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Posted on 02/17/2005 1:50:30 PM PST by Hammerhead
So what's it gonna be for my first bike?
Both are nice but the Harley will have better parts availability and you are more likely to be able to find somebody who can fix it when you break down in EBF than a Brit bike.
Anything is better than a Burly Thumpison.
What's a 1200 Roadster? They have the 1200 Sportster, is that what you're looking at?
For your FIRST motorcycle? Try something smaller, like a nice Honda or Yamaha in the 750cc range. After you get some saddle time then you can go for the big iron.
the Bonneville is only 790CC. pretty small bike IMO. I don't want to look like a circus bear on a mini-bike!
1200 Sportster (Roadster) model
Female point of view: I have to "ditto" what pikachu said. I can remember stopping in Stanton, VA where a guy fabricated a part for our Triumph. On the other hand, I never particularly cared for the Harleys. The one we had would rattle apart every 50 miles. There is a very good reason for that tool kit under the seat. You need to stop and tighten everything you can reach. Maybe they are better now - that has been some years back.
You're second paragraph makes my point. If you're single, a Harley won't let that continue for long.
True story: One night years ago, my band was between sets, and I was outside talking to a girl. A guy she knew rode up next to us on the baddest Kawasaki made and asked her when she wanted to go for a ride on his new motorcycle. She replied, "As soon as you trade that POS in on a Harley."
hmmmm....don't necessarily agree.
I've always preferred subtle class vs. "LOOK AT ME EVERYONE!" I think what threw me over to Triumph was when I was watch a biker build off with Arliss Ness (???). Im like, what a big, commercial, shiny, pile of crap that whole scene is.
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/Triumph_Bonneville_2005.php
(click on larger pic)
Summon the hooligans.
yeh, that me! 42 y.o., suit and tie, 2.5 kids,....
be like that Seinfeld episode where the old timers are chasing George in those motorized wheelchairs. : )
45, Kawasaki Concours. :)
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Don't you mean Sportster?
Get there faster.
ROTF....
99 Suzuki Bandit 1200. Cheap and fast.
By the way, the 1200 Sportster is the fastest production bike Harley makes.
I've got the custom version and am very happy with it.
OK, it may not be the prettiest thing on the road. But it's relatively inexpensive, has a ton of great features, and is extremely low-maintenance.
Its shorter wheelbase helps it handle well in the corners.
My first bike was a 1981 Suzuki GS650E. Got it for $500. Sold it for $500. It was a good one to learn on.
Bonneville - that what hubby said he'd buy me for my first bike if ever I decide to ride on my own. Handles better than the Harley and brakes better too. *Flameproof suit on*
Go ride each one and then make the choice.
Star* ~ anything handles better than a Harley ~ trust me. :):)
You're a Connie guy, eh??
*extends hand*
Met a lot of really cool Connie guys down in Texas last Feb. Nice bikes!
We ride an FJR. Hubby has an R-1 for fun.
I will trust you!! They have an image you can't argue with - but riding to me isn't 40 mph on winding roads -- I prefer somewhere around double that! *G*
You and I like the same kind of riding ~ that's why I have the SV650 ~ it's one of the best back road blasters around. :)
We were following a couple of riders last weekend, both on Harleys. The front rider was female and very obviously a novice. (Braking hard into curves - like down to 20 mph and couln't negotiate a smooth path, etc.) Hubby made the comment that for a first bike she should have had something lighter weight and better handling. Especially when you're first learning it'd be smarter to worry about handling and safety than looking good - IMHO!!
Roger that!!!! :):)
Jake's 3.5 months old now - it's been about 6 months since I went for a ride. It's killing me!! :o)
Yup. Nothing like Harley squid.
Before I got the 900 I had a 73 Kaw, mark V 500 ,2cycle and the 900 was the same color and for the most part looked the same. One day one of my friends on he's 1200 Harley meet me at a light thinking I still had the 500 until the light changed and I left him 3 gears behind.
D@MN that thing is ugly!
nope. see my link above for the Bonnie. $7500 gets it out the door.
(Plus Fonzie rides one. : )
The new Brit bikes don't break.
Go for the Bonnie . . .
If this is your first bike and the choice is whittled down to these two, I have serious reservations recommending the Roadster even though I think its the better bike. The Bonnie is lighter, has less horsepower and will generally be easier to learn your riding skills on. It is also a capable mount for light two-up riding.
Let me know what you think of Peter Lucas . . .
Slim sure is not.
Still grinding the pegs there, eh blackie? Good for you! Ride safe . . .
Get one o' these and you don't want anything else.
what it it?
A: The position of the dirtbag
Q; Whay do Harley's leak oil?
A: To mark their territory
Q: What does it mean when a Harley Stops leaking oil?
A: It's empty
I went on a ride around Lake Superior last year. IT was a five day trip. In the group I was with there were 6 Harley's and the rest were "rice burners". By the end of the third day, we were down to 1 Harley. the rest had crapped out. MY "rice burner" (Honda Goldwing) completed the trip without incident. OBTW, thelast Harley had to be loaded into a truck at the end of the run becuase the owner didn't trust it to get him back to ND without breaksing down.
For all you that wanna yap about Harley being "American made" check out who made the carbs (Japan) and the wheels (Korea). At last comparison Harley's were 45% foreign parts. Honda Goldwing (made in USA by the way) is 52% foreign parts. There is no amount of money that will ever get me back on a Harley. I have owned a Duo-glide, an Electra-glide and up to buying my 'wing, a superglide.
Harley? Never Again
Semper Fi
Semper Fi
Six months is way too long to go without having a motorcycle between your legs! :)
Yep ~ still grinding pegs ~ I'll do it as long as my eyes and reflexes remain in great shape ~ ya can't beat the adrenaline rush! :)
I'll be 75 on October 26th.
Riding is extrememly personal. Weigh all the options, BUT make your own choice.
And finally ---
37 years on 2 wheels makes it hard for me to imagine a first bike again. Good luck and enjoy your search.
Crash78
I'd give my left nut for that superglide!! YOWZER!!!
IMHO, either of these bike will be a major mistake for you, as your first bike. That's the key: They're both fine bikes, but both could well be a major headache for you.
First off, a first bike should be one that's light weight and relatively small. Something to remember is that even small displacement street motorcycles will accellerate faster than many sports cars. But they typically won't overwhelm you with their power.
First, decide on what sort of style you prefer. But don't buy it yet...
Second, find a MSF safety class, and learn the basics of riding. They'll supply you with a very small displacement bike (usually 50cc - 125cc). I actually saw some people taking the class decide that they didn't want a bike afterward.
Then find a used bike with a displacement of 450 - 600 cc. Don't go with a sports bike, unless that's what you're looking for. And stay away from the sport 600cc bikes... Heck the new ones can compete with 750cc and even 1000cc bikes on the race tracks!
The nice thing about these smaller, used bikes is that a) they're not the high dollar bikes you are looking at right now, so if you drop it, you won't be as heartbroken. And it will be alot easier to pick back up. And b) As I mentioned before, it's going to be alot harder to overwhelm yourself with the power. Or the braking! Something you'll really need to learn is proper braking, and with a lighter bike, it will be alot easier to learn. For instance, while I completely expected the power of my 900cc Ducati when I bought it, I wasn't ready for the fact that I could lock up the front wheel at 70 MPH! And that bike will slow in about 1/2 the distance of a car at the same speed. Again, this is something that you'll learn in an MSF class.
Once you're comfortable riding a bike, then "graduate" to one of the ones you've decided on.
Mark
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