Never Ridden - What Bike?
#21
05-22-2011, 03:35 PM
Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oklahoma City
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I talked my neighbor into buying a Harley. He had ridden Honda Dirt bikes in the 1970's. Well long story turned short, crashed it the the 1st time he rode it, almost took his leg off. I fixed it with a couple of grand worth of parts. The next time he tried to ride it after 3 months of healing. He rode around the loop in the neighbor hood in first, but couldn't figure out how to stop it and couldn't lean it far enough to turn and ended up in a hedge.... To me it is simple because I have been riding for 40 years, to him, clutch, brakes, throttle and turning is too much. He has promised to take the class before he gets on it again. Moral of the story is this, I will never tell anyone they can ride a scooter, much less a 600-700+ lbs. of Harley. It may seem easy to u, watching others do it, and yeah u rode dirt bikes, so did my neighbor. When he was in surgery and they were putting pins and screws in to hold his leg together and 136 stitches and I had to sit there with his wife and explain what happened. I felt and still feel like an *** for trying to have a riding buddy when I didn't vet his skills first. Sure he's fun and likes alot of the same stuff, but man what a mess...
#23
05-22-2011, 04:51 PM
Road Warrior
I purchased the very model scoot first time around that I wanted to be on. As an aging rider with many years previous experience to draw from, I just took my time getting used to my new to me scoot. I've wanted a E Glide since the age of four or five, from watching the Schriner's do their figure eight moves in our Christmas parades. So I figure why settle for anything less than what I have envisioned myself on.
Jus sayin!
I also purchased used where I figured the po would have had all the potential issues already taken care of, of which I have been lucky to date. My compensator is starting to loosen however and I will need new chain tensioners soon, but service is the key to reliability and longevity right?
My $0.02
aka Bob
Jus sayin!
I also purchased used where I figured the po would have had all the potential issues already taken care of, of which I have been lucky to date. My compensator is starting to loosen however and I will need new chain tensioners soon, but service is the key to reliability and longevity right?
My $0.02
aka Bob
#24
05-22-2011, 04:52 PM
Road Captain
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Roads of Idaho
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Take the MSF course, if it goes well buy whatever you want. *1
I haven't ridden a bike (RM80) since I was 16. At 30 now I took the MSF and bought a Street Glide. It's been a blast and no reason to buy something you don't want just to resell and lose money on.
You know if you're above avg size, strength, and coordination which will impact your ability to pick riding it quick. If you "ride dirtbikes" but terribly, maybe start small otherwise you can do it *2.
I haven't ridden a bike (RM80) since I was 16. At 30 now I took the MSF and bought a Street Glide. It's been a blast and no reason to buy something you don't want just to resell and lose money on.
You know if you're above avg size, strength, and coordination which will impact your ability to pick riding it quick. If you "ride dirtbikes" but terribly, maybe start small otherwise you can do it *2.
*1 X2
*2 Those r all important in my veiw of telling someone being this way gives u the best odds of learning successfully, ie not almost losing a leg or worse.
#25
05-22-2011, 05:12 PM
Road Warrior
Rent the bike you think you might want for a weekend. If it feels right, buy it. If it scares the $h*t out of you, but you still want a bike, look at a sporty or a metric to get your skills back up. But like others have said, it would be a shame to waste a season on a bike you don't really like. Just don't go and crash a brand new Harley because you're in a rush to ride.
#27
05-22-2011, 06:58 PM
I also had never owned a bike and had the same questions as you do. I took the MSF course then went to buy my very first bike. I ordered a 2007 Road King Classic and loved my decision. My salesman at the dealership helped me a lot. I now have a Streetglide and love it as well. Just sit on them and see what feels better to you as for riding position. Either choice will be a good one.
#28
05-22-2011, 07:56 PM
Grand HDF Member
My wife and one of my best friends both bought HD's for first bikes...having ridden dirt bikes years ago. I insisted they take the MSF course; both did; both are doing fine...wife has a Low Rider (15k without incident including Sturgis and some east coast cities) and buddy bought a CVO Street Glide...he now packs his wife...just take it easy at first...
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