So I went to the Harley Dealers yesterday and ..........

[Gummiente]

Buell will be back soon enough I am not worried about that but if I had a harley tattoo I would be a little nervous right now they might have a different feeling when they start making them in India. and Totta int. owns a piece of them a big piece cause they h-d is currtly 72% off last year and they don't own a shipping or car or music biusness

[ceemes]

Buell will be back soon enough I am not worried about that but if I had a harley tattoo I would be a little nervous right now they might have a different feeling when they start making them in India. and Totta int. owns a piece of them a big piece cause they h-d is currtly 72% off last year and they don't own a shipping or car or music biusness

Perhaps its just me, but I find a little delicious irony with the idea of Indians building Harleys. Can you say Indian Harley Davidson?

[sapaul]

I am sorely bruised and hurt,

I wear suits

Any way, I wanted to say that many great brands have risen like the Phoenix. Look at Triumph. Harley is integrated into the American culture like no other brand. Even if it folded now, it would not take long to be resuscitated.

[Gummiente]

I am sorely bruised and hurt,

I wear suits

Well, I'm willing to let that slide IF you can prove to me that you like beer.

[csspostal]

That sounds like a good time to break out the Gummiente for a drink

[koji52]

It might be a good idea to get a used Japanese cruiser as your first bike, that way you can concentrate on gaining road skills without having to worry about maintenance issues (for the most part) and reliability issues.

What are you implying here?

Some people just can't let go of the AMF days.

Judging from their recent corporate decisions, one can't help but wonder if they are not slowly returning to the AMF days. HD was basically rescued from oblivion by a group of motorcycle/Harley enthusiasts (and a nice bit of protectionist aid from the US Government) back in the '80s. Now once again it seems to company is being run by bean counters with little or no passion or clue about motorcycling. Doesn't bode well for the company.

But I digress, since this is the OP's first bike, it sort of makes sense to start off with a used machine, and used Japanese cruisers such as the Honda Shadow 750 range are usually cheaper then a used Sporter and somewhat easier and cheaper to maintain IMHO that is. Got nothing against Harleys, they do make nice tractors.

And I am still amazed that a dealership salesperson actually recommended that a newbie rider actually start off on a smaller bike.......

FYI - Sportsters are easy to maintain, even for the most inexperienced garage mechanic.

[KingRobb]

FYI - Sportsters are easy to maintain, even for the most inexperienced garage mechanic.

No doubt.

And Ceemes...Indian Harley is hilarious.

And Gummi, where can i get an exhaust that sounds like that. Goofy pipes save lives...BWAHAHAHAHA

[ceemes]

And Ceemes...Indian Harley is hilarious.

If Harley riders can call Japanese bikes Rice Burners, can we now call Harley's Curry Cookers?

[noodlenoggin]

To add my two cents to the OP's subject -- I would heartily NOT recommend getting a brand-new anything as your first bike. You are going to drop it, that's going to happen. It's not a bad thing, and everybody does it -- I did it, and I'm glad I did it on a bike that was already bunged up.

If you want your bike to be an 883 Sportster, fine and great -- just get a used one, and spend a bushel less cash on the bike you're going to drop.

That's my opinion...worth the paper it's written on...

[RhadamYgg]

Ahhhh dropping a new bike is such an unenjoyable experience. I want to get armor plating for my current bike.