What is the best motorcycle for a inexperianced rider by Harley,etc.?

Answer 1

A sportster is lighter than the big bikes but something like the lowrider or even softail has a low center of gravity and are really not hard to manuever. Suggest you find a dealer that has a rider safety course and take that. Then watch for a demo ride and try out several bikes to get a feel for them.

When I started riding I only weighed 165 and I had no trouble with my wide glide.

Answer 2

I am now the proud owner of an an FXDWG with the TC 88. Pulls like a train. Would have killed me if it was my first bike. My first venture into H-D territory was an old XL 1200C. (A sporty with forward controls, otherwise stock.) You did not give your height, or leg lenght. They were problems when I went to the newer "company" offerings. Before that I owned some Japanese bikes. My favorite was the Yamaha XS 650 special. (A '79 model pruchased used.) It had mini-apes on it, and made my foray into speed territory easier. If you can do the "apes", the little bars are no prob. My last Japanese bike was a GSX 1100. I t was my last fast bike. That thing felt like I was riding the worlds fastest rubber band! I Switched to H-D soon after. The Sporty is a good starter bike, but not if you have ridden before. The performance is poor. An XL 1200 is a good in the corners and does not feel to heavy, but you still have no Japanese motor power. (Just torque.) Gas mileage is 45 MPG give or take a few also. (More for the new FI motors.) If you have never ridden an H-D, start with the Japanese stuff, about a 600 or so. Don't go for the "racing kit" which is all fiberglass and expensive to replace if you drop it. Don't get addicted to (Or killed by!) speed, and you will be on a real bike before you know it! Ride sane, ride safe.

Answer 3

Harley actually has a bike designed especially for first time riders: The Buell Blast. It doesn't have traditional Harley looks, but they made a serious effort to minimize the number of maintenance items (really, all you have to do is check the tires regularly and remember to change the oil; there's no coolant to check, valves to adjust, or chain to oil) and designed it to be easy to ride.

The Motor Company has a rule, though, that all the bikes made under their Harley line are big, which doesn't make them very good for inexperienced riders. A Sportster 883 may be OK. The rest are likely to be a real handful owing to their weight and power.

If the Blast doesn't float your boat, you may want to look for something Japanese. If you like the looks of a Harley, see what cruisers you can find in the 750 cc and under range. Depending on your size, you may even want to confine your search to 600 cc or smaller cruisers, or even to only 250's - the Honda Rebel and Yamaha (Star) Virago are both very easy to ride, if a bit cramped for taller riders.

Or if you prefer sport bikes, there's a couple good choices in the 500 cc and under range. The 600 cc four cylinder bikes typically have enough power for a small car - not the easiest thing for a first time rider to control.

Some riders recommend starting on a dirt bike or a dual sport (basically a dirt bike that's legal to take on the road). These are pretty light weight, and give you a chance to practice dealing with slippery situations in an environment where you don't have to worry about traffic. I didn't start this way myself, but it's something to think about.

Answer 4

While a Sportster is Harley's smallest, it is not the easiest to ride. They have a higher center of gravity than a lot of bikes of similar stature. For a beginner there is no shame in starting small. Get your skills honed first before you go out and bust up yourself and a brand new Harley. My fiance has been riding for over 20 years and has both a 1200 Sporster and an 1800 Honda VTX, and he prefers the ride of the Honda. I just got my license 2 years ago and have been riding a Suzuki GZ 250 for the last year - it is soooo fun, but I am ready for something a little bigger with a little more power now that I have had the practice. By all means, take the safety course, it's really fun, and lots of states pay for the class, they provide bikes and helmets. Have fun and be safe!!!

Answer 5

If you have to have a Harley, probably a Sportster would be the best choice for a beginner. You need to try sitting on a few different size Sportsters and see which fits you best. Depending on your height and weight you may find one feels better than another. I started on a Suzuki 550 and as I gained experience I moved onto larger bikes and eventually found Harleys to be my favorite. You may want to consider a smaller bike, get some experience and establish a comfort level with motorcycling before you jump onto a large bike.

Answer 6

Harleys are heavy, unreliable and have oars for handlebars. For your first bike, get a Japanese motorcycle, but not too powerful. I would suggest the 250 or 500 Ninja. Much more reliable, cheaper, and more forgiving on newer riders.

Answer 7

I have a HD Softail Standard. Rides very well and fast, a few mods on it.

If you are not very strong, then buy a sportster 1200. They only problem with a sportster is they are like every other bike, which looses 1/2 of it value right off the show room floor.

If you are going to buy a HD, look for someone who's getting divorced, it's the best way to buy one.
I suggest looking in the Cycle Trader Magazine, I saved 4k buying mine, with only 500 miles on it, plus extra parts, and the guy also gave me his leather Vanson Jacket, worn 6 times.

Deals are out their, I found one in two weeks.

Answer 8

I would highly recommend taking a motorcycle safety course. If you do that, it really doesn't matter, because you will be experienced enough to handle anything. I took it, without having ever rode a motorcycle, and 3 days later I was riding a 1300 CC Touring bike. It's huge, and I've never had a problem with it.

Answer 9

If you're stuck on Harley, 883 or Buell Blast. Personally, I'd go with the Blast for it's handling characteristics, low maintenance, and lower price.

Answer 10

Definitely take an MSF basic riding course if you have not already done so. It's worth far more than the cost of the course...then, find a bike that suits you for balance, height, power, etc. I got my first bike in July...it's a Yamaha 650 V-Star...low center of gravity for me to balance well...not too much power for my level of experience...relatively easy to handle (u turns still trouble me)...

Find something you like...doesn't matter what we say...most of us are going to be biased to some degree...try out several things and see what YOU like....have a friend that rides go with you...