best beginners harley?

Question

what is the best harley for beginners? ive heard beginners shouldnt get a harley but regardless i am a beginner and i would really like one, suggestions?

Answer 1

The HD Sportster is your best bet, they have several different models...Please note....the people blasting the HD's are Jap peformance freaks that can not get it through their thick one-way thinking, non informed skulls that HD's aren't designed to 185mph...they seem to think that anything less than 125horsepower is crap......dead wrong!!!!



below is some info......



This question gets asked SO much here, that I saved my answer to my desktop and just copy and paste it......lol.........





Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

If you like the 883...go for it......it can EASILY be converted to 1200 and get more power from that than a stock 1200.

Get pipes and an AIR CLEANER!!!!ALONG WITH the Screamin Eagle Super Tuner!!!!This will give the bike about 12-15 horsepower over stock....the super tuner will allow for future upgrades with no added expense on tuning.

It can be be converted to 1200 easily in the future...if you want. The 883 has smaller intake/exhaust ports which give it higher intake and exhaust gas velocity, creating more torque. The 883 also has a 2 teeth smaller front sprocket for more torque, a 883-to-1200 conversion will out run a factory 1200.....all this can be done for slightly less than the cost of the 1200 bike ALONE.



The Iron would be an excellent beginner bike, especially being an 883. The motor easily easily upgraded to 1200 with HD's 883-1200 conversion kit. The bike is not too heavy, has a good, average seat height, and handles rather well. I would HIGHLY recommend having the dealer do a Stage 1 Download into the computer even as completely stock, but it MUST be done if you have pipes and an air cleaner installed (preferred is to have a Screamin Eagle SUPER TUNER installed). If you have pipes put on it to make it louder, get the HD Screamin Eagle Hi-Flo Air Cleaner put on also.....let that EPA Restricted engine breathe!!!!!



The guy above is DEAD wrong when it comes to being pointless past the Stage 1 download.

You want the Screamin Eagle SUPER TUNER!!!!.......and have it Dyno TUNED.....don't sttle for just having the base map loaded. The difference between being tuned and a base map is like night and day. The base maps are just that...a base to which to work form. Every engine is as individaul as we are as humans, they each require a little finesse and tuning to make them perform optimally. The Super Tuner will also allow for easier tuning for any future upgrade you may make.

A Stage 1 download is nothing more than a GENERIC map from HD that is "ok" for all bikes....this is CRAP!!!......the Stage 1 download was specifically made for a HD with Screamin Eagle Mufflers and Air Cleaner......not all mufflers (or complete exhaust systems) flow exactly the same and not all Air Cleaners flow exactly the same...meaning, if you change ANYTHING on the exhaust and intake that the Stage 1 was not designed for, it wil not work as well.....like I said every engine is DIFFERENT.

As far as power output goes....it will vary as to what components are used and how well it is tuned....but on an average from completely STOCK to an upgrade of exhaust/air cleaner, super tuner, about 12-15 horsepower........



Here is a XR1200 that I just did recently.........I had the heads ported with oversize valves, hi-flo guides, radius valve job, 10.5:1 compression, cnc ported throttle body, Screamin Eagle Air Cleaner, RedShift Cams, and modified STOCK exhaust, all with a Screamin Eagle Super Tuner modified ECM. This was actually one of the easiest bikes I ever tuned....it put out 112hp @ 6700rpm and 108 ft/lbs of torque @ 5900rpm..............these measurement are taken at the WHEEL...not the crank.....and are higher figures than a STOCK HD 103" Big Twin.............



If you have any other questions, just email me, will be glad to help.



With the 3 answers here, and with what others above me have added, I think the Sportster line-up make great beginner bikes....also the 883's insurance rates are usually a little lower.



ALSO............alot of people tend to feel cramped up on the Sportsters.....they do make FORWARD CONTROLS!!!!!.....this will allow you to stretch your legs out for better comfort.



EDIT: Just a note about an answer below....HD does NOT make a 1400 conversion kit!!!......there are, however, other aftermarket kits that can take it bigger than 1200, but it is EXPENSIVE and unless you are racing it, there is no reason to go bigger than 1200.

Answer 2

If you are insecure and feel that the motorcycle you ride defines who you are, do whatever you want because you won't listen to what I am about to say. However, if you are a secure person who doesn't give a crap what others think and your motorcycle does not define who you are, here is what I would do if I were you. Buy something used and inexpensive for a starter bike. Look for something old but not too old. You don't want something so old that it is a junker, but not something so new that you'll feel bad if you lay it down. Look for something in the 500 - 550 CC engine size. This will be powerful enough so you don't get bored too soon, but not so fast that you will be afraid of it. Look for a Standard or metric Cruiser bike for your first bike. Cruisers are heavier than other bikes, but they have the lowest center of gravity and are easy to balance considering their weight. Balance is more important than weight for your first motorcycle. Consider the fit of the motorcycle. People come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. So do motorcycles. When selecting a motorcycle consider how well it fits your body. Ask yourself how well you can put both feet flat on the ground. Ask yourself how well the seating position feels. Do you have to reach too far to the handlebars? Riding hunched over can get uncomfortable very fast. Is the foot peg location comfortable? Does the bike feel too big or too small? An uncomfortable motorcycle won't be much fun to ride for any amount of distance. However, a bike that fits you well will be lots of fun. Avoid buying over the Internet. I would never buy a motorcycle sight unseen. You could very easily end up paying too much for junk. Always do a visual inspection and test ride before buying a motorcycle. When you go to look at the bike, bring a helmet. If you do not have your motorcycle license yet, bring a friend with a motorcycle license and 2 helmets. Watch the classified section of your local news paper. Some locations have shopper magazines with used motorcycles in your area. Reasonably priced used bikes are out there. Be patient. Don't buy too quickly, but if you find one you like, buy it right away. Unfortunately, as the price of gas rises so will the price of used motorcycles. If you find a good starter bike, don't hesitate as they can sell quickly. Don't get hung up on any particular brand. All of the name brands are about the same. Pay more attention to the bike's condition. If any one brand were really superior to all other brands, this would be the only brand bike on the road. In addition, if any brand bike was really inferior to the other brands, nobody would buy them and the company would be out of business. Learn on this bike. Make your mistakes on it. You will make mistakes. Nearly all new riders will lay their bike on its side at least once. Would you rather make your mistakes on an older bike or your nice shiny expensive new Harley? The most important thing you should do when getting your first bike is to take an accredited motorcycle safety course. Keep an open mind during the course. You just might learn something that may save your life some day. After you have been riding a while and gain some experience, you can sell your starter bike and get the bike you really want. If maintained properly and not abused, you won't lose too much money on your starter bike. Put the money from the sale towards the bike you really want. By this time, you will have figured out what style bike best suits your riding style and needs. Even a big Harley if this is what turns you on. I know I used variations of this answer before. However, I feel this is good advice. Use your head while riding. Remember, on a motorcycle Stupid Hurts. Have fun - Ride safe

Answer 3

Get the Sportster. That's about as "beginner" as a Harley gets. Relatively low cost, light weight (for a Harley) and easy to handle. The problem most guys have with a Sportster is that they are on the smaller side so it you're tall, you won't be comfortable. If you're average height, you will likely be comfortable at first, but you will outgrow it quickly and want a Heritage Softail or something similar.

Answer 4

The sportie is an entry level Harley. Small, light and cheap. However, it's not a good beginner bike. The best beginner, Harley is any of the softail line. A softail, rides lower to the ground, is light and handles in a very docile way. A sportie, needs more skill to ride. Granted I haven't ridden, any sportie since 2000. So I'm not up on the newer bikes.

Answer 5

Any Harley is a fine beginners' bike. Low seat, low center of gravity, modest performance. It's like a sheltered workshop.

Answer 6

i agree a sportster is the way to go, personally i would recommend the 1200 because i myself own one (as my second bike but i ave only been riding for 4000 miles) and i feel that it is mellow enough that even someone who had never ridden a motorcycle before could ride it easily with a little bit of moderation.

Answer 7

The best beginner Harley is anything that's not a Harley. They are overpriced junkpiles with chrome bolted on in various places. Plus, Harleys are massively underpowered for their engine sizes.



Get a Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Victory. Whatever really.

Answer 8

sportster i wanted to be # 500000000000000000 and 1

Answer 9

something in the sportster line, as they have the smallest engines and are the cheapest, which will be important when you screw up. and you will. everybody does

Answer 10

wait i wanna say sporster like the 50000000000000 other posts that said the same thing

Answer 11

softtail

Answer 12

None, they are overpriced antiques. Status symbols for people of low status. Buy a real bike and get into motorcycling, its is alot more fun than posing and not near as expensive.