First Bike
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Stage IV
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
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From: los angeles
First Bike
Hi All. I am a new member of the website, and i am sure this topic has and is being discussed somewhere so i apologize in advance. I have never owned a bike, i am 21 years old. Looking to buy my first and while doing research i understand that the HD sportsters are the best for newbies. If so, what year and engine size shall i be looking at, and what are some of the things i shall consider on a particular bike while buying it to make sure it serves me well and i dont get punked. I thank you all in advance for tossing in your 10 cents. THanks!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 268
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From: West Liberty, Oh
Depends on whether u have ever ridden dirt bike or anything like that. I have, and for my first bike I ended up buying a Honda vtx 1800. After I learned to ride it, I knew I could ride anything. I now have a 07 streetbob. Love it!! Most people start off with a sportster and work way up, but if u have ridden before and can afford it, I say just get a bigger bike like a dyna or softail and ride
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 295
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From: Barre,VT
I was 32 when I started riding! For my first bike I purchased a 1200 nightster. I have tons of friends that were and are riders for a long time. I was very Leary because I had never rode anything ever....not even a dirt bike growing up. My buddies told me to get nothing less then a 1200 because they know the way I am with cars and said I'd want more power in a few months of riding. I went with their advice and picked up my nightster. I'm very happy I took their advice. Even though i did get the bigger motor Within a year I had my bike torn apart and hopped up lol. One thing you could do is buy an 883 then get a 1200 kit later down the road. One of the only drawbacks to that is that it's still only a 883 if you go to trade it in because the VIN number is still the same. All in all it's totally up to you. This is just my .02.
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Stage IV
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
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From: los angeles
i have never ridden a bike before. The 883 and the 1200, the difference is in the power? If i was to go with an 883 sportster, would that be something good to start with? what year should i be looking at? and thanks for the quick responses guys.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 168
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From: PA
If you're going to go with a Sportster, I'd just go with a 1200 unless you don't care for power all that much. An 883 will still outrun a decent amount of (stock) vehicles on the road, but personally I grew used to it quickly.
That being said, do you have any prior motor bike experience? My only experience was bicycles and quads, never ridden a dirt bike or anything of the sort before and I started out on an 883. My advice would be to take the MSF course and learn from there.
That being said, do you have any prior motor bike experience? My only experience was bicycles and quads, never ridden a dirt bike or anything of the sort before and I started out on an 883. My advice would be to take the MSF course and learn from there.
Last edited by Vitric; Sep 8, 2011 at 10:26 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 295
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From: Barre,VT
Stock 883 is around 55hp and 1200 is around 65ish for injected bikes. Not a huge difference but if you ever do any 2 up riding you would probably feel it. Harley rates all their bikes by torque ratings these days not hp but these are pretty close. Like I said I never rode either till 2 years ago and I went wit a 1200. I know I wasn't sorry. I would also go with a new or newer used bike that has a warranty so you can learn about how to repair your bike as you go along and not feel overwhelmed if it's a big repair you know nothing about. Buy a manual also! They could save you big money even if a repair isn't that big. Sometimes small repairs cost alot because labor costs are huge these days and always on the rise! Doing your own oil changes will save you money! Anyway it's just my opinion but I'd def go with a 1200.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Barre,VT
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Stage IV
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
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From: los angeles
very nice, 1200 sounds interesting. ANd i have never ridden any kind of a bike, none. haha. I am looking on craigslist right now. 
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 173
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From: NW Arkansas
Ok...you all need to read his posts. He said twice that he has never ridden. My reco is to get a small 250 used, take a safety course and learn to ride. Then trade up to a sportster 1200 or whatever you want. Learn to ride first on something smaller an less expensive.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 295
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From: Barre,VT
Yes HD1044 I understand he has never ridden! I was in the same boat 2 years back like I said. I learned to ride in a parking lot on my friends carbed 89 1200 sportster. I'm lucky I'm in the Vermont guard. I got to take an MSF course for free and it was great! I passed my test on a little 250cc bike that was supplied by the course. For civilians I believe this course is around $160 or so for the beginner MSF course. Once I got on my 1200 nighster it was a piece of cake! If you can ride a bicycle then you can ride a motorcycle! Don't over think things to much. Just get the basics down and learn from there. I wouldn't have changed the way I learned at all. Sometimes you need to just take the bull by the horns and do it!