What is a good first motorcycle, never having driven one before?

Question

I want to buy a Harley-Davidson Sportster, preferably '94 or newer but I've heard that they can be difficult for a novice. Any suggestions on this or ideas to make it handle better?

Answer 1

If it is your first bike go with the 883 Sporster.you'll have a great little bike.they are easy to ride and you'll open up a whole new world for yourself...Rice grinder riders will tell you a bunch of crazy $hit,because it just tears them up to know they went wrong.Be careful and good luck

Answer 2

If nothing other than a Harley will do for you, a Sportster 883 isn't a terrible choice. I wouldn't recommend it for a smaller rider, but it should be managable for someone of average to large size. It's not much heavier than my first bike and in the same neighborhood power-wise. If something from the Motor Company that doesn't have quite the same look will suffice, though, you may want to take a look at the Buell Blast.

Other good Sportster-ish choices would be a smaller Japanese cruiser, 750 cc's or less. The smaller, the easier it will be to handle. The Honda Rebel is probably one of the easiest bikes for a novice, but only for very short riders. If you're taller, look for a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 or a Honda Shadow VLX.

Answer 3

if you really have youre mind set on a harley most of the sportsters are very easy to control. but i really wouldnt suggest them as a first bike. i would get something decent first. most harleys unless you have alot of money for constant maintenance are worthless. if i had my own choice right now given money versus performance i would try to get a mid to late 90s model honda cbr 900. i know they had a 939 but i am not familiar with that model. and they did have bigger cbrs but it wasnt even close to the same machine. foolish because i am saying what i want. you say you have never driven a motorcycle before. even a small cycle now like a 500 is capable of reaching incredible speeds. if you really want a harley then that is youre own thing. but you can get a mid 90s honda cbr 900 that will blow any harley to crap as far as speed or drag racing. and they are alot more comfortable to ride. just my opinion here. but the honda cbr 900s weighed less than the 600s. they really did . that is a true fact. and oh my god they are so incredibly fast. they are really scary fast. screw the harley man. they suck, just constant maintenance. get a machine that really runs. i would go for a 1994 to a 1996 cbr 900. they are very light and have incredible performance. but if you want to waste youre money just to pick up slutty women thats youre deal. i like to spend my hard earned cash on things that work perfect. best of luck on the harley. i am not saying harleys are bad bikes. but i cant see that much money. but i have seen the smaller sportsters pretty reasonable. and i do have a friend that has 2 900 sportsters and has built them up to be kinda quick for a few thousand extra. but i am going to be prejudice and say the best bike for the money and you also being a beginner and wanting a bike that is easy to control and balance would be an older cbr 900. they are very light and a dream to drive. and you wont out grow them quick. they are just wicked fast and powerful.

Answer 4

Don't go crazy getting you're first bike because you'll probably end up dumping it and doing some damage to it. Buy a cheap honda/suzuki or something preferably around 600cc and learn on that, not to mention taking the motorcycle license test on that will be a hell of a lot easier then taking it on a 1100 cc harley that doesn't handle for ****. So i think that would be you're best to start with not to mention there really cheap, I saw one down the street the other day for like 800 bucks.

Answer 5

I just got into riding a motorcycle, too. I bought a '96 Kawasaki 600 Eliminator. It is a good beginner bike. It is light and rides and handles good. It has enough power to go and the bike is not too small that I will grow out of it soon which is very important. Don't go with a HD, they are not good starter bikes. Find something cheap so if you dump it you wont loose a fortune. But don't get something so cheap you will have dependability problems. Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class, you will learn a lot. Have fun and use your head, Don't be scared of it jump on and go. Get on the interstate after you feel comfy and let her loose. That is just what I did and love it.

Answer 6

I just bought my 1st bike last October, I am 44 yrs old and weigh 142 pounds. I looked at the Yamaha V-Star and the Honda Shadow Aero 750.

I ended up getting the Honda Shadow Aero 750, and I love it. I have quite a few people mistake it for a Harley. I rides great and is a good hanlding bike. It will also costs thousands less than a harley and will possibly give you more satisfaction....check them out.

Answer 7

I just bought my first bike and i did get a 06 sportster 1200 and it is very easy to ride and it handles very nice dont listen to people who say rice burners are better they dont know what the hell they are saying if you want a harley go for it you wont be dissapointed
besides wouldnt you prefer a american legand to a piece of plastic covered crap i thought so

Answer 8

Start smaller and work up to the sportster. You'll live longer.

Answer 9

A great starter bike would be a Honda Shadow. Great beginner bike, and definately enough power to appease your appetite.

Answer 10

don't start with a Harley!!! that's almost a crime! u need to start with a yamaha or a honda, something u can pick up if u dump it.