Suggestions for a new guy?
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
RE: Suggestions for a new guy?
ORIGINAL: Arctic Badger
Welcome to the forum, troublemaker.
5'11" won't be a problem with a sporty. I'm 5'11" and I think the sporty fits me great. I do wonder about the 280 though. If you were to put someone on the back you'd be pushing the load limit of the ride. Although I dontthink they are uncomfortable at all, Sportsters aren't known for their comfortable ride, and 280 lbs on it will make it rouher still. What they are known for is their manuverability, and 280 will reduce that a bit.
Can someone that weighs that much comment on this?
Welcome to the forum, troublemaker.
5'11" won't be a problem with a sporty. I'm 5'11" and I think the sporty fits me great. I do wonder about the 280 though. If you were to put someone on the back you'd be pushing the load limit of the ride. Although I dontthink they are uncomfortable at all, Sportsters aren't known for their comfortable ride, and 280 lbs on it will make it rouher still. What they are known for is their manuverability, and 280 will reduce that a bit.
Can someone that weighs that much comment on this?
My biggest concern for this young man is, IMHO, the Sporty is not a begginers bike, particularly the R. Its center of gravity is very high and its quick and unforgiving, and as you mentioned, Sporties in general are not known for confort. Plus he's talking 3 grand, so you know he's going to be working on it : ), but hey, that might be the plan, and thats fine.For that money, he could probably buy a Metric 750 or 800 in better shape, but thats just an assumtion. It would give him time to get his ballance and saftey habbits in order, then pursuehis dream of that Harley. Thats what I did, not just a Harley, I wanted a Sporty, and I'm very happy I did it that way. One things for sure, if he starts on the Sportster, he will be able to handle anything out there afterwards : )
-FD
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Suggestions for a new guy?
You would probably get a newer bike in better shape if you went metric to start out - 500-750cc. Also, when you take the safety course, they'll supply a bike, so you'll get time on a smaller one. If you're careful and mature, there's no reason why you shouldn't ride a larger bike once you've had the course. I learned on a Suzuki 500 Titan, myself. I'll bet an 883 CAN haul you around, and you can convert it to 1200 later if you want to.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Suggestions for a new guy?
Hey troublemaker! (that sounds funny)
Sportster are very powerful bikes and will carry you fine. There is alot you can do to make it "fit" you, and I agree with the other brothers that a 3k bike may take some "love and care" to get it into riding shape...but sometimes that makes you know the bike better, and sure makes you appreciate it more. NO 250CC BIKES!!!! That's a joke...especially if you weigh 280. I think you're on the right track, just listen to the people here in the Forums...most of the time...they won't steer you wrong! Good Luck~
Sportster are very powerful bikes and will carry you fine. There is alot you can do to make it "fit" you, and I agree with the other brothers that a 3k bike may take some "love and care" to get it into riding shape...but sometimes that makes you know the bike better, and sure makes you appreciate it more. NO 250CC BIKES!!!! That's a joke...especially if you weigh 280. I think you're on the right track, just listen to the people here in the Forums...most of the time...they won't steer you wrong! Good Luck~
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Suggestions for a new guy?
I'd say you are on the right track for sure. Stay away from a 250, it won't do anything for you except make you want more. Sportsters are a little top heavy, but as with any bike, just take it easy at first. After a while you will know the bike well and it will be nothing for you. Take the class, buy a bike, and enjoy!!!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
RE: Suggestions for a new guy?
For the kind of money you want to spend you could get a pretty decent mid size rice burner.Something like an SV650 Suzuki or Honda Nighthawk.With that kind of money your looking at a borderline basket case Sporty.With people just starting out I normally recomend especially for someone your size, a big dual purpose bike.They're light, tough, inexpensive and you can practice off the paved roads where crashing might not hurt as much.You also won't spend a bunch of money replacing bent,scratched or broken shiny stuff.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Suggestions for a new guy?
If you want a Harley get a Harley. The 883 has plenty of power, but you might have to adjust the shocks.
I had never ridden a motorcycle until I bought mine.(had been on many quads though) Some will say this is stupid but I havent laid it over yet and Ive got over 3500 miles on it. I dont know what kind of Sporty you could get for $3000 though might take some work but if your willing to do it, go for it.
I had never ridden a motorcycle until I bought mine.(had been on many quads though) Some will say this is stupid but I havent laid it over yet and Ive got over 3500 miles on it. I dont know what kind of Sporty you could get for $3000 though might take some work but if your willing to do it, go for it.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Suggestions for a new guy?
Go for the sporty if you can. I'm 18 also, never been on a motorcycle till i bought my roadster. No problems so far (1,500 miles). Take it slow. Ride around the neighborhood for several days till you feel comfortable.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,438
Likes: 6
From: Gulf Coast of Mississippi
RE: Suggestions for a new guy?
I got a Sportster when I was seventeen... and I didn't think it was a big deal to ride... of course, not everyone is the same...
Slow speed turns and stuff like that will be your biggest challenge...
Got a guy I ride with now and then that weights around 340 or so... he's always right there while riding... so I don't think you'll have a problem...
I've seen some Sportsters around here in that price range that looked awful good... no trails, no smoke... but you have to look around and not buy the first thing that comes along...
Charlie D.
Slow speed turns and stuff like that will be your biggest challenge...
Got a guy I ride with now and then that weights around 340 or so... he's always right there while riding... so I don't think you'll have a problem...
I've seen some Sportsters around here in that price range that looked awful good... no trails, no smoke... but you have to look around and not buy the first thing that comes along...
Charlie D.