Harley Riding Academy Event Brings Out SoCal’s Curious

By David Ciminelli - November 20, 2017

We check out the new rider info session for Glendale Harley’s Riding Academy for timeless tips on mastering motorcycle riding and safety.

Harley-Davidson Forums recently made our way down to Southern California’s Glendale Harley-Davidson to check out one of the dealership’s recent community preview nights highlighting the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy New Rider Course. Now, we were expecting the informal, hour-long event to be interesting, but it definitely surpassed our expectations in regard to the smart, comprehensive overview of all things Harley.

The event also includes a tour of the showroom and massive retail space, as well as a spin on the full-size stationary test bike, which itself is worth a trip to the dealership. The Glendale Harley crew’s expert knowledge of the shop’s attention-grabbing bikes that line the huge showroom (including the new 2018 Harleys) provide for a quick and compelling opening to the evening’s Harley 101 showcase.

New riders that come for the free event get a real education, covering everything a newbie needs to know, from choosing the best type of bike for beginners, to the safest gear to consider for every type of weather condition and riding season.

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the new rider night is the makeup of the crowd. This gathering of a dozen curious Harley enthusiasts is comprised equally of men and women of various ages and riding experience. The dynamic of six men and six women seems to say a lot about the appeal of Harley and its ever expanding and evolving H.O.G. community.

Everyone takes a turn on what is essentially the coolest carnival ride any adult can ask for: A fully-functioning Harley-Davidson XR 500 that you can rev, ride, and throttle without fear of making a wrong move.

Lately, media headlines have been dropping questionable stats and biased opinions claiming Harley is struggling to appeal to millennials and has experienced a few bumps in the road when it comes to recent sales. Witnessing the turn out and being a part of this small group of motorcycle enthusiasts who are very excited and interested to learn more about how to best handle these incredible machines instills a pride and confidence in Harley that squashes any notions made by sensational and fake news.

Most of the group at the information session have some sort of experience with motorcycles, either as a passenger, or having briefly toyed with learning to ride in the past. Everyone also shares another thing in common: They are fearless. When it comes time to visit Glendale Harley’s adjacent garage to hop on a loud, high-revving (stationary) Harley Street 500 to learn the “rhythm” that it takes to maneuver this beast like a boss, no one hesitates.

Everyone takes a turn on what is essentially the coolest carnival ride any adult can ask for: a full-size, fully-functioning Harley-Davidson XR 500 that you can learn to rev, ride, throttle, shift, and test out seating positions and anything else that will make a new rider feel more confident, all without fear of making a wrong move while learning the ropes. The experience provides a good idea of what the sensation of riding the open road feels like, minus mosquitos in your teeth.

Throughout the evening, the experienced riders on Glendale Harley-Davidson’s crew cover the obvious concerns of burgeoning bikers, including how to overcome new-rider anxiety, proper cornering techniques, and effective stopping. Learning the foundation principles of riding and safety from a crew of Harley experts for free, no less, and on a real motorcycle is invaluable, and one hell of a fun evening.

While still riding high on an adrenaline rush from the test-ride experience, we head back into the dealership’s main showroom for detailed coverage of the safest motorcycle gear on the market. The Glendale Harley-Davidson staff chooses various items from the many jackets, helmets, and other safety gear on display and expertly explain the strategic safety ideas behind virtually every design aspect on the merchandise. For instance, a zipper on a motorcycle jacket may appear to be just another simple style statement and practical way to keep your pockets closed, but further explanation shows which zippers should be zipped or unzipped for better wind flow, sweat reduction, and a variety of other practical reasons that the average rider may not consider without prior knowledge of these subtle but strategic design elements. The shop carries a wide variety of helmets, so we also get a solid introductory course on choosing the best helmets for beginners, with a showcase that details every aspect of this vital Harley safety gear.

Glendale Harley-Davidson presents its Riding Academy New Rider Course on weekends and select weekdays. The total course is about 15 hours, comprised of six hours of classroom instruction on motorcycle safety, and nine hours riding exercises and skills development. New riders learn fundamental skills required to operate a Harley and progress to street riding skills and strategies.

Located at 3727 San Fernando Road in Glendale CA, Glendale Harley-Davidson routinely hosts its Riding Academy New Rider Course information night. For information about the next event, stay tuned to the shop’s website. Check out upcoming 2018 Riding Academy dates here.