I am planning a long trip with Dad this summer. In fact he had a heart attack Monday and insisted I pick this one up on tuesday. He was supposed to go with me because it was about a 280 mile round trip to get it.

If I get one, I'll end up having to buy two. My son went with me to the Harley dealership and he's hooked on them now. He's wanting a Sportster just to get broke in on, but he said he want a FatBoy eventually.

I wouldn't mind him riding a Sportster, at least it's better than a crotch rocket.

Better meaning that he probably wouldn't do as much crazy stuff on a Sportster, hopefully.

Motorcycles are NOT forgiving, as we both know. He'll have to learn it like I did.

I would buy him a small bike and then let him work to get a Harley. You can pick up a nice yamaha or honda pretty cheap. If you are going to flog a bike and dump it it may as well be a cheaper one.

I remember my first bike. It was a 74 Triumph Bonneville.

My first was a Suzuki GS450L. Nice little bike.

I've found a lot of Sportsters around for less than $4k, and many of them for less than $3k. Granted, they were 883's, but good for him. I've been looking for a cheaper bike for him, but it's hard to find anything decent without spending $3k or more.

My daughter really wants to ride with me. She is just a bit too small though. Its driving her nuts. She has been checking her legs on Dads bike each year. This one has higher passenger floorboards and she is about an inch too short.

Clay's too big to think about riding on the back of mine, and my wife won't ride at all. SO, I'll do just fine with a good solo seat.

Thats not a bad price at all. An 883 is more than enough to get a boy in trouble. And plenty to learn on.