What Motorcycle Should I get?

Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaka, and Suzuki all make cruiser style bikes that would compliment the Harley, but would cost a lot less. Also you can get a "metric cruiser" in more variety of sizes. I know Kawasaki made a 500cc cruiser and it is an excellent bike to learn on. Honda makes a cruiser style bike that is only 250cc and of course they make bigger bikes. Don't worry about brand name, but find a bike that feels comfortable. You want to make sure you can put both feet flat on the ground, reach all the controls, with the bars turned all the way both direction. Remember, it's your butt on the bike, not anyone else, so get what you want. I also highly recommend that both of you take the MSF riding class. One new rider can not teach another person how to ride correctly, let the experts show both of you how to ride.

You're doing the right thing going to the MSF course. As for a bike to compliment a Sportster, it depends on money I guess. But it's real hard to beat a Honda Shadow. For your height and especially your weight and experience level, I would say that a 750cc Shadow would be perfect. Lightweight, enough power to keep up with the Sportster effortlessly and a dream to control on the highway. One of the best cruisers ever made. There is also the Yamaha V-Star 650cc, a very nice cruiser in it's own right and also has a lower seat height so that you can sit comfortably when stopped and feet on the pavement. The size and weight are comparable. A recent model of the Kawasaki Vulcan in 800cc would round out my choices primarily because if it's ease of control, superb maneuverability and the most comfortable factory seat that I have ever. I have the same seat on my Vulcan 1500 and it is a dream, The Kawasaki also is blessed with a low seat height which you will soon see, is very important to someone under 5'10" or so. Good luck to you and Ride Safe.

The Sportsters are considered as beginners bikes in the Harley line. There are three ladies that ride in our group that are no bigger than you. One started off on a Fatboy, the other a Deluxe and the last a Sportster. The last now has a Screaming Eagle Softtail Custom. There are a lot of used Sportsters, thats the bike lot of Harley riders start with. Good luck............

There is no reason you can't learn on a Sportster yourself. They are easy enough for the rankest beginner, as long as she has the physical strength to manage the bike. In fact, any stock Harley will serve as a trainer.

The question is, what do you and your husband want to do, become serious motorcyclists, or remain stuck in the Harley stage?

Look into the Honda Shadows. Especially the 750cc. The Spirit, or Aero. Rode from Central California to Reno, NV with no problems. Actually rode the VLX Deluxe (600cc, another shadow), the same route. The VLX is a lighter bike, the Aero, is heavier. Like the Aero better, due to be shaft driven, I don't have to worry about lubing a chain every 300 - 500 miles.

I'm 5'2" and 140 pounds.

Check into "Riding like a Pro" dvd's. There are about 4 or 5 versions, you may want to look at "Ride like a Pro for the ladies". Very good stuff, and how to pick up your bike, if you drop it.

MSF is excellent place to start!!!

Also, one piece of advice for both of you, "Ride like you're invisible"

I owned two new bikes in the past, 2005 Yamaha FZ1 and 2006 Honda cbr1000rr. Both are liter bikes and are better performance than any Harley. So 1200cc for the first Harley is ok.

From your question I understood that you want something similar in style to your husband's bike, then may be get another Harley with a smaller cc.

Honestly, I will never buy a Harley, I prefer Super Sport bikes.

Suzuki Savage / S40 -- stop by a Suzi dealer and sit on a new S40 and see how it fits. It is a good beginner, being only 380 pounds; and a keeper being it is quite capable of doing anything under 85 mph.

You can find a nice used one for about $2500....

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2001-SUZUK...

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/1988-Suzuk...

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/mcy/128584027...

Savage owners use Sportster parts -- seat, muffler, handlebars. The bike is nearly unchanged since it's introduction in 1986. Good place for parts is the Harley Davidson catalog at http://www.jirehcycles.com/

Instead of getting a Harley I would say just get a cruising type bike.

A Suzuki Marauder is a great bike, not too expensive. Good Luck.

I'm gonna try to be nice. Let's see how it goes.

1st time riders buying Harleys aren't interested in being riders; they're looking to emulate a mystique that barely existed 40+ years ago. You don't want to ride, you want to be a Harley rider.

It's one thing to play a role and dress a certain way but you are both entering a world where there are multiple ton slabs of steel hurtling at you at high speeds. This is a dangerous place.

It is seriously time to step back and re-evaluate what your priorities are in making this decision.

Your husband is a first time rider and so, he bought a 1200cc Harley? Wtf is that matter with him? Maybe you should both downgrade and get some 883 soft tails or something.