Motorcycles?

I've got one for the motor(especially Harley) guys. I don't ride (so far only a motorcycle permit) but I'm starting to get into it.

So, I'd like a Harley (from my highly scientific "sit-testing", I really liked the Low Rider.) Obviously, I'm not going to buy a $15K bike as a first ride. So I though about an 883 Sportster. BUT... This is universally regarded (things I've read in books, mags and online, and people I've spoken to) as too small for me (about 190lbs.) Keep this in mind.

So, I figure, I'll take the MSF course, then buy a smallish bike to ride for a while to see if I really like it, and get proficient enough to move up.

Okay, here's the rub. There's a world full of 600-800cc class bikes I could go with (seems like a reasonable size for a tyro.) If I bought a Kawi ZR7, say, no one would bat an eye. My friend is riding a 650 Honda Nighthawk that he's had for years, if I got one of these it would seem perfectly reasonable. Etc., etc., etc. BUT... If I got an 883 Sportster, which would allow me an entre into the Harley fraternity to which I aspire, and is of similar size and power to the aforementioned cycles, the cry would be, "It's too small for you!" What gives? Size, and power are very similar. When sold at MSRP (I've checked, it's not as tough to find as it was a few years ago) prices are fairly close. I'm not loking for other's approval, I'm genuinely puzzled. Am I missing something? Why is an 883 from the motor company too small, but a 750 from Kawasaki or a 650 from Honda is okay? :confused:
 
tortoise,

When I was 39 I decided I wanted a Harley.

I had never been on a bike before.

I have wanted one since I was 17.

I took the MSF course and then went to my Harley dealer and ordered a 1200 Sportster.

The 883s don't hold their valve; there're too many of them on the market because everybody thinks that's the cheapest way to start.

After I ordered it I asked the salesman if I could sit on his.

I had never sat on one before.

I put 20,000 miles on it in 18 months and people said it was too small for me.

I didn't know it was too small for me (I'm 6' 4 and 220 lbs.).

I loved that bike.

Then a deal came along on my 1991 Lowrider (it had 237 miles on it) so I bought it.

I am very glad I did; it will probably last me forever.

I put 85,500 miles on it and I can still get what I paid for it.

The Lowrider is heavier, larger, the engine is rubber mounted with regular shocks and rides better than the Softails, but the Softails look cooler.

IMO, buy the Lowrider if you can.

A friend of mine just bought his first bike; a Fatboy.
 
Thanks Rick, BTW, I think the Dynas look cooler than the STs,

I could grab the Low Rider tomorrow (financed, of course,) the thing is, I need to find out if I really like riding before making that big a purchase. I'd hate to drop 15 grand, and find out that it's not for me. How many things seem like they'd be great until we try them... For you it worked out, and I hope I love riding too, but I'm trying to be a little reasonable (it's not easy.) What if I turn out to be one of the guys who just doesn't get it? -Happened to me years ago with skiing. It seemed like something right up my alley. I went about a dozen times, wasn't good enough to really have fun, and didn't like it enough to put in the time to get that good. -Glad I didn't go all out on the ski equipment, 'cause I would've done the, "Gimme' what Tomba's got" routine, and then been stuck trying to get rid of it all. Not that 6 grand is a pittance, but it's much easier to swallow than two and a half or three times that amount.

That's why it seemed like a good idea to start smaller and cheaper. Plus, I could handle a Corvette now, but if, 15 years ago, I'd had one as my first car, I might not be here. (Come to think of it, I bounced my first car off some guard rails in a snowstorm, so I think I may be on to something here.) What's "too much" for a beginner?
And let me be clear, because I'm reading over this and it sounds like, "This guy wants a Sportster and he's looking to justify it." I don't have my heart set on a Sportster. Far from it. It just seemed to be the thing to do, to get a smaller bike to learn on, so I began to look at the "cheaper" bikes, then I ran into the question I raised initially.

I know I'm the only one who can decide ("Get what you want," and all that.) I'm not looking to turn this into a "Which knife?" round and round, but I am hoping to benefit from others experience. So all that in mind, your feeling is get the bike you ultimately want right out of the gate, or does my idea of "baby steps" make any sense?
 
I posted the following awhile ago in response to the same question:

<I>Please don't take this as a slam, but I will repeat:

The surest way I can think of to get a teenager </I>(or anybody else)<I> killed is to put him/her on a big motorcycle and send him/her out into traffic.

IMHO, the best way to learn is to ride or race in the dirt before you ever ride a bike on the street. If that won't work, get a 500-600cc street bike first, learn to ride with the MSF people, and ONLY then go out of the parking lot. After you're comfortable riding and have developed some skills, then get your big bike. You'll live longer.</I>

If you 'don't get it' on skis, you brush yourself off, collect your poles and goggles, and walk down.

If you 'don't get it' on a big bike, your relatives go to a big, sad party.

db
 
1996 Softail Custom
View
 
Moto Guzzi 1997 California. Silver and red, the 75th Anniversary Edition.

1100 cc fuel injected transverse v-twin, shaft drive.
Not the loudest, not the fastest, not the biggest.
It just eats up the road!

--Mike L.
 
I've got a '94 Ducati M900 "Monster" and an '02 Suzuki DR-Z400S.

I've got my eye on an '02 Suzuki DL1000 "V-Strom".

Mike
 
I posted a similar question last summer. I'm a new rider and ended up getting a '95 Honda Nighthawk 750. It was a great choice. It's light enough so I can move it around (as a beginner, makes me feel more secure), and heavy enough to hold it's own and give me adequate speed and acceleration on the highway. I'm tall and it has a fairly large frame. It's not just the cc's that make it comfortable for a big man to ride, but the size of the frame and the height of the seat. Buying a used bike was a great choice, too. It is in very good condition and was inexpensive enough to not be a major investment. If I want to switch to something else in a year, I won't feel bad. Switching to a bigger bike eventually was my original plan, but now I don't know. I really like this bike and would need a good reason to switch (like taking longer rides for which a cruiser might be better).
In any case, I appreciated the help I got from fellow forumites. It was also helpful to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. I already had a license, but it made me a much better rider. I've also learned a lot from books on riding.
Have fun and ride safe!:)
 
Dont currently own a motorcycle, but I did have one a couple of years ago. I talked the wife into letting me buy a new Suzuki Bandit 1200. I wanted something very fast and powerful, but not a "Crotchrocket". This bike had it all; 100 HP and only weighed 470 or so. Upright sitting position, not leaned over onto the gas tank. I once had this bike up to 140 on the highway, and there was still 3000 left on the tachometer before the redline! Sold the bike after I started to get really paranoid riding. I just started to feel like some Redneck in a big pickup had my number. Seriously, I got tired of people cutting me off and almost running me off the road. There are a lot of people out there who do not look out for bikers, and that scared the hell out of me.
 
2002 HD Night Train in Jade SunGlo when it gets here in 2 months, had a hopped up 1200 sporty until some idiot decided to use my bike to stop his car.
 
I have six motorcycles, Stroker KLX-300 (41 HP), (2) 83' XR200R's, Powroll engine, Fineline suspension, all three with Baja Designs kits. EX400 Honda quad, (2) Polaris 50cc quads for the kids. Used to have a Honda 1100 Shadow, to many close calls on busy streets.
 
Took my bike out for a spin this morning. It was a little nippy out there and the tips of my fingers got uncomfortable from the cold, but it was great to be out on my bike. I'm hoping to ride it at least once every couple of weeks throughout the winter. :cool:
I'm pretty happy on my Nighthawk 750, but if I ever want to move up to something else, what do you guys think I should consider? My Honda can do 75 on the highway with no real pressure on it and the pickup is great. I'm not a speed freak and don't like the look or feel of sport bikes. What models do recommend I look out for? :)
 
Originally posted by yitz
Took my bike out for a spin this morning. It was a little nippy out there and the tips of my fingers got uncomfortable from the cold, but it was great to be out on my bike. I'm hoping to ride it at least once every couple of weeks throughout the winter. :cool:
I'm pretty happy on my Nighthawk 750, but if I ever want to move up to something else, what do you guys think I should consider? My Honda can do 75 on the highway with no real pressure on it and the pickup is great. I'm not a speed freak and don't like the look or feel of sport bikes. What models do recommend I look out for? :)
Click to expand...

One of the new "naked" bikes:

Yamaha FZ-1, Kawasaki ZRX 1200R, etc.
 
K Williams:
Thanks for the tip. I'll try and catch a look at them. What will those bikes give me that my Nighthawk doesn't?
 
Originally posted by yitz
K Williams:
Thanks for the tip. I'll try and catch a look at them. What will those bikes give me that my Nighthawk doesn't?
Click to expand...

More power...better handling in corners. :)
 
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