I don't think I would buy a Harley as a first street bike. Harley's make no street sense. You can buy something else with substantially more power and agility for half the price. Having said that, Harley's are as much lifestyle items as motorcycles. I own several bikes of which one is a custom harley. It gets ridden a few times a year. For any real riding I get on a more reliable and faster bike. IMHO, in a car brakes are your way out of trouble. On motorycles it is speed. Get one you are comfortable riding. My favorite bike for longer distance riding is a 1998 ZZR 1100. I fondly refer to it as the flying couch - too heavy, really fast and really comfortable. The Harley only gets pulled out for less than 2 hour rides and for bar hopping. Actually, I am getting too old for bar hopping.