Most difficult to ride
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 737
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From:
RE: Most difficult to ride
ORIGINAL: XL OCD
Yup, and by ride do you mean in general, over long trips, in the corners, stop quickly... etc...
Yup, and by ride do you mean in general, over long trips, in the corners, stop quickly... etc...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 7
From: FL & SoCal
RE: Most difficult to ride
I don't know the answer to this but my guess would be the Sporty. I say this only because the tank sits a little higher and gives it a touch of top heaviness. Not that it's so overwhelming that it's impossible to ride but you can tell it's not quite as balanced as say a Softail Deluxe. And I'm speaking about the Sportster 1200C with the 21" front wheel. For a smaller person, I can see this bike being a little tough to handle. In my opinion, it's not the so called "girls" bike that it gets called now and again and it's probably not even the best starter bike. The thing is, its purposely designed this way for aggresive riding. Don't forget, it's the original 2 wheel Hot Rod. Look at all the sport bikes today. They all have a higher center of gravity so you can lean them into the turns. Hell, some sport bikes are so high my toes barely touch the ground. I hate that riding position being bent over like that. Feels like I am waiting for a dominitrix to whip my butt....lol. Yes ma'am, may I have another 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
RE: Most difficult to ride
I have a Dyna and I can tell you they're pathetically easy to ride.Not too easy to park though If you have to push it backwards with your legs it's kind of heavy an if your not paying attention the pegs will get you right in the shins.I only say this because it's the reason my wife won't ride it.I like my Dyna OK but I'm really thinking about selling it an getting a Sporty before they go to fuel injection I really like the 1200R aniversary edition.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Most difficult to ride
I currently have a 1200 C. Over 60+ years I've ridden every size bike there is from a 100cc Famous James to a 1500 Gold Wing.
I think the main thing is your size, strength and dexterity. If everything isn't working right you can get in trouble with any motorcycle. I'm 72 and find my Sportster is a dream because it is comparatively light and the seat is close to the ground which compensates for my failing strength and also my failing coordination.
My last bike was a R 1150 RT BMW which was a tippy toe bike and to me it was considerably more "awkward" to handle than my Sportster. Plus the fact I could never get accustomed to integrated braking even after four years of riding the BMW.
This might be a too broad of a statement but pretty much every bike has it's favorable and unfavorable characteristics.
I think the main thing is your size, strength and dexterity. If everything isn't working right you can get in trouble with any motorcycle. I'm 72 and find my Sportster is a dream because it is comparatively light and the seat is close to the ground which compensates for my failing strength and also my failing coordination.
My last bike was a R 1150 RT BMW which was a tippy toe bike and to me it was considerably more "awkward" to handle than my Sportster. Plus the fact I could never get accustomed to integrated braking even after four years of riding the BMW.
This might be a too broad of a statement but pretty much every bike has it's favorable and unfavorable characteristics.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 39
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From:
RE: Most difficult to ride
ORIGINAL: SPECIAL ED
I have a Dyna and I can tell you they're pathetically easy to ride.Not too easy to park though If you have to push it backwards with your legs it's kind of heavy an if your not paying attention the pegs will get you right in the shins.I only say this because it's the reason my wife won't ride it.I like my Dyna OK but I'm really thinking about selling it an getting a Sporty before they go to fuel injection I really like the 1200R aniversary edition.
I have a Dyna and I can tell you they're pathetically easy to ride.Not too easy to park though If you have to push it backwards with your legs it's kind of heavy an if your not paying attention the pegs will get you right in the shins.I only say this because it's the reason my wife won't ride it.I like my Dyna OK but I'm really thinking about selling it an getting a Sporty before they go to fuel injection I really like the 1200R aniversary edition.
It's about 100 lbs heavier than a Sportster. The Sportster is very close to the ride of a pre 06 Dyna but faster and much easier to move around.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 219
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From:
RE: Most difficult to ride
dynas are easy to ride, but wait till you have to ask it to do anything difficult, like an emergency stop for instance, the back wheel is liable to lock up easily and the front brake is a bit weak.