Hello from NNJ
#15
Welcome from Bristol, England.
There are people here with differing views on the subject of 'starter bike' so you'll get differing advice on the subject. Personally, I started out on significantly smaller bikes, my first being a Suzuki 120cc and I gradually moved up.
For myself I'm glad I did things this way as the smaller bikes were lighter, less powerful, more forgiving and cheaper. As with most things in life riding has a learning curve and I certainly dropped my first bike a few times due to making mistakes. However, I was only 17 at the time and fortunately was still immortal back then.
I wouldnt be so presumtuous as to say it's wrong to start out on a bike as large as a Harley. All I can say is I dont think it would have been right for me to do so, and It's not what I would recommend to anyone that asked me.
I appreciate that of course you didnt ask, but it was the best reply I could think of to your first paragraph. BTW, you say your not exactly large, I also currently ride a Sporty and am the same height as you, but 119lbs, it goes well with the skull theme!!
Dont worry about what mods are popular for now. Get yourself on the MSF course and learn some basic skills. If you can find an empty parking lot get the bike down there and practise some slow speed manouvers as thats the trickiest skill. Spend time learning how to ride the bike.
In your spare time when not riding have a look around the Sportster section of the forum and see some of the mods others have done to their bikes. Dont worry whats popular. Rather look and decide what styles of bike appeal to you. There's no rush, but when you have formulated 'your' look and can afford it then do it your own way. It dont mater if its popular or no one else likes it, its 'your' bike.
This link will take you to the forum index, from there you can find the sportster section.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/index.php
There are people here with differing views on the subject of 'starter bike' so you'll get differing advice on the subject. Personally, I started out on significantly smaller bikes, my first being a Suzuki 120cc and I gradually moved up.
For myself I'm glad I did things this way as the smaller bikes were lighter, less powerful, more forgiving and cheaper. As with most things in life riding has a learning curve and I certainly dropped my first bike a few times due to making mistakes. However, I was only 17 at the time and fortunately was still immortal back then.
I wouldnt be so presumtuous as to say it's wrong to start out on a bike as large as a Harley. All I can say is I dont think it would have been right for me to do so, and It's not what I would recommend to anyone that asked me.
I appreciate that of course you didnt ask, but it was the best reply I could think of to your first paragraph. BTW, you say your not exactly large, I also currently ride a Sporty and am the same height as you, but 119lbs, it goes well with the skull theme!!
Dont worry about what mods are popular for now. Get yourself on the MSF course and learn some basic skills. If you can find an empty parking lot get the bike down there and practise some slow speed manouvers as thats the trickiest skill. Spend time learning how to ride the bike.
In your spare time when not riding have a look around the Sportster section of the forum and see some of the mods others have done to their bikes. Dont worry whats popular. Rather look and decide what styles of bike appeal to you. There's no rush, but when you have formulated 'your' look and can afford it then do it your own way. It dont mater if its popular or no one else likes it, its 'your' bike.
This link will take you to the forum index, from there you can find the sportster section.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/index.php
#18
Welcome from North Jersey myself
I started out on a 883,it's all I could afford at the time,as it's been said it's not what your riding but that you are riding.Screw anyone that has a problem with what your riding just remember it's there problem not yours
Hope to see you out on the road
I started out on a 883,it's all I could afford at the time,as it's been said it's not what your riding but that you are riding.Screw anyone that has a problem with what your riding just remember it's there problem not yours
Hope to see you out on the road
#19
hey guys thanks for all the replies.
And i guess you guys are a little more easy going then some car people who all wanna just be sheep and copy each other
and for those who said take the MSF course i will be doing so as soon as i get a permit. I went yesterday and failed by one question cause i hit the wrong part of the screen on accident (stupid touchscreen)
And i guess you guys are a little more easy going then some car people who all wanna just be sheep and copy each other
and for those who said take the MSF course i will be doing so as soon as i get a permit. I went yesterday and failed by one question cause i hit the wrong part of the screen on accident (stupid touchscreen)