Bagger as a first bike?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 828
Likes: 8
From: western Mass
I'm really happy to see so many encouraging the bagger for a first bike! I've been riding for 45 years, and have always told people to get what they think they want in the first place. The notion of starting out on a small rice burner makes no sense as the ride/handling is completely different. What happens is you end up having to learn how to ride/handle the new bike when you get it anyway. Baggers are very easy to ride compared to almost ANY other bike! A sportster is NOT a good beginner bike; it is too powerful for most new riders. It is also top heavy compared to baggers. I started (at age 13) on a 47 Knuckle, and have had almost exclusively baggers since! (I did have 2 sportys, and loved em, but they're harder to handle than a bagger). I would also highly recommend getting "Ride Like A Pro" and PRACTICE IT! It will help you out enormously.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
go for it! dont waste your time ! I had a street glide and now I got a road glide. If you like the shark, its easy to handle.
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2009 CVO RG o/b
2009 SG (traded)
2009 CVO FB (sold)
2008 SB (gave to my son)
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2009 CVO RG o/b
2009 SG (traded)
2009 CVO FB (sold)
2008 SB (gave to my son)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
You'll want one within a month of buying something else. I'd say just go for it. With your size you won't have any trouble. Especially if you've ridden before. Just take it easy for the first little while. And no passengers until you really feel comfortable with someone else's life in your hands.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Ruston, LA
Love mine so far...even though i did have a brain fart & dump it(see my post) I was kicking around getting a Honda VTX or sportster for a first bike but after weighing them against the Road Glide...plus the incredible deal I got on the Glide I just went ahead & got my dream bike. Sure I felt like a jackass after dropping it today but **** happens & after talking toa friend that rides a Ultra Classic I got my confidence backa little & don't feel like such a fool. I also would recommend Ride Like a Pro...I just got it and it's really well put together.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
My first purchase was a Dyna, FXDC. I loved the bike. However, after 8 months I knew I wanted a bagger and got the 2009 RG.
Respect the bike, ride within your ability. You will be fine. Like always, be prudent. Ride safe. Most importantly, enjoy it!! You are gonna to have a blast!!
Respect the bike, ride within your ability. You will be fine. Like always, be prudent. Ride safe. Most importantly, enjoy it!! You are gonna to have a blast!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Buy the Bagger or you will wish you did.
Hadn't rode in 40 years bought an 07 Ultra. Worried about it at first and now I love it.
Just do it.
Hadn't rode in 40 years bought an 07 Ultra. Worried about it at first and now I love it.
Just do it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
A co-worker of mine, Dave, a 40 yo man who's never owned a motorcycle in his life, took delivery of an 09 Ultra Classic just before New Years day. He took the MSF beginners class, got his motorcycle endorsement on his drivers license and has a little over 1000 miles on the bike to date as far as I know. He's taking his first distance ride to Colorado in June with a few others we work with (wish I could go!!). So far, he's been taking things very conservatively and seems to be doing very well with the bike. He's enjoying the bike very much and doesn't seem to have any significant issues handling it.
I've always thought that starting with a small, lighter bike for a raw beginner was the preferred way to go but watching Dave and the way he's approached all of this has changed my mind a bit. As long as the individual is cautious and stays within their limits, there's no reason not to start with whatever bike you want. Of course, if he'd had his sights set on a Hayabusa, I'd have probably been a little more vocal against the idea!
I've always thought that starting with a small, lighter bike for a raw beginner was the preferred way to go but watching Dave and the way he's approached all of this has changed my mind a bit. As long as the individual is cautious and stays within their limits, there's no reason not to start with whatever bike you want. Of course, if he'd had his sights set on a Hayabusa, I'd have probably been a little more vocal against the idea!