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[Supershooter]

One of my college buddies has decided that its time to join the rest of the group on two wheels, after following in a car last summer as we traveled from IA to Yellowstone, Galcier, and Black Hills. He is able to purchase about any bike he wants, but I want him on a bike he's going to ride. So some of the obvious questions start coming to mind, new/used, CVO/non CVO, Ultra/Convertible??? He is looking for something with bags so he can travel with us, as we travel for 5-7 days at a time. Looking for lots of input, Thanks in adavnce, Supershooter
PS I'll be happy to debate any suggestions. 

[Grizzly]

My suggestion would be to purchase a used bike until he gets his feet wet.  He may think he will like it, but until he knows for sure, it maybe best not to invest a pile of money... Even though he can afford it, he most likely won't feel very good dropping a new bike.

It would also be helpful to know how tall and his weight before suggesting a suitable bike for a "new" rider to handle properly.

[fast96]

Wife did 2000 miles on a small Ricer first, then to lowered Dyna 16000 miles later a street glide only 4000 miles on it due to me letting her ride my 09 SERG and now she is real good on it of course her bike now, 135 lbs and 5ft 3! Moral of the story everything in steps regardless of cash seat time seat time accidents hurt regardless of the speed! Start with someething light that would be my advice depending on the physical size of this person.

[tazmun]

 Depends on his height & weight. I would start out on something cheap & lite.
If he has not ridden, make sure he takes a MSF coarse. Usually a new rider lays
a bike down a few times, during braking, and slow maneuvers.
I would then move up to a Heritage Softail, great bike..........
After that, the sky is the limit!

[Supershooter]

Shane is 6"2' and 260, he has had some dirt bike seat time.
Supershooter 

[cvobiker]

Shane is 6"2' and 260, he has had some dirt bike seat time.
Supershooter  

He is a big man,,,put him on a used Electra Glide Standard then graduate him to a nice new CVO next August   you should be able to find a nice Glide Standard around 14K

[grandpadoc]

My son is about that size and I started him out on my 98 RG. Since then he bought a dyna wg and it just sits around. Both are good riding bikes but once you go bagger you don't go back. Doc

[fast96]

Based on your last comment I would definately start someone that big on a FL frame of some sort. Chris

[10SE5]

A wide glide might be a good one to start with. Good for short rides around town and comfortable enough to take on the long rides and room for luggage if needed. Used ones can be picked up a fairly reasonable prices only a couple of years old.

[Gecko]

Put him on a 250 Rebel.  And get a picture!  Actually his size eliminates many of the usual 'get your feet wet' bikes.  I'd still suggest getting a used cheap whatever is large enough to at least keep up with you on the highway for the first year.  It sounds like he doesn't know what he wants to eventually end up with, and he can learn road riding while he's doing that.  He will be able to sell it for about what he paid if he starts out cheap.  If he thinks he wants a Convertible now then decides the Road King really does it, it could be fairly expensive since he'll doubtless start customizing the first one.  Buy Japanese and he won't want to customize it.    

[hogasm]

BMW K 1600 GT or GTL

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en/index.html

[JCZ]

My wife (much smaller than your friend) went through a couple of Dynas (she put very few miles on either of them) before getting a Street Glide (because we spend a week or two on the road, at a time).  Now she tells all the women...."don't waste your money on anything less.......get a Street Glide and just add the rear crash bar. 

Of course several have and they're glad they did. 

[9 1/2 Beers]

My first Harley was a Dyna Superglide sport

 The reason I pick this bike was $, but I wanted the largest motor i could get on the smallest bike. The 88 inch motor worked out great for me, and the small bike was easy to learn on  . I recommend a used Dyna  

 If you would like a little bigger of a bike, I am told a fat boy has a low center of gravity
 Marty

[StrokedRider]

This pretty much rocks!   

[REDMAN]

Have your friend think about renting different Harley's from your local dealer. Use these on your three and five day trips. That should be enough time to get an opinion on each bike he tries and be able to make a better decision when it is time to purchase one.