First Bike purchasing questions, Help please!
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 19
From: earth
Buy a used 883
Ride it
Wrench it
Enjoy it
Either decide to keep it after a while and love it or sell it for close to what you paid for it and get the next bike you will love.
Give it a girls name and if anyone tells you it's a girls bike tell them yes she is.
Ride it
Wrench it
Enjoy it
Either decide to keep it after a while and love it or sell it for close to what you paid for it and get the next bike you will love.
Give it a girls name and if anyone tells you it's a girls bike tell them yes she is.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
An 883 is plenty small enough to be a safe pick for a first bike. Don't go smaller than that....you will regret it. An 883 will be easy to ride and easy to learn on.
My first bike was a V-star 650, and I knew within a week that I had made a mistake and should have bought a bigger bike from the beginning. Just go with the bigger bike....you will adjust quickly and be glad you did it.
My first bike was a V-star 650, and I knew within a week that I had made a mistake and should have bought a bigger bike from the beginning. Just go with the bigger bike....you will adjust quickly and be glad you did it.
Harley just came out with a 500 model. If you want that size you should check it out; it is pretty cool.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 193
From: South
I bought my first ever bike a couple months ago, a 2011 48.
I think if you are careful and patient you can buy whatever bike you like and start learning on it w/o starting off on a small bike.
I quickly became comfortable riding the bike, within a week or so. Watch some youtube videos. Practice start, up to 20 mph, stop. Do it several times.
before I purchase my bike I read Chuck Hawk's excellent recommendations. He said buying a 1200cc is equal to buying a coffin. This was in my mind when I was riding mine all the time, so i was very very careful.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/good_first_motorcycles.htm
I think if you are careful and patient you can buy whatever bike you like and start learning on it w/o starting off on a small bike.
I quickly became comfortable riding the bike, within a week or so. Watch some youtube videos. Practice start, up to 20 mph, stop. Do it several times.
before I purchase my bike I read Chuck Hawk's excellent recommendations. He said buying a 1200cc is equal to buying a coffin. This was in my mind when I was riding mine all the time, so i was very very careful.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/good_first_motorcycles.htm
Last edited by OddJack; Jul 5, 2014 at 01:12 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Mo
If it fits you as far as reaching stuff and you can handle the weight easily there's nothing wrong with them at all. The looks are there and they are quite capable bikes.
That being said if it feels too small for you then you might want to look at something else.
Riding plans matter as well. If you want to plan on around town etc. you may be fine but might need something larger if your plans are going long distances and at highway speeds.Then again with the right seat people ride them all over the place.
1200 will give you tons of power but years ago I heard a guy say "if it will go between 50 and 80 mph you are good, that's where it all happens". Lot of truth in that!
That being said if it feels too small for you then you might want to look at something else.
Riding plans matter as well. If you want to plan on around town etc. you may be fine but might need something larger if your plans are going long distances and at highway speeds.Then again with the right seat people ride them all over the place.
1200 will give you tons of power but years ago I heard a guy say "if it will go between 50 and 80 mph you are good, that's where it all happens". Lot of truth in that!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Best advice you're gonna get. But taking into consideration you're a beginner, the 1200 might be a bit much to handle. The 1200 sporty is not (contrary to what many say or think) a beginner's bike. Don't get in a hurry to be a "biker" (whatever that is). Get what you want and learn how to ride - take your time.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated.
To be totally honest, I don't really care what anyone else says, for me it really more about being safe and not going too big at first.
But I would love to get the Iron and not have to get a 500cc.
I would mostly be riding around town and go out into the mountains and cruise. My commute is only 4 miles on two lane roads.
Also worried about it be a little to heavy at first and not being used to the weight and dropping it.
Although everyone I talk to says that you get used to it really quick.
To be totally honest, I don't really care what anyone else says, for me it really more about being safe and not going too big at first.
But I would love to get the Iron and not have to get a 500cc.
I would mostly be riding around town and go out into the mountains and cruise. My commute is only 4 miles on two lane roads.
Also worried about it be a little to heavy at first and not being used to the weight and dropping it.
Although everyone I talk to says that you get used to it really quick.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: upper midwest
The 883 is a perfect first bike, for someone who wants a Harley! Don't worry one bit what anyone may or may not think!
I have a 1200, the other day a guy I know (Harley rider) asked me if it has training wheels....I couldn't care less what he or anyone else thinks, I bought it for ME...
SR
I have a 1200, the other day a guy I know (Harley rider) asked me if it has training wheels....I couldn't care less what he or anyone else thinks, I bought it for ME...
SR
im only 145lbs but when i got cut off a few days ago, and saw my bike on the ground, I was able to stand her right back up no strain at all....granted I'm sure adrenaline had something to do with it...
point being, you dont need to be a big dude to ride a 550lb motorcycle....she wants to stay up, she wants to go fast....youre just there to help her!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,858
Likes: 5,420
From: My own little slice of heaven
After reading all your posts.....you really want an Iron. GET IT
It is not to large a bike to learn on. You could learn on an ultra but the curve would be vastly different then the 883.
You will be fine. If you get something you don't really want you will not be happy and end up selling it anyways just be cautious and slow and you will be fine. Practice with it in the parking lot to get a feel for it before you really hit the road
It is not to large a bike to learn on. You could learn on an ultra but the curve would be vastly different then the 883.
You will be fine. If you get something you don't really want you will not be happy and end up selling it anyways just be cautious and slow and you will be fine. Practice with it in the parking lot to get a feel for it before you really hit the road
get the iron if its calling your name , you will know which bike is good for you the minute u see it an sit on it !
i never needed anything bigger myself
and for the laughing part , let them, because when they see you in front of them they will be cursing !
i never wanted a harley but i always wanted a sportster !
i never needed anything bigger myself
and for the laughing part , let them, because when they see you in front of them they will be cursing !
i never wanted a harley but i always wanted a sportster !