grip is. I did not have any problem but I am sure gonna work with the wife when she starts riding on her own about the throttle control. I must say comapred to my bagger the Sportster is a quick little machine. I love tha bagger and the Sportster is a fine bike but it has proven to me that I in no way will ever have a need for a crotch rocket. If a 75hp Sportster is that touchy imagine a 140hp 750cc sportbike. By the way is there any way to put more tension in the throttle cable that anyone knows about.??

 

Stargazer;

I've been thinking about this a lot, too. After 20 years away from riding, I decided I needed to start up again, so I ordered a 1200C, and I'm going to pick it up just before the 4th of July, right after I finish the MFC Course. I've decided I'm not even going to try to ride until I finish the course successfully. This is especially true when getting the bike home from the dealer requires a short, but unavoidable, stretch on the interstate.

So, I am also appreciating all the input from experienced riders on this forum. It's giving me some things to look for and keep in mind as I adjust to the bike.

 

x2 on don't ride out of your comfort zone to keep up with the pack. I rode for about 3 years back in high school (1993-1995), and haven't ridden since. Last monday I broke down and went over to Destination Harley in Fife and bought me the last Nightster they had, the shiny black one. Bought it out from under some dude (if you're in here, sorry, lol). Anyways, almost all my friends from work that ride have sport bikes. I've only ridden with one so far, but I told all of them that if they start booking off, don't wait up too long, cause I'll probably just go off tooling around by myself. They don't really understand that while 70mph feels like 35mph on a GSX-R1000, it feels like sky diving on a smaller framed Harley with no windshield, lol. The one dude I did ride with was pretty cool and respected my not wanting to go ***** to the wall. Just make sure its known that you don't enjoy riding fast, or that you don't like speeding, and don't want a ticket.

As for a Sportster being a beginner bike or not, well, I'm sure there are easier bikes to ride (250cc Rebel, or Ninja). Back in high school I learned on a 450cc Suzuki cruiser, then upgraded to a 750cc Kaw cruiser. I was a little nervous buying my Nightster, being 1200cc and a bit heavier, especially since I wasn't able to get into the DMV for a permit until AFTER I bought the bike (big money financing with no test ride. That sucks, lol). At first I was shaky, but after about 100 miles it started clicking. I must say, this bike is probably easier to ride than my old 750 Kawasaki. It's agile, the suspension is well sorted, the only thing that occasionally catches me off guard is that touchy throttle (I thought it was just me until I read this thread). As for being top heavy, well, you can only say that compared to other Harleys, which aren't exactly a representative sample of all bikes. Both of my other two bikes in high school were much more top heavy than my Nightster (granted, the Nightster IS lower than other Sportys). As long as the bike doesn't scare the crap out of you, and you're seeing continual improvement, there's nothing wrong with it as a starter bike. It would only be a problem if it intimidated you to the point where you were too distracted to improve. It sounds like you're catching on fine!

Oh yeah, did you get your Sporty from Destination? I'm extremely impressed with that stealership. That was the most fun I've ever had buying a vehicle. Let me restate that: That was the ONLY fun I've ever had buying a vehicle. Very professional, didn't try to tack on a bunch of crap (of course they offered, but after the first polite "no," I never heard about it again). Every time I've ever bought a car, the sales dude wasn't a car guy, but a sales guy trying to get me for everything I'm worth. My sales dude at Destination (Mike Z.) was a true bike enthusiast. We talked bikes, and it really made the purchase smooth. He even spotted me on the road the other day and remembered my name.