Any Harley riders???

[quick308]

I'm in the market for one of these at the moment. Probably my favorite model is the Dyna glide low rider. Being my first one people have been telling me to start off on the sportster, what are your thoughts? i don't want to be irresponsible and buy something i'm not ready for, but what makes the sportster such a beginners bike? they are still 1200cc.

[vr94ss]

I don't ride anymore as much fun as it is... I suppose if I had to I would, you just have to be a nutter to do it by choice. Like playing a game in rl with no respawn. Yeah I know life itself is fatal but I've seen too many people broken by it. The odds are not in your favour, or maybe they are and just seem bad..

Not a learners bike. I don't know that a Harley would be my first choice as a bike. Big, heavy, slow.. If I did choose a Harley it'd probably be an older one like a Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration: 1968 Harley Davidson Sportster because that is just nice.. So little paint needed to change it too.

Edit: I have a mate about ready to sell his Harley.. He's not finished what he wants done before he sells it but it's getting there.
Edit2: There's a cure for part of the bad driving offenders(hoons?).. You can no longer drive a car and carry passengers, you must now ride a bike by yourself... Think they'd learn anything?

[dirt drifter]

my riding experiece is nothing more than tearing up the bush on dirt bikes for 7 years, a few of those years i was doing a bit of road riding on regd dirtbikes. i wasnt useless but wasnt one of the faster guys either. after a 7 odd year break i took a stock 08 v-rod for a spin. apparently they're one of the quicker harleys

i handled it fine i thought, yeah its different to riding a dirt squirter but so long as u have the basics sorted u shouldn't have any dramas. i see the op has a CBR already so stepping up to big harley shouldn't be a worry. test ride or better yet hire (morgan and wacker has a few harleys for hire, not cheap though) a few different ones and see how ya go.

i'm sorta in the market for one myself.. well i gotta put up a decent shed first but if a good v-rod or fatboy came along at the right price i probably couldn't resist.

[DevilDRake]

Well i work at Peter Stevens Harley-Heaven in Dandenong (vic) so i deal with harleys every day. I don't sell them just spare parts.


Sporters are a entry-level due to the size of the engine (883/1200) and the size of them. Also the way the rider is positioned. If you look at softails or Dyna's they're all legs forward, arms forward, while sporters are more back with legs, hard to explain.

Go into a harley dealer on the test ride days and try them out, if not just sit on them.

There's ENDLESS ways of customising these things, I would know as we sell 6million dollars in "accessory" items a year on harleys, they start from anything like footpegs to a 113" CI stroke.

[Guzzoline addict]

The sportster would be classed as a beginners bike because of its size and weight,plus you can get an 883 aswell as the 1200.

[Big_Simmo]

harley = overweight and under powered

but if thats what your chasing go for it nothing beats the feeling of being on 2 wheels instead of 4, but in saying that 1 is even more fun

[DevilDRake]

harley = overweight and under powered

but if thats what your chasing go for it nothing beats the feeling of being on 2 wheels instead of 4, but in saying that 1 is even more fun

I wouldn't say that,

Softails with 113" kits (bigger cams, stroke, pushrods, intake, etc) And don't say they don't do it because every 1/5 harley riders spend $20k on accessories. They take off about as quick as a v8, actually quicker because one kept up to a gsxr-750 until about 100kph. Which is a damn good effort.

[naf33n]

I wouldn't say that,

Softails with 113" kits (bigger cams, stroke, pushrods, intake, etc) And don't say they don't do it because every 1/5 harley riders spend $20k on accessories. They take off about as quick as a v8, actually quicker because one kept up to a gsxr-750 until about 100kph. Which is a damn good effort.

you pretty much helped his arguement, a bike that has to spend 20k on accessories (whats the total price 40-50k???)just to out run a v8 and give a 750(which cost about 14k) a run for its money aint fast. technically that is slow
ive ridden a few and i gotta say its a love it or hate it thing... proably like driving a jacked up 4x4 on the road.. big slow, doesnt turn real well, but some people like it

[quick308]

I'm not looking for loads of power or speed, just a nice cruiser with a good note. The reason I ask is because i was looking at some to import from the states, then some of biker mates said they have a sportster they could sell me for 8 grand, and that it would be a good one to start of on ect.... it's 1200cc, sounds and looks really good apparently. I might go look at it tonight.

[CSP]

I hate the "it's a good bike to start on" wankers. Just buy the bike you ultimately want. The bike can't kill you - it's what you do on it that can. So be responsible about it. But just buy what you want from the word go!

Talked a mate of mine into getting a GSXR1000 as his first road bike (he had his Ls and then Ps but never owned or road a bike on the road). He was apprehensive but a few weeks later thanked me for talking him into it. Means he doesn't lose money on "a good bike to start on".

[dirt drifter]

csp i hope your mate was already pretty handy on a dirt bike since u say this is his first road bike. have u ridden his gsxr, or any 1000 like it? do u know how much power they have??

if he barely knew how to ride to start with then hopped straight on some 1000cc rocketship, well.. imo playing russain roulette would be safer. if this is the case then i hope he don't come unstuck on it

[vr94ss]

csp i hope your mate was already pretty handy on a dirt bike since u say this is his first road bike. have u ridden his gsxr, or any 1000 like it? do u know how much power they have??

if he barely knew how to ride to start with then hopped straight on some 1000cc rocketship, well.. imo playing russain roulette would be safer. if this is the case then i hope he don't come unstuck on it

I was wondering how much his mate would thank him after a spinal injury or some such but I've decided I shouldn't respond to him.. I feel like he's baiting me every time he types

[DevilDRake]

you pretty much helped his arguement, a bike that has to spend 20k on accessories (whats the total price 40-50k???)just to out run a v8 and give a 750(which cost about 14k) a run for its money aint fast. technically that is slow
ive ridden a few and i gotta say its a love it or hate it thing... proably like driving a jacked up 4x4 on the road.. big slow, doesnt turn real well, but some people like it

20k On accessories, $4k on the engine. You ever see how much chrome is on them ####ing things lol

[old mate]

eww harley.

that is all.

but srs, they dont have a good note. and the build quality is fairly terrible.

why not look at a japanese one like one of the big suzukis or something. but its your choice.

some people ride bikes to cruise around places, some to pose. i buy them to ride the wheels off them

[Macca86]

. i buy them to ride the wheels off them

Same. Hehe. And CSP, as said, unless ur mate was already pretty decent on a bike of somesort, he's an idiot for buying a 1000cc sports bike.

Seriously though to the OP. Why do you have your heart set on a harley? Even if I were to buy a cruiser I wouldnt get a harley. In comparison to some of the other big cruisers around, Harleys are over priced, average build quality, and have average ride comfort.

[CSP]

LOL thank you guys for proving my point! I had a B-King until recently, which is basically a semi naked Hyabusa. And I've ridden for many years on many bikes including the GSXR1000 (which I was going to buy until I rode the B-King). So I'm talking from experience.

Why is it stupid to think that anyone that knows how to ride a bike can ride any bike they want RESPONSIBLY? Sure, my mate had years of experience on dirt bikes (since he was like 5 or something) but regardless. He's 100kg + and not an idiot. Getting a powerfull, fast sports bike is only a bad idea if you're a complete knob. My first bike having never ridden on the road before was a learner legal 1000CC Yamaha. People told me I was an idiot but why? I ride within the rules of the road, use common sense and am safe. You're much more likely to be killed or injured thanks to morons in cars who have no consideration for bikes or can't see them etc....

Bottom line is the BIKE can NOT kill you. Riding beyond your own limits can. YOU are responsible for what the bike does. Anyone that can't see that needs a lesson in common sense.

[Macca86]

Your last statement in that post is 100% correct CSP. I never made a claim its the bike that can kill though. Fact is everyone who rides is going to give there bike a bit of a 'thrash' at some point, including your mate. So the only point I was making was if he isnt used to a road bike, its gonna be a very risky move the first few times he wants to take his gsxr out to high revs. Which he will do. No one buys a 1000cc sports bike because they want to go for a leasurely ride around town.

Also wtf 1000cc Yamaha is learner legal????

[CSP]

Yits gonna be a very risky move the first few times he wants to take his gsxr out to high revs.

Why? Seriously? What's risky about it? You just need to be responsible.

Also wtf 1000cc Yamaha is learner legal????

Actually I was wrong. It was an 1100!

This one:

[Macca86]

You dont see it as being risky for someone who has no experience on the road to take a bike like a GSXR1000 to high revs? The point I was making was there will be times your mate WONT be resposible on that bike. Just the same as anyone else who owns a bike like that. But oh well, you've put forward your argument, Ive put forward mine. Agree to disagree.

And do you have different laws in Canberra? Because there is no way I thought that is on the LAMS list for learner legal bikes in NSW.

[sporty custom]

ive got 2004 sporty custom 1200cc there no comparison between 1200 and 883 2004 and after motor is fully rubber mounteded i paid 15000 grand for mine from peter stevens have done all but 123ks on it goes really well lot of ppl reckon there girls bikes which is crap there heaps cheaper and i decided that id rather a new sporty than a secondhand harley thats done heaps of ks so its all decided by your wallet really.1200 2004 and after go really well compared to other harleys with heaps more cubes.they will flogg most harley except for the really new stufflike buells screaming eagles vrods go for a ride with a group of harley riders give it a squirt here and there next pub mmmmmmmmm you will start hearing sporty goes alright and that coming from the same blokes b4 you went for a ride saying there girls bikes lol. pre 2004 ive been told they virate a bit cant comment for sure havent ridden one. road a mates 76 shovel the other week wow and thing over 55mph feet start virating of forward controls. there also a sporty forum maybe woth while taking a look at.

[1vngal]

And do you have different laws in Canberra? Because there is no way I thought that is on the LAMS list for learner legal bikes in NSW.

It's the same here in Tas. The best learners get are a 250cc. There are exemptions, but they're pretty extreme. For example, my step-mother is 6 foot 3, and didn't qualify for a larger bike so you could imagine what that was like for her riding a 250....

[Macca86]

It's the same here in Tas. The best learners get are a 250cc. There are exemptions, but they're pretty extreme. For example, my step-mother is 6 foot 3, and didn't qualify for a larger bike so you could imagine what that was like for her riding a 250....

In NSW LAMS bikes are up to 660cc but also as long as they dont exceed a certain power/weight ratio. Eg, my 600cc ZX6R isnt LAMS as its way over the power/weight limit

[old mate]

the LAMS list is a joke. they say its all power to weight but theres still some bikes that fall through the cracks. like the aprilia sxv. wtf. i wanna buy one as a racebike but havent got the cash yet. maybe sell my other bikes.


but yeah look for something japanese cruiser style, way better to ride and build quality. i dont know about you, but i wouldnt like to buy something then 6 months later all the chrome has gone dull and rusty...

[CSP]

I can testify to that first hand. A Japanese cruiser is better quality and nicer to ride than a Harley.

[1vngal]

In NSW LAMS bikes are up to 660cc but also as long as they dont exceed a certain power/weight ratio. Eg, my 600cc ZX6R isnt LAMS as its way over the power/weight limit

Ah, I've just looked it up and Tasmania has since implemented similar laws to NSW. My Step-mother was on her learners in 2005-2006.

Prior to 1 July 2007, Tasmania had a maximum 250cc engine capacity restriction for motorcycle learners and for all riders in their first year. Tasmania introduced the same restrictions as NSW on 1 July 2007. Power to weight combined with a maximum engine capacity of 660cc

That seems much more reasonable. I'm a shorty and the Kawasaki GPX250 felt small even when I sat on it!