I’m 6’ 2” 220 lbs
No plans on 2 up
Do plan on making some longer trips
Want something nimble
Price looking at spending $10k - 13k
Beginner rider (already signed up for my MSF course and yes I want a HARLEY)

Iron 1200
Street Bob
Softail Standard

 

Have you considered any touring models? A road king perhaps? I personally wouldnt wanna do long trips on any of those.............

 

Honestly haven’t given a RK much thought, I’m a big fan of the sportier, slimmer look of those 3 bikes. I’m 27 and wouldn’t mind throwing a backpack together, strappin it to a sissy bar and roughin it for a week.

 

Dont gets me wrong, when I was 27 I was sport touring Muti-day trips on GSXR1000’s, but the bigger bikes are definitely more comfortable for long hauls

Enjoy whatever you get. Try to actually ride them all before you decide.

 

First, finish the motorcycle course. Then, buy a used Harley. I bought a XL883 rigid evo, 13,000 miles, great shape as an errand runner and attitude adjustment bike for $2000. Shop around. Especially at the end of summer, many people need to sell their bikes. Moving, no storage, did not ride much, got scared of it, thought being exposed would be more fun, divorce, etc.

But it allows you to develop your style, your road awareness, and then the next bike you pick will be bought with your knowledge, not some poll by people who have no idea your riding skills.

But, if you just want to plow ahead a buy a new bike, either of the soft tails will be better for your frame and even short touring. Sporty’s are great rides, and you can tour. But they are not the choice of most who want multiple 350+ riding days.

Of those three, softtail standard would be my vote, but I don’t know you so what I think should not matter.

 

I’ve seen people start on small metric bikes and a couple on touring bikes. It really depends on who you are as a person. If you have personal discipline, ability to learn quickly, some hand eye cordination and an experienced rider to mentor you in the beginning, you can absolutely start on a road king.

 

I have a friend who wanted to ride again. He’d had a Honda 350 more than 30 years ago. He got his endorsement and was all hot to buy a Harley.

I gave him my XL883 to use. Told him it was his. I still owned it, but he paid for insurance. My only rule, I don’t care about the bike, you wreck it, drop it, it’s okay. I can rebuild a sporty from one bolt if need be. Just don’t hurt yourself.

He rode it for six months. Then he called and asked me to go with him to look at a BT. He ended up with a super glide. But he had developed his style and road awareness. Sometimes, during this period, on weekends he’d ride out to my place and I’d do rides with him letting him develop his finer motorcycling skills.

In the end, he was not much of a rider. Maybe it was more the image of freedom, but once he bought his glide he just did not ride as often.

For some people, motorcycling is not easy. It is not just learning the skills. He just did not seem programmed to enjoy all rides. It was more of an effort for him.

Yes, you can start on any bike, a Road King, a softtail, a sportster, a Honda 50. But the bike you want is the one that brings you joy, that you want to get on it, even for a 1/2 hour, or a week, or to run to a store for an apple, or run 250 miles to meet a friend for an ice cream.

Its the trip, not the destination. Good luck and welcome.

 

Dyna.
It's nimble, like you want, and can do trips if you get a T-bag.
My wife has one, and has followed me out west across several states at least twice now.
She's not as big as you, but it's set up for her.

 

6'2" is a lot for a Sportster ... You'll be "cramped"

 

I started on a 2011 Dyna Street Bob with zero regrets. After 2 years I upgraded to a Street Glide (again zero regrets).