Welcome to the forum JJC42. I'm going to write a fairly long post since our situations are somewhat similar in hopes that some of it is useful. I'm 64 and had not ridden in 40 years. My last bike was a 500cc Triumph. When I decided to ride again I also decided it was HD or nothing, I'm just not interested in crotch rockets, Goldwings or any other make. They're wonderful, high tech, reliable machines, but no thanks. Anyway, I found a nice 2000 Fatboy nearby, owned by a mechanic who bought it for his wife, had it lowered and then proceeded to put 3933 miles on it over the next 10 years. It also had a low, narrow Corbin seat on it for the purpose of getting her closer to the ground. I put the original seat back on and have put a few hundred miles on it in the last three months. I'm 5'9", average size. The bike still feels immensely heavy to me so I'm very careful when riding, especially taking off and coming to a stop. Otherwise the bike handles beautifully, smooth ride and great power compared to anything else I've ridden. My point is, I think you've chosen a great bike in the softtail family and will "grow" into it either by feel and experience or a couple of mods. If I'm wrong I'm sure some of the folks on the forum will comment. I'll know a bunch more when it warms up here in western NC. Some of my buds who ride have been after me to take a spin on their bikes (Road King, Electra Glide and Dyna Wideglide). I'm going to do just that when I get more experience on my Fatboy. I also have in the next months a riders course scheduled. I feel I can learn from it even though I rode a lot in my early 20s on my Yamahas, Hondas and the Triumph. The Harley is a different animal to me, but I'd buy the Fatty again without hesitation. It looks like enough people either shorter or taller than you have commented favorably so if its the ride of your dreams, go for it!
Best Regards,
Ishmael
