When and how did you learn to ride?
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,519
Likes: 0
From: Nomad
When and how did you learn to ride?
Just curious about ya'll's background.
Was it your father or uncle at a young age or did you have some formal training?
I'll start.
My dad let me steer his side car rig while he pushed it when I was around 6. Then he would let me ride it with him sitting behind me and help me steer as needed. I was 7 when one of his friends let me ride his little dirt bike.
The rest of it was mostly self taught and repeating others mistakes as rode MX into my teens and then street bikes from 15 on.
The real riding eduction I got was in my 30's when I took MSF BRC and ERC courses and a bunch of different Track Schools.
Was it your father or uncle at a young age or did you have some formal training?
I'll start.
My dad let me steer his side car rig while he pushed it when I was around 6. Then he would let me ride it with him sitting behind me and help me steer as needed. I was 7 when one of his friends let me ride his little dirt bike.
The rest of it was mostly self taught and repeating others mistakes as rode MX into my teens and then street bikes from 15 on.
The real riding eduction I got was in my 30's when I took MSF BRC and ERC courses and a bunch of different Track Schools.
I had absolutely no experience on a motorcycle. Then, I signed up for the riders edge course at a HD dealership and went from there...Only laid the training bike down once!
Last edited by HarleyNation; Apr 6, 2011 at 09:16 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: South, MS
Started at 6 on a mini-bike powered by Briggs & Stratton.....graduated to a Benelli 165 CC and then on to a 75 AMF/Harley 125 and then 175..SOB's never ran two days in a row without trouble but I loved getting on them. Busted my **** quite a few times but only lost skin and a couple of heat shield burns.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,166
Likes: 4
From: la
I think I was about 10, I got my first ticket at 12 on a Kawasaki 90. In the 70's I had Kawi H1&H2 triples. In 85 it was a 900 Ninja, in 89 it was a ZX10 Ninja, in 2000 it was a ZX12R Ninja. I've been riding my brothers Harleys and liked being able to cruise without the urge of going warp speed just because it was there. When I saw the 08 FXDF I made my move to the Dark Side.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,359
Likes: 74
From: WI
16 years old on a motocross bike, flipped it over and landed flat on back. Hurt like heck. Got right back on it, and have been addicted since!
Moved up to an enduro, then an '84 Honda Ascot (sold it in college), and then got a nice Sporty a few years ago and one year ago this week, got the Bob.
Moved up to an enduro, then an '84 Honda Ascot (sold it in college), and then got a nice Sporty a few years ago and one year ago this week, got the Bob.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
Learned to ride on a little minibike back in the 70s that I shared with my younger brother. I then got my own 125 Yamaha Enduro and I thought I was a God. 
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
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
Started riding when I was 14 (1972) had a Honda 90 and remember being chased down by the police and trying to get away thru a field and ended up laying it down in a pile of cow $hit. Later did the MX/quad thing ...friends all rode Harley's so I thought I'd give them a try and all I can say is awesome! But still like to get out in the dirt once in a while.