Welcome from Spokane, WA.
Look for a Fat Boy that fits your budget.
Look for a Fat Boy that fits your budget.
Future Rider
Well, right off the bat i want to mention that i've never owned any kind of a motorcycle. Ive ridden, but never owned own cycle.
Ill be going to California on PCS orders for a year, then Germany and im very much interested in getting a harley before i leave for Germany.
I have trouble choosing. I am trying to avoid dealers until im ready to purchase because i know how they are. Thus, i am here, seeking advice from you guys.
I am 6ft tall, 200 lbs. I sat on an Iron 883 at a bike show and a bunch of bikers that were passing by told me i was too big for that bike and that i should go for a bigger harley. I took that as a compliment and as a let down, cause i really like the style of the 883. I also adore the style of the new 500/750 but, after watching a few vids, i am more than certain that ill be too big for that bike.
I need an alternative, and im asking for suggestions. Please note im a newbie and you may want to dumb stuff down for me to understand.
Thanks.
Ill be going to California on PCS orders for a year, then Germany and im very much interested in getting a harley before i leave for Germany.
I have trouble choosing. I am trying to avoid dealers until im ready to purchase because i know how they are. Thus, i am here, seeking advice from you guys.
I am 6ft tall, 200 lbs. I sat on an Iron 883 at a bike show and a bunch of bikers that were passing by told me i was too big for that bike and that i should go for a bigger harley. I took that as a compliment and as a let down, cause i really like the style of the 883. I also adore the style of the new 500/750 but, after watching a few vids, i am more than certain that ill be too big for that bike.
I need an alternative, and im asking for suggestions. Please note im a newbie and you may want to dumb stuff down for me to understand.
Thanks.
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
People always tell me to go bigger engine wise.
They mean well. Most of the time they are riding baggers with big fairings with a car stereo and have a back seat rest for their chicks. Or big ape bars that make it hard to turn sharply but looks cool and they are highway riders mostly. Some have lean mean rides with 103's.
As for myself, no bags, no signals, no fairings, just a clean look. I ride solo on my sportster. Have heavy shocks for long trips, which I do take, and though people have told me it isn't a comfy ride, I can sit on that saddle all day and I'm good. I ride everyday and to everywhere other than in snow or rain (not because I can't but because I can't execute evasive maneuvers like I should and people in SUV's don't care if I'm in their way.) But that is me. Ask yourself, what is you bike-wise?
I think that if you really want a sporty, go for it. There are things you can do. Now sportys are kinda heavy and surprisingly I've sat on dynas which are lighter. But...
You can adjust height on any bike with the right shock or seat mods.
You can adjust the bars or replace with ones that are more comfortable.
You can even adjust the position of the throttle on the bars as well as the position of the clutch by swiveling them forward of backward.
You can get forward controls for your long legs, and they even sell aftermarket stuff to reach out even more.
You can adjust the foot brake for easy comfort so you don't have to hyper extend your foot back to push down by adjusting it forward, it is just a quick turn of a nut by the master cylinder.
Perhaps consider a 1200 sporty so you get the power of the big bike, or even get a dyna and swap out the tank and make it look more of a sporty?
I have a 94 hugger. Don't know if you can see my horse, Azul, in profile pic. Whatevs you do, do it for yourself, get what you want because you will be the one riding it. You can always change your mind.
PS: always get a manual, even if you don't plan on wrenching it yourself, you will be surprised what you can do. Good luck, and stay upright between the lines.
They mean well. Most of the time they are riding baggers with big fairings with a car stereo and have a back seat rest for their chicks. Or big ape bars that make it hard to turn sharply but looks cool and they are highway riders mostly. Some have lean mean rides with 103's.
As for myself, no bags, no signals, no fairings, just a clean look. I ride solo on my sportster. Have heavy shocks for long trips, which I do take, and though people have told me it isn't a comfy ride, I can sit on that saddle all day and I'm good. I ride everyday and to everywhere other than in snow or rain (not because I can't but because I can't execute evasive maneuvers like I should and people in SUV's don't care if I'm in their way.) But that is me. Ask yourself, what is you bike-wise?
I think that if you really want a sporty, go for it. There are things you can do. Now sportys are kinda heavy and surprisingly I've sat on dynas which are lighter. But...
You can adjust height on any bike with the right shock or seat mods.
You can adjust the bars or replace with ones that are more comfortable.
You can even adjust the position of the throttle on the bars as well as the position of the clutch by swiveling them forward of backward.
You can get forward controls for your long legs, and they even sell aftermarket stuff to reach out even more.
You can adjust the foot brake for easy comfort so you don't have to hyper extend your foot back to push down by adjusting it forward, it is just a quick turn of a nut by the master cylinder.
Perhaps consider a 1200 sporty so you get the power of the big bike, or even get a dyna and swap out the tank and make it look more of a sporty?
I have a 94 hugger. Don't know if you can see my horse, Azul, in profile pic. Whatevs you do, do it for yourself, get what you want because you will be the one riding it. You can always change your mind.
PS: always get a manual, even if you don't plan on wrenching it yourself, you will be surprised what you can do. Good luck, and stay upright between the lines.
There is no right or wrong answer to this. The best advice that you can follow is to get the bike that you like and enjoy it to the maximum possible extent. While you own that bike, you may start to find things that you would like a little different: seat; handlebars; controls; chrome bling; etc. There are a lot of things that you can do to change the ergonomics of the bike to make it more enjoyable to ride. Of course, there are all sorts of farkles that you can add to the bike to make it aesthetically pleasing for you too. And there are plenty of mechanical upgrades that you can pursue to make the performance of your bike align with your desires. This is all part of gaining experience as a bike owner regardless of the model that you decide to purchase. If, after time, you start to consider options not offered for your particular bike, then maybe a different model will fit that bill.
Welcome from Kentucky. Don't be afraid of the dealers. They don't know if/when you are ready to buy or not unless you tell them. Some of them will actually help you.
You are not too big for a Sporty, if that's what you want. And while there are a few on this forum who are quite happy with their 883, there are a heck of a lot more who are glad they went with the 1200.
But look over and sit on the Dyna models as well as some Softails. While heavier than the Sportys you would get over the additional weight in a very short period of time.
Best of luck and let us know what you decide on.
You are not too big for a Sporty, if that's what you want. And while there are a few on this forum who are quite happy with their 883, there are a heck of a lot more who are glad they went with the 1200.
But look over and sit on the Dyna models as well as some Softails. While heavier than the Sportys you would get over the additional weight in a very short period of time.
Best of luck and let us know what you decide on.
Welcome to the forum. I won't repeat what's already been said but I will add one thing. TEST RIDE , TEST RIDE , TEST RIDE, and when you find the one that's right for you, that makes you smile the day after you've tested it . Then that's the one for you. Good luck.
Welcome from College Station, TX.
Question - why get a bike then have it sit for a year or maybe more? Leave your money in the bank or invest, earn interest, then buy when you get back and are settled and can enjoy it.
You didn't mention if you wanted new or used. If you want new, why not order your new Harley from Germany once you PCS there? Hell, you can order through the AAFES New Car Sales program and even take delivery in Germany. Then you can put some European miles on your new scoot and ship it home on orders when you PCS back to the States.
Now there you go Tom thinking outside the box. Great idea.
I would love to ride Europe. Will they ship your bike there for you?
As far as choice there's one thing "almost all" new bike owners get into. Once they're used to the bike they have they want something bigger. Human nature I guess.
You asked for suggestions so I say the Road King is the best bike Harley makes. Also a little less money than the fancy baggers. Test ride one. I'm 6'3" and 240#. When I first rode the Road King it was like I had come home.
I traded for a Road Glide but I still miss the King.
IMHO
As far as choice there's one thing "almost all" new bike owners get into. Once they're used to the bike they have they want something bigger. Human nature I guess.
You asked for suggestions so I say the Road King is the best bike Harley makes. Also a little less money than the fancy baggers. Test ride one. I'm 6'3" and 240#. When I first rode the Road King it was like I had come home.
I traded for a Road Glide but I still miss the King.
IMHO
You may have misunderstood me. I'll buy the bike and take it to Germany with me.Question - why get a bike then have it sit for a year or maybe more? Leave your money in the bank or invest, earn interest, then buy when you get back and are settled and can enjoy it.
Thanks Tom. Thats actually not a bad idea. My first time PCSing OCONUS. I didnt know I could do that. Ill look into that.You didn't mention if you wanted new or used. If you want new, why not order your new Harley from Germany once you PCS there? Hell, you can order through the AAFES New Car Sales program and even take delivery in Germany. Then you can put some European miles on your new scoot and ship it home on orders when you PCS back to the States.
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
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