Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Ok, so I'm wanting a motorcycle, and have never ridden before.
I am not deciding between two specific bikes, but am trying to narrow down what I am looking for.
I am torn between the looks of a Honda Shadow Spirit (I think that's right) and a Harley Sportster Custom. I am wondering which will be better for me to purchase for a first bike. I can purchase both for about the same price, brand new (close enough), and I realize that the HD will retain it's value better than the Honda. Other than that, which will be better? And by better I want to take into consideration things such as cost for repairs, gas mileage, ease of working on, reliability, etc.
This is not meant to be a brand war. Brand-wise I know which I prefer, and why.
As for riding, I am looking for something that will be a daily rider (as long as it's not raining when I walk out the door...). I want to get some saddle bags for it and be able to take some weekend trips with a friend (who'll be riding on the bike with me).
Also, should I be looking at still another bike that I haven't been considering? If so, how come?

i sugest you go sit on both bikes, and see what feels better. also, if this is a first bike, have you taken the MSF course yet. i HIGHLY recomend it. it will give you a chance to get a feel fo riding, and what you might like/dislike from a bike. not to mention the insurance discount, and meeting some new "biker friends" in your class to go ride with. (as it is not advisable to have passengers when you yourself are just learning to ride) good luck to you whatever you decide.

ride safe.

Ryan

First of all.....


Second, Have you checked out the Beginner's Guide? There are also stickies and the Learn To Ride A Motorcycle page which is now downloadable in PDF format (Created and maintained by Dragonhawk).

Third, I also recommend an MSF course and reviewing your state’s (province’s/territory’s) DMV or DOT website for licensing information, guidelines and FAQ.

Fourth, Go to a variety of dealers and sit on all kinds of different motorcycles. Even if you don’t think you’d like the ride when you look at it. I was dead set on one riding style when I started and ended up buying a different type. You may surprise yourself as well.

Fifth, I can't make a specific recommendation for you. I looked at both bikes as well and liked them both. I decided on a Suzuki Boulevard instead (It should be delivered to the dealer sometime this week).

i'm biased but i would say get the Shadow.

my brother had one of the first ever and finally got rid of it last year and never had any major problems with it.

for me the choice was between the money. the new 750 shadows were about 8 grand (canadian) and the 883 sportsters were about 12...add on to that how cheap the shadow is to maintain and how many aftermarket pieces there are for them it was for me a no brainer. (I bought used so saved even more money)

Personally for a first bike i would rather spend less on the base of the bike and have 4grand left to buy saddle bags, pipes, backrest for the passenger, highway pegs etc. etc. than to nickle and dime myself for the accessories on the harley.

it's said a lot, but this will be your first bike and not your last bike, so get a good reliable bike to learn on and then get the dream bike later.

Hondas are known for their reliability. If you have nothing good to say about a honda, you still can't deny they are one of the most, if the not the most, reliable brands out there. But besides just reliability, they are also more common, so more aftermarket parts, more people who can work on them, etc.

I assume you mean the 883 version of the Sportster, and the 750 version of the Shadow Spirit. For your first bike, lighter is better, and the Honda is lighter than the Harley. The bike is still going to feel very heavy, and if you're not used to it, you can drop the bike just moving it around. I'd go with the Honda at first. Spend a couple of years with it, then sell it and get a Harley - by that time you'll be ready for something bigger than the Sportster.

the honda will be the easier bike to ride.

Harley Sportsters have notoriously touchy clutches that have a very small window between stalling out and taking off like a rocket

Thanks for all the advice.
No, I have not taken the MSF course, as I would have to take off work to do so.
I have been to some dealers, and am in the process of checking out more when I get the chance.
I have been reading the stickies and the beginner's guide. Great information in there!
Sounds to me like the Honda is a better beginner's bike. It's easier to ride (due to clutch forgiveness) and easier to maintain. They are cheaper, and I hadn't thought about the parts being easier to get (though I know they're cheaper).
Thanks again, and I'd love to hear anything else that someone has to say!

Don't worry about it.

Don't even look at bikes until you learn to ride.

Here. Please read this page. It will give you tons of good advice:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

When I was starting out, I wanted a cruiser. Just like you, I was not interested in anything else.

Then I learned to ride, and fell in love with standards instead. You say you've never ridden? So, learn to ride first and then start thinking about bikes. Your entire opinion could change once you start to get a feel for what a motorcycle is actually like when you ride one.

I do understand your excitement and eagerness though. I was that way too. But chill out and take it one step at a time. Don't buy a motorcycle before you learn to ride one or you may purchase something with ergonomics that you don't like at all.

Dragonhawk,
The problem with this is that I haven't figured out a way to learn, yet. The local riding class is offered Friday night, Saturday day and Sunday day. As a pizza delivery driver, my busiest/most profitable days are the weekend, and I can't afford to miss them (plus we're short-handed and I couldn't get off anyway.)
So the only other way that I can think of to learn to ride is to find someone who would be willing to let me learn on their bike. The only person I know who MIGHT let me learn on their Harley lives across the country from me.
The best thing I can think of is to get a relatively cheap bike that is low maintenance (so I can slowly learn to wrench, as I slowly learn to ride), and learn that way.