have i bit off more than i can ever chew?

[Scott58]

Makes me wonder if b/f got a life insurance policy on her.

[HYPERR]

other half is determined that i ride the 1200

[jgypsy]

i agree with all of you and i will take the class.im doing well on the 250.gaining confidience everyday but...everytime i just sit on that beast of burden i get this feeling of omg,do i really want to try this again.i realize there some basics to riding that i could apply to the harley but i just dont feel comfortable.i believe he cares to much about the thing to want to see me wreck it.he rides a big v twin 2000 cow.but has been riding the harley now and put his bike in storage.thanks again for all your advice.it has helped me alot.i dont think so intimidated because i cant ride the darn thing.

[XB08]

I know alot of new riders that start off with a 883 or a 1200 sportster. no it is not to much for some and will always be to much for others. Almost any motorcycle that carry it gas in a tank mounted on the backbone will be top heavy. I sat on a TU250 and it felt top heavy. If you what a bike that it weight feel like it is carried low get a BMW flat twin. but most sportbikes feel a lot better.

[terry47147]

I used to have a HD Sportster ('77 1000cc). This time around I got a 2000 Honda Shadow VLX 600 and I feel much more comfortable on it. Besides, I love its looks, and the looks I get on it. I recently had heart surgery and I wanted a bike that I could handle and, after only a week, I have fell in love with this bike. Ride what you want to ride, as fast or as slow as you want to go and enjoy the independence!

[Lion_Lady]

If you what a bike that it weight feel like it is carried low get a BMW flat twin. but most sportbikes feel a lot better.

The 11xx series of the BMW flat twin engine - have steel gas tanks. They are both tall and topheavy, especially with a full tank of gas.

P

[CYNWAGON]

To me, riding a bike is freeing my soul.... you can't do that if you're terrified.

Take the course, sit on a million bikes when you feel the need to move up from the 250 (if that ever happens) and find the one that will make you grin from ear to ear (but only if you're wearing a full face helmet - bugs in the teeth are gross!)

[agraebner]

I have three street bikes 2002 vlx deluxe, 1987 cbr1000F, 1994 fzr600r (which is currently being restored). I have personally logged 22k miles on the shadow. If I had to pick just one to keep it would probably be the one. The shadow is not the most powerfull, nor the sportiest nor does it follow the big v twin crowd BUT I am the most comfortable riding it and it always makes me feel good after a ride. Bottom line is no matter what you ride there always will be someone else who think their bike is the only real one. Just go enjoy the world

[redwing]

I'm a new rider born 1952.... only 400 miles so know that as you read. Any bike on the market today has lots of torque. Learn to use all the controls. Go to a large empty parking lot and practice, practice and then practice some more. Stopping, starting, turning at a slow speed, turning at a speed where the bike feels solid or stable. Proficient Motorcycling is a great book to read and opens up subjects you might not have thought of. I think you said a MSF class was in your future... a wise choice. Riding is learned and few are naturals. You can learn it. You can do it.
Good Luck and God Bless

[jahjlh]

I'm only on about mile 250 for me, but it doesn't matter for my advice. You've said it every time you wrote. You don't feel comfortable. I'm pretty short, and my VStar 650 lets me put my feet flat down and my knees bend. It's not really heavy, but's it's fast enough to satisfy that need. It's also just about as manuverable as the 250 I took the course on. The course is about learning to manuever at slow speeds, and to stop and start fine. All of these things are key to good riding, as many videos show that the bike will ride straight all by itself.