New Rider What Bike

Hey everybody im new, im 20 years old and from Kentucky. And like everyone else in this country im tired of these crazy fuel prices, this is one reason im wanting to get a bike. But ive been looking around and dont know enough about bikes to pick what would be best for me. These are a few ive been thinking about considering i dont want to spend but about $4500 and want a bike that suites my size, im 6 ft and weigh 260...

Honda Shadow
Harley Sportster
Yamaha V Star

Thanks for anyone that can help me, and i can use all the info that i can get. Thanks and great site..

You'll likely get the best mileage on the Shadow, and it is a well-made bike with fine riding qualities. The V-star is ok, but I can't say it lights my fire any.

You'll get the most fun on the Harley. Why? When you're riding it, you'll know.

Take the safety course, ride alert and enjoy the wind!
:cheers:

Another factor to consider is trade in/resale value. You will get the best trade in/ resale from the Sporty, A Harley holds its value better than anything out there. Not to mention all the oohs and ahhs from the admiring females. They love them Harley vibrators! AL

See the only thing about it, the harleys look uncomftorble with the seat almost as high as the tank and handle bars...i set on a 883 about 2 years ago and it just felt tiny. I liked the looks of the shadow and vstar bc there a wider and lower setting bike, but have never set on one. But im sure the HD will run better. But than you for your ideas, and keep them comin

ALL DEPENDS HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO PUT INTO THE BIKE IN THE LONG HAUL. FOR YOUR SIZE THE SHADOW DEPENDING ON THE MODEL IS ALOT BIGGER IN SIZE ALL AROUND, COMPARED TO A SPORTY, PERFORMENCE AND ENGINE SIZE, I DON'T THINK SO, I'M 6' 235 AND DON'T DWARF MY LITTLE PIGLET:roflmao: EVEN BEFORE THE MAKEOVER, SO IN THE END YOU WILL HAVE TO DECIDE IF IT'S SOMETHING FOR JUST GETTING TO POINT A TO B, OR SOMETHING YOU PLAN TO KEEP FOR AWILE AND ENJOY, WITH OPTIONS TO DO PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING YOU WANT TO IT. THERE ARE WAYS AROUND NOT LOOKING TO BIG ON YOUR BIKE.

Is the 1200 sportster any bigger than thE 883? It looks like the older early to mid 90's sportsters look more comftorble, but i dont know that for sure..

The 1200 Sporster is the exact same frame/seat height and nearly identical engine as the 883 except that it has the bigger 1200cc engine.

Since you're new to H-Ds, a quick explanation:

Sportster engines for the last 30 years or so are almost always listed in cubic centimeters, like most foreign bikes.

"Full-size" Harleys are listed in cubic inches - for example, the Evo 80ci engine is a 1340cc, the Twin Cam 88 (88ci) is a 1450cc, etc.

The cc's or ci'c are never the full story, but are general indicators of overall power, especially torque.

Oh, and the newer rubber-mount Sportys are the most comfortable. But you can easily modify any Harley for your riding with the ton of aftermarket support - just at more cost.
:cheers:

883 & 1200 Sportsters have the same frame & the only difference in the engine is on the inside - larger cylinder bore, different valves, etc., but even the flywheels & piston rods are the same. A very popular thing to do over the years is to buy an 883 Standard, get comfortable with it, then do a >1200 conversion on the engine. That's cheaper than buying a 1200 to begin with.

Not quite so true with the '04-up models, but it sure is for '91-'03 models, with just 2 exceptions - the 1200C "Custom" model has a lot of chrome & other features that would cost you more to do later than just to buy that bike to begin with & the 1200S "Sport" model (don't see many of those) has different engine & suspension components that would cost a lot more to buy separately & add later.

'91-'03 Sportsters have a rigid mount engine & many complain about the vibration (don't bother me) & '04 Sportsters came with a larger & heavier frame & rubber mounts for the engine. Vibration's still there, you just don't feel as much of it. '91-'03 bikes weigh approx. 500 lbs. - the newer ones around 565.

As far as making changes to fit you goes (seat, handlebar, footpegs, etc.) there's not an easier bike on the planet to customize. And parts are readily available, especialy for '91-'03 models 'cause there are so many of them.

Prices have gone down lately too - used to be a used Sportster in very good condition would sell for around what the MSRP was for it new, but not anymore & prices vary greatly by region. I bought both my Sportsters used & have less $$$ in both combined than a new Dyna or Electra Glide Standard costs. The '95 had 6400 miles on it when I got it & the '00 only 2300.

So if you think you might like a Sportster (I love mine), look around & compare prices with mileage & condition. As a new rider, an 883 will have plenty of power for you & you can always make it a 1200 later.

have you looked at the Honda VTX ? A buddy of mine is a pretty big guy and he got himself the larger VTX (1850cc??) and he likes it. It was a lot lower in price than a comparable Harley so if it does go down in value you did not spend as much for it.

thank you Art-NJr, i was thinking i could put a bigger tank, and bars and risers, and also do you think a new sportster seat would fit on like a 99 model? becaus they look a whole lot more comftorble. And also ive seen a lot with a seat on the back fender...is that somthing that you can take off if you wanted or did it come like that in a option? thanks

For a bigger tank on a '91-'03 (stock is 3.3 gallons '96-up) you have to go aftermarket & those don't hold much more. Different styles, but 4 gallons is about it. '04 up Custom models come with a 4.5 gallon tank but you have to change the seat 'cause the tank is longer than the 3.3 on the other models. Bars & risers no problem - about a zillion different choices there.

No, a new Sportster seat will not fit the older models (different frame) & believe me, you do NOT want a stock Sportster seat off any model. But the aftermarket is loaded with much better seats anyway. As to a rear seat you can put on & take off, the aftermarket makes those too - a solo seat with a pillon pad on (or off) the rear fender.

- Art

For a big guy, I think the Sportster frame might be a bit small for you. They are a little tall too, though they handle nice. For the money, you might find a decent Shadow (Honda's look more generic to me) or look at a used 1100 or 1300 V-Star by Star Motorcycles, which has floorboards boards and is just as comfortable and less sewing machine-like. I think the Star Motorcycle line is a great looking lineup. Look around as see what looks good to you though as everyone has their own opinion. When it comes to resale, buying a used Japanese bike for a year or two..you won't lose much money when you sell it. Of course, what do I know..I buy a bike and keep it. Got 3 now and looking for a 4th later this year.

Normally I'd say get something like a used 450 Honda, Honda Rebel, etc. so when you drop it (which you will) it won't cost an arm & a leg to fix & later you can probably sell it for close to what you paid for it, but obviously in this situation a bike like that is too small. But I think a big heavy bike is not a good choice for a new rider & something used somewhere in the middle would be the best choice.

Also, I knew a teenager who was 6'5" & started out on 125's - no kidding. Taller dirt bikes, but he'd fold up kinda like a carpenter's rule & didn't look as out-of-place as you'd think. He graduated to 175's & got pretty darn good @ racing in the dirt & on trails - I dated his Mom & we'd go watch the kid - he won a couple races too. I wish I'd started on a dirt bike - I'd be a much better rider.

Now That Your So Focused On A Sporty, Means You Prob. Want A Harley, So If You Buy Anything Else, You'll Always Be Thinking, Man, I Should Have Got That Harley. Anycase If You Don't Like What You Get Like You Imagined, You Can Always Sell It For That Other Bike.

I don't know..I've never owned a Harley and don't have any inclination to ever own one (though I'll never say never). I love the beauty, efficiency and value of my Yamahas and have never ever regretted any one of them one moment. Nothing against Harleys, or any bikes in particular, they're just not me.