2014 Limited
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 13
From: georgetown ky
I have been riding harleys since 99 just bought my 3rd ultra had others but over all love the Limited you wont go wrong. just listen to to what these guys are saying. i agree with them take the saftey course you have the skills just rusty.
pay attention to the weight of a BIG motorcycle and the lay of the road. dont nose down into a parking spot take care and enjoy your new ride
pay attention to the weight of a BIG motorcycle and the lay of the road. dont nose down into a parking spot take care and enjoy your new ride
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 18
From: GA
My first bike ever owned was a 2012 Limited and never have ridden before! You'll enjoy it more knowing how to handle it and I would suggest getting the "Ride Like A Pro" DVD and take a little time to practice. Learning how to maneuver that heavy machine at slow speeds would be very helpful. I enjoyed my 2012 enough to buy the 2014 a few months ago.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
I never rode a motorcycle at all, until 10 years ago. So I am sure you have much more ability starting out than I did. But very shortly after taking my MSF course in 2004, my friend lent me his 1999 Electraglide Standard, and we went on a 500 mile weekend ride. I did fine, but when I look back, I realize what a mistake that was.
I had a Vulcan 750 for 7 years before buying my Ultra. The Ultra is much harder to panic stop without locking the rear, harder to recover from loss of traction, hold up if you make a mistake
.
You already have the Limited. Congratulations. Get some experience in the daytime, before riding in the rain and at night. Especially if you are in deer country.
And don't ride 2up until you feel confident. It is much more work than 1up.
And ride your own ride. Avoid group rides, for at least the first season. Too much pressure to ride above your ability. I only did one and a rider fell down, and his bike almost took me out, so I won't ride with more than a few friends.
Good luck.
Last edited by Ron750; Jul 31, 2014 at 05:33 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 422
Likes: 4
From: SC
I guess I should clarify my statement, it rained while we were eating but the road was dry when we left. Not that I had an option as the dealer was closed sill had to ride it home. It might not have been the smartest thing to do but I survived it.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 4
Everyone is different and skill levels are different. Some people shouldn't ride at all. Some people can hop on a Limited and comfortably ride it home in the dark in a thunderstorm. Sure, you might not be quite as safe as someone who has been riding heavy bikes for 40 years but you have to evaluate your situation and react accordingly. I don't think there are any hard rules like don't ride in groups or 2-up for the first year, etc. Do what you're comfortable with and safely stretch your limits to expand them as you are able to. Good luck and enjoy the new ride.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 422
Likes: 4
From: SC
Similar situation - I just rented a Limited and toured around Glacier MT.
Once underway, you will have no problem. Amazing bike - great wind protection and steers so easily with just a touch of countersteering.
Quick Notes:
1) After your first hour, stop grinning so hard or you'll give yourself a face cramp.
2) Learn the Nav system while parked. You can use a glove on the touch screen, but you can quite a bit with the joy sticks.
3) Cruise Control? Yes, it's awesome. Just push it in, then up/down to control speed. ROLL the throttle forward to disengage, you don't have to tap the brakes.
4) Don't forget to shift into 6th.
5) Turn signals are by each grip (not like a metric).
6) That scraping noise and someone lifting up your foot is your floorboard dragging. Slow down.
OK, the hard part:
7) Rear brake (of course) is your friend on gravel/slow maneuvers - twice as important on a heavy bike.
8) Don't park into a downhill space.
9) Parking on a hill: Incline on your left.
10) Make positively sure the kickstand is fully extended. Park in GEAR.
11) I would recommend googling slow speed (cone) technique and trying it in an empty parking lot.
12) If your wife is moderately in shape, bet her a sixpack she can upright a 900 pound bike (google it). Lay yours down on a strip of carpet/cardboard and show her how. Enjoy the free beer (and share).
12) Stop grinning. Seriously, (12) will be the most difficult part of your first week.
Once underway, you will have no problem. Amazing bike - great wind protection and steers so easily with just a touch of countersteering.
Quick Notes:
1) After your first hour, stop grinning so hard or you'll give yourself a face cramp.
2) Learn the Nav system while parked. You can use a glove on the touch screen, but you can quite a bit with the joy sticks.
3) Cruise Control? Yes, it's awesome. Just push it in, then up/down to control speed. ROLL the throttle forward to disengage, you don't have to tap the brakes.
4) Don't forget to shift into 6th.
5) Turn signals are by each grip (not like a metric).
6) That scraping noise and someone lifting up your foot is your floorboard dragging. Slow down.
OK, the hard part:
7) Rear brake (of course) is your friend on gravel/slow maneuvers - twice as important on a heavy bike.
8) Don't park into a downhill space.
9) Parking on a hill: Incline on your left.
10) Make positively sure the kickstand is fully extended. Park in GEAR.
11) I would recommend googling slow speed (cone) technique and trying it in an empty parking lot.
12) If your wife is moderately in shape, bet her a sixpack she can upright a 900 pound bike (google it). Lay yours down on a strip of carpet/cardboard and show her how. Enjoy the free beer (and share).
12) Stop grinning. Seriously, (12) will be the most difficult part of your first week.
Kevin2i you are right about the smiling
just can't quite. I am not laying my bike down for her to attempt to pick up plus she said if I drop it that is my problem!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 1,966
From: Great State of Canada
After nearly a year on my Breakout, I can handle it easily doing 2 lane Uies without giving the maneuver much thought. I test rode an ultra on a recent Demo day and quickly got into difficulty during stops and slow speed maneuvers. The extra 200 lbs and higher COG made a big difference other than when cruising down the highway. My natural reactions, developed from riding my BO did not translate well to handling the Ultra. I dare say switching between some models of heavy bikes can be darn near as challenging as learning on one in the first place. I'd expect the experience would be different for 20 year veterans with a history involving several model ownerships but for us newer guys, learning on a bike is learning on a bike. May as well be one as the other.