Is the Sportster S a good beginner motorcycle? 

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hi Ty, good to see another Sportster S video; great topic, so I'll chime in with my review. First of all, I agree with MOST of what you said in your video, with some nuances. 1) Yes, this is a good bike for beginners, intermediate, and advanced riders. Where I disagree 'slightly' with Ty, is that I feel that a beginner novice rider (just the MSF class and very few miles) should keep the Sportster S in 'Rain' mode for at least a month, maybe more. Then, when comfortable, move up to 'Road' mode and keep it there for one season. Leave 'Sport' mode alone for at least one season. The bike is 502 Lbs wet, very manageable for a novice. Its playful, but holds a line well. Its throttle by wire, so in Rain mode is VERY docile, and quite manageable for a new rider. I'm in my second season (65 yo) and loving this bike. I set Sport mode 'OFF' and I stay in Road mode, except for the times I've been caught in the Rain. 2) Forward controls: novice riders can handle forward controls, particularly if you are 5' 10" or taller. I would NOT go with mid controls unless you're 5' 9" or shorter. I am 6' 1" and the forward controls are for me fabulous, and personally, I would hate the mid controls. 3) Is this a girls bike? That is a fucking dumb assed question, and I agree with Ty, not worth even addressing. I will say though, that shorter women 5' 4" or less usually need a shorter bike saddle height because of their relatively short inseam. As far as Harleys go, the older Iron 883 is typically sought after by folks with a short inseam. If a woman were to rider the Sportster S then probably she will want the mid controls and if she can't flat-foot the bike at least be comfortable with the one-foot-down technique. Other than that comment, calling the Sportster S a "girl's bike" is just fucking ignorant. 4) I have my Sportster S tricked out with engine guards, radiator guard, wind-screen, tail hardware with rain guard & tail-bag, heated-grips, and the Sundowner seat. Don't even think of riding this bike as a primary bike WITHOUT the Sundowner seat (its an ass-kicker). With the Sundowner seat its manageable for short to intermediate trips, but its NOT a touring motorcycle. About the time your ass starts hurting you're going to be out of fuel anyways, soooo it works out. I typically get 1.5 to 2.0 hours before I need to stretch and walk around. For around town, errands, lite commuting, and just county road fun, the bike is fabulous. I have two Harleys... the Sportster S for sport cruising, and a Heritage Springer Softail for touring (longer road trips up to a couple of days). Again, the Sportster S is NOT a touring motorcycle, so go into the bike with eyes wide open. 5) I highly recommend the clamp-on wind-screen from Harley-Davidson. Snaps on and off in less than 30 seconds, and cuts the buffeting on chest and shoulders by 100% and cuts the buffeting on the head|helmet by 70%. Highway speeds (especially for novice riders) are terrible without the wind-screen, but bouncing around town without the wind-screen is manageable. marcus

Here's my two cents: 1) Power is very manageable and predictable. You could still hurt yourself obviously, but its not as wild as some 600/1000CC sport bikes 2) For me personally, I have to stop every hour or so, since I'm slightly bent forward. The stock seat is more comfortable than it looks, but I'll defer to people who own the Sundowner seat if its better. 3) Handling-wise, the Sportster S is a bit trickier than something like the Iron 1200, or the Nightster. You'll definitely get used to it, but its not easy at first. Overall, I love the bike but you have to know what you're getting yourself into. Definitely take a test ride and see if its good for you.

The Sportster S in black is my first bike. And honestly not much experience on other bikes. Respect the machine. Period. Know that you don’t know anything and take your time in rain mode/ road mode. A few weeks of getting comfortable and maneuvering, drive around town. Kick that baby into Sport mode and enjoy it. It’s such a badass bike. Comments all the time in traffic, thumbs ups, saying it looks like a Batman style bike, “THATS A HARLEY”?? Lol. Thanks for the continued content on the Sportster S Ty! 👍🏼

Ty, for a real novice rider, I would have probably said leave it in "Rain" mode ( due to the added safety features..( traction control, limited acceleration, brake assist)...because unless you are REALLY SELF CONTROLLED, that "Sport" button is just too easy to push, then Lord help you!! I have nearly 3,000 miles on mine, and I love the way it handles, and that would probably be the only reason I would recommend this bike to a beginner...just too much of a chance for disaster...as always, great video! Keep em coming!

I’m doing less long rides now that I am on with another fire department that I don’t need a touring bike as much anymore. Kind of looking at that one or a low rider st now.. thanks for the vids you have done on the sportster.

If someone said the sportster s is a girls bike, I’d have them line up against there slow af twin cam

I’m a big fan of this model. It’s a blast to ride. A question - How does Sport mode affect the fuel economy? If at all.. As fun as that mode is, if you’re doing some commute, that might influence how you ride it as well. Good video as always. I wish I could push videos as you, but I’m trying. 🙂

Guys who say it's a "girl's bike" are deeply insecure about their masculinity. Thanks for covering the issue of whether a beginner could handle it. I'm a beginner and I don't want to take the financial loss by selling my 300-650cc "beginner bike" for the bike I really want such as the Sportster S. Someone else mentioned "rain mode" as a good setting for beginners.

Im planning a 900 mile trip to sturgis lol 450 miles each day. It might be rough lol although I do have corbin seat and taller bars but no windscreen

I hate it when people start saying XX bike is build for a girl. Just stupid. Great video.

Just ordered the tbr exhaust all black with the carbon tip and fender eliminator kit! Great content!

Thank you bro i lke your videos very much an these one in particular was my final decision to get one sportster s my self thank and keep riding my friend

Another great vid man. Question, what is your phone holder mate? Thanks.

Great topic. Don’t know as I know the answer. Really depends on who you are and what your looking for. Depending on how you ride it, it can be the easiest bike I have ever rode. At the Sam time it is the most thrilling Harley I have ever rode. But there is a lot of power and can get your hurt in no time! I guess if you got the discipline to know your limitations it really can be anything you want it to be. I have been riding a longtime, averaging 25 to 30k a year for a longtime. Now I’m pushing 60 and still prefer to ride aggressively. I find it no problem riding 10 to 12 hour days consecutively as long as I maintain good posture. Slouch into the seat and an hour is brutal. The one thing I would advise any new rider is to ride every day. It is experience confidence and awareness that makes you a good rider. The downside to this bike the cost to ride. That front tire is pricey and not made to run long at all. I think this will ultimately be the most expensive Harley I have ever owned.

You mean, Rain mode? Helpful video, thanks.

I own one. No, I certainly wouldn’t suggest this as a first or beginner bike. The riding position disconnects you from the bike to much and it’s over powered by a good 34tq and 40hp. I’m not saying it can’t be done just that the market is full of better choices.

Maybe Fat Bob is a good option- it’s similar styling + more comfortable + power but dearer.

Great comments on the Sportster S! My friends uncle served 6 years in the Navy, through the Korean War and was discharged in San Diego in ‘57. How did he get home to Tennessee? He bought a then new to the market, Sportster! Rode it home and kept it till the day he died. It was the first H-D that I rode at age 15. Having ridden since I was 12, I thought this was the king of motorcycles. I’ve owned several Sportsters through the years, and we still have an 883 Iron in the stable. Never knew it was girls bike! Lol…. I didn’t even know that any motorcycle was gender specific! I know guys that ride step through Vespa’s to work everyday! Is a Vespa a girls bike???? As always, Ty, you are spot on. No such thing as a ‘girls’ bike. A very new beginner rider might be better served to start on a small cc, lightweight Honda or similar, but, I know riders that started on cruisers. So, I think it’s just your confidence level and desire to ride that determines what you start riding on. Another great video Ty! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Sportster S! Ride safe.

Hi Ty, really enjoying the vids. I’m a new street bike rider at 50 years old (rode dirt bikes daily from childhood into my 20’s, then took a few years off) and bought a Sportster S as my first street bike after getting my license this year. In my opinion the Sportster S makes a reasonable beginner bike, assuming you have good basic skills. It is light enough to maneuver with confidence and the rider modes allow you to scale up the performance as you gain ability. I use mine for quick commutes to work and back during the week and find I enjoy up to about a three hour at a time ride on weekends, anything more and I start to stiffen up. I’m 5’11” and about 225 lbs and find the riding position very comfortable with the stock forward pegs, as everyone mentions the suspension can be a bit unforgiving on rough roads but in comparison I have a friend who is close in age and build who says that it is a bit more rough but comparable to his soft tail slim. It is my first season on the bike, but so far I’m very happy with it.

Im 67. Haven't ridden since 94 wonder if I should be riding at all

Always great content and shared so well. I had to laugh when you said the age you were pushing as I did that age 22 years ago. And look at me today, still pushing. Be well sir and keep it up.

Great video explaining. Just got my license last month and I also drive 18 wheelers for a living. Thanks 👍🏾

I just got one and its my first street bike ive kept in rain mode .

How do you feel about the windshield on the sportster s ?

I would not recommend this bike for a beginner.

Hello Ty , qq for sportster S , when I lock the motorcycle 🏍 my gas ⛽️ tank is getting opened . So if I park at public place anyone can steal the gas from it . Is it something I’m missing here or it’s the motorcycle issue to lock 🔐 gas tank ? Any clue pls

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Great insights TY. Really I feel any bike in this weight range would be good… well not the super sports but you know what I mean. Get something with different modes to grow with like you mentioned. Nice work man.

I want a Sportster S for an around town bike. I’ve got the TriGlide ultra for touring, but I’d like to have a zoomie… I also don’t like the mid controls.

Great video! Been looking into getting this as my first bike.

Great answers and honestly appreciate it. For my first bike and beginner rider definitely gonna get this bike 👍🏾

I’m interested in getting one, I’ve rode dirt bikes for many years now and tried my friends 883 sportster. I love the style of this bike, this is the type of info I was looking for

The bike is amazing but you have to treat it with respect I love my S I’m 6 ft and it’s a great fit

Mono shock ok?