She just passed the safety course... shes not the best rider so I'm looking for a perfect fit and somthing not to top heavy... she's a whopping 5'0 100lbs....... I have been told sportsters can be a little top heavy for 1st time women riders..... what do you think?

low rider?
another woman we ride with her size is relatively new and does good w/ a fatboy?

 

I tried to talk my wife into a Dyna or a Softail for her first bike but she was scared of the weight. She's pretty comfortable already on her 1200L now and seems to like it. I still say that a Sporty isn't the best choice for a beginner, but my wife never listens to me!

 

we modified the wifes 883 Low for a year or so,

then sold it and got a V Star 950.
put a $40 lowering kit on it, and she was GTG

she actually WANTS to ride now.

men will tell you sportys are ok,

but small petite women will tell you sportys are horrible.

 

the older sportys (from my experience) i would say are more top heavy (pre-rubbermount) and with a penut tank. when i got my custom 04 (larger tank and rubbermount) i no longer felt that top heavyness.

i would say if yr gonna go sporty get the low and keep it an 883 for her. otherwise get a japper first then move to an HD.

unless yr set on an HD i tell every new rider to get a jap bike first, this way they don't spend the $$ on a hobby they might not like and on a bike they will certainly drop at some point.

 

+1 to what old skool said, if she's not that great a rider she would be better off with a jap bike, less $ and depending on the bike, not necessarially as heavy.

 

I'd say go jap bike first unless your dead set on a hd. My mother is a lil bigger than your friend and hates my new 883n. She rides a 05 Deluxe and has no issues on that or my fathers 01 road king.

If you have to go with a Harley have her sit on a few different bikes. My mom says a Deluxe is the way to go Harley wise, but she also started on a 250 honda rebel, moved to a 650 yamaha Vstar, then the Harley.

Let her test fit a few then let her decide not you or anyone else. Then you avoid the its all your fault talks.

 

It's been said many times before and will be many more after this...

Sportster's are not a great "learner" or "first time rider" bike. They are top heavy, tougher to turn and a HD (expensive to repair when you drop em).

I love my sporty, but glad it wasn't my first bike. I dropped my first A LOT.

 

+1 on sportster not being a beginners bike. It has many quirks, not bad qualities, just quirks.

 

Yes, I agree not a beginners bike. It is top heavy

 

you can get those dirt cheap 250cc china bikes for under $ 3,000...... 1 year waranty....they can run at 60-70mph they weigh next to nothing awesome starter bike..