Harley Davidson Softail: The #1 Reason it's not a beginner motorcycle

The #1 Reason a Harley Davidson Softail is not a beginner motorcycle isn't because it's big, or heavy, or too powerful...etc. It's actually because of insurance!
Insurance for new riders is already high, but you add in the size of motor that a softail comes with, the rates go way up. In Ontario, the rates are based on the number of CC's your motorcycle is. When I purchased my first bike and tried to insure it, they didn't look at the fact I was a 42 year old husband with 2 kids. They looked at, what license do you have, how long have you had it, and how many CC's is it.... Boom, I'm paying rates that a 20 year old new car license holder is paying.

My advice would be to get a smaller displacement motorcycle (a Sportster is still displacement for insurance purposes) until you are fully licensed and then get into the bigger models you want.

[kyler]

Most valuable video I've seen yet about getting a Harley.

[walsterd]

I started off with a Softail Heritage after getting my license..never had an issue!

[ianm]

My Dyna is $60/month in Alberta with full coverage $0 deductibles. I used to pay $176/month in Ontario. Ontario sucks. The only reason they give you November to April for free is to keep people from cancelling their insurance in the winter.

[jameshall]

Depends on where you live and how much experience you tell them you have and the company. I can finance a 2019 softail slim and only a multi vehicle discount(which isnt a large discount) and get insurance on the bike for about 50 a month. Theyre not all that bad on insurance

[gadgetguy]

Agreed, I bought a brand new FXR IN 1990 and my insurance for a 19 year old was more than double what the bike payment was. Now I’m over 50 with over 30 years in the saddle. My quote for a 23’ Street Glide ST is $163 for full coverage. Since I’m paying cash for the bike, I could drop comp and collision, but never on a new bike. I can’t even imagine what a twenty something would be paying 😬

[jimanders]

Oh and btw, in the USA at 60 years old I borrowed a buddies Vespa to take the riders test without having ridden a motorcycle in 30 something years, passed it with ease (anyone could) got my full fledged motorcycle license and promptly bought a 2300cc touring bike. 100, 000 miles later everything has worked out.

[CantTreadOnMe]

My Iron 883 cost me $26 per month for full coverage and all the extras like roadside etc with Geico. Im happy with it.

[tonyj]

Brand new 2020 Heritage Classic V107...$600 USD/yr for Full coverage new rider....In the US each state has its own rules for insurance premiums and motorcycle licensing requirements. In NY, anyone 18 or older can take an MSF (motorcycle safety) beginner class. Its a 3 day class and if you pass the class you bring the "passing the course card" to the department of motor vehicles and you walk out with a full MC license.

[gregduncan]

can't wait to ride one, the 107 with a 222 cam whoud be all we need!

[motorcyclediaries]

great information - i am looking to upgrade my sportster to the Harley low rider this year but i think i will now wait till i get my full M before I upgrade to a 117 engine

[SkiThePlains]

So it sounds like the insurance companies in Ontario, Canada are low-key advocating riding uninsured. I wonder why?

[Gobbles]

I rode dirt bikes till I was 15 and didn’t ride till 34 years later bought my first Harley. A beautiful softail deluxe I still own and added 3 baggers one being a CVO.

[bill]

I got my M license in 1985. I drove a car to the licensing office and did the written motorcycle test in 10 minutes to get a learner's permit. I rode my bike around a month or two, then scheduled the riding test. I rode the bike to the building and the guy told me to ride around the block. I did that, signaled a turn and a simple lane change as I came back toward the building. I stopped and got off and the guy said "you passed" and gave me a paper that I took inside the office and I was given my license. Seriously, that was it. Now the system is so damn complicated. I feel bad for young people these days. It took my son a couple of years to get his full G. I got mine in 1979 in less than an hour.

[keithgillum]

Wow, that's nuts. I have 4 bikes, my biggest being a '22 Road Glide with a 114" engine. My insurance on that bike works out to ~46.60 a month. I live in Florida. I get a whopping 6.64 discount because I have my homeowners bundled in with the everything else. The other bikes are a '03 Anniversary Softail Deluxe, a '20 Indian Scout 60 and a little 500 cc Kawasaki. Those are even less expensive.

[faruser]

So I have owned 2 Harleys in two years just started riding in August 2021 had a 883 a 2021 was 89$ a month insurance. Traded it for a brand new low rider s with a 117 m8 and now I pay 180$ a month I get it man

Hey, great video, I live in Ontario and was about to pull the trigger on a softail standard, who did you go to get the best deal? I've only got a quote through riders plus. $2600/ yr with an M2 (ouch)

[twowheelsutah]

Canada really sounds like it sucks for doing anything fun although I'd love to ride up there during the summer. Ya'll got some beautiful scenery.

[xlrider]

Insane policy amounts!
I live in Honolulu, Hi, have had my Motorcycle License since 2007. Had my driver's license since late '70's.
My driving abstract has been spotless since 1999.
I have State Farm Insurance, and ride a 2005 Dyna Wide Glide.
Twin Cam 88cu in.
My Insurance policy is just for Basic Liability coverage.
I pay $43 every 6 months.

[jerichostevens]

I just got an mt03 here in North Carolina. 320 cc little yamaha... 360 something lbs... my insurance with full coverage is $75 a month for a 36 year old man with a clean driving record. Hate to know what it would be for a softail with a 1700cc engine.

[billbarrett]

Man, fhat's ridiculous for insurance. If you had it to do over again, wnat would you have purchased as a first bike?