is nightster a good beginners bike
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Stage II
Joined: Sep 2008
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is nightster a good beginners bike
i will be taking the msf course in a week. i have found a used 07 nightster that i like. i am just trying to figure out if it is a good beginners bike and whether or not it will be big enough. i am 6'1'' it has forward controls and higher handle bars on it. i have read a lot of other posts about nightsters and a lot of them are about how people are cramped. my other option is a used 1200 custom but i dont know if that will be much bigger.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 119
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From: Bay Area, CA
You can probably do a search and find all of the answer and more...
But my two cents... I suppose the N would make an alright beginner bike. It has a lower center of gravity than other Sportsters out there, and it is pretty easy to handle.
I am not sure if you will be too big... do a search and see what other 6' + people have to say. With the forwards you will get a some extra room to strech out.
A used Custom (depending on the year) is going to be larger than the N. They sit higher, have a higher center of gravity, the tank is bigger, etc. I have both an 05 Custom and an 07 Nightster in the garage... and I can say from experience, the ride is different.
If you can, go test ride the bikes and pick the one you feel most comfortable on.
But my two cents... I suppose the N would make an alright beginner bike. It has a lower center of gravity than other Sportsters out there, and it is pretty easy to handle.
I am not sure if you will be too big... do a search and see what other 6' + people have to say. With the forwards you will get a some extra room to strech out.
A used Custom (depending on the year) is going to be larger than the N. They sit higher, have a higher center of gravity, the tank is bigger, etc. I have both an 05 Custom and an 07 Nightster in the garage... and I can say from experience, the ride is different.
If you can, go test ride the bikes and pick the one you feel most comfortable on.
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: N. Tonawanda, NY
This question was just asked yesterday, click on the link below:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sportster-models/277876-nightster-a-good-beginner-bike.html
It is my first bike, and I love it!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sportster-models/277876-nightster-a-good-beginner-bike.html
It is my first bike, and I love it!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 11
From: Grottoes Va.
All sportsters are the same size, regardless of displacement. The differences are in the seating and foot/hand controls, i.e. forward/mid foot controls, ape bars to drag. I've never seen a sportster as a "beginner" bike. If you have never rode a scooter before, I'd suggest a cheaper bike to get used to rideing in the streets before getting something that will cost piles of $$$$ to fix if it gets dumped because someone " didn't see you". Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
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From: Kentucky
i will be taking the msf course in a week. i have found a used 07 nightster that i like. i am just trying to figure out if it is a good beginners bike and whether or not it will be big enough. i am 6'1'' it has forward controls and higher handle bars on it. i have read a lot of other posts about nightsters and a lot of them are about how people are cramped. my other option is a used 1200 custom but i dont know if that will be much bigger.
Last edited by brenn; Sep 18, 2008 at 06:30 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 2
From: Mill City Mass.
Without knowing what type of riding you plan on doing its hard to judge if it would be a good bike for you. as for the size of the motor..... a 1200 is a fine beginners bike if you have any common sense, if your unsure of your skills maybe try a smaller motor like an 883 but even those pack quite the power. I'm 5'10" and I thought the nightster was a perfect fit yet one season later I felt too cramped since I started riding it for longer distances. You could always outfit it with goodies like a puffier seat which will raise you up and make the ride a little more comfortable but then you are compromising what the Nightster is all about. Honestly I'd try to find a good deal on a leftover or used streetbob (if money is an issue, and thats why you are looking at a sporty)
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Plant City, FL (Tampa area)
I hate to generalize, but... In general, I would NOT reccommend a Sportster for a first bike. Too big, too powerful, too top-heavy. Get something smaller and more forgiving, to make your learning mistakes on, THEN graduate to a bigger bike. Just MHO.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 4
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
I don't have a Nightster or a 1200, but an 883c. I don't think you will be too big. I'm 6'3'' and I feel ok on my custom. With the forwards it should be ok. As far as the N being a good beginners bike, IDK. Is there such a thing? If you can ride it like a beginner by going easy and not pushing yourself then you're fine. The only reason it would be too much power is if you cannot keep yourself from using it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 2
From: Mill City Mass.
I disagree,
Someone such as myself who has been riding quads and dirt bikes since I was 12 can easily handle a sportster as a first bike yet someone who wakes up one day and says "I think I'll learn how to ride one of them motor bikes today" probably should get a honda rebel. I personally hate when people ask if a bike is a good beginner bike because they provide no background to base a good opinion on. The only person who knows if the bike will be a good beginner bike is the person buying it and thats that.
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