agreed, ANY bike from a 250 up to a full touring bike so be given the respect it deserves. Just go at your own pace.

 

Sounds like my beginning. I had a Yamaha 60cc. Of course I was only 14 years old, less then 5 foot tall and 80 something pounds. That was 47, mainly daily year around riding, years ago. My father, an old Electra Glide rider, initially only allowed me to ride on the small side streets that made up our neighborhood. It was funny, my peers at school rode 80cc Yamahas or 90cc Hondas and ridiculed me for my 60cc. Of course most, if not all, of them only rode for a few months, or years, at best. Most beginners don't make a 'career' out of it.

 

ha! training wheels discovered.

 

Don't listen to anyone with dumb remarks of how you will look on a Sportster. I am 6'3" and have done many thousands of miles of touring on the Sportster. Plus many thousands more of local riding.

I have an XR1200 and XL1200T Super Low that I traded a 1200L in on. They are comfortable, gutsy and very durable bikes. I have another 11K on Buell's version.

Test ride to find out for yourself.

By the way I'm 75 and do 30K+ per year. This year I am past 41,000 miles. l suggest that the poster believing that at 50 one's reaction time is lessened. I will just say this. "Try to keep up with me sonny." Especially on my Buell or Street Bob with a 120R.

 

thanks for all of your comments. Do you have any suggestions for alternatives based on my size and experience?

 

Turns out you were right in post #15, "IMO, as wonky as it is, it'd be better to get training wheels and then move up after building skill". It allowed me to ride almost anything, even scooters on which I couldn't touch the ground easily with either foot. Most important my riding was done safely. The only real injuries I have ever sustained were as a result of an accident on a dirt bike.

So you were right, a learning curve isn't necessarily bad.

 

Some of that depends on where/how/for what use your riding will be. But as a general suggestion, I would advise you not to get too deeply in debt before actually riding.

And then don't get a first scooter that will upset you if/when it gets some physical damage.

 

i can, thanks. we all dull a bit as we get older. in your case you have years of exp. OP does not. you'll do things (safety related/lane scanning/braking/ leave yourself outs/ etc..) without even thinking about them and OP will struggle. true or not?

 

I assume you've been driving for a good while? Ignore the naysayers and go ahead with that Sporty. If you want a Harley then as an alternative look at a Dyna.

 

I grabbed my 1st bike at 52. I'm 6'-1" 200lbs.
I started on a V-star 650 Classic.
Tweaked it a bit to fit me (forward controls, risers)
I really liked the V-Star. Low & long wheelbase, decent power, good looks. (I think there are similar 650 models from other mfg's too.) Still a good sized bike, but didn't have the "quickness" of the Sportster.

Now I went to the Sportster because my Classic was killing my hips (I need two new ones.) The low, wide, "recliner type" seating position wasn't working for me any more.
I sat on a Sporty, narrow & more upright, and found my new one within a month!
V-star was a calm comfortable cruiser.
Sporty is like a new puppy - full of **** & vinegar and wants to run!