This one or that one?
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
This one or that one?
Hello Everyone!
Long story just a bit shorter: my wife and I have never been on a bike, two weeks ago she goes on a ride with a girlfriend and loves it and declares she wants a bike...fine with me, but I'm not riding on the back of hers so I need one two. She wants a Softail Slim mainly because she is short.
I start looking for a bike, but I have an issue to deal with. At the age of 37 I was diagnosed with Cancer in July 2012 and given 12 months to live, well 58 chemo treatments later I am still here and pretty damn healthy. My wife and I are looking forward to riding together since we really don't know how much time we have (hell, none of us really do). Most of our riding would be day trips with an occasional 3-4 day trip. I am not as strong as I once was so I was looking at a switchback since it's not real heavy and I like the look, but the dealerships say go heritage Softail. I'm looking at a 2012 or newer, but realizing that this bike may only be used for a year or two.
I know it's a generic question, and a lot depends on how it feels, but with out going to 3 wheels, any suggestions?
Thanks!
Long story just a bit shorter: my wife and I have never been on a bike, two weeks ago she goes on a ride with a girlfriend and loves it and declares she wants a bike...fine with me, but I'm not riding on the back of hers so I need one two. She wants a Softail Slim mainly because she is short.
I start looking for a bike, but I have an issue to deal with. At the age of 37 I was diagnosed with Cancer in July 2012 and given 12 months to live, well 58 chemo treatments later I am still here and pretty damn healthy. My wife and I are looking forward to riding together since we really don't know how much time we have (hell, none of us really do). Most of our riding would be day trips with an occasional 3-4 day trip. I am not as strong as I once was so I was looking at a switchback since it's not real heavy and I like the look, but the dealerships say go heritage Softail. I'm looking at a 2012 or newer, but realizing that this bike may only be used for a year or two.
I know it's a generic question, and a lot depends on how it feels, but with out going to 3 wheels, any suggestions?
Thanks!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,165
Likes: 1,910
From: Doghouse... mostly
The Switchback weighs just about as much as the Touring bikes. You'd probably be happier with a Superglide or something along that line. The Slim is a good platform for the vertically challenged but you both need to enroll and complete a safety course first and foremost and even then I would start with something a little smaller and lighter until you're both comfortable with being on two wheels. You wouldn't be the first people to buy a HD and then get scared senseless of the responsibility of riding a large and I mean large heavy motorbike only to put it up for sale a week or two later.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
I agree with OldEnuf, the very first thing both of you should do is take a riding course. I know our local HD dealer offers riding courses you might want to check with yours. I've never looked into demo'ing bikes but after you pass your class you could see what bikes Harley offers demo's or rentals on and maybe try some different models that way.
By the way congrats on your cancer being in remission, I have a friend who has one more chemo treatment left, hopefully its good news after that.
By the way congrats on your cancer being in remission, I have a friend who has one more chemo treatment left, hopefully its good news after that.
Last edited by Taz_FL; Apr 19, 2015 at 12:10 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 648
From: Vegas, baby!
I would start with something a little smaller and lighter until you're both comfortable with being on two wheels. You wouldn't be the first people to buy a HD and then get scared senseless of the responsibility of riding a large and I mean large heavy motorbike only to put it up for sale a week or two later.
Over the last 40+ years I have seen many 'new' riders. Most don't last long, for various reasons.
Some don't last long at all.
This isn't like learning to drive a cage, a simple mistake or an accident can have serious consequences.
Last edited by rjg883c; Apr 19, 2015 at 12:16 AM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC
I'd buy a used one first something cheap to see if it's something you two really want to invest in. I thought my wife would get into riding, but years later and she still has zero interest whatsoever.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 546
Likes: 59
From: New Orleans
not to be morbid but here is a quick story. At my local dealership they had a guy come in with terminal cancer, he bought a brand new cvo breakout with the chrome/black/orange paint scheme. He also bought a trike and wanted it painted to match the breakout. the chrome tins were the problem for the trike, they went through several vinyl graphic places and contacted everyone they could to try and reproduce the breakouts paint. They explained the situation to the guy several times but he was insistent the trike matched the breakout, it's what he really wanted and they did everything they could to make that happen for the guy. well you know where this is going...
sadly the guy passes away, the breakout sitting there and the trike in pieces.
My advice, buy any bike you can afford and put as many miles on it as you can physically handle. Later, if you are up to it you can upgrade to something else but for now the experience of riding is more important then what you are riding. Get out there and enjoy yourself dude!
sadly the guy passes away, the breakout sitting there and the trike in pieces.
My advice, buy any bike you can afford and put as many miles on it as you can physically handle. Later, if you are up to it you can upgrade to something else but for now the experience of riding is more important then what you are riding. Get out there and enjoy yourself dude!
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 34
From: NC/SC
not to be morbid but here is a quick story. At my local dealership they had a guy come in with terminal cancer, he bought a brand new cvo breakout with the chrome/black/orange paint scheme. He also bought a trike and wanted it painted to match the breakout. the chrome tins were the problem for the trike, they went through several vinyl graphic places and contacted everyone they could to try and reproduce the breakouts paint. They explained the situation to the guy several times but he was insistent the trike matched the breakout, it's what he really wanted and they did everything they could to make that happen for the guy. well you know where this is going...
sadly the guy passes away, the breakout sitting there and the trike in pieces.
My advice, buy any bike you can afford and put as many miles on it as you can physically handle. Later, if you are up to it you can upgrade to something else but for now the experience of riding is more important then what you are riding. Get out there and enjoy yourself dude!
sadly the guy passes away, the breakout sitting there and the trike in pieces.
My advice, buy any bike you can afford and put as many miles on it as you can physically handle. Later, if you are up to it you can upgrade to something else but for now the experience of riding is more important then what you are riding. Get out there and enjoy yourself dude!
As SpaceReapersNOLA said, the most important thing for you guys is to ride. Once you are comfortable to be on two wheels riding in traffic, twisty roads and have better control at slow speeds (don't discount of this step in your learning), any bike that fits your size and handling abilities is fine.
I have 2 very close relatives who are in very similar situation with cancer so I know what you have been through. Have fun and don't hold back. Life is too short anyways cancer or not.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
The cool thing is that we are blessed enough that neither one of us works so we have a lot of time to ride together, probably most days, starting very slow. We have some quiet country roads around us to start with.
Thanks for the input!
Thanks for the input!
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
Congratulations on staying this side if dirt!!! If I could afford to have a 3rd bike it would be the Breakout, especially the CVO mostly because it is already set up for comfort with less bar reach.