I have searched online for the answer to this question for awhile now and I am still not certain of the answer. I will be getting my first ride and am really wanting a Street Glide, do not want to "settle" on a dif bike only to trade up later on. So my question is 2 fold....

1. Is a Street Glide a good first bike for a rider with minimal experience?

and

2. at 6' 7" and 180 lbs. is it a bike that I will be okay on?

I have not been on a bike in at least 12 years and even that was short live.

Also, what other bikes are great options for a 6' 7" rider? 34 inseam, my height is mainly torso.

 

I really can't give you an honest answer on #1 because I've known people that have started out on various sizes of bikes with mixed results. As to #2, If it was me, I'd go to my local dealer and sit on one and see how it feels to you and go from there. Good luck

 

A friend is 6' 8", and he just bought a new RG. Before that he was on an EG and both bikes seem to work well for him after changing some stuff out (bars, seat etc...). The only difference between the SG and RG is the fairing.

 

Take a look at this... 43 pages of tall people stuff -

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...and-above.html

 

1. I would personally say no, not at all. I'm of the school of thought that it's easier and more confidence building to start out on a lighter bike that doesn't have all the extra stuff bolted on. I just went to a street glide, my first foray into touring bikes and I have 25 years of riding experience and it was a little intimidating for the first few days. The fairing and the bags make it feel pretty big. I'd say start on a bike you can afford to tip over once or twice while you build confidence.

2. I felt a little cramped initially going from my deluxe to the glide and i'm right at 6'. Could just be the different riding position. I'm sure taller riders can speak more about this or the thread that was provided.

 

I started off renting touring bikes after only riding dirtbikes. Im a stocky 5'11". If you have the leg strength you wont have a problem. I dont necessarily believe in the light bike, first bike mentality. Take a MSC. Then take it slow. Id rent one before I buy.

 

Check out Matt Laidlaw on YouTube he has a Harley dealership in California he test rides all the bikes and talks about the ups and downs of each one, and he always brings up how hight effects each bike what is good for taller riders or shorter riders as he is over 6' also

 

The starter bike thing is BS. Always ride within your capabilities and with your head, not your heart. Handling it is no problem with your size. Id go road glide for that height. It seems roomier with more space to the fairing from the rider. Then you do all the tall guy stuff to it. Seat that moves you back.. different bars.. foot board ext. Pedal ext.

 

at 6' 7" and 180 lbs. I think you need a couple cheeseburgers and some fries. Hell don't stop there, go kill a bull and have a feast for a weekend.

.

 

He must be a kid. GOTTA be a kid. I haven't weighed 180 since 9th grade. I'm 6'3" and if I only weighed 180 my family would think I was on crack or something.