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MSF Course = Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course, also called Riders Edge. A great course for new street riders that teaches motorcycle safety and low speed and emergency maneuvering.
Most states will wave the riding part of the motorcycle license test if you have completed this course, and many insurance companies give discounts for the course.
Around here the MSF is different than the Riders edge. MSF is offered by the state for almost free ($20 refundable if you pass) and Riders edge costs $200-300, but includes commercials for Harley.
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Yep, I agree..... BUT do try all of the Harleys that appeal to you... My total time on cycle was; I rode a buds 305 Honda back in 1971 about 4 times, then in 07 took the MSF course on a 250 Kawasaki, that is it... I immediately rented a FXDWG the day after I got my license, it felt HUGE for about an hour... Then, I rented everything Harley makes that appealed to me... At the time, (in my mind) a Harley should look like a Softail Heritage, I tried two of them and a Deluxe, just liked the Dyna better. The dealer in NJ & FL both cut me deals on 3 day mid week rentals....
i bought my first bike when i was 18. it weighed 650 lbs. i weighed 115lbs. i think youll be fine with whatever you get. people ALMOST ALWAYS drop thier first bike anyways. get one that you can handle dropping. thats my advice. if you couldnt bear to see that street bob fall over, get the sporty.
If I would go back again, I would skip the sporty, deluxe and go straight to the Street Glide. It all depends on what fits you.
What I did do and I would recommend to most is to buy a cheaper bike and ride it for a year. I bought a 1999 Honda Magna 750 for $3200, rode it for a year to get used to riding. I never did drop it, but alot of people will drop their first bike. After a year, I sold it for $3400. You could also probably buy an older sporty and trade it later without a lose.
there are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you make your decision.
1 what kind of riding will you be doing (ie- long distance, local, straight and flat, twisties and hills, not sure)
2 how often will you be riding (daily, week end warrior, less than that, not sure)
3 will you be riding just you or 2 up
4 do you need a bike with storage ability
5 are you more comfortable with mid or forward controls
these are just a few of the questions a salesperson should be asking before he even recommends a bike for you. then based on your answers you should sit on different bikes to see if your comfortable with handle bar height and foot placement. than you should test ride the different bikes to assure your comfort.
lastly, you need to love the looks of the bike as well. a great sales person will help you decide on a bike that fits your needs and riding style.
good luck
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IF YOU'RE NOT RIDING A HARLEY...YOU'RE JUST PASSING WIND
SCOTT
08 CROSS BONES
103 BIG BORE, SE PRO HEADS, SE PRO AIR CLEANER, D&D FATCATS, SERT
No Bike is too big unless are limitations to your being able to Flat foot it or other limitations in strength .. The First Street Bike ever Road was My Dads Indian Chief Loaded up at least 700 lbs probably more .. Was 15 years Old and 140 lbs then ... He just told me when took it, if drop it don't bother coming back home ...
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2008 Electra Glide Stage 1, Ness Big Sucker Vance and Hines True Duals... 2001 Sportster 883>1200 Stage 1
My sister is 4'11 and we started her on a1996 heritage lowered one inch. And now she rides it like she stole it. Get what you like and learn how to enjoy it. Good luck.
When I will get a bike I plan on riding it as much as possible (till the elements stop me = too much snow or too cold).
And I plan on riding to commute to work, to go out with friends, visit my family in the state next door, discover the country, etc...and later do real long road trips when I will have buddies to ride with...
Some people adviced me to buy a cheap bike to get used to ride. But, I have been dreaming about a HD for so many years I'm afraid I would just regret it after two days to ride something else. For me riding it's a pleasure (like to all of you) and I know it would be even a greater pleasure to do it on a Harley
