I ride an Ultra. Wife has been on the back for many years, now at 48 she wants to start riding. I am happy but worried. I have only ridden touring bike and stand 6'1 wt 240 so I really never rode or owned a Sportster. I am asking it this would be a good bike for her, 5' 3" wt 130. Should I look for a LOW or go with the stock ?? Also if I buy used, what would I be looking at price wise to repaint the fenders and tank ?? Thanks for your replies in advance

Be Safe JIM

 

My wife rides a Sportster now but began on a Buell Blast. She's a little nervous on the Sportster still and hops on the Blast and zips around everywhere.

She often says she's glad she learned on the Blast because of everything you need to learn at once (other than simply riding the bike). She gained confidence and all that with the Buell and then went to the 883.

She's 5' 7" and I had to lower the crap out of hers to get her flat footed on the ground and comfy with the foot/hand controls.

This was her experience. I'm sure there were beginner riders out there that hopped directly on a Sportster & had no problem.

 

She's the same size as my wife and I believe the standard sporty sits too high. I'm not sure about the low, but my wife fits nicely on the Nightster. The Iron would be another good choice given her height. I would also recommend the MSF Course. My wife took it and loved it...gave her the extra confidence she was looking for.

Paint? Don't know.

Good luck!

 

I would not think of letting her ride without taking the course.... nor would I ever try to teach her myself I value my marriage too much LOL LOL

Be Safe JIM

 

MSF course for sure.
What is the bike going to be used for?
Can she stand falt footed on a Dyna Low?
What feels good to her?
My wife started on a Honda 750 we picked up for 5k. It's not a bad idea to see if shes really into it. After the course if she still wants to ride, I would look into a cheap 650 or 750 to get her feet wet. DON'T spend any extra on paint, pipes, etc... Engine guards maybe nice tho. After she gets comfortable riding on that, trade it in, sell it, and get the Harley SHE wants. If she doesn't like riding her own, your not into a huge payment with high insurance trying to get rid of it. Check out the papers you'll find brand new bikes with 200 miles on them because someone thought it would be cool to have a bike. But that's just MHO.

 

I am assuming she has never ridden before. If that is the case I think you might be wiser to start her off on a smaller, lighter bike. When I got back into riding I bought an 82 Kawasaki KZ440. Light and very rider friendly. I put about 2000 miles on that one before I bought the sporty. Sure glad I did.

 

1. The Sportster is not a good starter bike.
2. Nightster and Iron have a negative comfort level.
3. The 600 cc Shadow or even the Rebel are light, have a low cg, and are great learners bikes.

jmho

Bwana

 

+1 let her beat them trainer bikes up first (MSF Course Bikes)

 

My wife after the course started out o a 650 Yamaha Rode it all over the place . She now has an 05 low rider. Has rode it 9000 miles. a Friend of mine bought a Nightster , Let her ride it a couple of times . We are going to pick one up this weekend. That we got a deal on She is also 5'3 and 130 She said it just fit her better and was easier for her to maneuver around in tight areas. I will let you know how she likes it after this weekend. She will be ridding it back home about 250 mille.

 

Good info there and agree .. Also will add a Yamaha V Star which wife had is also a good learning bike with low seat height and big bike feel .. If truly need a Harley right off.. The Deluxe has the lowest seat height.. Not knocking Sporty's, I own one but will never recommend it for a beginner bike even though it was my First Harley.. Way back in 1969.. No MSF or even Motorcycle endorsement required back then .. I survived but wonder sometimes how I did ..