Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[2 ROSE]

One of my sons has just thrown out a possible interest in learning to ride. If so I will insist he gets the proper training. Not sure if I should be happy or pissed...I am definitely concerned. So I was thinking maybe purchasing an old sporty say around a 2000. Something he or anyone can learn on and not worry about scratches, nicks or drops..something that I can make sure is safe to ride. Having performed a brief google it appears I can pick one up for around 3k. Are there any suggestions as far as concerns for that era sportster? Is it better to go private or dealer? Believe it or not I did find some old sporties at HD dealers. Would perfer to keep it in my name but not sure how that would work with insurance. I figure I can fork out the expense for him in case he finds that riding is not for him. I know it would be just BS, but maybe I just want to feel I have some control over the situation if I purchased it.
Thanks in advance for any input.

[GregKhougaz]

One thought:  Sportsters went to a rubber mounted motor in model year 2004.  Made them much nicer to ride.   Good luck. 

[ChopperPilot]

May be doing the same thing over the winter, my oldest son wants to learn how to ride as well.  I asked him to register for a beginner class and not wait to long, those seem to fill up around here pretty quick in the spring.

[red ben59]

My first road bike was a Sportster. Wish I still had it. It taught me about freedom and what a big beatiful country we live in. I think you are doing it right start with the education, then take him under your wing. Made my son ride the first five hundred miles with me. 

[JQCVO]

Earlier this year my 25 year old son came home and "surprised" me with his completion certificate from a local motorcycle school. They basically teach you the ropes in a local parking lot, and then you can take your certificate to the DMV and get your license.
Like you, I have been very conflicted about him riding a bike. The issue isn't him, it's the insane NY drivers who are maniacs with no patience whatsoever.
He has been going out with me since then, easing into it slowly. Good news is he rides within his limits and is being very responsible.
He bought a 1997 Suzuki Marauder (800cc) and owns it/insured it in his name. If he stays with it, he thinks he'll buy a Harley next - probably something like a Fatboy.

[smkymtnboy]

One of my sons has just thrown out a possible interest in learning to ride. If so I will insist he gets the proper training. Not sure if I should be happy or pissed...I am definitely concerned. So I was thinking maybe purchasing an old sporty say around a 2000. Something he or anyone can learn on and not worry about scratches, nicks or drops..something that I can make sure is safe to ride. Having performed a brief google it appears I can pick one up for around 3k. Are there any suggestions as far as concerns for that era sportster? Is it better to go private or dealer? Believe it or not I did find some old sporties at HD dealers. Would perfer to keep it in my name but not sure how that would work with insurance. I figure I can fork out the expense for him in case he finds that riding is not for him. I know it would be just BS, but maybe I just want to feel I have some control over the situation if I purchased it.
Thanks in advance for any input.

I think you should be happy. I think the riding course is great!! But, I do think the biggest favor you can do for him and you is insist he ride along side you for a significant  amount of time. all the training in the world will not trump experience with a experienced rider. could be a whole new beginning

[Indenial]

You buy it, but have him pay you back. At least half. It will mean more to him if he has money in the pot.  Have fun with him---he has a good teacher

[Supershooter]

I learned on a metric, during my college years. There are advantages and disadvantages to every bike, I preferred a bike with a lower center of gravity which the meteric provided. It rode and turned easy and it was cheap, for a few hundred I was riding. I've heard the Sporties have a high center of gravity which can be problematic for new rider IMO.
My buddy took a few lessons on my wife's Honda and my Dyna and went and bought a Street Glide, 6K miles later and he's well on his way as a new rider.
MSC is never a bad idea and in Iowa we get a break on our ins policy if we have it.
Get the proper safety gear and get out and have some fun.
Supershooter

[Camojeeper]

Started riding with my dad at 18 on a sporty 1200 2 years later on a FXDWG. BEEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITH HIM! The best riding partner you will ever have!

On edit ride with Em while you can!

[BigLew]

i've been racing and riding over 45 years and I rode a sporty a couple of years ago when my daughter bought one. I thought it was diffcult to ride. I really think that buying a cheap dirt bike is the way to go. There is something about learning to ride a bike that is out of control about 60% of the time. It really teaches you how the bike feels and reacts when you are avoiding things. Sure helped me. Hard to learn that stuff on the street.

BigLew

[smkymtnboy]

i've been racing and riding over 45 years and I rode a sporty a couple of years ago when my daughter bought one. I thought it was diffcult to ride. I really think that buying a cheap dirt bike is the way to go. There is something about learning to ride a bike that is out of control about 60% of the time. It really teaches you how the bike feels and reacts when you are avoiding things. Sure helped me. Hard to learn that stuff on the street.

BigLew

very good point!!

[Ironhorse]

Or a dual sport for both on and off road. That way he can learn the feel under both conditions.

[Camojeeper]

^^^^^^ well said

[MIKEYTEE]

My oldest Grandson started street riding when he turned 15. He went and got his learners permit on his birthday. Seems as though I had said something about if he got his permit, I would get him a motorcycle. He would also have to take the beginning riders course. Well he did and I bought him an old 83 Honda Shadow to gain experience on. He started riding with me until I felt he was good enough to ride on his own. The Honda was a POS and was in the shop more than out. So I went to the Harley shop and bought him a 2004 Sportster 1200C.
I had both bikes in my name and on my insurance. Last year I signed the bike over to him and he traded it on a very late model Toyota Camery, with my blessing. He is 25 and would like to do some riding. I let him know, the next bike is on him.
OBTW, he went with me to Myrtle Beach, Daytona, and Sturgis Rallies.  He was a great riding partner.
Mike
 

[kmh364]

11yr veteran MSF Rider Coach here. Just my $0.02: get him an easy bike to ride and learn on. Used Middleweight metric cruiser? Yes! Sporty 1200? No! There's plenty of time to transition to a H-D. Learn how  to ride properly and then learn all over again on a Harley.  Take the BRC then the BRC2 (old ERC) on the metric, then again on the H-D. Follow it with the ARC. Not looking to drum-up business for MSF providers, just looking to save lives. Think about it. Cheers, Kevin M Hogan, MSF #121548


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk