So I'm close to buying my first bike, and I've read a lot on this forum and a lot from other places and heard it in person that it's not a good idea to buy a Harley as my first bike and that Honda's are a good brand to start on at first. I really like Sportsters and I eventually will have one.

My big question, is that if my real goal is a Sportster, would a Honda Shadow be the best one to start with or are there better beginner bikes out there for someone who's never owned one before? I know it's not a Harley and this IS HDForums but my eventual goal IS and for now I just need to get started somewhere.

Thanks in advance for any advice I might get.

P.S.
Sorry if this question is in the wrong area, didn't know where else to put it

 

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...023116079.html

Wait, how tall are you? I'm pretty short and skinny, so I felt safer starting on a lighter bike. YMMV.

 

A whole lot depends on your current skill level......an 883 is not a "large" bike by any means but it could be more than you currently need. If you are totally new to motorcycles I would advise you to take a beginners riding course (I have no idea what they cost these days) because they provide the bike and good instruction. Usually 250 cc's and then once you pass the course you have your license and then you can determine better what bike to actually buy for your use. Good luck and enjoy.

 

I'm 5'11 and 240lbs

 

The only previous experience I have is riding dirt bikes when I was younger but I'm not really sure how that will translate to riding on the street.
But I'll definitely take the advice on taking a course to test that translation.

 

Oh just get on with it . Just get a Sportster or better still a Roadster with a bit more stopping power . I wish I hadn't f****d around for forty years on other bikes knowing what I know now . A Harley is a whole different plane of existence compared to all other motorcycles . And a Sportster is more Harley than a lot of the larger current models in my eyes . Go for it .

 

Get the sportster. If anything at all, it's tamer than dirtbikes.

Unless you can afford a softail...

 

A big reason people advise riders to buy a metric for a first street bike is money. Buying a good running $1500-$2000 metric off Craigslist to learn on for a year makes good sense to a lot. When you drop it, scratch it, etc you are not out much. Then as your riding abilities improve and you get more experienced, you can go out and buy that Harley.

 

^^^^This
Many Harley Dealers have a riding course and credit the cost to the purchase of a bike or discount training. It's worth the money before you purchase a motorcycle.

 

Were you in a Honda dealership when you received this sage advice that you shouldn't buy a Harley as your first bike, and you should go with a Honda?

Get the Harley. Preowned Sportsters are inexpensive. Easy to ride. I'd probably try to find a 2007+ Sportster.