Harley Sportster 883 Low--good first bike?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 6
From: Portland, Oregon
LMAO
my wife gets relly pissed when any one says a sportster is a chick bike.. her and all her girl frinds who have them. and her mom who has one. and the lady down the street who has one. and the woman rideing club that is 100% sportsters. all these people agree that it is not right to call it a chick bike. LOLOLOLOL
how sexest of you. 
my wife gets relly pissed when any one says a sportster is a chick bike.. her and all her girl frinds who have them. and her mom who has one. and the lady down the street who has one. and the woman rideing club that is 100% sportsters. all these people agree that it is not right to call it a chick bike. LOLOLOLOL
how sexest of you. 
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
I remember back when I used to think the XL was the girlie bike as well. It reminds me of the sixth grade, when if you inadvertently admitted you touched your pee-pee it branded you a *** on the playground.
I'm glad most of us grew out of that.
I'm glad most of us grew out of that.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
883 Low
I've had a couple of sportys and liked them. I've also had a couple of FLHs and liked them even more. I ride an 883 Low at work. We replaced our patrol Hondas with the H-Ds earlier this year and I was the first class to go thru training with them.
My opinion of this particular bike is if this is your first bike, you'll be disappointed. The turning radius isn't all that good and really gave us fits thru the cone courses. The instructors and the full size guys both said the big bikes are easier to get thru the course. Biggest reason for this is the turning radius. With the bike so low to the ground it drags... alot. Even on patrol in the city I'm constantly dragging the kickstand. On the right side it's the muffler brackets. If you aren't used to this it can be unnerving. To me, I'm 6'1", the bike is small. I have a hard time getting comfortable on it for very long. Lastly, the bike rides hard. Not much suspension under it. I guess because it's lowered. Otherwise it's not a bad bike, runs well for what it is, good brakes and well it's an H-D!
Try the bike on for size, see what you think. Look at the regular 883 and the 1200's too. They might be a better fit. Used bikes are always a good choice. My main ride is a 2009 FLHTC. My other bike is an 07 Triumph Bonneville T100. Now that's a nice smaller bike. Rides good, not as tight fitting and miles ahead of the 883 in the handling department. Good late model bikes run in the $6,000 range used.
Good luck with your search
Rodger
My opinion of this particular bike is if this is your first bike, you'll be disappointed. The turning radius isn't all that good and really gave us fits thru the cone courses. The instructors and the full size guys both said the big bikes are easier to get thru the course. Biggest reason for this is the turning radius. With the bike so low to the ground it drags... alot. Even on patrol in the city I'm constantly dragging the kickstand. On the right side it's the muffler brackets. If you aren't used to this it can be unnerving. To me, I'm 6'1", the bike is small. I have a hard time getting comfortable on it for very long. Lastly, the bike rides hard. Not much suspension under it. I guess because it's lowered. Otherwise it's not a bad bike, runs well for what it is, good brakes and well it's an H-D!
Try the bike on for size, see what you think. Look at the regular 883 and the 1200's too. They might be a better fit. Used bikes are always a good choice. My main ride is a 2009 FLHTC. My other bike is an 07 Triumph Bonneville T100. Now that's a nice smaller bike. Rides good, not as tight fitting and miles ahead of the 883 in the handling department. Good late model bikes run in the $6,000 range used.
Good luck with your search
Rodger
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
I started riding a Ninja250 after completing MSF last year. I pick up my Sportster 1200 this past June and now have a choice of two bikes to ride. I am glad of the experience that I gained by ridding the little Ninja when I rode the Sportster home. At 6 foot and 245 pounds, I found it easier to get traffic experience on the light bike then the heavyer bike. YMMV
Some posters have stated that they were fine starting on bigger bike. My boss started on a Fat Boy. Test several bike and find one that works for you.
Some posters have stated that they were fine starting on bigger bike. My boss started on a Fat Boy. Test several bike and find one that works for you.
Last edited by Alibey; Oct 16, 2009 at 07:18 PM. Reason: wrong weight.
"Utopian Overlord"
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 1
From: Union, Mississippi
Aspire to a Harley. Drop a Yamaha. Spend a couple hundred on a used dirt/street combo that can take a beating. Take the dirt courses and learn to control your bike in conditions that try your skills.
Miz Roo has an 883 that she dearly loves, and she has a couple of years' under her belt with enduros and a Honda XL250. On our way to Sturgis South this year, she hit a patch of grass clippings that the county left on the road...right in a curve. She drifted and fishtailed enough to scare the rider behind her (who swore that she was gonna lay the 883 down). But her reflexes kept her upright and under control. Dirt training gave her those reflexes.
When you're ready to move up, get some instruction 1-on-1 on heavy bikes. They handle differently, especially when going slow. The msf class is essential as well, because it will teach you to control your machine in a sea of other drivers to whom you are completely invisible.
And your first Harley will be the one you can't stop thinking about. Ditto the second and third.
Miz Roo has an 883 that she dearly loves, and she has a couple of years' under her belt with enduros and a Honda XL250. On our way to Sturgis South this year, she hit a patch of grass clippings that the county left on the road...right in a curve. She drifted and fishtailed enough to scare the rider behind her (who swore that she was gonna lay the 883 down). But her reflexes kept her upright and under control. Dirt training gave her those reflexes.
When you're ready to move up, get some instruction 1-on-1 on heavy bikes. They handle differently, especially when going slow. The msf class is essential as well, because it will teach you to control your machine in a sea of other drivers to whom you are completely invisible.
And your first Harley will be the one you can't stop thinking about. Ditto the second and third.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I have been wondering what size to start with. I talk to some who are insisting that I begin with a smaller bike with lower CC's. At the same time, others tell me this should not be a big consideration, especially because I am a "big" guy. I am still trying to figure this out. I have sat on the Kawasaki's and the Suzuki's, and a Honda, but have yet to try sitting on the Harley, which eventually I feel is the right bike for me. Maybe I will go to a showroom sometime soon. Thanks for the advice on the Heritage and Deluxe, I will look at them on the Harley site today. Thanks.
Remember that your feet will be on the ground for a minute or less when you start and stop but you will be in the riding position for hours.
Another bikes you might want to check are the Honda VTX1300 or 750 Aero. Low seat height and well balanced.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
Take the course. You will find out what riding a small bike is like. Most provided are very small, like 250's or so. At your size I would recommend nothing smaller than a 750, but the Honda Aero 750 is small and cheap feeling. I bought a small cruiser for my wife this summer and tried several out. Cheap feeling. I was most impressed with the V Stars by Yamaha. But you should do some riding on different models and decide for yourself. Depending on your locale, you can buy a HD later (say after a full season or two of riding). When you do you will find that most softails are better balanced with a lower center of gravity. Makes them far easier to ride, handle and maneuver. But test ride some before buying. Just don't rush into anything, makes for a better end experience.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Freehold, NJ
If your ultimate goal is to eventually buy a big twin Harley Tourer after you've gained experiance riding. I suggest you buy one of the mid size Metric bikes to learn on as you suggest. Number 1 they will be much cheaper than the Sporty and a good bike to learn on. Once you've gained the experiance and feel comfortable riding the entire Harley lineup can be yours for the taking. The BEST thing would be to get yourself a dependable used bike to learn on in the event it gets dropped etc. I ride an 883 Low - I'm a short guy and just love the bike for what "I" do. But it maybe too small for you to feel comfortable on. You need to feel comfortable on a bike and I also suggest MID controls to learn on ( just my $.02). Good luck
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Freehold, NJ
Where did this misconception come from that a Sportster 883 Low is TOP HEAVY ?- HARD TO HANDLE? - Difficult to drive slow? Weight doesn't matter? Riding anybike is EASY !!! I see the riders who buy the BIG HARLEYS and need there riding buddies to push them in and out of parking spots. LOL --forget about dropping one !!!
It's all about getting used to the bike you can handle !!
It's all about getting used to the bike you can handle !!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
1+ on the non Harley 1st, until you get some expierience under your belt. Also look into the "Ride Like A Pro V" DVD and start with those lessons after the MSC. This way, if & when you drop the bike, you will not have the added grief of dropping your Harley because of inexpierence or overconfidence. 
Either way, for you it looks like it's going to be a long winter...
Either way, for you it looks like it's going to be a long winter...