Harley Sportster 883 Low--good first bike?
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Intermediate
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Harley Sportster 883 Low--good first bike?
I haven't ridden a bike yet and am looking forward to taking the MSF course perhaps in March or April next year, if everything works out .My goal is to purchase a bike that is relatively manueverable and good to learn with. Of course, I am looking to have a bike that is not too heavy, in the 500-600 lbs range. I want to learn, become a good rider, and at the same time, enjoy the experience. Although I feel certain I will eventually own a Harley at some point, a few people have mentioned to me that the 883 Sportster is not the easiest bike for manueverability, athough it is excellent once you have some experience. Since I would be a complete newbie at this and am now 49 years old, my thinking is that the first bike should be as easy as possible, until I get some experience. I am now focusing on: the Suzuki M50, the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 (I guess they are going to stop producing the 500 in 2010) and the Harley 883 Sportster Low. I like Harleys and they sound especially good. What would your advice be to a guy like me? I am 5'11" tall, about 250 lbs, 49 years old, completely inexperienced. Would it be better for me to work with the Kawasaki or Suzuki until I am comfortable (perhaps with a year under my belt)? Or is your experience with the 883 Low that it is a manuverable and overall great entry to Harley, even if you are completely inexperienced. My ambition is eventually to buy a touring bike like the Road King and do some travelling, etc. Obviously, I will want a Harley for that. My concern is how best to learn? Thank you. I realize this is a Harley forum, and merely want to ask your opinion--I am not a troll. Thank you for your help.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Back in Oz M8
I think with your size and weight, a Dyna Low Rider would be a better bet, plus you can tour on it with some bags and a windshield as you get more comfortable on the machine. A friend of mine was hell bent on a Nightster, but was steered to a Dyna Street Bob and he hasn't looked back, he rides that thing everywhere. Just my .02
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
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From: TX
To be honest i think the 883 would be kind of small for you, but like you i thought about the 883 as my first bike, eventually my friends told me i would grow out of it and want something bigger within a month of riding, so i bought an 08 nightster (1200 sporty). I'm only 5'8" but around 200lbs and fit pretty well on a 1200, unfortunately after about a month of riding I was wanting a softail..hahaha. But i love my nightster and hope to keep it and buy a softail once the nightster is paid off. If you are completely inexperienced (especially if you're worried about damaging the bike in any way), i'd go with something cheaper until you're really used to riding, so a metric wouldn't be a bad idea. I know a few people (though younger) that started with a Honda Shadow, since they were cheap as dirt and they didn't care if they dropped it or not. Take the MSF course, then try out a few harleys, you may be comfortable with something bigger than a 883. As you probably know, in the end the decision will be totally up to you.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
With your size and weight I wouldn't worry too much about bike weight unless you plan on bench pressing it. The only time you feel the weight is if you lean it over when standing still.
The M50 and 883 Low will probably feel small, especially on long rides.
Since your wanting to do some traveling the 900 Kaw would be a good choice, also you might consider something like the Heritage or Deluxe.
The M50 and 883 Low will probably feel small, especially on long rides.
Since your wanting to do some traveling the 900 Kaw would be a good choice, also you might consider something like the Heritage or Deluxe.
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Intermediate
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I think with your size and weight, a Dyna Low Rider would be a better bet, plus you can tour on it with some bags and a windshield as you get more comfortable on the machine. A friend of mine was hell bent on a Nightster, but was steered to a Dyna Street Bob and he hasn't looked back, he rides that thing everywhere. Just my .02
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
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To be honest i think the 883 would be kind of small for you, but like you i thought about the 883 as my first bike, eventually my friends told me i would grow out of it and want something bigger within a month of riding, so i bought an 08 nightster (1200 sporty). I'm only 5'8" but around 200lbs and fit pretty well on a 1200, unfortunately after about a month of riding I was wanting a softail..hahaha. But i love my nightster and hope to keep it and buy a softail once the nightster is paid off. If you are completely inexperienced (especially if you're worried about damaging the bike in any way), i'd go with something cheaper until you're really used to riding, so a metric wouldn't be a bad idea. I know a few people (though younger) that started with a Honda Shadow, since they were cheap as dirt and they didn't care if they dropped it or not. Take the MSF course, then try out a few harleys, you may be comfortable with something bigger than a 883. As you probably know, in the end the decision will be totally up to you.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 273
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From: Milwaukee
In my opinion, I don't think you should invest in an 883 low simply because you will likely grow out of it very soon. Not to mention you (like me) may look like a circus bear on a mini-bike on it.
I would suggest maybe picking up a cheap import on CraigsList til you get comfortable, then test drive a few different Harley models after you have a few miles in the saddle. Its amazing how much difference there is between HD models/ families.
I would suggest maybe picking up a cheap import on CraigsList til you get comfortable, then test drive a few different Harley models after you have a few miles in the saddle. Its amazing how much difference there is between HD models/ families.
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Intermediate
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With your size and weight I wouldn't worry too much about bike weight unless you plan on bench pressing it. The only time you feel the weight is if you lean it over when standing still.
The M50 and 883 Low will probably feel small, especially on long rides.
Since your wanting to do some traveling the 900 Kaw would be a good choice, also you might consider something like the Heritage or Deluxe.
The M50 and 883 Low will probably feel small, especially on long rides.
Since your wanting to do some traveling the 900 Kaw would be a good choice, also you might consider something like the Heritage or Deluxe.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
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Go take the MSF course first. Once you get the basics down, then go shopping. If you feel comfortable after the class then I wouldn't worry about getting a harley and dropping it. My wife took the course never having ridden at all and we got her a harley after graduation, no problems. I would not get the sportster, get a DYNA or Softail to learn on, to me they are easier to ride and you wont loose as much money if you trade up. Check craigslist for a deal this winter, best time to buy a bike......
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
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In my opinion, I don't think you should invest in an 883 low simply because you will likely grow out of it very soon. Not to mention you (like me) may look like a circus bear on a mini-bike on it.
I would suggest maybe picking up a cheap import on CraigsList til you get comfortable, then test drive a few different Harley models after you have a few miles in the saddle. Its amazing how much difference there is between HD models/ families.
I would suggest maybe picking up a cheap import on CraigsList til you get comfortable, then test drive a few different Harley models after you have a few miles in the saddle. Its amazing how much difference there is between HD models/ families.
I think you are right--I probably would look like a circus bear!. I have been considering the Kawasaki first, then the Harley a year later. But we'll have to see what winds up being good for me. I have heard many stories about people who chose Harley as their first bike, so I will have to figure this out. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.