Posted on 05/12/2009 11:01:39 AM PDT by brwnsuga
Can anybody tell me if the Harley Davidson Sportster 883 is okay for a beginner? Any suggestions on the best bike to start out with?
After a 30 hiatus, I bought a ‘95 Triumph Thunderbird...I’ve had it for 4 years now and love it.
Yep there's that "girl's bike" thing with the Sporty...but 900cc is no tiddler so it really is a bad rap. I had a 2001 883 and loved it...my only complaint about the pre-rubber mount engines was your hands would get numb at highway rpms. I've had a Softail Standard since '03 and with the counter balanced 88B engine is very smooth. I still have a soft spot for Sporty's though...:o)
Commonly referred to as a ‘chick bike’ the Sportster is a great beginner ride. But buy used, and try to find a good deal ‘cause you’re going to want to trade up soon - very very soon.
After doing some "beginner bike" research, I purchased a Kawasaki Ninja 500R. It is a great "cross over" between a cruiser and sport bike with the handlebars set more like a cruiser but the foot placement more to the rear like a sport bike. I purchased an '08 model, new with warranty for under $4,000, took the MSF course and got my license on 2/27 of this year. I have put 2600 miles on it as of this AM and about 400 of those are with a passenger including rush hour traffic on Interstate 4 in and around Orlando.
I didn't impulse buy and read a lot of bike forums to get feedback from actual owners. Mileage may vary, but I consistently get over 50 MPG.
Ride Safe... and always wear protective gear.
re: Comment #7
... or you can put short rear shocks on the Sporty to lower the seat.
Also, put a 1200 kit in it after you know what you are doing, and ONLY, if you like to pull the front wheel off the ground...in second gear.
See 40.
The best reason to buy a Sporty is you CAN pick them up cheaper than the manly HD’s, and it ain’t a girly bike. Also, older models, IMHO, are carburated and should not require the maintenance of the newer bikes. Think SIMPLE.
The only problem is, as stated by another, that they are quick handling. You may want something bigger, later, for looong distance riding.
Agree...
a 250-450 range bike gives the most “forgiving” ride
and is a great way to build up the “muscle memory”
to be able to control the bigger bikes.
They are generally, however, insufficient
to handle expressway driving.
If you have never driven a motorcycle,
some might even consider a 250-500cc range scooter
so you do not have to simulataneously learn
transmission/clutch skills
Utter nonsense. I’d never go back to my Wideglide or the Fatboy I owned. When I run this one into the ground, I’ll buy another Sportster.
That my friend is why God gave us ape hangers. My latest ride is an '03 Sporty with a hopped up motor. Even with the mods the vibration is handled well at the feet with iso pegs, and the bars dampen the vibes to the point that I don't even run iso grips anymore.
See #90
They haven’t made a Hugger in 6 or so years.
(Cough) Honda Rules! (cough).
Yep, I love Harley, but I wouldn’t suggest learning on one. Then again, I only like two Harley models, the Sportsters and the touring frames. You couldn’t sell me another Dyna or Softail.
The Vulcan 500 would be an excellent starter bike.
Have fun with that, just try not to get dirt on your skirt...
............................................
[/tasteless joke]
;-)
Have a nice day.
Sorry suga, but it’s heavy bike with a fairly high center of gravity. Trust me, the safest way to go is to pay your dues and ride a small bike for a year. My first street bike was a Honda Twinstar 185. I actually rode that thing from Denver to St. Louis.
You have no earthly idea what you’re talking about. I have what must be approaching half a million miles on Sportsters in the last 20 years, and nothing you said is even remotely true.
I know sometimes it has to do with the length and location of the bars and pegs due to harmonics. Keep in mind it wasn't a deal-breaker complaint just noticeable. And I didn't do anything to work around it. I got use to tightening the throttle friction lock and take my hands off and flex them once in a while. Plus I had very short bars on mine. Ape hangars would definitely be different. I still love the Sporty as I said and actually don't like the later rubber mount engine version because they changed the shape of the tank they had for years....I loved that old shape and if I had the money I'd buy another early Sporty just to have.
Ummmm.....maybe that’s because the Sportster only went for 1/3 of what the big twin went for in the first place? For what it’s worth, I’ve never sold a Harley that I didn’t make money on. Well, I did put over 200,000 miles on one, so if you can’t count the cost of the 2nd engine, I might have lost money.
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