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So?

Is that supposed to “prove” something?

She asked for opinions.

I gave mine.

You’re welcome to yours but even I, a chick, wouldn’t be caught on a so-called “chick bike” again, even though hubby changed the triple trees, raked the front end to safer degree and put on a wide glide front end before I was even allowed near it.

[he builds motorcycles professionally, obviously, and
is well aware of the shortcomings of the Sportster]

The short, squirrely front end, above average seat height and high center of gravity are, IMO, a recipe for disaster for a beginning rider, *especially* a woman.

I knew several women whose first Harleys were Sportys.

[may they rest in peace]

I knew one woman whose second Harley was an 883 Hugger because the Sporty was too tall and ‘erratic’ for her to handle.

In less than 6 months, she’d sold it and bought a Heritage.

She sold the Sporty to her friend who then lost control of it in a fairly gentle curve and literally exploded herself on the side of an oncoming van.

I had the agony of watching it all happening from behind.

If the front end had more rake and was less “quick” handling, she’d probably still be alive...as would our dear friend riding behind her since he couldn’t avoid her wild careening motorcycle and ended up *under* the van with a broken neck.

I do NOT recommend it for a beginning rider.

You can ride Sportys til the end of time, if you so choose.

I’m concerned about the lady asking about a good starter bike.