New guy
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
I'm 58 years old and just started riding for the first time last year. I'm short too.....so It was a no brainer for me....the Low Rider. GET A SET OF ENGINE GUARDS......that way, when you drop it, you wont have to worry about tank and paint damage. TRUST ME...
Second time I took mine out, I was rolling to a very, very slow stop, grabbed the front brake a little too hard with the wheel "SLIGHTLY" turned and over I went......and I mean right now. So it's going to happen. The engine guard saved me hundreds of dollars. The only scratches I ended up with is on the primary cover, the side of the engine guard and my rear turn signal.
Most places wont rent to you if you're a brand new rider.....so if they ask how long you've been riding, tell them a couple years. Anyway, get something you're comfortable with. Maybe look for a good used Harley. There are a ton of them out there. Dont start out too small, or after a year, you'll be looking for something bigger. Big thing is practice, practice and practice turns and braking........and watch out for the cagers. I swear they're out to get us riders one way or another. You've got to be watching 110% of the time, and anticipate they'll do stupid things even if they see you.
Good luck, welcome to the forum and you're in for the time of your life.....ride safe.
Second time I took mine out, I was rolling to a very, very slow stop, grabbed the front brake a little too hard with the wheel "SLIGHTLY" turned and over I went......and I mean right now. So it's going to happen. The engine guard saved me hundreds of dollars. The only scratches I ended up with is on the primary cover, the side of the engine guard and my rear turn signal.
Most places wont rent to you if you're a brand new rider.....so if they ask how long you've been riding, tell them a couple years. Anyway, get something you're comfortable with. Maybe look for a good used Harley. There are a ton of them out there. Dont start out too small, or after a year, you'll be looking for something bigger. Big thing is practice, practice and practice turns and braking........and watch out for the cagers. I swear they're out to get us riders one way or another. You've got to be watching 110% of the time, and anticipate they'll do stupid things even if they see you.
Good luck, welcome to the forum and you're in for the time of your life.....ride safe.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I cant thank yall enough for your responses and I would love to go rent a couple cause I like the street bob too but every place that I've looked at you have to be 21 to rent one. Over the next month or so I'm gonna really be looking around and maybe think about a solid used one cause like yall said i don't doubt that I'm gonna drop it, probaly during a U turn i swear i messed that up every time during the course so ill have to practice that a lot whenever i get my bike. Thanks again for all the responses I really cant wait to get out there and ride around on a roaring harley and show everyone that not every 19 year old kid wants to be on GSXR doing wheelies on the interstate!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
You mean those figure 8's in the box?? Yea, aren't those fun? Been there, did that. You should have seen my instructor show us how it's done, in the same box and inside the lines, but riding his Big Ultra Classic!!! Our jaws just drop since we could hardly do it using those little Buell's. That's why he said Practice the friction zone, rear braking and throttle in combination in those U turns.
Best words I can give you, is SLOW DOWN and use your brake before entering into your first few tighter curves, until you get the feel of the bike. If it says curve ahead, 35mph......then slow down to that speed. Most causes of single motorcycle accidents are because of newbee's take curves way too fast and lose it. And never try and beat a yellow light, or take off when your light turns green. Too many cagers racing through yellow/reds, and you'll get slammed.
Best words I can give you, is SLOW DOWN and use your brake before entering into your first few tighter curves, until you get the feel of the bike. If it says curve ahead, 35mph......then slow down to that speed. Most causes of single motorcycle accidents are because of newbee's take curves way too fast and lose it. And never try and beat a yellow light, or take off when your light turns green. Too many cagers racing through yellow/reds, and you'll get slammed.
Last edited by LWOS; Aug 18, 2008 at 12:56 AM.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Thanks for the advice LWOS whenever I get out there I'm gonna be real cautious I'm def not a speed demon so yea I will be taking those first few turns real easy and yea my instructor did the figure 8 box on his Ultra Classic too and showed us all up lol
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Thanks for the advice LWOS whenever I get out there I'm gonna be real cautious I'm def not a speed demon so yea I will be taking those first few turns real easy and yea my instructor did the figure 8 box on his Ultra Classic too and showed us all up lol
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From:
When I was 20 I went with the Yamaha v-star 650 (I'm 24 now). I never dropped it once. I'm 6'1" 180lbs and I felt crammed up on the v-star and I got board with it quickly with that small engine but It taught me basic skills that I required on a bigger bike. I sold it within a year and bought my Low Rider. I'm not really sure what CUTiger is talking about. There is nothing "starter bike" about the Dyna's. With a 96" engine and just under 700lbs they will definitely give you some scars if you don't know what you are doing. And at 13,000 bucks you damn sure better have a good idea how to control that thing. Starter bike...bah! It's basically the same engine Harley uses on all their big twin bikes but on a lighter chassis.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
..and sometimes you will drop your friends bikes too, like an 85 Goldwing at 8am sitting at a 5-way intersection with morning rush hour traffic watching you go over in slow motion. Ok, it was a really rough night partying back then and I just didn't get enough rest to 'sleep it off'. Anyway, I always try to tell new riders that you didn't get a brand new first car did you? Why? Because everyone knew you were going to hit things with it as you learned the car, and how to drive in reality. The suggestion to buy a cheaper first bike is a good idea. Hell I went through 3 'first' bikes before my Wide Glide came home with me.