2Wheeltips

I am brand new to biking and will purchase my first Harley in a few months. I cannot decide which bike is best for me...I am 5"5" and average weight. I want a bike that will fit me and be comfortable to ride around Oregon on...please advise...
Annie

Annie, are you dead set on a Harley or are you willing to look at some other brands of bikes? Let me know and maybe I can help guide you.
Carol

Annie:
Read this post from the Magazine on this site...
/magazine/category/14621
on that page, you will find an article to help newbies pick out their first bike. Let me know if that helps at all.
Carol

Hey Sass:
My significant other is 5'4" and just started to ride this past year. She went thought the riding course at the local college and then went on to buy a new ride. She was originally thinking of a new Soft tail Deluxe but after taking my Fatboy for a ride and finding that it fit her really well she decided on a Fatboy. About a week or so latter we were at a poker run that started at the local Harley shop and she went in and started haggling on a new 09 Fatboy. Couple of days latter she was riding her own Harley and loving it. The Soft tail line of bikes sit low and typically have a seat height of about 22 or 23 inches. Unlike the Sporster line they have the big inch engines and are very comfortable on the highway and also very manageable in traffic. After riding my 05 Fatboy and then getting on her new 09 Fatboy I was surprised at the handling. Her bike is much more responsive and agile then mine is. This may have to do with different bars and tires on the two bikes.

To make the bikes even more comfortable on the highway, put on a set of wind deflectors and a removable windshield and you'll be riding in total comfort.

James

James is absolutely correct about the soft tail line. They are very low. I was on a tour a few years ago and one of the female riders was on a softtail deluxe. She couldn't have been more than 5'2......and she handled that bike like it was a tricycle.

Her boyfriend was on a sporter 1200 and he didn't look too comfortable and was struggling to keep up with the pack. I may have a picture of her somewhere in my photo album. If I can find it I'll post it here.

Tony

Definately stick to the Harley line-up...I know this site is for all 2 wheeled lovers, but trust me.

Anyway, it all depends what you are looking for when it comes to Harleys. Do you want speed? Do you want complete comfort? Are you okay with bugs and wind in your hair and face? Do you want a larger bike or smaller bike? These are all questions that one needs to consider.

My wife really likes the Nightster, which I like as well because it has that 'old school' look. It is much lower in height than my old Sportster 1200 custom, and don't let anyone fool you--the sportster is not just a "girl's bike." They started out on the race track before they ever hit the streets. My sportster beat everyone of my friends' big-twins off the line.

If you want pure comfort, softails are nice, but the road king is my cup of tea. It has Air-ride adjustable shocks (smoother than softails--I know because I've ridden them all). However, the Road King is much heavier. I've seen many women handle them just fine, but it's also probably not the greatest choice as a first bike. The softail deluxe would be a great choice because it has the lowest seat height and you can put the windshield and all the 'bells and whistles' on it if you'd like.
****My own disclaimer****Unless it is cold or you know that it will be pouring rain on a long ride, ditch the windshield and love the wind and bugs...Or else get back in the air-conditioned cage we call cars.

Good luck and keep the rubber side down!

Hi Annie. From what I have seen, most women like the Softtails. They are low to the ground and easy to ride. Some think that Sportsters are a beginner bike because of its size, but they are a little top heavy and the Softtails are easier to handle. Also with the cost of a Harley, it is better to decide which one you really want as they are a bit expensive to trade off for another one.

By all means, take the Riders Edge course or the MSF course before riding. Good luck with your choice.

Annie, in my honest opinion, the bottom line is this: regardless of the make of the bike, look for a low seating height and as low a center of gravity on the bike as possible. This will make it so much easier for you to control the bike. As for learning, if you have not taken the Basic Rider Course in your area, by all means, sign up and take it! It is a fantastic way to build a solid foundation for learning how to ride. Rider education is invaluable, in my opinon! (It will also make you a better automobile driver!!)

Carol

...its not about being a harley anymore. Lots of harley riders comment on my honda 750 shadow...it would make a great ladies bike. Nobody mentioned the experience neccessary to handle the bigger bikes...take the class, dont over ride your ability...and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!

If you're just learning to ride, I'd highly suggest a used Yamaha, Honda, etc. Something you can drop several times as you learn. Learn to ride on a smaller bike, then a larger bike with a lower center of gravity, will be gravy. Take the MSF course if you haven't already, before you buy a bike. Nothing like buying a high $$ Harley, and then discovering you don't have the coordination or dexterity for motorcycles.

If you buy a used Harley stay away from 2006 Dynas with the new for that year 6 speed and 49mm forks.

Hey, Sledge. Why stay away fromthe 2006 Dyna? I have an 06 street bob which I bought brand new. I am about to reach 40K miles on it, and it's the best bike I've ever had. Also, I love the six speeds. Have you had problems with this bike?

My 2006 Street bob has 14,000 miles on it and i have already had the forks rebuilt 2 times rear shocks lost all dampening and the inner primary bearing has gone out. in 2006 that was the first year for the 6 speed and they stuffed it into the 5 speed housing, they say its normal to change the IPB at 15,000 miles and to change the fluid in the chaincase everytime you change the engine oil.

I hate to hear that you've had a bad experience with the 06 Street Bob. I'll count myself fortunate.