"Small Harley"?

[Virago]

While people focus on the low seat height of Harleys (particularly the big-bore models), they tend to overlook some other crucial factors.

Firstly, they are quite wide. That makes a huge difference to the rider's ability to get their feet down. A low seat height means little if your legs have to be at a wide stance.

Secondly, they're heavy. Short riders, particularly those of a small build, will struggle to lift a big Harley off the side stand, let alone manoeuver it with confidence.

Thirdly, most big Harleys have forward controls. Getting your feet down is one matter, reaching the controls is another.

Having said that, there are options. The smaller block Sportsters are much narrower and lighter, and have "mid-mount" foot controls. In the bigger range, the Street Bob has a super-low seat and mid-mount controls.

In the meantime, something like a Virago 250 would be a good starter bike.

[Sable]

Small Harley.

[The Lone Rider]

Why a Harley?

The "low" versions of Harleys, and the Rocker, have some rather big problems with ground clearance when on a lean.

Most seats can be reformed and upholstered. This will allow you to narrow your stance and shorten the height - you may suffer in comfort though.

Changing position of the handlebars will also change your balance when your feet are down. It will be a matter of riser height and pull back on the bars.

[jscottbowman]

Of course some would say, screw the rules, do their learners and then jump on a >250 (as i would) . I happen to know of a learners bike in kapiti (which i'm sure the Mrs would lend) if your wife needs a bike to do any tests on. Or Randel at Twin Cam has a hire 250 for just that purpose

But be aware there are now 35 demerit points issued for riding with the wrong class of licence

Thank you for the heads up on Randall, and the offer of a loan, very kind of you!

Must admit we'd rather avoid the attention of Mr Plod, and keep things all above board...

Cheers
Scott

[jscottbowman]

While people focus on the low seat height of Harleys (particularly the big-bore models), they tend to overlook some other crucial factors.

Firstly, they are quite wide. That makes a huge difference to the rider's ability to get their feet down. A low seat height means little if your legs have to be at a wide stance.

Secondly, they're heavy. Short riders, particularly those of a small build, will struggle to lift a big Harley off the side stand, let alone manoeuver it with confidence.

Thirdly, most big Harleys have forward controls. Getting your feet down is one matter, reaching the controls is another.

Having said that, there are options. The smaller block Sportsters are much narrower and lighter, and have "mid-mount" foot controls. In the bigger range, the Street Bob has a super-low seat and mid-mount controls.

In the meantime, something like a Virago 250 would be a good starter bike.

Thanks for these wise words.
We're going to pop down to Wello MCs this saturday morning to have a look, and hopefully sit on a few just see how they feel for her...
As you say, its not just the seat height but weight of bike too.
regards
Scott

[jscottbowman]

Why a Harley?

The "low" versions of Harleys, and the Rocker, have some rather big problems with ground clearance when on a lean.

Most seats can be reformed and upholstered. This will allow you to narrow your stance and shorten the height - you may suffer in comfort though.

Changing position of the handlebars will also change your balance when your feet are down. It will be a matter of riser height and pull back on the bars.

I think the Harley is desirable for her as I have one already, so if she's going to do it, she wants one like mine...
But reality may simply be they are too big for her (weight or reach).

We'll wait and see...

[sinfull]

Must admit we'd rather avoid the attention of Mr Plod, and keep things all above board...

Cheers
Scott

Any relation to the Dave Bowman i knew growing up on the coast ? if so i can understand why lol

[jscottbowman]

If she hasn't ridden before at all, i would be looking at something in the 250 range and leave it at that until she is all good on that. Then i would change to a hmmmm maybe 650 twin ish to get my skills up and then maybe the Harley.
Unless you prefer her dead than alive, in that case just go buy the Harley now if ya want.

Fair point! I'd like to keep her in one piece for a few more years yet...

[jscottbowman]

Any relation to the Dave Bowman i knew growing up on the coast ? if so i can understand why lol

Nope, although oddly enough you're not the first to ask!

[jscottbowman]

If your wife has never ridden on the road before I would recommend against the 883. While they are not exactly power houses. They are very good at throwing someone down the road on their arse with the weight and torque they do have.
Think of it like having a willys jeep as your first car. Not fast, not lots of power. But get it wrong and your over a bank.

My recommendations is GV650 or lower (cc wise).
But if you don't want trouble with the law grab a 250. Right now they are pulling over anything on 2 wheels (for nothing other than "checks"). Regardless of how safe you look, or how old you look.
If they see L license on a med sized bike.......they see $$
Would hate for your trip in this country to be a massive expense and a sad story of fighting the law and losing.

NZ is not the biker heaven it used to be.

Thanks for those comments, wise words I am sure.
Don't worry, we're not on a trip,... we're living here now. Ain't no way I'm going back to ol' Blighty...


Cheers
Scott

[sinfull]

Nope, although oddly enough you're not the first to ask!

All good, went to school with Dave, he joined the plod force not long after !

[The Lone Rider]

I think the Harley is desirable for her as I have one already, so if she's going to do it, she wants one like mine...
But reality may simply be they are too big for her (weight or reach).

We'll wait and see...

It's easy enough to adjust reach with a combination of riser and bar position, plus a lowering kit or suspension change.

Or you can get one of the "low" models of a Harley.

It's just theres the ongoing problem, and up to her how much she wants to tolerate it, that lowering the bike to lower the seat height also lowers your ground clearance on turns. Ideally, a low seat height (which has to be designed into the frame) but a reasonable ground clearance would be best.

I believe - although best talk to a Harley shop - that the 'low" models are lowered in ground clearance to get the lower seat height.

[jscottbowman]

It's easy enough to adjust reach with a combination of riser and bar position, plus a lowering kit or suspension change.

Or you can get one of the "low" models of a Harley.

It's just theres the ongoing problem, and up to her how much she wants to tolerate it, that lowering the bike to lower the seat height also lowers your ground clearance on turns. Ideally, a low seat height (which has to be designed into the frame) but a reasonable ground clearance would be best.

I believe - although best talk to a Harley shop - that the 'low" models are lowered in ground clearance to get the lower seat height.

Thanks again for the heads up, I'll see what they say at the Harley shop...

[hellokitty]

If she hasn't ridden before at all, i would be looking at something in the 250 range and leave it at that until she is all good on that. Then i would change to a hmmmm maybe 650 twin ish to get my skills up and then maybe the Harley.
Unless you prefer her dead than alive, in that case just go buy the Harley now if ya want.

I went from a 250 Intruder to a 750 Honda Shadow Spirit and then to a 1200 Harley Sportster. I know if I had gone from the 250 intruder straight to the 1200 Harley, I would have failed. Totally different ride. I got my Harley in June and I can still remember the fear and suprise when I got of the Honda and onto the Harley, I know in a short while this memory will have gone. The difference in handling was suprising to me - the vibrations, the weight, the inferior brakes, it took a fair bit of concentration in the beginning.
I am used to it now (took a couple of weeks) and I love it!

While people focus on the low seat height of Harleys (particularly the big-bore models), they tend to overlook some other crucial factors.

Firstly, they are quite wide. That makes a huge difference to the rider's ability to get their feet down. A low seat height means little if your legs have to be at a wide stance.

Secondly, they're heavy. Short riders, particularly those of a small build, will struggle to lift a big Harley off the side stand, let alone manoeuver it with confidence.

Thirdly, most big Harleys have forward controls. Getting your feet down is one matter, reaching the controls is another.

Having said that, there are options. The smaller block Sportsters are much narrower and lighter, and have "mid-mount" foot controls. In the bigger range, the Street Bob has a super-low seat and mid-mount controls.

In the meantime, something like a Virago 250 would be a good starter bike.

My Sportster is only about 30kg heavier than my previous bike but the weight is higher than my Honda was and therefore it feel much heavier and is harder to manage when you are tired. I have had to get help to get it off it's stand after a days riding when I am tired.
It is narrower than my Honda and smaller in physical size and with the mid mount controls it is so easy to chuck around corners.

I love it but I would recomemnd that she progresses to a bigger bike if she must have a Harley. I have a friend whose Mum has learnt on a 1200 Sportster and she has dropped it so many times and has lost all confidence.

[jscottbowman]

For those who've followed this post and offered advice, thanks again, thought I'd give a little feedback after our trip to Wello MCs at the weekend.
Clint was very friendly and helpful, and took his time to show Tracey the various bikes.

The 883L, looked beautiful, but Tracey found it very imposing. She could sit on it and get the ball of her feet down, but not her heels. Clint said they could drop the front a little which may help, plus bigger bike boots rather than the flat shoes she was wearing, may all make a little difference.
Main problem was that Tracey found the bulk of the bike; big fuel tank and motor in front of her as she stretched to reached the bars, quite imposing. That and the weight of it to get it off the stand... She managed it, but it wasnt easy.

We did look at, and she sat on a Suzuki 250 intruder (I think it was). Cute little crusier, which she immediately loved and felt confident sitting on. Feet down no problem and size and weight of bike easily manageable.

We also looked at an intermediate 650 cruiser (I think it was a suzuki again), with a view to stepping up in future. But again she found this a bit big.

So I think the 250 is fine to start with, and may simply be all she needs, whether she passes her full test or not. Clint said it would have enough power to do highway speeds, with daughter on the back too, and since I don't ride fast, I'm not going to leave her behind.

So Tracey is keen to make a start to getting on the road....

regards to all
Cheers
Scott