Sportster as a starter bike...
#21
05-10-2009, 11:27 AM
Intermediate
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: South Central Wisconsin
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I started at age 16 on a honda 450 nighthawk , IMO that is the perfect starter bike , cheap, light, and easy to handle.
the way i figure it is , start with a bike that you would just go out to and kick off of the kickstand and not think twice about it , ride it for a season , THEN get the bike you want , but don't fall too much in love with the first bike you get cause more than likely something will happen to it while you are in real world situations with it
But thats just my opinion , I may be wrong
the way i figure it is , start with a bike that you would just go out to and kick off of the kickstand and not think twice about it , ride it for a season , THEN get the bike you want , but don't fall too much in love with the first bike you get cause more than likely something will happen to it while you are in real world situations with it
But thats just my opinion , I may be wrong
#22
05-10-2009, 11:58 AM
IMO the only thing that makes the sporty a starter bike is $$$. If your looking for something to bust up in your first year or two get a shadow, ride it then sell it for the Harley you really want...
And when you come back to harley cause you know you will, take a look at the sporty not as a starter bike, it just a different bike in the harley line up that cost a little less than the Dyna, Softails or Touring.
Peppy bikes that are lots of fun to ride.
IMO that sports bike is a waste of $$$, insurance will kill you if the bike doesn't.
And when you come back to harley cause you know you will, take a look at the sporty not as a starter bike, it just a different bike in the harley line up that cost a little less than the Dyna, Softails or Touring.
Peppy bikes that are lots of fun to ride.
IMO that sports bike is a waste of $$$, insurance will kill you if the bike doesn't.
My coverage on my 1300cc hayabusa is less than $300 / yr. with theft. I don't and never have had full coverage.
#23
05-10-2009, 12:35 PM
another biker bought it this week....i know one of the firemen.....a kid on a sport bike traveling at over 100 miles an hour on a busy 4 lane IN TOWN had a van pull out from a driveway, the kid did not have time to hit the brakes and t-boned the van and died instantly
http://mystateline.com/content/fulltext/?cid=64562
#24
05-10-2009, 01:01 PM
Road Warrior
I have an 883, and I feel it's a fine starter bike. I love it. I started on it last year. I will tell you that my girlfriend just got a new CBR600RR and it would be much more to handle for a starter. They just carry a lot of speed, and throttle response is touchy, breaks are really sensative. It is just geared for speed, and maybe a little too "sharp" for a beginner with less room for screw ups.
#25
05-10-2009, 02:11 PM
#26
05-10-2009, 03:13 PM
I bought my nightster last summer as my first bike. I had never even rode a motorcycle before, and had only been on dirtbikes about 5 times in my mid teens.
Its the greatest thing I had ever bought. I never drive my truck unless its raining.
I did drop it once. It was on the side with the exhaust. All it did was scratch the stock exhaust (which was getting changed anyways) and the front brake lever. I just got some black model paint and touched it up and you can't even tell it was ever dropped!
It also was very easy to pick up (to my surprise!)
Anyways, I say go for a sportster, forget the shadow, and stay the hell away from crotch rockets. Those things kill people and are uncomfortable to ride at slow speeds.
And always remember, ride smart, and slow down before turns, not in them!
Its the greatest thing I had ever bought. I never drive my truck unless its raining.
I did drop it once. It was on the side with the exhaust. All it did was scratch the stock exhaust (which was getting changed anyways) and the front brake lever. I just got some black model paint and touched it up and you can't even tell it was ever dropped!
It also was very easy to pick up (to my surprise!)
Anyways, I say go for a sportster, forget the shadow, and stay the hell away from crotch rockets. Those things kill people and are uncomfortable to ride at slow speeds.
And always remember, ride smart, and slow down before turns, not in them!
#27
05-10-2009, 03:29 PM
#29
05-10-2009, 06:08 PM
Tourer
Join Date: May 2009
Location: central Texas
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got my 03 Sporty 1200 because it is a hundred year anniversary edition and only had 4300 miles on it. I got it two months ago. I did not have a liscence and had not riden in 35 years, only friends bikes. never been on a harley before. I took the Harley MSC and have put about 2000 miles on it since. I love it. Some folks told me it was very uncomfortable, before I got it. I am 62 and have atheritis in my hips. This Harley makes my body feel like I've just had a full body massage. If I go 2 days without riding I hurt. As far as the getup and go, I'll put it up against any stock bike around.
#30
05-10-2009, 10:01 PM
A Harley-Davidson is more a state of mind than anything else. It's an icon in the motorcycle arena. There is Harley... and there is everything else.
That said, if you don't want a Harley in particular (for the heritage, for the respect, for the image, whatever) then you probably should start with something else. Thing is, so many riders who start with that "something else" always seem to want a Harley after all is said and done. Other bikes are cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, attract cheaper women (
- J/K) and Harleys aren't known for their dependability. You have to really want a Harley to have and keep a Harley.
It's sorta like dating a stripper: you know there are gonna be problems down the road, but that damn desirability factor always trumps good sense. And like a stripper, good/high maintenance with your Harley is the key.
Up to you what kind of rider you are, or want to be. There's nothing wrong with metric bikes, they're just part of that "everything else" I mentioned earlier.
Good luck and ride safe.
That said, if you don't want a Harley in particular (for the heritage, for the respect, for the image, whatever) then you probably should start with something else. Thing is, so many riders who start with that "something else" always seem to want a Harley after all is said and done. Other bikes are cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, attract cheaper women (
- J/K) and Harleys aren't known for their dependability. You have to really want a Harley to have and keep a Harley.It's sorta like dating a stripper: you know there are gonna be problems down the road, but that damn desirability factor always trumps good sense. And like a stripper, good/high maintenance with your Harley is the key.
Up to you what kind of rider you are, or want to be. There's nothing wrong with metric bikes, they're just part of that "everything else" I mentioned earlier.
Good luck and ride safe.
Filmy, just what is it that stirs your desirability factor?
NunnC, you should be able to get a fine 2000 883 with low milage, no damage with extras for well below $5k. Look around (craig's list)
Last edited by Ric27; 05-10-2009 at 10:10 PM.