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[crackers]

Looking at the new Slim, Switchback and Wide Glide. Son may be close to 5'8 so these should set well. Any thought on any of these as I started with the Ultra's.

[VANAMAL]

Cant go anywhere on those. Maybe a street glide or a used seeg

[crackers]

Cant go anywhere on those. Maybe a street glide or a used seeg

My Ultra Limited had the 103 and had all it needed to go any where so why couldn't it work as a entry level bagger? Buy the way did I mention I'm buying this lol. If I bought a Street Glide it would have to stay in my garage

[GregKhougaz]

Crackers, you would know better than any of us.  It depends on your son's experience level, strength, and overall awareness.  Give us more information and we can give you better opinions.

[crackers]

Very string kid and wants to be able to be as flat footed as possible. Dirt bike smart but first street bike.

[VANAMAL]

Im up for adoption.

[HD2012CVO]

There is nothing wrong with starting out on a smaller lighter bike.  Any one of those would be a fine first bike.

Jerry

[Cvostu]

I'm a touring bike guy.  I agree with Vanamal.  After you have a smaller bike, then what?  No room to carry much if anything.  No radio. Not very comfortable....    Should I keep going? 

[2k]

If he is big enough to handle a big bike, why not? Buy a small one and only be trying to get your money out of it within a year!!! Start at the top.

[kravnut]

I would say whatever your son feels more comfortable and confident with is the right bike.  If you aren't comfortable then you will never be happy and possibly nervous riding.  I used to ride dirt bikes a lot growing up and never had a street bike until 2002.  Yes my dream bike was to have a full dresser, but I started off with a 1200 sporty, moved up to a RK in 2006 and finally jumped to the CUSE7 this year.  As I mentioned at first, the ultimate decision will be you sons and what he is more comfortable and will have the most confidence riding.

[MIKEYTEE]

I started my grandson out on a Honda Shadow, within a year I moved him up to a 1200 custom sporty.
The sporty has plenty of power and doean't sit too tall. Plenty of used sporty's around. Whatever works and fits your son is the right choice.
Mike
 

[Fired00d]

Why not let him know the dollar amount that you are willing to spend then let him pick the (H-D) bike? This way he'll get what he wants, most likely will enjoy the most, and cherish the most. This way whatever model he wants to start out with it will depend on your dollar amount whether it's new or used, and if it will have any modifications (done or get done) upon delivery.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[49445CVO]

That's a great idea unless it's gonna be a suprise.

  I'm with you d00d, I would much rather see him get what he really wants. If it's a bagger, then maybe it's gonna have to be used. As for Mikey, You are right there are plenty of used Sporty's  around. Not sure how old your son is but he may want to have some say in it... He would enjoy it more esp. If it was what he really wanted.

   Crackers, there are enough of us on here to help you locate any year, model and color. Just say'in

Topper

[SteveFLHTK]

I've been through this.  My son decided he wanted a bike at 16 instead of a car, and he was willing to pay for it.  We started out with a Sporty.  Got it during the buy back program.  Did one long trip on it, he actually did 800 miles in a day, riding behind us.  Found the bike to be VERY uncomfortable for distances, and stopping to accommodate a Sporty for gas was a real pain.  Inside the first year, we used the buy back program to trade up to a Dyna.  He liked this bike more, but the first trip we did on it, it vibrated so much we had to replace hardware that fell off on the trip.  When we got home from that one, we traded him into a Road King (took a bath on this trade).  That's what he rides now and he loves it.  Mom was a bit concerned it'd be too big for him but he's done fine on it.

Hindsight being 20/20, I wish we'd just gone straight to the Road King from the beginning.  Much better for touring, already has the bags and windshield he wanted.  More stable than a Sporty and a lot more comfortable than the Dyna.

[bokat96]

I think taking into consideration of what type of riding he will primarily be doing and his age would be a big factor. I still love to ride the smaller bikes and would still have one now. Personally I moved up to the bagger simply for the comfort of the wife. The key to the non-baggers is finding the one that fits.

Two weekend ago I rode the entire 2012 lineup at the hosted test rides in Regensberg, Germany. I'm 6'0 blackline not enough room, street bob not enough room, wide glide reminded me of my old 02 deuce before putting forward controls on really liked the ride and handling. Issues were dragging the pegs on every one of these without even really leaning. Not really a problem he would just have to get used to it. Stock SG made me really really glad I went CVO, for being the same base platform my CVO is so much more bike. The convertible was comfortable but again would need controls pushed forward for me. Right now the convertible is probably the best of both worlds. To Bag or not to bag today is just a couple of minutes difference in the garage.

And touring on the non-bagger is just as easy for those 20 somethings you just strap your bags on and go. It's been done that way for oh lets say over a hundred years.

Just my .02 .... good luck on the decision whatever you get I'm sure he will be satisfied and enjoy the ride.