If you plan to wrench on your own, the Sporty is a good choice. Parts are available literally wherever you look.

There's more than just the practical aspects to things though. If you just want a decent motorcycle, any metric will do but there's something much more than two wheels and an engine involved here. HD has gravitas.

I'll add my support for the safety/instruction course.

 

First, safety class. However, it won't really help you decide on the bike you want because they usually train you on a very small bike like a 250. The reality is that if you've never ridden and the only exposure you have is the safety course, any bigger bike will seem a bit overwhelming at first.

I got a used Sporty as my first bike. Main reason is that it was easier on the wallet and the resale would be there down the road if I ever decided to go with a different bike. You can find plenty of used bikes with very low miles because there are a LOT of people that bought a bike and then decided it was not for them. You could be one of those people. The fact is that you will never know until you get on it and ride. Also, owning a HD is cool!

 

Did anyone mention taking some sort of training class first?

I concur with the others- training first, and get a feel for what you're getting into. You may not like riding, you may love it. Better to find out than make an expensive mistake!

As for bikes, definitely don't buy on impulse and don't buy for looks alone. Buy what fits you and what you need. You may fall in love with an Electra Glide Ultra, but if all you're doing is commuting a half-hour each day and not taking even day trips on the weekends that's a lot of overkill. If you're planning on extended road trips, you might rethink that Iron 883. Are you just going to need a bar-hopper for the weekends? Also, even though you WILL have taken a safety course, consider your 'motorcycle maturity'- do you *really* trust yourself with a monster engine and tons of horsepower? Ask yourself- honestly- are you going to be a responsible rider or a hot dog out there?

Once you've taken your safety course, test ride a LOT of bikes to zero in on what you like and what is a good fit for you. Test rides don't have to be very long- you'll know pretty quickly if the fit is good and if you can handle that particular model, whatever brand it is.

 

Skip the training course and go straight for a Goldwing...

No seriously, you can't go wrong with a sportie. However your gonna get biased options on a HD forum... especially the Sportster forum... from a guy who has a sportster... Ha!

Enjoy whatever you buy, its an awesome feeling.

Weev-

 

new thought: I've been on bikes for a while so I don't know what insurance costs are for new riders....used to be if you took that safety course you got a discount on your insurance....an 883 might be a good choice to help keep insurance cost down until you get a year or 3 of safe riding on your policy will make it cheaper if you decide to go to a big twin....or you can do a 1200 conversion on the 883 an have the power an lower insurance costs.

 

Here's the scoop. Just about every motorcycle sold in the United States over the past 10 years is a solid, quality and very reliable bike. There really isn't any junk being sold today. Provided the previous owner took care of their bike and properly maintained it, almost any bike will make an excellent used bike.

That being said, not all bikes make for a great first bike.

As was said repeatedly: Take a safety course first!

Believe it or not, a Sportster isn't really the ideal beginners bike. Plenty of people have done it but IMHO a used 250-500cc bike is a better option. After a season and a couple of thousand miles under your belt you can sell it for practically what you bought it for and get anything you want after you gain the proper experience.

Good luck

 

been said a million times, nobody wants to hear it. same over in the dyna forums... people say start smaller, then the "get what you want" folks appear telling first timers to buy a 700lb+ bike.... makes sense. fact is person who asked is gonna buy that they asked about regardless of what was said. folks just want validation sometimes. every now and then someone gets talked of the ledge and goes smaller or buys used rather than new, etc... etc. most say they are gonna jump, then they jump.

i stop saying don't, it's almost pointless

 

I've tilted at windmills on more than one occasion.

 

Sporty or Boulvard?

Apart from you being interested in both they dont have anything in common. If you are talking about the Bouldvard I know.

Sporty or Yamaha Bolt is more like it,

Boulvard and HD Hotrod or Vmax.

The last 3 too big to start with.

Get an Iron, or if you can be very careful and take your time get a 48.

 

Welcome aboard.