Mackman...as a female who's pretty small...I'll tell you there's a HUGE difference for us....it's called WEIGHT. Starting with a smaller bike is best for us smaller gals (me anyway) until you get used to it. Now if you are a guy that's 6' & strong as an ox, well you can "muscle" a 600+ lb bike around...but when you're built alot closer to the ground it's not that easy.

Myself I started on a 650 Suzi & rode that for 8 years before I went bigger, & had no serious trouble keeping up. I now have a 1300 VTX, roughly double the weight of my old Suzi. Let me tell you there's a HUGE differece in handling, etc. I too, had never DRIVEN before. So for some women, especially the smaller of us out there, bigger is not always better.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

go to this site
http://www.harley-davidson.com/PR/MO...n_US&market=US

Put in a 883 and a 1200.

883- 583lbs.

1200-589lbs.

but i understand what your sayin wildkat

 

My personal opinion on Sportster is not very high...I took one for a test ride & did not like how it handled at all...very top heavy I felt, was much happier with a Low Rider...I felt it handled MUCH better than the Sportser, but then thet is MY opinion, but harley was WAY out of my price range, so I went with my VTX, got more bang for my buck, better warranty, better bike as far as I was concerned. My hubby has a Heritage Springer & my VTX is a sports car compared to that & even though he has bigger power I can still beat him off the line every time :lol: :lol:

IMHO I think if you have the opinion of "go big or go home", well HD is fine if you are a big man...but for most women who are smaller (IMO) a Jap bike is much easier to handle, as even the bigger bikes handle like a small one. This has been my experience anyway. For example... my Suzi had a seat height of 23"...that's important when you have to stand tall to make 5' My VTX has a seat height of 24", it handles just as quick as my little Suzi did....light pressure on the pegs sends me where I want to go. Even hubby who bleeds HD black & orange was impressed! :lol: :lol:

 

07' Ultra Classic

 

02 FXSTD (Deuce)
106"

 

1982 H-D FXR. Love that Shovel!!

2004 BMW K1200RS Blue and White Zebra.

Both GREAT rids for their intended purposes.

Be careful and stay safe.

 

BMWW R1200C....leaving tomorrow on 4 day trip up Highway 1 along Northern Calif coast and Southern Oregon with 5 other bikes. Whoo hoo!!

 

Try it again...with picture this time hopefully.

 

That is just wrong!!! Just kidding. I wish I was going too! I spent a year in Salinas, CA while going through language school at Presidio of Monterey. At that time, I had a KZ-1000. I used to ride up and down the coastal highway every chance I got. I miss those days and the spirited rides up and down the coast. Great scenery!

That is a sweet ride you have. I will try and post a pic of my K12 this evening. Sadly, I haven't had much chance to ride lately. With any luck that is getting ready to change soon.

Enjoy your trip and be careful!

 

Have a great ride man. Nice scoot.