Hello everyone. This is my first post so I'd like to start off with a little background.

My name is William, I'm 30 years old, and live in Southern Illinois. I've loved Harley-Davidson Motorcycles since I was a child and had always planned on owning one. However, at the age of 19 I began having seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Now on the right cocktail of medication it has been over 6 years since I've had a seizure. I'm confident that I can now purchase and ride a motorcycle without bringing unnecessary harm to myself or others.

I'm 5'9" and 240lbs, short and wide. I'm considering buying a Sportster as a first bike. Do you believe this will be a descent first bike for a man of my size? Or will I be wishing I had a Dyna or Soft Tail after a few months of riding? Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks again everyone.

 

Welcome to the forum.
Answers to your question will be from all over the place. I know riders your size who own Sportsters and they have no problem with them. In fact, one of them had owned a bagger before. I had a Sportster in '87 and loved it but for me the dyna does is more my cup of tea. I'm about your height but maybe 80 lbs. less.
The best thing for you to do is test ride the different models and see what feels and fits you better.

 

Welcome the UK, 240lbs that's 17 stone where I come from and is pretty heavy, I would think a Sportster would be kinda small for you, at the risk of sounding like im taking the **** something like a Fatboy would be better suited to your size really depends on if you've got any experience of riding already.

 

If your new to riding a lighter bike would be better for honing your skills. You will get plenty of smiles riding a sportsters. Taking a MSF class would be a really good idea

 

Go to a dealership and test ride the bike you like and go from there.

 

Dyna, of course.

 

Here's a thought, buy an inexpensive metric of the 800CC size. A Honda Shadow comes to mind, cut your teeth, develop some road skills then next spring buy a Dyna or any other big twin. I really think you'll feel "crowded" on a sportster. This is all IMHO.

 

First of all, take the MSF course. Then, it's up to you. As a kid I rode dirt bikes and mopeds. My first street motorcycle was a Sporty because I wanted a Sporty. All I've had have been Sportsters because I'm a fan. I'm 5'9" and 225+ lbs.

 

Personally, Id want something bigger. Like said, ride diff models and see.

 

Hey will, I live in East Central IL. I would not go sporty for 1st, I'm your size(but a bit bigger lol) I would for sure go with a dyna or softail standard (EVO of course lol)