First motorcycle question for you riders...

[gitRdone 0]

My daughter has early onset spring fever, she wants a motorcycle in the worst way... She has saved up her own money all through college and it's now burning a hole through her pocket.

I ran across a 2007 Harley Sportster Low, for a decent price. Is this too much bike for a new rider?

She has very limited riding experience but seems very natural with the experience she does have.

[shropshire 0]

Personally, I think that it is (I ride one too and love it but it is a large bike for a complete novice). We start on much smaller bikes over here in the U.K - 125cc 12 bhp

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[SARLDO 0]

No - actually not a bad bike for a new rider. Should have enough power when needed and is easy enough to handle. Sportys don't hold value too well so a good deal on them is easy to find. Also not bad as first bike is an older shadow or similar cruiser. Just don't let her get a sport bike for a 1st.

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens

MB#4300
Dudeist Skydiver #68

[cocheese 0]

There's no such thing as too much bike, just too little character.

How does a father ever get the guts to allow his daughter to ride a motorcycle, let alone leave the house?

[gitRdone 0]

She isn't really asking for my permission, just my advice on what to buy... She also jumps, I handle that by jumping with her and making sure everyone at the DZ knows I'm her Dad.

[cocheese 0]

I'd be a basket case, but it must be the best to jump with your daughter.

[jtnesbitt 0]

How many jumps does she have?

I sold both my bikes after i passed 100 jumps. Jumping is way more fun, rewarding, less risky, and there are no minivans in the sky to run you over.

Of course i still miss em.

"If this post needs to be moderated I would prefer it to be completly removed and not edited and butchered into a disney movie" - DorkZone Hero

[cocheese 0]

Good risk management. I did the same for 15 years then had to buy a little bike to putt around on dirt roads where mini vans seldom go.

Too little character to not go 100+mph every few seconds

[gitRdone 0]

It was nerve racking at first but we have some great video footage together that I never get tired of watching. My screen saver is of me and two of my daughters doing an accidental hybird type dive...

Anyway -- thanks to those who have repsonded for thoughts on her first bike...

jtnesbitt -- she has about 300'ish jumps to date.

[downwardspiral 0]

Motorcycle Safety Course

You should probably take it with her.

As far as the bike? Seems a bit expensive and heavy for a first bike. I agree with shropshire.

edited to add: although I think a 250 cc would be managable for a first bike IF she is a good driver. If she isn't a good driver and has multiple accidents regardless of fault...DO NOT let her get on a bike.

www.FourWheelerHB.com

[LaRusic 0]

just to add a bit more, the harley sportster line all run in the 800+ cc , I personally think this may be a bit much for a first bike. Like was mentioned earlier a shadow may be a better choice. Something in the 600cc or lower is a better choice for first time riders. Also the bike will weigh close to 550lbs which is something to consider.

The Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless
Dudeist Skydiver # 10

[gitRdone 0]

She is signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Course that begins in a few weeks...

[shropshire 0]

How expensive is insurance for novice riders over there? and how does this change based upon bike capacity/power?

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[downwardspiral 0]

Its extremely expensive for a novice rider. I bought my bike brand new in 02 and they wanted $350 per month. If it weren't for State Farm Insurance, who only looks at driving record ($39 per month), I would not be the rider I am today.

www.FourWheelerHB.com

[davelepka 4]

The Sporty's a pig. It's too heavy, and has too much power for a first bike.

Find something that is small and light, and not too powerful for a first bike. Ler her learn to work a bike, and deal with traffic before she has to worry about managing 500+ pounds that can outrun just about any car on the road.

[turtlespeed 220]

Agreed. Not much to lok at - But not a bad first bike/ learning bike that can be leaned over/ dropped. It might even look pretty good if you added a few mods to it.

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/1068549614.html

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[LaRusic 0]

Quote

Agreed. Not much to lok at - But not a bad first bike/ learning bike that can be leaned over/ dropped. It might even look pretty good if you added a few mods to it.

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/1068549614.html

also its not a bad idea to put a set of sliders or slide pucks on the side of the bike for the first time its laid down

The Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless
Dudeist Skydiver # 10

[turtlespeed 220]

Quote

Quote

Agreed. Not much to lok at - But not a bad first bike/ learning bike that can be leaned over/ dropped. It might even look pretty good if you added a few mods to it.

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/1068549614.html

also its not a bad idea to put a set of sliders or slide pucks on the side of the bike for the first time its laid down

I have heard - not experienced - that the pucks add distance to the slide after laydown. Therefore adding risk and danger.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[davelepka 4]

Quote

But not a bad first bike/ learning bike

No way. I'm sure the clutch pull isn't light, especially for a female (sorry ladies), and I can't see how a tourquey big twin is a good thing to learn on.

I'd be looking for a light bike, like under 400 lbs, with a light clutch, and less tourque. It just seems like it would be easier to ride, and less for a newbie to think about.

There are always a handful of used Honda Rebels around for $1500 or $2000. You can ride it for a few months, and sell it for the same thing you bought it for. Then buy a bike that vibrates like a paint shaker until parts start falling off.

[LaRusic 0]

Ive seen a bike go down with sliders but i cant say if it slid further with them, i do know it saved the side of the bike but i can see where you are coming from, havent thought of that before

The Altitude above you, the runway behind you, and the fuel not in the plane are totally worthless
Dudeist Skydiver # 10

[wmw999 2,439]

I had a Sportster as a first bike. It was top-heavy, and harder to learn on than other choices might be.

I don't know how tall she is, but if she's at all short, she really, really needs to make sure that whatever bike she gets she can flat-foot it. She really doesn't need all that power (I have a smaller bike than that now and it has more than enough for freeways in Houston).

Her first bike should be something that she feels like she can physically be the master of. I.e. put her foot down in a pothole, not worry about overbalancing, etc.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[downwardspiral 0]

lol last summer I saw a girl on a crotch rocket that could only put 1 foot down. It looked ridiculously unsafe.

www.FourWheelerHB.com

[BikerBabe 0]

totally depends on your experience level. My SV 650 has a race shock on it and i can either double tip-toe or easily 1-foot it. I usually 1-foot.

As for a first bike, i wouldn't go for a sportster either. Look for something 500cc or smaller. if that's not possible, a 650 may be ok. The suzuki SV-650 is actually a great little bike, and quite affordable.

My first bike was a Honda CB-1, a little 400cc sport/standard, but i doubt you'll be able to find one of those, since they were only sold here in 1989 and 1990, lol.

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[downwardspiral 0]

I forgot to mention....the bike had to lean 15 degrees to do it! It was bad.

www.FourWheelerHB.com

[not2old 0]

Sportster is a great bike, I learned the basics on a little Honda and first bike I bought was an XLH - yes, a learning experience. I still have a Sportster, 2004- but it is top heavy and hard to push around at very, very slow speeds. I understand that the clutch is much improved but it's a serious consideration, riding isn't fun if it hurts to pull the clutch after a few miles of traffic! Both feet on the ground when she is sitting still - BOTH feet, very embarassing to tip over cause you are on your tippy-toes- Honda makes some very nice smaller V-twins, bullet proof and will do everything needed. Crotch-rocket - don't go there, takes a special learning curve (also have a K12GT, can be very scary and it's really not a crotch rocket.
be safe

SOS #1314