Hey guys. First off my name is Paul and im looking for some opinions. Im thinking about getting my first bike soon. I dont really have a lot of riding experience but I have taken the MSF course and have my license. I know there are better "first bikes" but I dont want to be stuck with something i cant grow into and im really starting to fall in love with Road Stars. Im a pretty big guy at 6' and 270lbs so i dont see myself being happy with a small bike for long. What do you guys think?

In 2005, I bought a Honda 750 Shadow Aero shaft drive. I had it for about 6 months and bought my current 2006 R* Silverado Midnight. I hadn't riden in 30 years, so it was like my first bike. It's big, it's heavy, it's smooth, powerful, and man does it get the compliments. The multitude of accessories available are outstanding. For my $$, and this website, the R* is my choice all day long.

My 02 roadstar is my very first bike. I couldn't be happier with this bike...I was considering going with a smaller bike at first, such as a V star, but I figured since I plan on having the bike for a long time, and not wanting to go thru the hassle of changing titles and all that stuff, I might as well buy something that is going to suit my needs, be practical for my lifestyle and is comfortable and fun. So I chose my Roadstar that I have now. It will take some getting use to, just like anything else. I personally don't think that you will be disappointed with a roadstar.

Welcome to the Clinic Longshore

It's sounds like the Roadie will fit you fine size wise. Take it slow, hone your skills, and learn the bike. It's an easy bike to ride and easy to work on(Yes you will ) but it does have a lot of power.

LongshoreRider-

My '04 Road Star is my first bike. WAY back when, I used to ride a friend's KZ1000, but that was 25 years ago. I thought along the same lines as you and BC2Play...why start out small and have to change bikes soon? I too took the MSF course before I rode my R*, and I had it in the garage (delivered to the house) for nearly a month before I took that course. That was a tough month of waiting , but I believe it was well worth it.

Like Musky said, just be careful & take it slow and you'll be fine, because the bike does have a lot of power & torque. I speak from experience...the first time I let out the clutch to roll it a few feet and feel the weight, I ended up 30 feet from where I started, in a flowerbed, and damn near sitting on the back seat. Now THAT'S torque!

Be safe, ride happy & enjoy!

RK

You have found the right place to come for help LSRider. The people here are the most knowledgable you will find concerning the RoadStar. As first bikes go, I have to go back 7 bikes and 37 years when I began on a 350 that I rode for 3 years before moving up to a Harley DuoGlide. A 350 was considered a small to midsize ride back then. At 5'9" and 100lbs lighter than your stated weight, it was okay. Given your size, more mature years and MSF training, your concern about growing out of something other than a full size bike seems valid. After a couple of years on the RoadStar, I couldn't imagine riding anything smaller .

I agree that the Roadstar is a great bike, obviously since I have one. You're a big guy, we're roughly the same size so the bike will be a good fit.

What I did was rent a couple of different Harleys and a Gold Wing before I bought the Roadstar. I found out a couple of things that way, 1.) I liked big bikes, my previous bike was a Honda 750 in the seventies, 2.) stock seats suck, 3.) if I got the softail type suspension like the Roadstar and I was going to ride two up with my wife I'd need to put a heavier spring on the rear shock, 4.) the HD Roadking has the best ride (twin air shocks on the rear) and very large bags, my second choice for a bike.

Just know you are going to scare the shit out of yourself a few times at least and take the corners slow at first. Being on the wrong side of the double yellow on a blind mountain curve will make you talk to God.

If I was to start today I would start with what I want. As you get older "growing into things" kinda goes to the wayside. My first legal bike was a Yamaha 125 Twin, I was 15 1/2, the age for a riding permit in L.A. It was $200 and was all the money I had. Then a Honda 350, then at 18 a CHP Moto Guzzi which I bought off the police for $701(which I still have and ride). Since then I've had 11 big bikes. When I decided to buy a new one again I was given the blessing of my wife to pick anything I wanted, so I proceeded to try every bike over 1500 cc out there, with the exception of the Harley's, which were smaller. The R* was the best package out there. The looks, feel, physical ride, mechanical ride, the dependability, price, all of it went into my decision. It felt good that money was not a factor. Only a few mods would get it to the comfortable riding position I like, which are now done. It's an xlnt bike with an old time feel but modern technology. Do research but above all test ride. A lot of bikes look great but just don't feel right.
Just my opinion.

Well Paul you made a good choice i have a 02 roadie and it is great i quit riding for 20 years form the time i was 15 till 30 i owned a total of 12 harleys and i will tell you my roadie beats them hands down this is one tuff bike i ride with a lot of harley guys and spend a lot of time by the side of the road waiting for them to pick up all the parts that vibrate lose or for a truck to come pick them up shure screws up a good days ride

LongshoreRider:

There are folks a lot bigger than you that are riding Road Stars, so I think the choice is a fine one, if that is what you decide.

I started riding again 4 years ago, after a 30-year layoff. I bought a Honda Shadow Spirit 1100cc, which I rode for two seasons, then moved to a Honda Valkyrie Tourer 1500cc, which I rode for a season before landing on my final resting place, the seat of my Road Star 1700cc.

Our best advice to you is to ride one. After that first ride, you'll know - one way or the other. My first test ride was a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad. It was very nice and I ALMOST bought one, but then I test rode a 2005 Road Star Midnight Silverado. Well, that Road Star really grabbed my attention, in every aspect: looks, equipment, torque, power, handling, accessory options. The "wow" factor just took me right over the edge. I bought my 2006 Road Star Midnight Silverado in September/2006 and, even though I only got to ride until its 600-mile break-in before putting it up for the Winter, I absolutely love it.

We can all say what we want because we're biased. We've been there and done that. YOU have to decide what YOU want to ride. If you need help in making that decision, then let the Road Star help you out!

Good luck in your decision. You're always welcome here, whether you end up with a Road Star or something else.