Did I make the wrong choice?
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
Did I make the wrong choice?
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?
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?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
You have already been on your bike long enough to know whether it's right for you or not. From your previous posts you seem to be doing well and it will only get better. Don't believe the "top heavy" comments, they only screw with your mind and leave you second guessing yourself and your abilities. There are lots of posts here from people that ride their sporties on the twistiest of roads like, "The Dragon". The sportie is a very capable and versitable ride and as you master it and gain confidence you will learn that if you can ride a sportie, almost any other bike is childs play.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 2
From: Northern NJ
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
You'll be fine ..
Although technically top heavy, the low seat height keeps the bike from feeling heavy up top. My Triumph Thunderbird on the other hand . . now that was a top heavy bike [8D]
Although technically top heavy, the low seat height keeps the bike from feeling heavy up top. My Triumph Thunderbird on the other hand . . now that was a top heavy bike [8D]
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
no you didnt make the wrong choice. just take it easy and practice until your confident. the best advise I can give you is pay attention to what your doing forget about everybody else ride with no more than one or two other riders for a couple of years and dont get caught up in trying to keep up with the pack thing. if a situation doesnt feel right then pull off the road and think about it . dont let peer pressure force you into a potentially dangerous situation.
good luck and enjoy your sportster.
good luck and enjoy your sportster.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 8
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
Now that you've got it and you're riding it ... ENJOY IT! It's not that it's a WRONG choice...It's just thatthere are other choices, but since you have made this one ... you'll do just fine.Lots of people have started off on a sportster and abso-postively love it. Hang on and enjoy the ride! Remember ..... keep the shiney side up. Good luck!
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
ORIGINAL: BentZero
The people saying things are the ones riding your bike. Only you can say whether or not the bike is right for you. How did you fall?
The people saying things are the ones riding your bike. Only you can say whether or not the bike is right for you. How did you fall?
I had been riding around the neighborhood and felt I was ready to "Expand" a bit. While sitting at a 4 way stop on a Saturday morning, I saw people were getting impatient with how slow I was and that I was taking a long time to make a left turn. I let that get to me, gave the bike more gas than I should have and when it "jumped" I pulled back on the throttle of course giving it more gas.
I wound up in the ditch on the side of the road. Fortunately it was soft dirt and gravel, so no damage to my bike except for some pretty ugly scratches on my brand new windshield. I got a bruised knee and a sprained right wrist. I was LUCKY. And it was a reminder how fast my bike (or ANY bike for that matter) can eat me if I don't pay attention.
I've since taken the MSF course and learned a lot.But, I keep seeing all these comments about the sporty and was beginning to second guess my choice.
I LOVE this bike and I'm determined to be the best rider I can possibly be, so I won't be giving it up anytime soon.
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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: jwb47
no you didnt make the wrong choice. just take it easy and practice until your confident. the best advise I can give you is pay attention to what your doing forget about everybody else ride with no more than one or two other riders for a couple of years and dont get caught up in trying to keep up with the pack thing. if a situation doesnt feel right then pull off the road and think about it . dont let peer pressure force you into a potentially dangerous situation.
good luck and enjoy your sportster.
no you didnt make the wrong choice. just take it easy and practice until your confident. the best advise I can give you is pay attention to what your doing forget about everybody else ride with no more than one or two other riders for a couple of years and dont get caught up in trying to keep up with the pack thing. if a situation doesnt feel right then pull off the road and think about it . dont let peer pressure force you into a potentially dangerous situation.
good luck and enjoy your sportster.
Thanks for the encouragement. I DO love my Sporty and I'm having sooo much fun with it.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
ORIGINAL: cHarley
You have already been on your bike long enough to know whether it's right for you or not. From your previous posts you seem to be doing well and it will only get better. Don't believe the "top heavy" comments, they only screw with your mind and leave you second guessing yourself and your abilities. There are lots of posts here from people that ride their sporties on the twistiest of roads like, "The Dragon". The sportie is a very capable and versitable ride and as you master it and gain confidence you will learn that if you can ride a sportie, almost any other bike is childs play.
You have already been on your bike long enough to know whether it's right for you or not. From your previous posts you seem to be doing well and it will only get better. Don't believe the "top heavy" comments, they only screw with your mind and leave you second guessing yourself and your abilities. There are lots of posts here from people that ride their sporties on the twistiest of roads like, "The Dragon". The sportie is a very capable and versitable ride and as you master it and gain confidence you will learn that if you can ride a sportie, almost any other bike is childs play.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 954
Likes: 56
From: Ypsilanti, MI
RE: Did I make the wrong choice?
Hang in there. Ride within your limits and to heck with everyone else. The more miles you and your bike rack up together, the more comfortable you will be. Heck, if I still lived in Seattle I would ride with you.