Which bike to get?

laura · 08-05-2008, 11:50 AM

I'm a new rider, and I don't know what bike to get. Any suggestions?

00FattyT · 08-05-2008, 12:02 PM

how tall are you???? general size (toothpick, average, bigboned) not trying to get too invasive.

most of the softail models have a low saddle height. and there are some low models on the sporty's and they weigh less, but i see alot of women on Softail Deluxe's. make sure you visit a dealership and sit on some to see what feels comfortable.

Hope this helps

if you have never ridden before i would maybe try to start out on a smaller metric cruiser because they cost alot less and it doesn't hurt as much laying down a $5000 bike as it does a $15,000+ bike. i would look at the Honda Shadow 750 or the Yamaha V-Star 650

laura · 08-05-2008, 12:29 PM

Thanks, that really helps! But ... I really wanted a harley. Probably the smallest 883 will be good. I'm a fairly good dirt rider.

UGlide · 08-05-2008, 12:36 PM

Laura,
+1 for the Deluxe ...very classy.

FL · 08-05-2008, 01:39 PM

Deluxe is a very nice womans bike.

The Beaver · 08-05-2008, 03:18 PM

Go set on a sportster. Eventhough I am a man. I am 5'5'' ish and the sportster fits me fine.

fortbriscoe · 08-05-2008, 03:25 PM

Ditto on the metric cruisers. Get used to the weight and power, and then skip past the Sportsters to a StreetGlide

RDGLD · 08-05-2008, 03:29 PM

Ditto on the Deluxe for the bigger bikes or get a sportie for now and trade up in a year when you will want a bigger bike!!!

ICEMAN336 · 08-05-2008, 03:29 PM

what you are using it for. Primarily city running, or longer highway cruising...

The Nightser is popular with a lot of female riders as is the Dyna Low and the Superglide.

pepper · 08-05-2008, 03:35 PM

Hey Laura, my friend Lucy, had the same connundrum, but never once relented on getting a Harley. Don't settle for less, you'll regret it in 5 minutes. Get the Harley you want regardless of height. I am 5"7 and my Dyna is lower than a softail after I put on a barebones seat, and lowered the suspension by 2". By the way she got a Sporster, and she loves it.

Odd Job · 08-05-2008, 03:46 PM

I'm going to go out on a limb here...but I'd recommend a Road King best general all purpose road machine, from daily commutes, to the market or long distance touring. Just take the MSF course or if you've taken it take the Advanced or Ride-Like-A-Pro class and/or vids. Once you get a bike rolling they're all about the same, stayng up on two-wheels that is.

As said in an above post...a sportie is nice but after a few months you'll want a bigger bike for those longer rides and your skills develop, might as well start off with a very usable bike and not waste money.

Dax · 08-05-2008, 04:46 PM

Jeez Oddster, you're gonna put a newbie rider on an RK ... What is this world coming to? !!!

laura · 08-05-2008, 04:52 PM

Thanks everybody! Ill try the deluxe and the dyna as well but theyy are probably too big for me. Just 20 and I don't think I could handle much above a sportster. I took MSF course but those were a lot smaller kawa cruizers. I don't think I'm ready for a bigger bike yet.

Odd Job · 08-05-2008, 05:13 PM

Hey DAX...like I said, was going out on a limb.

Laura...the Deluxe and Dyna are large bikes like the road king, FYI. Get one that fits you!!! We're all trying to help!! Good Luck in your search!

emsley3 · 08-05-2008, 05:20 PM

I'll probably get shot for this one but if you don't like the 883 once you sit on it, 2 of the lower seat height bikes are the Deuce and the base Rocker. Of course the Deuce has been discontinued but you can still find used ones that are practically new.

bone_head · 08-05-2008, 05:36 PM

If you are gonna try the sportster, try the 1200. It is about the same weight as the 883 with much more power.

Scoots123 · 08-05-2008, 06:59 PM

a deuce might be ok, but emsley, what have you been smokin' ? A rocker :p !?

Warden · 08-05-2008, 09:36 PM

I would look in the classifieds for a used metric. Something inexpensive and something to get used to riding for a few months so you are comfortable with riding on the roads and road hazards. I am sure since you are a new rider you will not be taking any trips any time soon so for around town or local riding I feel this would give you a good feel for a bigger bike in the near future.

My wife is 5'3 and started off on a V star 650 custom. I think we got it for 5,000. Now 4 bikes later she is riding a Heritage Springer Classic. Very nice bike and big bike. She rides like a pro.

Just my thought.

Good luck in your decision. Ride safe

sk8rod · 08-05-2008, 11:13 PM

no no no nonoooooooooo everyone here has it wrong,, it has to be a Street Bob, and this is an unbiased view.. Although the silver motor on the 09 isnt my thing,, the bike is low and stable, handles real well and is of course the greatest motorcycle ever to roll rubber..

roc66 · 08-06-2008, 05:00 AM

i believe you said you are a fairly good dirt rider. if that's the case try test riding or renting a few of the bikes you like. don't be intimidated by the extra weight of a big twin they are balanced nicely. if you want something to flick though the turns then i would lean more towards the sportsters. most importantly buy the bike you like, make it your own & have fun.

HDTRAIN · 08-06-2008, 05:54 AM

Go to your local HD Dealer and rent a Deluxe & Sporty, then compare. Most dealers will credit you back the rental fee if you purchase a bike throught them.

greydog · 08-06-2008, 09:42 AM

My friend's wife inherited a brand new 1200 Sportster a few years back after her first husband passed away. The bike was a garage queen for a couple years until she decided she wanted to ride it. She's 56 years old and had never ridden a motorcycle before. She signed up for the safety course, got her MC endorsement and has been riding it like she stole it ever since!!

emsley3 · 08-06-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoots123

a deuce might be ok, but emsley, what have you been smokin' ? A rocker :p !?

I know...I know...I should have said a Rocker C like mine but didn't because the seat height is 1" higher than the Rocker. The Rocker is just a cheap looking imitation of the Rocker C!

Hops · 08-06-2008, 11:52 PM

I agree with Bone Head on the 1200 if your going with a sporty. Renting is also a good idea. But I will also add that if your set on a sporty there are so many used ones out there to get a great deal on. That way you won't have as much invested in case you want to move to a bigger bike sooner than you planned. The other benefit to used, you usually get most upgrades, if not free, for pennys on the dollar. Good Luck.

sk8rod · 08-07-2008, 01:41 AM

+1 Spoh,, dont think you will get any better advice than that...

UglyTroll · 08-07-2008, 06:30 AM

Hi Laura, my wife is 5' 4" and started out on an old iron head Sporty. The bike was custom built for her and lowered 3". She liked it, and rode it for about 4 thousand miles. Then, after 3 months on that, she bought a brand new Street Bob. I'd suggest you take a look at them. I don't like the new gray matter engines they put on the new ones, but still a great bike! Low height, very well balanced, you can haul it through the twisties and drag the pegs like it's much smaller and lighter, and the money ain't too bad for one! Someone mentioned Ride Like A Pro; all I can say about the video is this: I've been riding 43 years and still learned some real good stuff from it! Get it! Practice it! You can ride ANY bike you like! Best of luck. Let us know what you end up with!

Troll

Dax · 08-07-2008, 08:16 AM

Emsley, you are a chucklehead!! Or is that me?

emsley3 · 08-07-2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dax

Emsley, you are a chucklehead!! Or is that me?

Dax, you sure you didn't mean shithead?

These days, it seems most people just take shit too seriously too often and get there feelings hurt too easily. Throw a little humor in or a stab at yourself every once in a while and people know you don't mind disagreements about opinions.

Dax · 08-07-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emsley3

Dax, you sure you didn't mean shithead?

These days, it seems most people just take shit too seriously too often and get there feelings hurt too easily. Throw a little humor in or a stab at yourself every once in a while and people know you don't mind disagreements about opinions.

Heh ... emsley, yep self-deprecating humor is a great thing for chuckleheads like me! And you!! But, seriously, I'm sorry to hear that you are a shithead and hope you work out of it soon ... doh!

Perhaps if we continue this we should do it in the off topic!

LVJim · 08-07-2008, 11:33 PM

I ride a 1200 Custom Sportster, and I love the bike. It handles well, has a very good power to weight ratio, and I can keep up with anybody on a cruise, and the bike is more than quick enough for me(in fact, it is very quick). I am not a big guy (5'9" 165 lbs.) so I love the fact it is not a heavy bike, and I am low enough in the saddle to sit flat-footed very comfortably. I don't know your weight or body size, but I would be willing to bet it would be a good fit.

I would start there, and try out some other models that catch your eye, using the Sportster as a base point. See what feels right for you (we're all different afterall), and consider your budget and riding skills as to how much bike you can handle. I can tell you that I've have had my eye on other models (the new Crossbones), but I don't think I will buy one until I can do so without trading in my Sporty. I plan to keep it in my inventory for a long time to come, as it is just a hoot to ride.