I am a 30 year old lady that stands 5'2 with a little more to love. My intentions is to get my license by the end of this year. My husband and I have been looking at purchasing our first bike together. He was wanting to buy a Honda Goldwing but I quickly changed his mind on that when I showed him the Ultra Classic; while looking at bikes for him I too started looking. At first all I wanted was a Heritage Deluxe but the more I look the more I love the Street Glide. My question is this bike to large for a woman like me. Feed back please.

 

I would say no. I've met woman that weigh about 100 lbs and and 5'5" that handled a touring bike with no problem. Take the MSF course, practice in an empty parking lot and you should have no problems. Harley also has seats that will lower you down so you can flat foot when stopped.

 

I've seen short women handle a Honda Valkyrie, and they're more of a handful than a Street Glide. You should be fine.

When my ex wanted to start riding, she went thru the MSF course. Then we bought her a used Honda Rebel 250. We spent a lot of time in the parking lot going around cones, braking, shifting, taking off from a start, etc. Then we sold the Honda (for $50 less than what we paid for it) and bought her the bike she wanted. She did fine.

 

while everyone is going to have an opinion and they will differ I'm going the other way on this one.

First off, congrats on making a decision to start riding, welcome to the club

now on to the bike, I think you may have bitten off more than you can chew with your first choice as a first bike. That's NOT to say that you can't get there, but me personally watching my own wife make the tranistion from rider to driver and she wanted the SG also, once she took the class she realized how much bike that really was and that it IS NOT a starter bike.

we bought her a nice slightly used Yamaha 650 Silverado V-Star and she loved it, rode it for a year and then we sold it for more than we bought it for and bought her the FatBoy she had to have.

Even another year later with a years worth of riding the FB under her belt she still does not think she is ready for the SG.


Now I do know women that are, there are plenty out there that have more riding experience than I do so I am not saying women can't do it.

I am saying it's too much bike for your first choice.

 

You would be fine, you can get the front and rear lowered and cut down the seat as well to get the desired height. Do you have any previous experience riding? I assume if your hubby is getting his own you would be riding solo which would be good idea until you're comfortable.

 

You may need to customize the SG to your needs. It may include changing the seat and handlebars. The SG is very nimble while riding. The hardest part is when you come to a stop you need to make sure you can easily reach the ground. Good luck.

 

I would take the test on something smaller like a Honda Shadow so maybe rent one for a week to get used to it and take the test then go buy yourself a Street Glide once you have passed the test.

 

Listen to this guy. I bought a metric, rode it for two years and got $500 more than what I bought it for. And there is nothing wrong with the Silverado, sharp bike for $4-5k used.

 

Street Glide is a tall (for you), large, and heavy bike and can be very intimidating for a new rider... If you really want a Harley, I would recommend you start with a Sportster, and maybe a Heritage. You can always add saddlebags and a fairing to the Heritage. Biking should be fun and when you are overwhelmed by the bike, it is no longer fun, not to mention very dangerous.

For sure, go through a MSF course.

 

Handling a bagger at 5'-2" is going to be a challenge, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it as a first bike. You might look at the Sportster Superlow, with a shield and bags on it it's pretty versatile and the low seat height will make the bike feel lighter, more comfortable and easier to handle for shorter people. Sit on one at the dealer and see what you think. Since the Sportys are all rubber-mounted now they are much more comfortable rides than they used to be.