Comments for How many women started on an 883?

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Comments for How many women started on an 883?

Apr 08, 2012

Different strokes..
by: PalmettoGal

My first bike was a stock 883L, courtesy of a friend with a very low, low price on one she had for sale..way below retail value. Couldn't pass that one up.

Frankly, I had more problems in crosswinds on that bike. I live in Texas with a lot of flat land and high bridges, where nothing breaks the winds.

I'm 5'4, about 160 lbs and would literally get shoved around by moderate crosswinds, particularly on the high bridges. Once into an adjacent lane! Fortunately, no other vehicle was in it at the time.

Also, the Sporty would just about beat me to death on longer rides (a couple hundred miles or so). It's great for short rides (imo), nimble and maneuverable, but not so much so for cruising longer distances.

I ditched the 883L for a Fatboy (older,used model) and the difference in the ride was instantly gratifying. I can ride all day long without getting road-beat numb and the winds give me little problem.

Like someone else said.. if you can put your feet flat on the ground when sitting still, you can ride it. Hint: If you can "almost" flatfoot it, get riding boots with a bit more heel :)

For new riders, most bikes "feel" heavy and may make you think you'll not be able to handle it, but the weight of a bike is something you get accustomed to with riding time under your belt. Usually, pretty quickly.

Find a bike you love...then ride the heck out of it!

Mar 07, 2012

883L
by: Anonymous

Hi Ladies:

The 883L is my first bike. I'm 5'3". Didn't ride it for a year and I'm a bit nervous about it since the last time I was on it I dropped it!

Having a private lesson this week with a woman rider.

Mar 05, 2012

An 883
by: Sideways

I own an 883 now. I dropped it 5 hours after it was delivered to my home. I had it lowered and got a "Reach" seat because I'm only 5'1" tall. When I stop now I'm flat footed. As soon as I got the bike I started looking around for other women to ride with. I found the CMA, Trinity Riders in my area and went to their monthly meeting and am now a member of their ministry. We ride all over and I've put 13,000+ miles on my bike. I love it. I do occasionally think of getting a bigger bike, BUT I love my "Black Beauty" so I'm satisfied for now. Just get out there and ride, you'll get the experience and confidence. Find others to ride with. The guys in my Chapter help me out a lot. They give me advise on the difficulties I have that make me fearful. Good luck

Mar 03, 2012

I have a 2003 883 Hugger and I love it
by: Anonymous

Hi My first bike was an 883 and because I am so petite we had to do major surgery on the bike so I could fit on it and I thought I was never going to be able to ride it - after I took my safety course I had a friend take me around so I could get the muscle memory down and little by little I became used to the bike and now we ride as one - I just bought a 1200 custom and again I am worried that I will not be able to ride it as this bike needs even more surgery for me to ride and we might have to have the handlebars customize because so far I haven't found a pair that come back far enough with the 4" risers that are on the bike and even though they sell 6" risers with this bike = it would look ridiculous so you do what you need to do to fit on the bike once you feel that you fit right you can ride anything. Good luck!

Mar 01, 2012

My two cents
by: Patti

My first bike was a Suzuki S40, a single cyl that's really light, so I can't speak from experience. However,I did a test ride on an 883 a year after I got my endorsement, so I know how it feels. After sitting on it for a little while, and feeling the weight and balance of it, see if you can go on a test ride, even if it's just in the parking lot. If you do buy it, take your time getting to know your bike. Get comfortable on it. Take it slow and easy. Remember how it was during the training course, how they took it nice and slow? Start out like that, in little bites, until you gain more confidence. Ride in your neighborhood, or find a nice empty parking lot to practice in. You'll be hitting the road in no time. Good luck, and ride safe.

Mar 01, 2012

Don't be afraid, attack it
by: Shelly

Ladies,
If you can get your feet flat on the ground and sit comfortably on the bike, then you can ride it! Please take the safety class to get some basic skills and confidence--relax, plug in your ipod and just ride. Do some time in the parking lots to develop low rpm skills, push yourself to learn smooth cornering and controlled stops. You will be fine!

Mar 01, 2012

Starting on an 883
by: Deeann

Hi. I am a new rider and will be taking the safety class next week, so I can't say that I'm a rider yet or that I have any experience. I've bought an 883 as my first bike and can't wait to ride it! I don't really feel that it's too big for me. I'm 5'10" so I'm pretty comfortable with it. One thing that makes it look so much bigger is the larger gas tank on the Custom models. When you sit on the bike and look at that tank the bike looks huge. So if you are looking at a Custom don't let that fool you. I've been reading that some women start out on larger bikes than the 883, but many prefer a smaller bike. I think it's just whatever you feel comfortable with. I was actually over at the dealer today looking to trade my 883 in on a Dyna before I'm even riding. It seems to be an individual thing. Let's see what others say about this topic. Good luck.

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