I was in your boat about a year ago. I knew I wanted a Harley so I thought I could just get a sporty for my first bike as they were the cheapest. Once I went to the delear and sat on all the different models, I quickly learned that the sporty was not for me. Too small of a bike and not very comfortable. Long trips means even less comfort. However, just as almost everyone else has pointed out, there is a Harley model for every person. For me it was the Dyna Fat Bob. My advice, is really think about what you are getting the bike for (long trips, around town, etc.) then go sit on the bikes and without cost in mind, sit on them and find what is most comfortable for you. Also keep in mind that the smaller bike you start out with means you will likely put more money into the bike in upgrades. Just some food for thought. Welcome to the forums and good luck with your decision. Either way, you already made the right decision in deciding to buy a HD.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I think I'm still leaning towards the Nightster (looks wise anyways). But as you all said, I need too sit on one. Will let you know how I fare!

 

Most guys I have talked to, riders and non riders all have told me to get something bigger than a sporty and ill never be happy with it. I really tried hard to like the dyna, looked at pictures,looked at the bikes, sat on the bikes but I just can't get into them. The only new bike I like is the iron. I can't get into the nightster either. They just don't speak to me like the iron. Only other bike I really like is the night train so I'm planning on getting the iron, upgrading it to a 1250 when I used to the bike, and later getting a night train and sharing the iron with the old lady.

 

Get what you like and what you can pay for. Any of those 3 are good choices.
I've had Dynas (like em) a Softy, Baggers and Sporties. I now have a 1200 Sporty and a Bagger but I would be just fine with just a Sporty. I'm 6' & 220#.

 

The only person that can decide what you like is you. Go ride them and see what you feel most comfortable on.

I have an 883 and a Dyna both and I prefer my Dyna but I'm still keeping my 883.

 

I like my sportster but it is also my first bike.. maybe if it was my second bike like this would be yours I would have gone bigger

But I can tell you the 1200 sportster engine is PLENTY powerful for the street and the lightness of it is very nice for maneuvering in parking lots

 

^^^good plan. the iron is an eye catcher and fun here in NH where most of my riding is under 65 mph. it's as stripped down as they come and gives you nothing but a ride. which to me is what motorcycles were meant to do.

 

I like the Iron as well.
You need a project, a fun and inspired one like.
I don't like the Dyna design as well.
Get a Iron, put 20,000 miles on it, upgrade the engine, customize here and there...
Hit the execute...
Trying to be rational with motorcycle decision is just a nonsense to me...or get a car.

And 883 is strong enough for highways...I did this a lot.

 

Hey guys,

Thought I'd revive my old thread instead of starting a new one. I was a sponge with your suggestions!

I lucked out and had a Harley Demo Day shortly after I posted. So I went and rode a 883 Super Low, a regular 1200, and a Dyna Street Bob (I wanted to ride a bigger bike than these also but weather/time shut us down).

Pretty glad I went. Not only did it reinforce my resolve for a new bike, but I could rule out the 883 engine. Not because of lack of power, but because it felt too much like my old Suzuki 750 (which might be because of lack of power ). Personally, I wasn't about to drop thousands of dollars on a bike that felt like a minimal upgrade on my starter bike. Don't get me wrong, it felt great (definitely strong enough for the highway), but I think if my 30 yr old Suzuki was in better shape they would be very comparable

I liked both the Street Bob and the 1200, both felt powerful, both felt comfortable. I didn't notice much difference on riding position for such a relatively short ride, and I didn't feel like there was much difference performance-wise in the city (included is city highway driving). With that being said, I have no idea what a sustained ride on the highway would feel like on those bikes. I did like the added extras on the Dyna (digital tach, fuel level gas cap, superfluous things).

I found myself in quite the predicament for a couple of weeks after the demo ride. I KNOW the Dyna will be a better bike overall considering it's size, better on the highway, my uncle insisting Sportsters are girls bikes etc etc etc. But when I was looking for a Dyna to buy I kept thinking to myself... "If I buy this, I will always look at a Nightster and wonder why I didn't buy it". The Nightster has my eye and my heart, and it hasn't let up thus far. Not only that, a Nightster is thousands of dollars less. I'm still in my 20's so that 4k-5k savings is a pretty big deal to me.


So, after-all was said and done, and all my bike hunting and comparing through the province of Alberta, I finally snagged myself a Nightster! I get it in a week, and I'm pretty frickin' excited! I see little chance of me being disappointing

 

Congrats on the new bike! I figure you will be happy with your choice since you made it for you, not what anyone else thought you should buy. I bought my first bike last year, 2007 Sportster 1200 Low. I've heard everything you mentioned and disagree with almost all of it. The only regret I have is I wish I had a sixth gear. Sportster like the high RMP's and all but sometimes on a long trip on the highway I wish I had one more gear. You should get some pictures up here as soon as you get the chance.