Yeah, these are the kinds of things I haven't thought too much about.

Specifically, the physical size of the sportsters (883 and 1200) and the foreign bikes. I definitely don't want to be cramped up on a small bike. I probably need to just go get just a "comfort" feel for a few different bikes at the dealership after taking the class.

 

Each person can assess their own skill, I took the MSF last year and bought my Fatboy...no issues. I'm 5'10", about 225. Friggin love the bike, got plenty of get up and go and chugs fine 2 up.

 

Sorry, I misread...you didn't say you're headed toward a big bike but i guess I think you need one. At 275 on a 883 that circus bear look might emerge....

Ride slowly past a shop window so you can see how you look on one and then decide yourself......

 

EXACTLY - very well put.

 

+1, what hommes said IS the point all others are talking about.

 

Haha, well, that's definitely the kind of look I want to avoid. If I get a good feel for the class I may just jump into a used Dyna or Softail and spend quite a bit of time practicing in a parking lot to get my bearings.

 

Get the Harley. If you go sportster I would suggest maybe the 1200 so you do not grow out of it too fast. However even with the 883 you can install the 1200 kit when your more comfortable. The most important thing for you most likely will be forward controls. I am 5'10 @ 240 and my girlfriends 883 with mid controls is a blast to drive but I feel cramped. I am sure it would be fine with forwards though.

As far as it being your first bike I see no problems with it, my first bike was a brand new 2006 street bob and I even used it to take the Maryland test. However I had previous experience with dirt bikes.

 

And yeah, make no bones about it. I realize I'm a big dude, which was part of my reason for bringing all this up. In a perfect world, I'd want a bike that's both big enough that's a comfortable fit (and I don't look like a "circus bear" on it), but that also is somewhat forgiving in the power/weight department for somebody who's new to riding.

With as dedicated as I usually am about practicing things, though, if I have to sacrifice one I'd probably lean toward getting a bigger more comfortable bike that I have to be more cautious with to start.

 

don't be afraid to look at used bikes. The heritage softail is one of the easist bikes to ride for a beginner. Or the road king, both are great first bikes and bikes that you will love for years to come.

 

Just my 2 cents...buy a used rice burner, like a Suzuki LS650 Boulevard, Kawasaki Eliminator, Honda Rebel.

So what if it is a little small for you. The whole point is to establish your skills and build your confidence for your first season.

What a lot of die hard Harley guys over look is that Sportsters are not beginner bikes, they are performance bikes. A 1200 is a fast machine with a twitch sensitive throttle. An 883 is smoother on the acceleration but still plenty fast and has significant power.

The deal is this, you are going to pay a lot more...in the realm of thousands of dollars for a used Harley and truthfully, you should buy something you won't worry about dropping or getting a dent in and something that won't put your *** on the fender if you yank the throttle too hard.

Then, after one season under your belt, when the 2012's come out (go in winter for the best deals) ride your starter bike over to the dealer, trade it or sell it outright, and get yourself any bike you want because you will have the fundamentals to handle them all.