For the last couple of years, there has been a growth in the number of people opting for a motorcycle worldwide. After or during the pandemic, people took on new hobbies and outdoor activities to blow off stress and feed their souls. Therefore, a beginner should consider a few things before buying a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
One should look at the cost of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These bikes are generally more expensive than other brands. Therefore, it is essential to consider the budget before making a purchase.
Many Harley-Davidson motorcycles are larger and heavier than other brands. As a result, it is sometimes difficult for beginners to handle. In addition, Harley-Davidson does have powerful engines that may be overwhelming to beginners at times.
Harley-Davidson or Indian motorcycles are designed for a specific riding style. As a result, some beginners or young riders might find it challenging.
It’s essential to consider one’s abilities, budget, and likings before deciding which motorcycle to start with. In other cases, starting with a smaller, less powerful motorcycle that is easier to handle might be appropriate.
List of 5 Best Harley Davidson motorcycles for beginners
Once you have decided to purchase the Harley Davidson, it is time to focus on the models you want to try. Some of the major ones are listed below for your reference now.
1. Harley Davidson Street 500
Harley-Davidson’s Street series of motorcycles are lightweight (491 lb.) and easy to handle, making them well-suited for beginner riders.
Street 500 is powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 494 cc liquid-cooled, Revolution®X V-Twin engine capable of producing 33.52 BHP and 40 Nm @ 3500 rpm of peak torque. Street 500 features a low seat height of just 28.3 inches, which makes it easy for riders with a shorter inseam to reach the ground. In addition, the lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
Regarding safety features, Street 500 comes equipped with antilock brakes (ABS) and a steel perimeter frame, which helps improve stability and control. It also has an easy lock-to-lock sweep. Street 500 also has a lighter lift-off force that is 480 lbs wet. The bike also has excellent braking performance with its single-disc and dual-piston calipers.
Overall, the Harley-Davidson Street 500 is a perfect motorcycle for beginner riders and well-suited for urban riding.
2. Harley Davidson Street 750
Street 750 is powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 750 cc Liquid-cooled, Revolution®X V-Twin engine capable of producing 59 horsepower and 43.5 ft-lb of torque. Above all, the bike gives 55 mpg mileage.
Street 750 features a low seat height of just 27.3 inches. The mid-mount controls give the best riding stance that is slightly forward, makes the bike easy to control, and provide a comfortable ride even for long rides. With this bike, you can maneuver it even at low speeds, which is necessary for urban environments. The 17-inch and 15-inch front and back tires give perfect grip and agile handling. The single disc. 2-piston floated front and rear brakes help you slow down as and when required without any hassles. The bike’s light weight also helps put the side stand primarily for beginners or smaller riders.
With a seat height of 28 inches, it is easy to put the feet down at street lights, giving a low center of gravity and better balance.
Harley-Davidson Street 750 has more power and torque than the Street 500. As a result, it might be a better option for riders looking for more performance. Remember, Street 750 is an entry-level motorcycle. It might have a different level of power and performance than some of Harley-Davidson’s more advanced models.
3. Harley Davidson Iron 883
Iron 883 is also an excellent Harley motorcycle for beginners after Street 500 & 750. Some of the reasons that make it a perfect choice are –
- Manageable size and weight: The Iron 883 is relatively lightweight (562 pounds) and small in size.
- Low seat height: The seat height of Iron 883 is 25.7 inches. The shorter riders can touch the ground easily, which makes them feel confident and comfortable while riding.
- Classic Harley-Davidson styling: Lot of new riders go for this motorcycle only because of its retro look, which they find appealing.
- Adequate power: Iron 883 has a decent amount of power(49 hp) and torque(54 lb-ft) though not as high as larger Harley-Davidson models.
- Affordable price: Iron 883 is relatively affordable when compared to other Harley models.
- Customization options: Iron 883 is highly coustamizable. Due to this feature, new riders love it as they can customize the bike to their liking.
4. Harley Davidson Street Rod XG750A
The Harley-Davidson Street Rod XG750A is primarily for urban riders with slightly more performance and agility than the Street 500 or 750. The Street Rod series motorcycle is easy to handle, lightweight, agile, and easy to handle, making them well-suited for beginner riders. However, it is more suited for riders looking for a sporty ride. The aggressive riding position gives it a sportier feel, unlike Street 500 or 750.
The Street Rod XG750A is powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 750 cc Revolution X™ V-Twin engine capable of producing 64 hp and 63.9 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm of peak torque.
The Street Rod XG750A features a low seat height of 29.4 inches and 30.1 inches unladen. Due to this, it is easy for riders with a shorter inseam to reach the ground. The lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Dual disc brakes give good stopping power in case one faces hurdles or wants to react quickly in an urban environment. The bike provides nimble maneuvering, thanks to its Rake and trail that is primarily optimized for the function. Street Rod XG750A comes equipped with antilock brakes and a steel perimeter frame, which help to improve stability and control.
For a motorcycle to be stable at higher speeds, it should have a greater rake angle. Harley-Davidson Street Rod XG750A has an optimized rake and trail angles for nimble maneuvering and a sporty feel.
5. Harley-Davidson SuperLow
The Harley-Davidson SuperLow is another superb bike for a beginner. It has a lightweight design (569 pounds), is agile, is comparatively easy to handle, gives better fuel economy, and is maneuverable. In addition, it is versatile and well-suited for various riding styles.
As the name “SuperLow,” the bike is ideal for riders of short height, beginners, and female riders. The seat height is 25.5 inches. Short riders will find it comfortable for long tours. Add saddlebags, windshield, and forward controls before taking Superlow for long rides.
Even Tall people can go for minor customizations that give them a comfortable ride with Harley SuperLow.
The suspensions, footpegs, and leaned handlebars are optimized for comfort & ease of drive and complete control. The low center of gravity gives better maneuverability and stability.
The SuperLow is powered by a fuel-injected 883 cc Air-cooled, Evolution™ engine capable of producing 52.30 HP (38.2 kW)) @ 5750 RPM and 55.0 ft.lbs @ 3750 RPM of peak torque.
Top reasons why people buy a motorcycle
There are numerous reasons why someone might choose to ride a motorcycle instead of driving a car. Let’s have a look at some of the top ones –
- Cost: Motorcycles are cheaper to purchase and maintain than cars. Well, if you are not opting for high-end bikes.
- Fuel efficiency: Motorcycles are more fuel efficient than cars. This can save you money on gas.
- Parking: Motorcycles are much smaller and highly maneuverable as compared to cars. It is easy to find parking for motorcycles than a car.
- Environmental impact: Motorcycles emit less greenhouse gases than cars. They are environmentally friendly ways to travel if going solo.
- Fun: Motorcycles gives freedom and thrill of riding them.
- Practicality: Motorcycle is a practical option for commuting in urban areas where you face congested roads in peak times. One can navigate through traffic more easily than cars.
- Community: Many people enjoy the sense of community and companionship of riding a bike.
- Improves mental health: Yes, you heard it right. Riding a bike is a meditative and stress-relieving activity.
- Focus: Riding a motorcycle requires concentration and focus.
- Flexibility: Motorcycles are used for commuting short distances to long-distance touring. The flexibility makes them a versatile transportation option.
Some common challenges faced by the newbie
There are several challenges that beginner motorcycle riders may face. Some of the top ones are listed below –
- Balancing: Riding a motorcycle requires balance and proper coordination.
- Cornering: Turning corners on a motorcycle requires techniques that are different from turning a car.
- Shifting gears: Changing gears on a motorcycle requires coordination between the hand and foot. It requires a lot of riding experience to get the timing right.
- Braking: Motorcycles have completely different braking systems than in cars. Learning how and when to apply front and back brakes can be challenging for beginners.
- Riding in traffic: Riding in traffic, especially peak traffic, can be intimidating at times for beginners.
- Dealing with the weather: Riding in extreme weather conditions like rain or strong winds could be challenging for beginner riders.
- Maintaining control: Newbie riders may have difficulty maintaining control of the motorcycle, especially when making sudden movements, facing corners, or reacting to unexpected situations.
- Building confidence: It can take time and practice to build confidence on the road.
- Riding style: The chosen bike needs to fit the riding style and also the frame of the rider in the best possible way.
A trip to the DMV office will allow you to simultaneously ride the Harley Davidson motorcycle on highways and public roads!
Get that perfect match
It is always essential to look for a seat height that will match well with the inseam and can get you flat-footed when you stop. If you are always on your toes, backing up, braking, or walking the bike can be challenging.
On the other hand, if you are tall, you must look for a higher seat to make you feel comfortable when you stop. Choose the Harley Davidson bike, which will not let your knees stick out too far!
