Well, I've avoided this kind of talk, but do want to give the aspiring buyer something to consider, and reveal why I bought a 1200 Custom. Price was not a consideration.

I'm 6 foot, 190 lbs, with long legs, one of which has a problem. The ladened seat height on the 1200c is 26.5 inches. The 883 Low is half an inch lower. The Soft Tail and Dyna are around 25, and they are both 100 pounds heavier. They don't advertise width, but those two seemed awfully wide to me. Bottom line was coming to a stop and holding one of them up with my legs all spread out was a challenge. The lighter weight of the Sporty made it seem to me a lot more responsive and a lot easier to handle. I rode dirt bikes for a lot of years and I guess I grew a liking to tall, skinny bikes (think I'll put Roadster shocks on this Custom).

So it depends a lot on what kind of riding you plan to do and what you feel most comfortable with. To say that the Sportster is a ladies bike is about as dumb as saying Dyna's are for short fat people, or Soft Tails are for chopper wannabe's, or Electra Glides are for old people who never get over 55 MPH. Sounds pretty stupid, huh?

I suspect you see a lot of ladies on Sportsters because, relative to their size, they're easier to handle. Not to say there aren't some very attractive ladies (must have legs of a gorilla) out there on Soft Tails. Again, buy whatever you feel is comfortable and fun to ride. To hell with what everybody else says.

 

BUUURRRRRP - WTFC???
Ditto

 

I have a Sportster Hugger and a Heritage and I am a pretty short lady 5'2, they both are low enough for me. But it's not about what everyone else thinks, get what makes you feel comfortable. I have taken both bikes on long road trips either one worked fine for me, I will say my Heritage is more comfortable, but they both are great for long haul.

 

What!...I thought the softail deluxe was the one they built for ladies.

 

Just get the bike YOU want!

 

SO NEWRIDER, STILL WITH US?

Which bike did you go with?

 

MIke Nelson from Washington DC, joined the HD Forums on Dec. 21, 2005. He/she/it posted this one thread on 12-21-05, and has not logged in since and this was his/her/it's only post for a grand total of one.

 

Must have gotten a rice burner if he/she/it didn't come back! - -GOOD!

 

I don't know how the hell people figure Sportsters are girls bikes to begin with. I have a 2006 883 Sportster and every single girl whose tried to get on it can't even balance it off the kickstand.

 

I have the 03 lowrider and my brother just got an 06 1200 low we are both over 6 feet and no problems with the bikes. If you are tall I would suggest forward controls. This make it more enjoyable for the long leg folks.