Am I too big for a Sportster?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Chuluota, Florida
6' 1" 230lbs and I ride a sportster 72. It is my very first motorcycle. I bought it the first week of May 2013.
For me it was one, if not the, most comfortable stock harley davidson. Just about every other bike I sat on made me feel like I needed to do mods before I even rode it, like a new seat, forward controls, perhaps new handlebars. The only exception was the Wide Glide, Fat Bob, and Breakout. They were comfortable to me as stock bikes, but they were out the range of what I wanted to spend on a first bike.
The 72 comes with forwards and mini apes off the showroom floor. The only immediate mod I felt was needed after my first week of owning were some slip ons. I had a set of Freedom slip ons added for about $325 installed. I feel they were immediately needed because this line of Harley doesn't come with a tach and I was having a tough time hearing the engine to know when to downshift (too many front row concerts). Being a new rider it felt obvious when I needed to upshift, but I found myself bogging it out on the downshifts. The added volume of the slip ons fixed that without pissing off the neighbors when I leave for work at 630am.
Lastly, I would say that someone with your build may want to consider getting yourself in to at least a 1200 if possible. If it's an budget thing, then an 883 is better than no bike, or a metric, but if you can squeeze out the cash I think you'd enjoy that little bit of extra umph that comes with the 1200...
Just my $0.02 (devalued at a rate of 2% a year)
ps/ I just went thru all this internal debate myself. I know how it is, so if you want to bounce anything off of me without being the newb on a public forum feel free to give me a shout..
For me it was one, if not the, most comfortable stock harley davidson. Just about every other bike I sat on made me feel like I needed to do mods before I even rode it, like a new seat, forward controls, perhaps new handlebars. The only exception was the Wide Glide, Fat Bob, and Breakout. They were comfortable to me as stock bikes, but they were out the range of what I wanted to spend on a first bike.
The 72 comes with forwards and mini apes off the showroom floor. The only immediate mod I felt was needed after my first week of owning were some slip ons. I had a set of Freedom slip ons added for about $325 installed. I feel they were immediately needed because this line of Harley doesn't come with a tach and I was having a tough time hearing the engine to know when to downshift (too many front row concerts). Being a new rider it felt obvious when I needed to upshift, but I found myself bogging it out on the downshifts. The added volume of the slip ons fixed that without pissing off the neighbors when I leave for work at 630am.
Lastly, I would say that someone with your build may want to consider getting yourself in to at least a 1200 if possible. If it's an budget thing, then an 883 is better than no bike, or a metric, but if you can squeeze out the cash I think you'd enjoy that little bit of extra umph that comes with the 1200...
Just my $0.02 (devalued at a rate of 2% a year)
ps/ I just went thru all this internal debate myself. I know how it is, so if you want to bounce anything off of me without being the newb on a public forum feel free to give me a shout..
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 43
From: In the foothills of southwestern NC - US of A
6'-220lbs here on a '09 Iron with factory forwards, stock seat and stock bars.
As mentioned earlier, the [factory] forwards aren't extremely forward but they're very comfortable for me with a 33" inseam, the stock seat with all it's non aesthetic looks and rumors of cement like qualities is actually comfortable to me even on longer rides [and I don't have a bubble-butt either], and the factory handlebars suite me just fine too. I've lucked out, weird.
But like anything else, some clothes fit differently on different people and one's idea of comfort can be vastly different from the next guys/gals, so with that in mind, as suggested prior, go perch yourself on all the Sporties...one's with mids, forwards, one's with different seats, and finally bars to get a feel and maybe come up with a winner out of the bunch [try not to embarass yourself too much by making motorcycle sounds as you lean and pretend to be cutting through the turns and gears on some non existant winding road, LOL].
When I was searching for a Harley I didnt have a ton of cash so my options were limited...and I figured my best bet was used. It took a while but I ran into a deal on my '09 that I just couldn't pass up, so without much fanfare I jumped on it. I could have easily gone newer AND bigger but I liked the flickability and nimbleness of the Sportster and frankly I didn't want to be holding another note for a more 'spensive bike, so $6,000 in cash later...
In the end though none of what any of us has to say really matters, it's all up to you. We've all seen larger gents on "smaller" bikes than Sportsters and what does it really matter to us? If they're comfortable that's that. Now go-go-GO and make thyself happy!!
=8^)
As mentioned earlier, the [factory] forwards aren't extremely forward but they're very comfortable for me with a 33" inseam, the stock seat with all it's non aesthetic looks and rumors of cement like qualities is actually comfortable to me even on longer rides [and I don't have a bubble-butt either], and the factory handlebars suite me just fine too. I've lucked out, weird.
But like anything else, some clothes fit differently on different people and one's idea of comfort can be vastly different from the next guys/gals, so with that in mind, as suggested prior, go perch yourself on all the Sporties...one's with mids, forwards, one's with different seats, and finally bars to get a feel and maybe come up with a winner out of the bunch [try not to embarass yourself too much by making motorcycle sounds as you lean and pretend to be cutting through the turns and gears on some non existant winding road, LOL].
When I was searching for a Harley I didnt have a ton of cash so my options were limited...and I figured my best bet was used. It took a while but I ran into a deal on my '09 that I just couldn't pass up, so without much fanfare I jumped on it. I could have easily gone newer AND bigger but I liked the flickability and nimbleness of the Sportster and frankly I didn't want to be holding another note for a more 'spensive bike, so $6,000 in cash later...
In the end though none of what any of us has to say really matters, it's all up to you. We've all seen larger gents on "smaller" bikes than Sportsters and what does it really matter to us? If they're comfortable that's that. Now go-go-GO and make thyself happy!!
=8^)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
Yes you'll fit, but get forward controls. Also, FWIW, don't buy a bike for "looks only"...go for something that fits your riding experience/style/comfort. As a newbie to 2-wheels, learning to ride will probably come with a few faults (hopefully not, but good possibility) so think about how nice that shiny bike looks after a few spills...:O I dumped my 1st street bike (1975 Suzuki 200/twin) on 1st turn (gravel) so didn't even get it home & already time for repairs. Just food for thought - enjoy!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
Any Harley can be made comfortable for a tall or short person by moving the pegs, handlebars and adding a better seat BUT not all sizes look good on all bikes, some shorter guys riding the bigger tour bikes appear to be even smaller than they are and some real big guys tend to look like (as previously stated) a circus bear on smaller bikes. It's kind of like Shaq O'Neil sitting in a small sports car convertible would look stupid but put him in a semi truck and he looks fine-
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Thanks guys...If I do get an 883, I will most likely get the 1200 conversion after my first year riding...I'm looking new/used any style...but I really like the 883 Iron a lot...so I'm a little biased, but then again if the right price falls into my lap I will probably go for it...I keep hearing you can make any bike to your liking.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
If you are buying a new 2013 Iron its almost the end up the year, if you can hold out I'm sure you could get a new 2013 in 2014 a little cheaper or you could get a new 2014 model. I'm 5'11, 172 and I have no problems started riding on my Iron and I love it. Lacks top end speed if you are looking for that just a heads up. Around town though 0-80 is more than fast enough for me to enjoy. I just ride with a buddy who has an R6 and 2005 Buell so the highway they tend to fly past me if they want.
Also really think about what you are looking to get out of the bike. Do you want to ride twisties or are you looking to just straight cruise solo or with your girl? Do you like the bobber/chopper/cafe etc... styles? Styling isn't terribly important off the bat but it would make sense to have some kind of thought about it because each ride slightly different.
Also really think about what you are looking to get out of the bike. Do you want to ride twisties or are you looking to just straight cruise solo or with your girl? Do you like the bobber/chopper/cafe etc... styles? Styling isn't terribly important off the bat but it would make sense to have some kind of thought about it because each ride slightly different.
