Contact

Trading up????

by Lisa T
(Ohio)

Hey Ladies....would like to hear some ideas on how long you should ride before trading in on a bigger? I bought a sportster low about 2 years ago and have never really loved riding it!! I like it but have never felt like it was the right bike...kinda top heavy but i figured i would get used to it! So my husband said to just keep riding the sporster and i will eventually get used to it!! This is why i really would love to hear some other opinions...after all it was a man who said sportsters are a womens bike!! After 2 years and still not feeling it i really have few choice words for that guy!!

Comments for Trading up????

Click here to add your own comments

May 18, 2013

Trading up from a Sportster
by: Sue

I purchased an 883 Superlow as well last August. I totally agree with Marilyn. The bike felt top heavy (dropped it three times), didn't feel like I was "one" with the bike, and I too got blown around a lot.
I just got an '08 Dyna Lowrider and LOVE it!! It has more power, better center of gravity, and I feel like I am made for the bike. It has a nice low seat as I am only 5'1" which is a plus for us shorter women. Hope this helps other women out there who are having a hard time with the Sportster. Be safe out there!!

Apr 04, 2013

Traded up
by: Micki

This will be my 4th year riding. My first bike, which I just traded in, was a V-star 650. Very comfortable, I really had no reason to want to trade up, but as things go when we were picking up an new air filter for my husband’s new Yamaha Stratoliner at the dealership there sat a 2009 Yamaha 950 that they just took in on trade. Now it’s mine and I love it. It’s so much more fun to drive. I had no idea there would be that much difference, and bonus no more choke, it’s fuel injected. Woo Hoo. Now to girly it up and make it my own.

Mar 24, 2013

What I did....
by: Marilyn

I took the class last July 2012.
We bought a sporty 883L before the course....talk about putting the cart B4 the horse, right? It all worked out fine as I passed and rode pretty much daily to get good on the bike....but I traded up to a new 2012 FatboyLo 2 months later because on the highway, I was getting blown around and never felt safe on the sporty. It just felt like there wasn't enough there. That was the best decision I made. The Fatman sits low and is a lot more bike. That low center of gravity makes it very manueverable...and 1700 (1680) cc's means plenty of power to get out of the way if a need to do so. The bigger tire up front and in the rear seems to make a big difference with certain road surfaces, turning etc. We just recently return from a Florida trip where we took the bikes and rode all over the state and ended up @ bike week for a few days. I.LOVE.THAT.BIKE.

Mar 22, 2013

Don't let a MAN choose your bike
by: Nana

I learned on a little 125cc when I took the MSC. I then rode a Suzuki Bouelvard C50 - which felt HUGE to me, but I had it lowered and the handle bars pulled back to fit my 5'2" frame.

I dropped it lots of times when doing slow manuevers and learned to pick it up by myself. I was pretty determined. After riding it for a year I decided I wanted to upgrade to something that would keep up with my man's bagger.

I looked at Harleys - I could NEVER ride a sportster - the balance was way off for a short gal like me. I couldn't even pick it up off the kickstand without a LOT of effort. I was looking at a Switchback - but they are so expensive!

I finally found a great deal on a very gently used Victory Kingpin Low. The seat height was perfect for me and it drives like a dream. I rode it for quite awhile with the stock handlebars and then changed them out to some HD bars that fit me better. I LOVE IT!

Mar 20, 2013

Trading up
by: Lynn - FL

My friend recently traded up from a Sportster to a Yama VStar 650 and loves it! Just because a Sportster is narrow people frequently believe it would be a good starter bike. Not from what I've heard. Try and test ride some other bikes and decided for yourself. The Honda Shadow is another nice bike.

Mar 19, 2013

Trading in?
by: Pam Redfern

I am a certified motorcylce coach and a certified civilian top skills instructor. My recommendation to my students is. Comfort is number one, that is not just physical but mental. If you are comfort on your sportster now but feel it is not enough, then you need to trade up. You are ready for a bigger bike, it sounds like to me. Sportsters are not a "womans" bike. I see a lot of smaller men riding them here in Colorado. If you can tough the ground flat footed, when lifting the bike off the side stand, if the handle bars in full lock don't make you lean way over the tank in either direction, then the bike size is right for you. However, remember most bikes can be lowered and more ergonomically correct handle bars can be installed on a bike. You arms should be comfortable and your hands should be at about shoulder height and no higher, for those long rides. I ride for the pleasure of riding, some ride to show off their bike, and others ride for other reasons, none is better or worse then the other. The bike for you should be determined by why you ride and where you want to ride too. I started with a Sportster, then a Dyna Superglide, then a Road King now I have an Electric Glide Classic. I love long trips either day or weekends. What kind of trips do you do or want to do? Bar hopping then a Sportster is fine. Longer distances, a bigger bike is most likely what you need. You deside which one is right for you.

Mar 19, 2013

I assume you DO know there are MANY....
by: Judy

..other types, styles and brands other than Harleys?

What kind of riding do you envision yourself doing? What kind of roads do you like the most? Does your husband dictate to you everything about how you should ride, i.e., what bike HE thinks you should ride, what roads you will ride on, when and how far you will ride ?!?!?

The reason many people ride is for pure pleasure IMO and you can't get that feeling if you aren't riding what, where and how YOU want.

I've owned upwards of 3+ dozen bikes in my life, ridden on the street since 1977, and currently have 10 street legal bikes ranging from 60cc to 1000cc. One is a on/offroad, a couple are "standards", several are vintage Cafe Racers, and one is a modern Sport oriented Standard with upright, comfortable ergonomics.

I ride whichever one happens to suit both my mood and the route, destination or length of trip I decide to take. I make the decision.

I believe you need to rethink just what YOU want out of riding and act on it from YOUR perspective, not his. Go to the showrooms of many dealers and look at what's out there. You just might be glad you did!

Mar 19, 2013

Trading up..
by: J

i agree with dar.
test ride a few if you are allowed. maybe pic a totally dif look (motorcyle) different name brand etc. hey, you may want a harley! haha. stick that to your boyfriend! >:)
but its all on you, what you feel good with.. For me, I love my chopper, but i hope to change the motor, not the bike, and get a bigger one. This type of frame can be modified, and a bigger 650 can be put in it. so I dont have to buy another motorcycle. Just remember, bigger is heavier, and dropping it, is also another story for picking it up. crash bars are a MUST! dont know if sports bike have crash bars, maybe certain ones?
men, I have to say, do drop bikes too, but maybe a bit stronger to pick it up.. so dont liten to them at heart.

Mar 18, 2013

re: Trading up
by: Dar

I don't think anyone can say when it's best for YOU to trade up based on THEIR experience. I say you should trade up if you feel you're comfortably ready to trade up. As individuals, each person learns at a different pace, so whenever you're ready go ahead and trade up. Test out a few bikes, sit on alot, get used to the controls and make the decision that's right for you and not upon others.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Her-Motorcycle Forum CLOSED.