Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

first bike/question for you girls

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2008 | 04:52 PM
  #1  
hotlips's Avatar
hotlips
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: pittsburgh pa
Default first bike/question for you girls

Hello,
I am going to be buying my first bike soon, my hubbys getting it for me for our 10th anniversary. I haven't ridden in 10 yrs, but miss it and want to start again. I have 4 little kids and won't be riding alot for a few more years, but will be riding around town and on short trips. I am wondering from you girls who have sportsters, which do you have 883 or 1200 and why do you like them? Do you think they are good for a first bike? I haven't ridden a street bike much, I rode dirt bikes since i was about 6 but not in a while and very little on street bikes. I am trying to decide what will be best for me...don't want to coulda/woulda/shoulda after I buy a bike. Any input is helpful. Thanks
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 05:11 PM
  #2  
Amzie's Avatar
Amzie
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma
Default RE: first bike/question for you girls

Welcome to forum and back to biking hotlips.

The first thing you are going to hear from most of us here is get yourself into a MSF class. Even the experienced riders still take it as a refresher. Plus you get a discount on your insurance when you give them the paperwork that you passed. That is car and motorcycle.
It will make you way more comfortable with your scooter, and it will teach you things you forgot you knew. Plus, if you don't have the M on your drivers license - it will get you out of taking the test with the highway patrol - you will only have to take the written.

All that being said, I have a 1200 that I dearly love. (the sig pic is an old one, lots of changes since then) I do not consider any Sporty to be a opening bike. I am sure you will find plenty of others who will disagree with this.
When I went to buy a motorcycle - I had in mind one from the Dyna line ... but to steal a line from our very own moderator Shuby - every time I walked by the sportster it sat up and wagged its tail at me.
I had to have it - and no other scooter was going to do!
I do not have trouble keeping up with the 'big twins', in fact I find myself cruising at high speeds when I am by myself - not trying to keep up with anyone. So don't let anyone tell you that you wont be able to stay with the pack - that is hooey!

To make YOUR choice, I would say - try them ... see which one fits your body, and which one sits up and wags it's tail at you .. and go from there. Don't rush to make your decision and you will happy with it.

Good luck, and again - welcome!
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 05:21 PM
  #3  
lilfroger's Avatar
lilfroger
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma WA
Default RE: first bike/question for you girls

I have an 883 and my husband has the 1200. I'm not for riding his bike much because of the way I sit on it. It's just a personal thing there.

I am a new rider and really just 'felt' better about taking home the 883. I knew that I could do the upgrade kits in the furture if I wanted more 'go'
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 05:41 PM
  #4  
StargazerXT12's Avatar
StargazerXT12
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
Default RE: first bike/question for you girls

I love my 883C. I've heard how they're top heavy, etc., but I've not had any problems with mine. Maybe I was just too dumb or excited to notice.

Anyway, I just learned to ride last year... bought the bike in April, took the MSF beginning course first weekend in June, and I've put 11,000+ miles on it since. I took the experienced riders course this last March after riding only 8 months. That course was on my own bike, and I had No problems.

 
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 05:42 PM
  #5  
StargazerXT12's Avatar
StargazerXT12
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in, WA
Default RE: first bike/question for you girls

ORIGINAL: lilfroger

I have an 883 and my husband has the 1200. I'm not for riding his bike much because of the way I sit on it. It's just a personal thing there.

I am a new rider and really just 'felt' better about taking home the 883. I knew that I could do the upgrade kits in the furture if I wanted more 'go'
Hey Froger... when are we gonna get together? I'd love to meet ya, maybe go for a ride?
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2008 | 01:05 PM
  #6  
Alyssa541's Avatar
Alyssa541
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Default RE: first bike/question for you girls

I have a 1200 Custom- I love it!! I'm 5'5"- it did sit up higher then my my brothers Street Bob & my husbands Dyna Low. I felt fine with the way it rode, but I did put the lowering bracket on the back - lowered it about an inch. I also swaped out the stock seat for a more comfortable Mustang. My sister-in-law has an 883 Low- it is fun to ride also, but I prefer the 12000C. HD has a seat called the "reach seat" that is slimmer & not so bulky. There are a lot of options out there to make whatever you purchase just right for you. My kids love riding on the back!! They've never been so excited for me to drop them off at school- one at a time of course!
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2008 | 01:24 PM
  #7  
Binny's Avatar
Binny
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
From: Cumming, GA
Default RE: first bike/question for you girls

Hi. Binnita here.
I would strongly suggest the 1200L for you. It makes sense to get the extra 'oomph'. And, the sportster is not topheavy at all, like alot of the guys say. They're silly boys.
Now, fellow girl riders,if you are topheavy like me [36 DD boys, and, "what's a bra?" }, it may it may cause a problem. So, to get a lower center of gravity, I decided on the 1200L

Let's all give our hubby's a big you know what this weekend.

Hope this helps your decision.Bye,
BINNITA
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2008 | 12:37 PM
  #8  
Amzie's Avatar
Amzie
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma
Default RE: first bike/question for you girls


ORIGINAL: Binny
Hi. Binnita here.
the guys say. They're silly boys.
Now, fellow girl riders, if you are topheavy like me [36 DD boys, and, "what's a bra?" }, it may it may cause a problem.
Let's all give our hubby's a big you know what this weekend.
BINNITA
Where is that rolled up newspaper?!! Bad dog, bad, bad dog!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 31, 2008 | 12:56 PM
  #9  
mrb302's Avatar
mrb302
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: Graham, NC
Default RE: first bike/question for you girls

ORIGINAL: Amzie


ORIGINAL: Binny
Hi. Binnita here.
the guys say. They're silly boys.
Now, fellow girl riders,if you are topheavy like me [36 DD boys, and, "what's a bra?" }, it may it may cause a problem.
Let's all give our hubby's a big you know what this weekend.
BINNITA
Where is that rolled up newspaper?!! Bad dog, bad, bad dog!
At least Binnita has a keyboard without a sticky period............................................ .........
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2008 | 01:03 PM
  #10  
Amzie's Avatar
Amzie
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma
Default RE: first bike/question for you girls


ORIGINAL: mrb302

ORIGINAL: Amzie


ORIGINAL: Binny
Hi. Binnita here.
the guys say. They're silly boys.
Now, fellow girl riders, if you are topheavy like me [36 DD boys, and, "what's a bra?" }, it may it may cause a problem.
Let's all give our hubby's a big you know what this weekend.
BINNITA
Where is that rolled up newspaper?!! Bad dog, bad, bad dog!
At least Binnita has a keyboard without a sticky period............................................ .........

Maybe he should let his feminine side do the typing from now on..................
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:30 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE