i'm new here and am not sure if i'm posting this in the right place

So i am looking into buying my first bike,I have my eye on the streetbob and softail slim. My question is are these good first bikes? I have ridden a honda cbr250 before and my only issue i had was the shifting. I'm 6ft1 185lbs. I am looking into a riding class as well

 

Well I'm a big fan of Sub Caliber Training Devices.

How much have you ridden the CBR250? If less than 5,000 miles, go back get a bike no bigger than 400cc, put 5,000 miles on it, really learn how to ride it, then get a bigger bike.

Plenty of others will argue with me, but that's my opinion, I've seen too many people buy a big bike for their first one because they don't want to out grow it too soon, and end up dropping it. I had a co-worker buy a Vulcan 900 as his first bike, dropped it three times on his way home.

 

A used Suzuki DR650 would be a great bike for you. Definitely not a Harley.

 

Streetbob over the slim all day long for a new rider.

 

I'm 6'00 (ok,ok 5'11 3/4) and 200 (208ish) and Lovin' the Street Bob.
Have forward controlls so I can stretch out a little more.
It's a good steady platform, and light enough it doesn't feel like heavy bike for first timer.

 

I don't see why a Harley wouldn't be a good bike as a first or a second bike for anyone. I think the best thing you can do is go down to the Harley dealer and fit yourself onto a bike. Bagger or not. Most Harley dealers offer rider courses and at the end give you a certificate to rent a bike at a discounted price (plus a discount on a new or used bike if you buy from them). It will help you decide what you like. Once you figure it out buy one. I put my daughter through the class when she was 16 and she can ride my EG without any problems.

 

I live in the Sierra foothills and I get to see these new riders on their brand new shiny Harleys attempting to ride the mountain roads up here and let me tell you it is a harrowing experience. They can't lean the bike, hold a line in a turn, or ride at a respectable speed. There's a lot of bike crashes up here and the majority of them are Harley riders. That is why I don't recommend a Harley for a first street bike.

 

Sounds like a rider skills problem rather than the Harley's problem. It's not any harder to lean (oh, no, dare I say it ((counter-steer)) a Harley than any other bike.
A HD isn't some mythical creature you should only be able to ride after apprenticing on some "lesser" bike.
Probably (definitely) should take rider course and practice before getting into the tight twisties, no matter what bike you're riding.

 

It's a case of too much horse and not enough cowboy. Make no mistake, Harleys are big, heavy motorcycles. It's just a better idea to start out on a lighter bike that handles better & has more lean angle. An inexperienced rider that goes into a turn too hot and the bike starts scraping parts panics and stands the bike up and off the road or into oncoming traffic they go. This is less likely to happen with a bike that is lighter with more ground clearance.

 

You could always get a Sportster(gasp) get comfortable on that and when the time comes sell it/trade in on something "bigger".