Anyone have a Harley Dyna low rider as a first bike or an thoughts on one as a first? What was/is your experience, thoughts, suggestions, etc?  

In my opinion this is a lot of bike for your first.  If you are a new rider I would suggest something in the 750-1100 class.  These are lighter and easier to handle than the bigger cruisers.  You can usually find one used at a good price.  Ride it for a season and then move up to something bigger.  

Merlin45

I just got back into the saddle after a 25 year lay off, so I consider myself a "new" rider.  Gas prices what they are, it was the time to be able to sell the idea to the wife .  Any how, I bought a new 2008 VStar Custom 1100 and found it a perfect fit for me.  I'm 6' 200 lbs. and am able to handle the bike with ease.  It has more power than I need at this stage of life and it has the look I was looking for as well.  I would definitely NOT recommend that you step in over your head.  It isn't worth the risk.  As MGMShadow said, start with something in the 750 to 110 range, build your confidence and experience levels then if you want, move up later.  You may find that your first ride is your best fit long term.  

Check out Craigslist in your area for a couple of weeks.  This will give you an idea of what's available in the used market, the prices and what type of bike you'll be able to get for the money.  Nothing beats paying half of a new bike price and getting saddle bags, extra chrome, and custom seat basically for free to boot  

I bought my first bike in Feb and everyone told me to get a small bike. So I bought the new Yamaha Raider 1854cc and it was easy to learn on. I am so glad now that I didn't get a smaller bike. Get what you want the first time is my reccomendation  

Thinking back to my first few bikes...

Find someone who bought a new bike, scared the hell out of themselves on it and then parked it for 5 or 6 years. Offer them a dollar a cc for it. Change the oil and gas, clean the carb(s), then go thru all the checks and adjustments in the operators manual and you'll have a good bike that will be low maintenance for several years. Or, after riding it for a couple months, you could just turn it around and sell it for 3 times what you paid for it and buy another to play with :-)

regards,
Joe  

jfarmer's response is the same but opposite of my advice.

I wanted a Kawi Drifter, I bought it new, and I did month's of learning to ride it. In the mean time, my wife bought a 'Zuke Savage 650. Riding it home (month and a half on the Drifter), I realized I could ride the 'zuke faster and harder than I could on my bike. I could have learned faster on the 'zuke. BTW, I did drop my bike, and when I sold it, I took a hit.
Bottom line, if you really will not be seen on a "starter" bike, and you are willing to do the hours to make it natural, AND, you are willing to see your darling go down, then go for it.
If I were doing it over, I had found a Kawi 750 shaft drive with bags, really nice windshield/fairing unit, and it was $5000 less than I spent on my new 800 Drifter (with chain) to get bags and windshield. Cranked, it was faster than the 800, more nimble, lighter. Better learning bike.
I sold the Drifter for less than the used 750 would have cost me.
Flip side, I did ride the 800 for 7 years. The 750 probably would have gone after 3 to 4 years (2 up became more common at that point).