Is a Harley 883 a Good First Motorbike?

Its Harley style and engine stability make it the most lovable motorcycle in the US. Now the question arises, is a Harley 883 a good first motorbike for beginners?

The Harley 883 motorbike comes with excellent stability and builds quality, making it the best motorbike for a rider. But this motorbike also comes with an 883 CC engine and great power, making this motorcycle not beginner-friendly. In easier words, Harley 883 isn’t a good first motorbike. 

Let’s look at what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can buy the best first motorbike for yourself. 

Is a Harley 883 a Good First Motorbike?

It’s a matter of the fact that a Harley is the best motorbike for anyone. But for beginners, the options are much narrower than the experienced riders. 

Harley 883 is the best motorbike for anyone because it comes with excellent stability. Also, Harley comes with great comfort, which reduces back pain while riding for long drives. 

But, Harley isn’t a very beginner-friendly motorbike. 

It’s because this motorbike comes with a high-power engine which beginners can hardly handle. 

Additionally, the Harley isn’t very affordable for anyone, and it comes with a high maintenance cost. 

What’s Wrong With High CC Engines? 

Here I’m assuming that you’re a complete beginner who doesn’t know much about riding techniques.

Thanks to Hollywood, which tells people that they can ride any motorbike irrespective of any CC like a superhero. 

The problem is not about CC; the problem is the handling ability which usually beginner riders don’t have. 

The higher CC or cubic centimeter motorbike comes with a minimum four-cylinder engine. These four-cylinder engines produce enormous power in such a short period that you couldn’t imagine. 

For instance, these motorbikes can touch almost 60miles/hr within a second. 

Not only for your safety but for others around you, please don’t even think of touching higher CC motorbikes if you’re still a beginner. 

Another reason why experts don’t recommend riding CC motorbikes for beginners is that these motorbikes are costlier. 

And you will definitely drop your motorbike several times, which could definitely hit your pocket. 

I’m not saying you shouldn’t ride a higher 883 CC motorbike ever in your life. I just want to clarify that you can ride a higher CC motorbike if you achieve better handling techniques.

I know a low CC motorbike doesn’t look fabulous, and you want to ride a higher CC motorbike to impress your peers. 

But for the sake of your safety and the people around you, don’t go with high CC motorbikes. 

Why High CC Motorcycles aren’t Good? 

Riding high CC motorbikes still looks fantastic. Isn’t it? But have you ever wondered why experts don’t recommend riding high CC motorbikes?  

Apart from the enormous power, these motorbikes are usually made from high-quality iron and fiber material. And it can negatively influence your pocket if you ever drop the motorbike. Additionally, the riders must have higher riding skills to control high CC motorbikes to ensure their own safety. 

If you’re still a beginner, you should buy a low CC motorbike and later trade-off for purchasing a high CC motorbike only if you want. 

Don’t injure yourself or others with your first valuable motorbike. I’ve mentioned some of the best motorbikes for beginners in the later section. 

How Much CC Should Beginners Choose? 

Undoubtedly higher CC motorbikes aren’t suitable for beginners. But have you ever wondered which CC motorbike a beginner should have? 

Experts recommend buying a motorbike less than 300CC because such motorbikes are easy to control and offer better safety for beginners. There are dozens of motorbikes that have low CC engines and still look fabulous. You can easily trade off your low CC motorbike once you learn handling techniques. 

Although it’s a matter of personal preference, it would be best to go with experts’ advice for your own safety. 

What Makes Harley 883 a Good Motorbike? 

So far, you understand why you should avoid buying and riding high CC motorbikes. But it doesn’t mean Harley 883 is a bad motorbike. Here’re some reasons which make Harley the best motorbike for riders. 

Stability: 

Stability makes the Harley the best motorbike. Most Harleys come with a great center of gravity which makes them a highly stable motorcycle. 

In easier words, you won’t fall from the motorcycle when taking a sharp turn. 

Power: 

It’s a matter of the fact that Harley comes with great power, making you feel the incredible power this motorcycle comes with. 

Best Alternative of Harley 883: 

So far, you understand how important it’s for beginners to always go with low CC motorbikes.

Here’s a list of motorbikes that are perfect for beginners and still look fabulous. 

Motorbike Name	CC	For whom	Other features.
Hyosung GT 250	259CC	For city riders.	Beginner riders love Hyosung because of its design, which looks like a high CC motorbike.
KTM 200 Duke and 390 Duke	373CC	For city riders.	In the KTM Duke 200 and 390, you’ll get a six-speed transmission and four-stroke engine.
Suzuki GW 250	248 CC	For city riders.	The Suzuki GW250 comes with a low seat height, which is ideal for small riders.
Kawasaki KLX250S	249CC	For Off riders	Kawasaki KLX250S is a six-speed transmission and four-stroke motorbike which weighs only around 300lbs.
Suzuki DR 200	200CC.	For Off riders	Suzuki DR 200 comes with a 3.3 gallons fuel tank and four-stroke and five transmission engines.

Hyosung GT 250 

Hyosung is the most famous motorbike not only among beginner riders but also among professional riders. 

This motorbike comes with a 259 CC engine and five-speed transmission, which is easy to control and catch decent speed in a short period. 

Beginner riders love Hyosung because of its design, which looks like a high CC motorbike. The Hyosung also comes with disk brakes on both tires, providing you with better safety. 

KTM 200 Duke and 390 Duke: 

Duke motorbike is one of the famous names for providing affordable yet aggressive-looking motorbikes. 

Most KTM duke motorbikes come with less than 500CC variations. 

In the KTM Duke 200 and 390, you’ll get a six-speed transmission and four-stroke engine which is enough for a beginner to catch decent speed on highways. 

With KTM Duke 200 and 390, you’ll get a 373CC engine which provides beginners better handling stability.

Suzuki GW 250 

Suzuki is a Japanese motorbike industry that you can trust blindly. The Suzuki GW 250 comes with a six-speed transmission and attractive body.

This four-stroke and two-cylinder engine, the Suzuki GW250, comes with low seat height, ideal for small riders. 

Last but not least, this motorbike comes with a 248 CC engine and better stability which is much needed for beginners. 

Kawasaki KLX250:

Loves off-riding? 

Then you must love the Kawasaki KLX250S. Kawasaki is another trustworthy Japanese brand that makes motorbikes according to their customer preference. 

Kawasaki KLX250S is a six-speed transmission and four-stroke motorbike which weighs only around 300lbs. 

With this motorbike, you’ll get a 249CC engine which is perfect for off riding. 

Suzuki DR 200 

Suzuki DR 200 is another trustworthy off-riding motorbike. This motorbike comes with a 3.3 gallons fuel tank and a four-stroke and five transmission engine. 

You’ll get a 200CC engine size which is perfect for beginner riders.

Things to Consider While Choosing a Motorbike for Beginners: 

Factors to consider while choosing a motorbike:	Details:
Motorbike power.	If you’re a beginner, then it would be worthless buying high power or CC motorbikes.
Budget	Don’t spend thousands of dollars on your first motorbike.
Motorbike weight.	Always buy a lighter motorbike that you can handle or lift if it falls.
Seat height.	Focus too much on seat height if you’re a small beginner rider.

Indeed, your first motorbike will be memorable for you, and that’s why I don’t want you to commit the same mistake I made several years ago. 

And that’s why beginners must know factors to consider while choosing their first motorbike. 

Motorbike Power: 

Throughout this post, you understand why it’s a bad idea to focus too much on power. 

High CC motorbikes come with enormous power, which beginners couldn’t handle. And that’s why don’t focus too much on motorbike power if you’re still a beginner.

Also, read my previous post where I’ve explained why beginners shouldn’t choose high CC motorbikes. Click here to read.

Your Budget: 

Not everyone can afford a luxurious motorbike, and it’s perfectly okay to not spend thousands of dollars on your first motorbike. 

Instead, you can go for an affordable motorbike with the same features and buy your favorite motorbike once you can afford it.

Motorbike Weight: 

Motorbike weight is one of the most significant factors when talking about motorbike stability. 

If you’re a beginner, it would be a mistake to choose a heavy motorbike that you can’t even lift if you ever fall off. 

Seat Height: 

Seat height can be the most crucial factor if you’re a short rider. You will definitely drop your motorbike if you can’t reach the ground with both your feet. 

If you’re a beginner who doesn’t know much about riding tall motorbikes, don’t ignore seat height. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Is a Harley 883 a Good First Motorbike? The Harley 883 motorbike comes with excellent stability and builds quality, making it the best motorbike for a rider. 

But this motorbike also comes with an 883 CC engine and great power, making this motorcycle not beginner-friendly. 

In easier words, Harley 883 isn’t a good first motorbike. 

I’ve mentioned some best alternatives to the Harley 883, which you can consider as a beginner. 

Even experts recommend choosing a low CC motorbike and trading it later with a high CC motorbike once you become a professional rider.