i've always wanted a harley but am i too small?

Question

I'm 5'3" 100 lb and i am wondering if i'd be able to handle one. everyone has always told me it wasn't possible but i am hoping someone who knows motorcycles could tell me what kind would work. i'm a dancer but i'm not a wimp and i would love to ride - not a scooter!

Answer 1

There are hundreds of different motorcycle designs for hundreds of different reasons. Sounds to me like you are all hung up on the HD mystic, when what you should be worried about is finding a bike that suits your personal needs.

There is nothing wrong with a Honda Rebel 250cc.

I'd rather see you on the highway, then the hospital.

Answer 2

Hi! First, I want to tell you that I am 5'3" (though I weigh more than you) and I ride my own bike. I, however, cannot afford the Harley of my dreams, but have gotten to "test drive" one during demo days. My recommendation would not be a sportster for 2 reasons. One, they are not balanced as well as the bigger bikes and two, they do not ride as well.

Now, as far as a recommendation goes, I would highly suggest you try out the Softail Heritage! Not only is it the lowest sitting Harley available, but it is classy in it's styling. It has the footboards, thus you don't have to worry about reaching the gear shifter! Truly a perfect bike for a lady. Don't let anyone dissuade you from getting a bigger bike. I have seen tiny women on the Electra Glides too. Always remember, any bike can be lowered!

I wish you all the fun and safety! Make sure you take a Motorcycle Safety Course, you will learn a lot and save on your insurance too!

I would love to hear what kind of bike you have chosen to go with!!!

Answer 3

You have Four choices for an HD.
1 There is the Sportster Custom (883 and 1200cc)- this has lower shocks that the standard models and it accommodates the 'shorter' riders.
2 There is the 'Fat Boy'. These are larger models with the 1450 cc engine and some have low seats. Try ones with the lowered custom seats.
3 There is the V rod with lowered forks. Great model and easy to ride.
4 Custom Bike!

There are a few 'shorter' members of our Central Districts HOG that are in the 5ft 1 to 5 ft 4 range and they have no issues with any of these bikes. The Sporty is the lightest but these Customs have forward controls. A bit of getting used to if you are used to in line pegs. The V Rod is also lightish.

Try a few HD's out at your local dealer, buy a good leather jacket and strides, buy a very good helmet and boots & join the HOG's.

Best of Luck and hope to see you riding if you are in New Zealand.

Answer 4

My brother and I were told the same thing. But we ride. My brother is 5'6" not even 100lbs and he now rides a Dyna Superglide, he used to ride a Sportster 883 he turned into a 1300. I'm 5'4" and weigh 135. I can ride all the way up to so far a Fat Boy. So trust me if you have the knowledge and the will you can ride just about anything.
Harley now has a Sportster out called a hugger. They put a lowering kit and lower seat on it. Go to the dealership and sit on them and try lifting them. Start out with the small bikes. Just make sure there is a sales clerk near by incase you can't hold it up. But you could look into Honda's too; they are even lighter.

Answer 5

You are not too small. Some people don't realize that dancers have strong legs. That's all you need to pick up most anything. I always wanted an HD, but that didn't keep me off the other brands until I got one. Go shopping, visit ALL the motorcycle dealers in your area. Find what you like. Most can be made to fit. If you insist on HD, that's fine. They have a variety of models, and customizing them is a time honored tradition. I would not recommend the Sportster, even though it can be lowered. But, that's me. It may be just what you're after.

Go find out.

Answer 6

the sportster 1200 is now being offered in a low version. go to the dealer and sit on it.... you can also get a standard bike lowered with a kit. dealers will be able to tell you what is involved. I rode a sportster 1200 that had been lowered and it rode fine. It is also a very lightweight bike that you should be fine with. my daughter is 5'2 and weighs around 110. she's riding the 883 sportster. more because I don't want her to have the larger engine at 16 years old than becuase she can't handle the larger bike.

before you buy... take a msf course or talk to your local harley dealer. many of the dealers offer courses at the dealership and their trainers may be able to recommend a bike for you.

check out harleydavidson.com for cost of new bike, but the dealer should have several used sportsters available because a lot of people buy them as a 1st bike before moving up to the larger harleys.

Answer 7

HI there, all Harley's in general seem to be design for riders who are in the under 6 foot catagory. Often those under 6 foot riders need to add "Booster Seating" to even reach the controls.
Harley makes several modles that are considered to be compatible to the vertically and inseam challenged crowd. Models that are called "Low" are designed low to help riders reach the ground for positive footing on the pavement. Weight of any bike might seem heavy for you because of your size, however, don't concentrate too much on the weight of the bike. Since you probably don't plan on bench pressing your bike. Most men of average size would have trouble lifitng a bike that fell over if it was the typical cruiser you see now days. My Harley Dyna weighs in 'round the mid 650 plus range (dry). I've never dropped it. Last time I dropped a bike, I was a teen ager and dropped my ten speed bicycle. Hopefully you can ride a bicycle and have plans on a basic motorcycle riders course. They use light weight bikes for the course. I believe you can handle it. Safety is key. Good luck & have fun!

Answer 8

the 883L is an factory lowered 883, and the 1200n nightster has a saddle height of just 25". that's 4" shorter than a standard 1200. if the sportster isnt what ur looking for, then these might fit the bill: dyna low rider, heritage soft tail, or the road king. u should factor in on what kind of riding u plan to do; long haul rides of 400 miles in a sitting with not much for heavy twisty roads, or do u prefer the twisties and want a bike that has almost reptilian manuverability?

road kings are made for long hauls, and they have a low seat height. sportsters are very light, and are very manuverable for their size. heritage soft tail; basically a poor man's road king, and they come stock with the saddle bags, and sissy bar...like u'd have anyone on the back just yet.

the idiots have already shown up; rider weight means nothing in the ability to keep a bike up, or to even pick a fallen bike up. a road king steers the same as a sportster, only the maximum lean angle on a road king is alot more shallow than a sportster. there is a woman who is about 5'4 in warren hog that rides her own road king, and she isnt a bar hopper either.
there was more than 1 idiot so far that said about a bike being too heavy. maybe they just dont know the right technique for picking up a dropped scoot.
this girl is ur height, and she can pick up a 600 pound scoot with no problems. her technique applies to any bike, weather it's a small 125cc or a huge 1800cc gold wing. knowing the right technique helps. go here and see how she picks up her bike: http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html

ignore the naysayers. if u have the desire to ride, dont let them try to stop u. i do suggest getting a video or 2 from ride like a pro if u decide not to take the msf course. http://www.ridelikeapro.com
enjoy the road.

Answer 9

Yes, get a bike!!!! Bikerchicks rule!

Sometimes, you just know you've got to do something. Riding a bike is like that for me and for most of the other folks in this forum. Only you know whether or not you've got the desire.

Stop listening to the people in your life who want to hold you back from being all you can be because you've got a vagina instead of a penis. Genitalia has nothing to do with one's ability to ride a bike. (I've never heard this question from height challenged guys.)

As for bikes, you probably already know that the Sportster is Harley's smallest bike. You might also want to consider the Honda Shadow 600cc, the Kawasaki Vulcan 500cc, and the Suzuki Savage. They are much less expensive, and well, you might want to go less expensive on your first bike, since you WILL lay it down once or twice.

Go to the motorcycle stores and sit on the bikes. What might feel most comfortable to me may not be what feels most comfortable for you. Remember that some parts can be slightly adjusted, such as seat height, handlebar tilt, and pedal height to accommodate different arm, torso, and leg lengths.

Also, consider getting a used bike for your first bike.

And, yes, take the MSF course. That's a no brainer. :))

Good luck and welcome to the pack!!

Answer 10

I am 5'4 and the Harley Sportster is the best because it is the lightest. I would look at both new and used, depending on budget and how much you want to spend. If you want a Harley stick to that and don't let anyone talk you out of it because if it's not a Harley it's just a bike! Be sure you get riding boots, and you can find cheap Harley boots and other boots at www.leatherup.com. I found cheap riding boots that were priced at $170 and paid $65 for them. I found that the riding boots made me look 5'5 because of how the heel and sole look.

Answer 11

No one has mentioned the perfect HD for you, the "883 Low", I'm sure you could handle that. You don't mention if you already ride. I wouldn't neccesarily START on a HD as they are rather expensive, if you want a low cruiser style bike, I'd look at something like a Honda 250 Rebel, really nice little bike to start on.http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cmx_250_rebel_2005.php
I'm sure an 883 Low would work for you fine. Here's a link:http://www.rmh-d.com/models/883L.php