Sit on it, take it off the side stand, try to back it up. Then look at accessories if necessary to make it two up if needed. I would look into cost/ease of service, too. I don't think that one's sex makes a difference, personally. I am sure that the bike won't care.
Others are right about low Softails and big twins but I would consider the extra weight you have to muscle around. A 1200 Sporty due to less weight (about 100-150lbs over a Softail) will be just as fast as most all big twins and be a lot more fun in the twisties where you won't be dragging pieces. I have had a Softail for 25 yrs and always thought the Sporty was less of a bike. I was so wrong. If anything it's more of a bike. You can do anything you want to a Sporty to make it just as comfortable for a long cruise as a big twin. My 48 is awesome and my Softail is going to end up being parted out.
If you want to stay with the sportster, the 48 would be a good fit. I'm short like you too and female. You can put 11" progressive shocks on to lower it another inch, a super reduced reach solo seat (will lower you another inch and push you forward 3 inches so the forward controls will feel like mids almost), Harley boots with 2 inch heels and I put mini apes on it so I could sit upright and lean back. But - the bike is so low I did not have to put lower shocks on this one.
This is an amazingly fun bike to ride. Mine is an older 2014 one, but it looks like the new 2018s already have the mini apes. All you'd need to do is the seat and boots.
I went through a '95 sporty and a superlow before I accidently sat on this one one day talking to someone at the dealership and went - whoa - this is what I should have gotten.
Here's a pic (I also put a bigger gas tank I got on ebay from another sportster because I ride long distances out in the boonies and needed more gas mileage):
Hi ... What are the best bikes for a short, 5'0 woman ? I've had a Sportster 883 and it wasn't powerful enough. I feel like I need something a bit bigger but not sure what. Also, I would like to ride passengers. Thanks for any feedback.
04-07-2018, 03:25 AM
