That bike was the first bike I every rode on the road. First test drive on my first bike. Bought it brand new. Been awesome ever since. However, I'm older almost 30 and a little more conscious about everything.

Very well explained. I agree with you. Most people should probably start small and work your way up. Great video!

My 2023 street bob is my first bike straight out of the Harley learn to ride course. I can honestly say that the torque will surprise you but I love it I believe if you have no self control and have no confidence definitely not the bike for you but for me it is perfect

I’m so tired of this argument. There is no such thing as a beginner bike. Buy what you want or have regrets after a few months.

I bought a Yamaha bolt, rode it for about a month and a half then upgraded to this after getting my full endorsement. The adjustment wasn’t too bad. My bolt also was tuned and modded so it was faster than your average bolt. I also weight 200lbs and am about 210 with gear and backpack. Additionally regularly exercise and put about 5,000 miles a month on the road for work. Also grew up riding off road vehicles. However I ride pretty conservatively as it is. I’d probably only recommend it as a beginner bike to someone who was about as heavy as me I knew was on the more responsible side and confident without being overly confident. If it wasn’t any of those then I definitely wouldn’t. I’d suggest a sportster or something of moderate weight and displacement for like minimum a year with regular riding throughout that year.

As a smaller rider you have to be more conscious of keeping the weight on the tires. I'm 5'6" and 160 lbs. In 45 years of riding (175cc to 1917cc) you learn you can't make the mistakes a 6'2", 250 lbs rider could make and easily recover. The other issue is throttle discipline. Just because you have 100 hp and 125 ft-lb of torque doesn't mean you have to use it all the time. Be gradual in learning where and when you can use the available power rather than twisting the throttle to the limits during your early experience with the bike. What's safe one day (hot/dry) could be disasterous on anotherc (wet/cold). Having a larger, more powerful bike isn't a guarantee of disaster, it just gives you more latitude to get yourself into trouble.

Just being honest here. Sounds more like your trying to convince yourself that you did not buy a beginner bike. But you did. That is a “small” bike with a decently powered engine. The riding position is very user friendly. Even a beginner will get used to this engine fast. Because it is so easy to ride. But this is in fact a “ beginner “ bike. I made the mistake of buying this bike as a beginner and immediately wanted a bigger bike. Too too small. Tires are very small seat is small tank is small the only thing that isn’t smal on this bike is the engine. I believe this gentleman is more or less trying to convince you to buy a smaller bike so he can feel better about buying the wrong bike. Just my opinion though. Because this “ is” a beginner bike.

Nice bike!! I’m from Philly too so it’s great watching your videos. Just picked up my first Harley today - a 2023 Lowrider S 117. I’ve owned Triumphs, BMW’s and Ducati’s but I have a feeling this Lowrider S will soon be my favorite. We should meet up and ride together!

On God I just got a 2022 street bob in January I now have 8700 miles on it. I fucking love the damn thing it’s my first bike. I’m still waiting on my license endorsement. Honestly I am I thought it was a little gutless once I got used to it, but I’m sure once I cam it out it’ll be more than I can handle, but I greatly approve this for a beginner bike.

Thank you for being honest. I went to a dealership this weekend and they wanted to sell me a street bob 114. I felt like 20 grand was ridiculous as well.

This was my first bike. Had it for a couple years now. I’m 6’0, about 190, 32 inch inseam. I’m currently 37 like I said I’ve had my Streetbob for a couple years now and that being said I’m older and I’ve got a lot of experience driving various vehicles so I think the total picture is important about the kind of person you’re talking about. If it’s an 18 year old first anything is quite different than someone like me.

Raced dirtbikes as a kid, bought a Honda Shadow 750 about 7 years ago. Bought a 2022 Street Bob today. Can't believe the power it has, it's awesome.

First road bike at 24 was a Yamaha Road Star Warrior. I felt confident jumping straight into that because I had dirt bikes from 7 on up, even knowing that riding the road is a whole different animal. Confidence is highly valuable in any form of driving, so long as you don’t allow it make you ignorant and lose focus

Respecting the power of your bike!

I worked for Harley for 19 years, been riding since I was 12, I'm 65 now. Still don't like baggers. But we used to sell them from time to time as someone's first bike. But I've seen folks get a Hayabusa for a first bike.

Straight out of msf course purchased a 2022 street bob just rode it home went a parking lot from dealership to get used to it then took off nervous as hell but great bike i was just easy with throttle cruising i only struggle from a stop turning right. ..50 yrs old 6'1 ..real beginner here

i started out w/ minibikes 50 yrs ago. rode dozens of japanese bikes over the yrs to commute to work. now i ride a HD sportster.

First HD test ride was the 2019 FXBB. I still kinda want one. I was worried about the power as well. Learned on. Rebel 300. Now have Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and Rebel 1100T. Still want my FXBBS. Went down on that first bike.

I have. 2024 114m. Im beginner beginner. Ive had it for a year besides my car in caca weather, in a year ive out in 3500 miles. Not alot. The hardest part was getting to know the gears and the power. My first car was a clutch so I grasped it quickly. With the 114 you dont even gas it on 1st just relax rhe clutch slowly. I love my fat bob

Love your input bro I’m about to buy and this was in my view but it sounds like I need to work up to it as it will be my first bike.

i was fresh out the motorcycle safety course, never rode a bike before, this was my first bike... its fine, it's easy, theres a clutch, a throttle and two brakes, i don't understand what the problem is, GO BIG OR GO HOME!

I got a fast back blue 2022 fxbbs as my first street bike. rode dirt bikes in middle school & early high school. I was 18 when I got, rode it straight off the lot with only a little practice there.

Rode this bike a year or so ago down the road in my small town. Never rode on pavement before felt completely comfortable. And loved the power. Didn’t have a licensees.. whoops 😂

I have the exact bike and agree with your comments. I traded in my 2019 107 breakout for it because its rake was too much and made twisties a pain. The street bob is my 6th harley and it does scare me from time to time. It's the take off and turning from a dead stop. It's SO torkey that it's a challenge to get the clutch and gas just right. Sometimes it comes close to stalling or makes for a wide turn. I'm 5'6 and the bars give my bad shoulder pain after a while. I just leaned them back about 1/4 inch and it seems better. Just wish I kept my breakout cause it had so many bells and whistles.

Will say, I saw friends get like 10 different bikes within 2 seasons, so I just went out and got a 21 street bob for my first bike, only other things I've had time on were little 200cc bikes, wasn't that hard to get used to the street bob, it is heavy, and it is intimidating, but I find as long as you respect the power of things, they won't bite you, love my street bob, and I think it was the perfect choice for me, but I agree a lighter smaller bike would of been easier to handle!

I feel you on the weather part, it’s been awful down here in DC with rain. Very little riding days lately. I can also give my 2 cents on this topic since my first road bike was the ‘22 street Bob. My background though I do have dirt bike experience, as well as 75% of the cars I’ve owned have been high HP and manuals so I have a healthy respect for throttles and knowledge of how to use a clutch etc etc. For me the 114 Street Bob worked out perfectly, enough power to have fun with and I’m easily able to flat foot it at lights. Would I suggest it to somebody that is 100% totally green with no riding experience and or no manual transmission experience? Probably not.

I’m with you brother. Learn your craft then treat yourself.

I'm an experienced cyclist...been riding bicycles for a long time (driving an F150 in real life), but I also spent years racing. I've podium'd in five different state's championships (road, TT, crit, cyclocross), so i'm not going to say that I'm accomplished, but I know how to watch for bad situations on the road and how to deal with emergencies on everything from a unicycle (yeah.. I know) to MTB to a gravel bike to my more-than-$100 road bike.. I bought a Street Bob with little motorcycle experience and have had zero issues. It is a bit like a wet rag compared to a bicycle under (practice) emergency maneuvers, but is fine otherwise. I feel more confident on it at really low speeds than the equivalent on my MTB. Would I recommend a FXBB for a rank beginner on two wheels? No way. But if you actually know what you are doing on a two wheels on actual roads (search your soul on this... I'm just an amateur next to any Red Bull or X-Games competitor but I log over 10k a year in leisure/training/competitive riding) then you'll be fine. Take a couple classes, -seriously, and practice in parking lots the way Motojitsu, Yammie Noob, Jerry Palladino, etc. would have you do., and you'll be fine.

Bud, this is a great advice. I started on sport bikes and dirt bikes and had a couple of years of riding under my belt. So I went to a Sportster 48 thinking this would be nothing to me. And the learning curve was pretty strap. These bikes are heavy and it’s not easy. If I was brand new and got a 114 first it would scare me off from riding. A lot of people start to high up without building skills, they get scared and stop riding all together.

When I took my test, the guy before me had a Sportster. He was unable to do everything the cop asked him to do while riding around the outside of a 30 foot diameter circle. Things like downshifting, braking, turning the fuel tap from main to reserve. When he complained about it, he blamed the bike. The cop told him to get a smaller bike and come back. I had a 450 Honda and the cop asked me why I was favoring left turns. I had a head cold and my right ear was plugged up. He passed me. So, the lesson is to ride whatever you want, but take the test on a smaller bike. Personally, I recommend a Royal Enfield 650.

I grew up riding dirtbikes, also rode a yamaha fz07 for a couple years and i just know that I'll grow out of an 883 and 1200 in a heartbeat. I understand the respect of the bike will be necessary but I feel that is common sense. Tad bit worried for the weight but I know ill get over that quick.

I really appreciate this video, getting my m license in a month. Was really considering the street bob but the weight really was worrying me esp never having driven a motorcycle before. Being a short lady it does make finding the perfect bike hard for sure.

I currently ride 2018 harley-davidson fatboy i bought used and upgraded the engine from a 114 to a 128 big bore and a ss oil pump/475 cam vance and hines big Radius exhaust its a different beast

This guy must be a beginner. Only a beginner would roll through those stop signs like he does.

This is only my 2nd bike and I’ve only been riding 7 years. I came up off a Sportster 1200T. The difference in weight and torque was insane. I love my FXBBS but it took a few hundred miles to really get used to it and for us to bond. Love getting up and around cars and semis when I need to, as if they’re sitting still. But for sure this would have been way too much bike for me starting out and could have possibly put me off riding altogether.

I was hanging out with my friends and i was messing around doing figure 8 with my 1972 Honda cb750 the bike i started out on I made it look easy and one of my friends wanted to ride i asked if he knew how oh yes Well he got it going and when he went to turn he just turned the handle bars and went over good thing i had engine guard on it

bro where is that it looks beautiful i thought the uk then i saw the red white and blue

Just bought a 21 street Bob, 1st motorcycle, rode dirt bikes before, but not for some time before buying. Maybe a decade. It's been a learning curve for sure. The low speed stuff is tricky for me with a heavier bike as opposed to dirt bikes. But within the first hour of buying it, I drove it home, killed it once leaving the lot. Otherwise happy with the purchase and itching for better weather to get back on it.

I started on a 2016 dyna low rider and for the first month or so I felt like it was to much power for me as a beginner. 3 month later and I’m good with the power now

" all the technical skills of riding," as you blow two stop signs.🤣👍

I've been riding a for a little over 6 months and I started with a 2022 nightster will it be smart to trade it for a sreet bod ?

I started on a 1998 Honda Shadow VT1100C2 ACE and don’t really recommend it because it took a while for me to learn it

you are right. A beginner shouldn't go big from the start. I started with an 2'000$ Enduro. After I passed the practical exam I changed to a 6'200$ Kawasaki ER-6F. I had that Motorbike for 12 years and enjoyed it really much but I had to repair it twice the first year or two. Just because I wasn't used to some situations and crashed my bike. After Now 12 long years I bought my very first brand new Street Bob. I hope I'll enjoy it like I did with my Kawasaki but surely won't crash that one after 10+ years of practice

Lol. It’s what I started on as an old git and couldn’t be happier.

Definitely not a beginners bike. Been riding for over 25 years. Went from 250cc, sports bike then iron 883 x 2. Over 25 years. (this might be a bit long for others, but it taught me to respect the machine) My final bike is the 107. You need to learn to respect bigger bikes. And that takes practise and years. 😊 Great video!!

I’m looking at getting my first bike, zero experience. I’m looking at Dyna’s, I’m also a big guy and gonna take it slow.

I agree with you. This is generally an American question though, because you don’t have specific motorcycle licenses. For example, I live in Europe and after I got my car license I could only ride 50 cc bikes with it. That was my first that I learned on. Then you have the opportunity to get a 125 cc or a max 50 hp bike license. You can’t even get your unlimited motorcycle license if you’re under 24. So it’s much more gradual.

I think previous experience with a manual transmission is a deal breaker on whether or not to start on a bike that this or not

I was thinking of this bike for my second bike I’ve been riding for 1 year but my 1100cc screams on the 70mph hwy

I’d say if the bike is stock, and the person is older and knows how to drive a car well. I don’t think it would be good for a young person who is just learning how to drive and ride at the same time.

Wise words , I can't say I disagree with it . I do hold the opinion that the sportster is not a good starter bike . Where the weight is , the extra interesting throttle manners, and the suspension make it for a great teacher out of fear but not good for trying to focus and hone your personal skill . Honda and kawi make that bike. As I hop on my sporty to go tear up some twisties in central PA , Mexico.

never been on a bike in my life and grabbed a bonneville speedmaster. no regrets at all. every other bike ive ridden since has just felt ....less than haha

Be careful when you mention a “sportster” as an option for a beginner. the new sportster S is a monster in sport mode. I got one the 2nd year they were released to get some feedback ( been riding 12 years). I went up against many other bikes and absolutely smoked them. The torque on that new revolution max is insane.

I've been riding 50 years and owned Harley's since I was 18. I am now 66. I have three bikes now including one of these Street Bob's. Here is the problem with this bike for a beginner. Its too damn fast......... with a very sensitive throttle and has lots of torque. People who believe Harley's are slow.....ain't been on one lately. Other than that, yes, its a great bike, I love mine. I call it my Big Man Sportster as my first Harley was a 1975 Sportster 1000. I always wanted to get another one but they are just too small for me. Now I have one, at least thats what I call it. Ride safe everyone!!

Hey, is that the liberty bell in your logo?

I wouldn’t recommend to a fresh beginner. I started on a 2016 Dyna Lowrider 103. I probably dropped that bike 15 times and layed it down once because of the weight. But then I got good at riding it and handling the weight. But took practice everyday all summer and winter season. I spent a lot of money fixing it back up. I should of started on a sportster 883 or 1200. My opinion. But Harleys ain’t cheap when you drop them a lot.

After riding both 50cc up to 1900cc, no bike over 800cc is a good beginner bike. Doesnt mean you can not drive one but do so safely and be very aware of the torque

what kind of sissy bar and sissy bar bag is that??

Riding timid is as dangerous as riding reckless start on something smaller

My first bike was a Honda rebel 500

The breaks suck be honest about that.. but it is a great bike.

When i was a beginner, I couldn't see over that gas tank.

Not thinking it’s a good beginner bike. Agree with you. Too heavy, too much power. I went from a 350lb Honda, to a 550lb HD Sportster. And that took some getting used to.

In 1973 i started out on a 1959 pan head. If i were to do it over id start on a dirt bike. Dirt bike riders that transition to street bikes, are far better riders.

Harley doesn’t make a beginner bike anymore. Even the old sportster wasn’t a forgiving first bike. The new sportster is a monster. Piles of power and torque.

I got a 2003 Dyna as my first bike now I have a 2022 street bob 😅

I started riding on a breakout. Before that the only motorcycle I rode was a Yamaha ttr 90 as a kid. Just take it slow and you’ll be fine. I wouldn’t listen to this guy. Find the bike that fits you best and go from there

in america with straight wide roads you might get away with it but in the uk and europe with lots of real bends and wet roads and all that torque you will very soon end up on your arse

Random viper spot at 1:21 😎

Get you a Honda rebel 250. Not kidding!! See if u want to and like riding. Beat the crap out of that bike, learn skills and THAN move up. So you’re really on point

Was looking at a sportster 48 in white sand pearl ended up walking away with a Softail standard because of my height. Same bike as street bob just 7 cu in lower but your right these things are no joke. Made a shift in the power band and it launched me down a straight at frightening speed had to lean in like a sport bike. But I love it tho only 100 miles of seat time

Naaahhh I’m still buying one.

What I tell people is - you're going to fall off. Get something you don't mind falling off till you get used to riding and not thinking so much. After that, enjoy...

No. That’s way to big for a beginner, too heavy, too powerful and intimidating. A 250 to a 650 would be more along the line of a beginner bike. I started on a Yamaha 180 at the age of 15. I rode all over the Philly and New Jersey areas on that bike. I had a blast. I had it about a year before I moved up to a 500. Then. 650. Finally a Harley 900 Sportster all by the age of 18. I moved all the way up to a Harley ultra classic. Now that I’m Old (70) I am back down to a Sportster 883. Yes it does cost me every time I moved up. All used bikes except the Yamaha. The street bob is 650 lbs with fuel. The Sportster is 550lbs. Alan

Harley Davidson would tell you yes.

Dont buy a bike you can't pick up by yourself if you should drop it.

Who asks if these are beginner hd's? The term beginner is irrelevant in motorcycles. Either you can ride or you can't.

Any bike $18,000+ is the perfect beginner bike

How.?? First bike you're insane..you'd need to pass four progressive riding tests and a written test in the UK 🇬🇧

That’s a big motorcycle

Na, start with a bicycle then get the Hemi Bob.

It's my first bike she damn near threw me out the seat first ride lol been leaving dynas in the mirror view lol

sportster is not a beginner bike.

That is the worst motorcycle you could try to teach somebody to learn how to ride. How about a 125 or 250 that's more like it. When you teach someone to ride a bike and it's that big and heavy it intimidates them.😂😂😂😂

Dude! Stop for stop signs or you will get hit one day. The way you just casually blow through stop signs while you talk about beginner riders is ridiculous. Horrible example for new riders.

Are you f****** kidding a $20,000 brand new Harley Davidson as a beginner motorcycle? Not a real video but a long commercial for the Harley-Davidson. I swear to God you guys will sing the praises of any motorcycle you get to ride for free as a free gas card as well I will bet. Plain and simple the answer is flat no it is not a good beginner motorcycle maybe after you have five years of experience writing smaller lighter motorcycles then you might want to buy a great big Harley but it is not the one you start with.

This bike isn’t fast. A Yamaha Vmax is fast. A Suzuki Hayabusa is fast…. If you think this bike is fast you don’t know what fast is. and a gheyster is just a pile of junk.

Depends . My 22 street bob is my 1st bike and it’s been easy for me . Honestly respect the power , careful with the clutch at all times . I drive a manual 944 Porsche and drive with CDL license for my job at 29 years old . As long as you’re careful you’d be fine

I agree 100%!