Is It Too Big For A 1st Harley?

[Voony]

Hello all! I know there are already dozens of threads like those and I apologize. I used the "search" engine but I couldn't find what I was looking for on the first 3 pages of results so here I post. I used to ride a 125 dirt bike, and I have been in love with HD for a very long time. When I will have enough money, I will buy one. But then the question is what kind of Harley is best to start with? I went to my "local" dealership...and I don't like these people. I tell them I like the look of the Nightster and that I heard that sportsters are good starting bikes, and the salesman says "Yes it's perfect." But then I LOVE the Street Bob, which is bigger, so I tell the salesman I like this one too and he says "Yes it's perfect."....so I'm like WTF? According to him any bike is good and that there is no like one perfect starting bike. He said if you like the style go for it. That doesn't help me much...I have the feeling he wouldn't mind selling me his mum. So, some people told me to start with a Sportster because it's lighter than the other ones, and the gravity center is pretty low which makes it easier to maneuver. So I thought a 883L would be good because it's light (which I Like) and pretty cheap. But then, other people told me it doesn't matter how big the bike is because with bigger bikes, the gravity center is higher which makes the bikes more stable and and easy to maneuver. So I am like "Ok....that doesn't help me much lol".... The price of a Sportster 883L is very attractive....the Iron 883 is cheap and very good looking. But then I like the Nighster but that cost already $10,000...so I thought "well if I really like the Street Bob...it's only $3,000 more"........ What do you think is better to start with? As I said I had a 125cc dirt bike and 2 weeks ago I tried a friend's Virago 750cc....the difference is huge and my friend told me not to go for bigger than a 883cc to start with. What do you guys/gals think? Is it not a good idea to start with a Dyna? Thanks all for your time and sorry for the long post. Voony.

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[carpetride]

whatever you decide will be perfect

[harleyhusker]

I went through the same thought process when I purchased my first Harley. My suggestion would be to decide what you plan on doing to the bike and where you plan on riding. I was thinking like you start with a sportster, but was told if you plan on doing any two up riding its too small. Also if you plan on making several longer trips, its not the best way to go. So I decided on a dyna superglide for my first Harley. My wife likes to ride with me also, so after about one year we found out the dyna was not big enough for the two of us and traded for a roadking. If you plan on riding around town and along, anything will work. If you plan on riding two up and making road trips, you will want to upgrade very soon. It seems this is very common and most people end up going to a bigger bike. Everyone is different, good luck. Just my two cents.

[faber]

(remember that the 883c and 1200c Sportsters have the same frame)

Get the bike you really want. NO, not the one you think you should get. Get the one you really want.

Then ride it.

That simple.

(Do you have any idea how many Harley riders never rode a bike before owning their Harley? You can learn to ride anything, as long as you know how to learn. In that sense, the salesman was right: any Harley can be a good bike to start with, if you take the time to get used to it)

But.........wait for it......people will post saying that Sportsters are topheavy and not suitable for Harley-noobs....listen to them (the bigger Harleys weigh more, but actually do have lower centers of gravity), but remember: thousands begin riding on Sportsters, do fine, even enjoy them .........here they come....any minute now......

Get the bike you want. Make sure you can afford it. Buy it. Ride it. Post pics.

[Fear Night]

Sportsters are actually more top heavy than the bigger bikes. Still, plenty of people start out on Sportsters, just as they do on a Dyna or Softail. Take the MSF course and then go with the bike you want and can afford.

[Pumba11]

How big are you?

If you are any larger then a typical jockey get the bike you want. I ride a Road King (okay I'm a big guy), but when looking for a Harley I spent some time on a Sportster and I found it much harder to handle at low speeds then the Road King. At speed both bikes are fun to ride.

Its much more costly to upgrade after a year or so because you bought "too little" of a Harley.

[TittiesOnTwo]

I am a small frame female and went from riding dirtbikes and racebikes to a Crossbones. The weight takes a little getting used to it when moving it around but they are so balanced you should have no trouble while riding.

When I rode a Sportster on a Demo ride it did seem a little more top heavy but not unmanageable.

[RCB]

Go to a dealer that offers demo rides. Test ride what your considering and decide from there. Good luck. Ride Safe.

[piasspj]

Test ride them all. IMO most Dynas or Softails would be a better starter bike than the sportsters. Better yet, find a cheap used metric standard or cruiser and ride it for a while.
Depending on your size 650cc-750cc is about right. I see them for less than $1000 on a regular basis. Ride it (and drop it) for 6 months then sell it.

[DMcBiker]

I went from a 250 Motocross bike to an Electra Glide. No problem, except for the weight diff. you can't walk an 800lb Harley around the garage like you can a dirt bike. Get the bike that's right for you!!!