[prez1967]

Hey everyone, I've heard really good things about this forum and look forward to surfing this page.

I do not have a Harley yet. I'm in the process of taking the Harley course to get my liscence and am looking into what bike I should get.

I'm 6'6" 205 lbs. I am just lookin for a bike to go bar hopping really. A cousin of mine has a tricked out 1200 sportster but even though sitting on it feels comfortable I dont know how well I'd be able to ride it because of my height.

What do you guys recommend? The Dyna Super Glide Sport is what has really caught my eye but after sitting on it I feel more comfortable sitting on the Sporty. Whats the deal with that?

 

[wyodude]

prez1967,

Two words my tall friend....Forward Controls!

Good luck on getting your scooter.

wyo

 

[fearnot69]

I second wyodude's opinion. Since you are in the process of getting your license, you obviously have a limited amount of on-road riding.(No offense intended) From what I've learned, forward controls take some time getting used to, but are very helpful for someone with your height. Plus, you get cool points. The riding position looks laid back. Post often and don't be afraid to ask questions. There are a lot of knowledegable people on the forum.(I know, because I ask LOTS of questions!) J.T.

 

[prez1967]

Thanks for the replies so far guys, I feel very welcome to this board already.

I figured forward controls would be the way to go but what about the Fat Boy or bigger Touring bikes with floor boards? Also, why would you guys say that forward controls take some getting use to?

 

[HarleyJoel]

I'm 6'2" and have a bagger. It's really comfortable but it helps to have highway pegs when your on a long trip so you have options on where to put your feet.

 

[wyodude]

I'm 6'4" and ride a RK. Like HarleyJoel, I have highway pegs mounted on the engine guards/crash bars. I also have a low profile touring seat.

You mentioned you were looking at a Super Glide, hence the forward controls. I guess you could remove the floorboards from FatBoy (or a bagger) and change the controls to just about anything you desire.

wyo

 

[FifthGear]

Prez, first welcome to the forum!. glad you stopped by. There are few bikes that fit perfect from the factory for very tall or very short riders. It's already been stated, but forward controls are a must for taller riders on a sporty or Dyna. The mid- controls on the FXD or sportster would put your legs in a cramped position. The sportster seat height is actually higher than the Dyna FXD. It's one of the highest seat heights across the line of Harleys. Keep in mind that you can change a lot of things to help a bike fit you better. Thanks for coming, post often.

 

[Roger48]

Now for a different viewpoint, forward controls are DANGEROUS. You don't have the leverage to launch off the scoot in a T-Bone situation, or to kick off the bike in a laydown if you don't ride it down.
Sorry about the rant. Ride Safe

 

[cox9000]

Welcome Prez,
I'd like to submit a 3rd motion on wyodude's opinion. Forward controls feel so good (comfortable) with tall guys like us. I'm guessing you've been looking at lots of bikes and trying to make up your mind. People buy certain style / model bikes for lots of different reasons -- sometimes it's because of money. Have you ever sat on a Dyna Wide Glide or a Softail Standard. Please bear in mind that this is just my experience -- I thought these were the only 2 bikes that fit me. I'll have to learn to ride the forward controls when my bike gets here. Every bike I've ever owned had mid controls with highway pegs. Stretching out your long legs makes riding more pleasant.
Wish you the best of luck with selecting your bike. Let us know.

 

[prez1967]

This is really enlightening hearing from all of you guys. I have sat on the Super Glide and was pleased with its seating position. The Soft tail look doesn't really appeal to me, I like the look of the rear shocks. I am looking forward to getting my liscence and starting to drive some of these bikes so I can get an idea of what better suits me. Cant wait to get started.

On a sad note, I called Progressive Insurance a couple days ago to check on the rates and it was very dissapointing. I'm 20 and I live near Baltimore, MD. They want $1,901 a year for me on a Dyna Super Glide

 

[cox9000]

Yo Prez Bro,
Is this your first Harley or your first bike? Ain't that insurance a mug? Oh Yeah I remember those days -- under 25 -- it bites don't it dude?

 

[guido]

Welcome aboard,prez1967!

Glad you joined us,enjoy the forum!

Good luck on your bike search,keep us informed.
guido

 

[prez1967]

yeah man, its gonna be my first bike and insurance is a pain... I figure i could wait until i turn 23 but thats two and a half years away. There is no way I can afford almost 2,000 a year though, what a pain.

 

[cox9000]

Damn can I ever relate to your pain and anguish except for the part about this being your first bike (I started riding when I was young).
I can only just guess but by the way your words are put together you want a Harley real Bad, don't you? OH Boy, Leroy wants a Toy -- can I relate to what you're going through. I was in your shoes, I too couldn't afford that much money. It took me way to long before I was able to even think about getting my Harley because I married young. There wasn't any extra cash -- when you're young and trying to take care of a family a Harley didn't have the highest priority.
Anyway I'm getting off beat -- I would say first and foremost get on 2 wheels and learn to ride. I bet that there is somebody in your area that has a deal (low price) for you on a good used bike. There's no such thing as a cheap Harley. There are several ways to get your insurance rates reduced but I would suggest talking this over with an agent that understands your situation (somebody you feel comfortable with & can trust).
My suggestion to learn (start) on a bike other than Harley may not be the right thing to say on this forum but not everybody was fortunate enough to start out on a Harley.
Wish you luck, keep us posted on the decision you make.

 

[vthor]

Hey Prez-
Hi. I'm newer to the forum than you, and don't want to start a mess, but I have to agree with cox9000, posted above. Took me 20 years after I started riding to get my first Harley. Look, when your young and broke (no offense man, they go together) riding is riding. So maybe ya ride something else for a couple of years while you get your funds together and learn the ropes, but if ya want it and work for it, it'll come. Ride and have fun.
VT

 

[4nic8]

Personally I'd check around with other insurance companies, I have to believe unless you have a boatload of tickets that you can find it cheaper. When i was 18 I went through Dairyland isurance, they gave me about the best deal, progressive was too high and I know it was because of my age. Now that I am 25 however progressive is one of the lower ones.


One last thing, Progressive insurance prices are also in addition to age related to a credit score, being 20 you may not have good enough credit to score a lower cost this is yet another reason I might suggest looking at another insurance company.

 

[prez1967]

that was very insightful, I am looking around and really look forward to getting on a bike, hopefully within the next year.

This board is full of great members that are very willing to help out, This is the reason I love Harley and my mustang for that matter. The people who participate in the hobby (some call it the "way of life") are so awsome.

Thanks Guys!

 

[Roadking96]

prez1967,
Riding on 2 wheels is a way of life for me. Cannot bear the thought of being without one. I still have my '83 Honda Night Hawk.
I don't think that you cannot ride unless it is a Harley. If money is tight for you now, ride something else untill you can get what you really want.
It will happen for you.
Ride Safe.

 

[prez1967]

The only problem that I have is that Insurance is really rather excessive at my age right now... I am willing to go and pay cash for a Super Glide Sport tomorrow if insurance wasn't as much as it is. I'm thinking about going with a less expensive bike but i'm still going to need something with a frame big enough for my body and that requires a larger engine than the insurance efficient bikes on the market. I'm in a deadlock here... maybe i'll just buy a motorcross bike and get use to riding off road (shouldn't be bad, i'm an avid mountain biker). You guys think that the skills gained from off road riding will transfer to on-road experience?

 

[4nic8]

all right I know I will get jeers for this but, if you have checked other insurance agents and still a no go on the harley, and your looking for something cheaper but bigger look at the Honda VTX 1800 Retro, this bike is large so you wont have a problem fiting into it however its also quite heavy, they also have a 1200 model in the vtx thats a little smaller and might work out as well.

I still think you could do the harley with a much lower cost on insurance, couple of things to consider, call around, dairy land, HD Insurance Comp, etc etc, if you are prepared to pay cash for the harley then you obviously have a few dollars put away. I dont know what youve been talking to the insurance company's for as far as a deductable but look at raising it to 1000.00 that should cut the costs dramatically, and lets face it for anything less then that if it comes to damage you might as well pay yourself so you dont make a claim (besides is there really any damage fix for a bike that comes in under 1000.00)