Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I would listen to the vet. riders on this one. I'm a Harley Guy (in training) myself. I went metric for my first cruiser. For me (in my mind) I had to earn the right to own a Harley by getting some serious mileage and experience under my belt. But I'm a little fanatical about HD"S

I started out thinking I needed to be on a 500cc bike, but at my MSF course the instructor actually encouraged me to look at bigger bikes if I was going to get a cruiser. Within a week of finishing the MSF course, and after some prodding from some friends I test rode a Sportster 1200C (I need the forward controls) and loved it. If money hadn't been an issue that would have at the top of my list of choices. In the end money drove me to a much smaller and less expensive bike. However, if you get a bike like that as a new rider you need to exercise a lot of self control.

While I wouldn't recommend this course of action I have two friends whose first bikes were H-D Softails. So obviously if you have self control you can handle a bigger more powerful bike.

One thing to consider is that you can get Sporster 883, and later upgrade the engine to 1200 relatively cheaply. Just be sure to have a Harley dealer do the work to maintain the warranty.

I would suggest a smaller bike for at least your first year. Then buy the Harley. I do know one person however who is only 5-2 that got a 350 Boss Hoss as a first bike since he was a kid. It was bought on the same day he retired.

I would suggest a smaller bike for at least your first year. Then buy the Harley. I do know one person however who is only 5-2 that got a 350 Boss Hoss as a first bike since he was a kid. It was bought on the same day he retired. That 350 is more bike than I want.