I have wanted one for about 6 years now and can't seem to pull the trigger on it. I would consider nothing else but a Harley, and they have the new Sportsters which are fairly cheap. I would really like to get the Soft Tail Fatboy, but it is a little out of my price range. Being single, young and stupid, I am about to go for it but for some reason, I feel like I need someone elses approval.

Any other bike owners here (besides Habibi with the 'his and hers bikes')?

 

Just my $.02

I was in the same boat as you last summer. I wanted an anniversary Sportster so bad I could taste it, but insurance was going to be $50-$100 a month (although I'm 26 now, and everyone says it should be cheaper), and even though the bikes listed around $8,000 I couldn't find a dealer that would let me have one for less than $10,000, and used ones were about the same or more...

I figure I'll start with a cheap Honda, and work my way up...

 

Pst. Get the Bike. I'm spoken for and saving for a house or I would buy a bike ASAP. My friends have em and they seem to have a blast. Get the Bike now while you still can!!!

 

Approved....Now go buy it (and get me one too)

 

Get the bike already!

 

Im in the same boat as you. I signed up to take my riders safety course and get my license in 2 weeks.

of course I cant justify the price of a Harley, so Im going with a Shadow Sabre just as soon as I get done with that course =)

 

Yeah, if I could afford a Harley, I'd get one, too. I don't think I can justify the cost of any bike right now, though, but the first one I will be able to afford will probably be a Shadow Ace.

 

getting a bike sounds like a great idea. they are a ton of fun. i put many miles on mine every year.
however getting a brand new harley for your first bike is a very bad idea. buy something small and cheap, easy to pay for, easy to handle, and easy to lose should you dump it.
every one dumps their first bike. it may only be a tip in a parking lot but you will dump it.
a harley sportster is not too bad for weight and power but still not a beginner bike. a fatboy is just under 800 lbs, what are you gonna do should the motor quit going through a turn with 800 lbs of steel. this does happen, if you've been riding a while you'll handle it, if you're new you'll dump it. 20 grand sliding down the asphalt (not to mention your body) can really make your day.
not trying to be harsh on you. i would love to add another biker to the fold. i just hate to see people think they can start on what ever bike they want. there is a definite learning curve involved. i am not saying it can't be done your way just that it's much easier to do it the other way.
anyway if you get one keep us informed, and i think they are a very justifiable purchase, think of all the gas money you'll save. not counting the rides you're gonna take just for the fun of it
thay are very fun, and can even help out in that "i'm single" dep't. girls love bikes.
keep the rubber side down.
i ride a triumph sprint s/t

 

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!! The voice of reason! Thanks for the replies. The Sportster starts at around $6,500, but doubt you can pick one up for that.

I mainly want a Harley for the name and the sound. Yall mentioned a few other bikes here...how do they compare? I have thought about the learning curve, etc that goes along with a first time bike. I just want one to cruise around on...no long trips, not much night riding, no interstates, etc, just want to ride the country roads and the mountains (just big hills here).

I guess the first thing to do would be to sign up for a safety course and get a license. I'll check into that.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

That's exactly what I wanted a bike for... I don't want to go fast, just cruise... Not sure about GA, but in AR you answer 10 simple questions, then ride down to the stop sign turn around in the street without putting your foot down (if they even bother to watch), and you've got you license... A safety course might cut you a break on insurance, but here getting a license is nothing...

I've been looking at the Sabre also... Very nice bike. I know a guy that has an '02...

Good luck...

BTW how are you? I've been thinking about trying again to see what insurance is now that I'm 26...

 

How am I? Fine! Thanks for asking!

I am assuming you meant to ask how old I am. 26. I'll be 27 in August. I work in claims for State Farm, but we're normally pretty high on motorcycles from what I can remember. We don't specialize in them, but if anyone wants to come in and pay what we ask...more power to them.

But you're right, all I want to do is cruise. Maybe ride it to work on nice days.

I am going to check around as well and let you know what I find.

 

My Buddy is 26 and has a crotch rocket. He says he pays $150.40 every six months through State Farm. That's with liability limits of 250/500/100, comprehensive deductible 200, collision deductible 500, and uninsured motorist coverage limits 25/50/25 with a $250 deductible. Why the hell is limits on UM are so low is beyond me. He works in claims with me and his dad is the agent. Seems to me that he would go higher.

 

Hmmm... If I could get good coverage for $300 a year, I'd have a bike right now... I almost bought a used '02 Shadow Sabre last summer... Excellent condition, low miles, great price, plus a bunch of extras... but I just didn't want the insurance...

 

Once when I lent my 82 Virago to my buddy for his drivers test, we were standing around waiting and watching the other wannabes do the obstacle course. This guy shows up with a Yamaha Goldstar which is the same as a Honda 'Wing". I said to my friend " this guy's nuts and whoever lent him the bike is even nuttier. Just watch, I'll bet he puts it down." Sure enough, as he was going around a tight corner, down he goes. I laughed my *** off thinking about how the guy was going to explain it to the owner of the bike. The fairing had a few hundred bucks worth of damage as well as scrapes on the pegs and motor casing.

BTW, he failed the test.

It's always best to learn on a smaller bike. Even if you do get a larger one, try to borrow a small bike for your drivers test. Even if you drop a dirt bike, you won't do much damage.

Any one interested in a 86 1100 Virago? Sometime in the next year or so I'll be buying a mid-90's Heritage Classic, meanig the Virago has got to go.

 

On the way home tonight I saw a guy on a crotch rocket that had slammed into a dirt bank. When I got there, there were already about 6 cars stopped and the owner (at least the guy with the helmet) was sitting on his destroyed new yamaha bike (still on its side). There were bike parts everywhere.