Never ridden..
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
RE: Never ridden..
Make money on your first bike....buy a used Jap bike. I started on an 85 virago which I bought for $1100 USD in the fall of the year. I sold it in the spring for $1700. I put 2500 miles on it and learned to be comfortable on a mid sized bike.
Then bought a V-Star 1100. The thing had as much power as my 05 RKC-stock. I put 7000 miles on it and lost $1000.00.
I am not sure the second bike is a necessary step, but I'd highly recoomend a starter bike.
Had a buddy just buy a 2000 Sportster 1200 as his first bike. He has spent 3 weeks starting in second gear b/c he wasn't used to the clutch. He damn near dumped the bike in his first week after he hit a curb and blew a tire.
Besides, what if you drop 10-20 grand on your dream bike and end up not enjoying riding as much as you thought you would.
Then bought a V-Star 1100. The thing had as much power as my 05 RKC-stock. I put 7000 miles on it and lost $1000.00.
I am not sure the second bike is a necessary step, but I'd highly recoomend a starter bike.
Had a buddy just buy a 2000 Sportster 1200 as his first bike. He has spent 3 weeks starting in second gear b/c he wasn't used to the clutch. He damn near dumped the bike in his first week after he hit a curb and blew a tire.
Besides, what if you drop 10-20 grand on your dream bike and end up not enjoying riding as much as you thought you would.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Ca
RE: Never ridden..
I'm in the same boat as you, I have never ridden, but I have been around bikes my whole life. My family is from SD, and I have an aunt one block off of main st, in Sturgis, so this has been staring me in the face for my whole life, I just never got around to doing it, but about a month ago, I signed up for the MSF course (I will go in nov.), and put a deposit on a 2006 Street Bob, which I will get in December, so I guess I'll just take it slow and go for it.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Never ridden..
I disagree the MSF has put unskilled riders on the road. They teach you on a highthawk 250 and forego the riding test, The person gets on their big bike they cant handle and promptly crash it. If you cant pass the skills test on the bike you ride or pick it up you have no business riding.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Never ridden..
The DMV has put unskilled cage drivers on the road. They also put non speaking english drivers on the roads also. If you are smart enough to go to a MSF class you have the common sense to ride anywhere you choose. It is always the responsibility of the rider to know their limitations of where and what to ride.
Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: N.J. !!!!!
RE: Never ridden..
ORIGINAL: RubBuster
I disagree the MSF has put unskilled riders on the road. They teach you on a highthawk 250 and forego the riding test, The person gets on their big bike they cant handle and promptly crash it. If you cant pass the skills test on the bike you ride or pick it up you have no business riding.
I disagree the MSF has put unskilled riders on the road. They teach you on a highthawk 250 and forego the riding test, The person gets on their big bike they cant handle and promptly crash it. If you cant pass the skills test on the bike you ride or pick it up you have no business riding.
I took the course, bought the bike I wanted, maybe a little risk money wise there, but it worked out for me.
I rode my new bike around the block and to a local parking lot a few blocks from my house. I used this time to learn the bike, get comfortable, use up the first 50 miles easy per the manual, and then I went out on the road. I then went easy on non-busy roads until I got to the 500 mile mark.
Then I went on all roads, still being careful, until the 1,000 mile service.
So, I learned: Look around at all times, always give yourself an escape cushion of room, and do not hit the front brakes going 1 MPH with the wheel turned (don't ask!).
Be smart & be safe.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Ocean Springs, MS
RE: Never ridden..
All very good advice, and I think it just depends on your personality. I started out just like you a few years ago. I had never ridden a motorcycle at all. I took the MSF course and felt as comfortable as I think you can after riding a 250 for two days. I didn't jump right onto the Harley of my dreams, but I didn't buy a 250 Rebel either. I knew I would outgrow something that small in a matter of days. At the time, the Fatboy was my dream bike as well. So, I bought a metric that was extremely close in size and design as a Fatboy. It was much cheaper than buying the Fatboy, so I felt like any mishaps wouldn't be as costly. I bought it new, so that I felt comfortable with the maintenance aspect. I rode around the neighborhood and practiced in a parking lot for a week or so until I got comfortable on the bigger bike. I kept the bike for about two years and sold it for close to what I had in it. During the time I owned that bike, my dream bike changed a few times. I now own my most current dream bike, an '05 RK. Buy whatever you feel comfortable buying based on cost and skill. Going from the 250 in the MSF class straight to the Fatboy can be done by someone that has no prior riding experience. For some people it's better to start with something smaller though. Either way, as everyone has said, practice a lot and take it easy until you feel comfortable getting out on the highway.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Never ridden..
You're getting a lot of different viewpoints here, so ultimately, I think you have to decide for yourself. I woud ask yourself some real questions:
In your car/truck, are you a good, observant, calm, safe, super defensive driver?
Do you know how to use a stickshift in car or truck? Do you understand the concepts of downshifting and engine braking?
Are you blessed with intelligence, common sense and "street smarts"?
if you can answer yes, I say go for the dream bike!
I think there is this myth perpetuated that all newbs drop their bike in a parking lot or slow turn. Don't believe it. Think positive! I took the MSF on their little 250. I test drove a Honda 750 for about 15 minutes, then went down to my Harley dealer and got my super glide. Granted it's not a huge bike, but it's not small. 2,000 miles later I've never even come close to dropping it, knock on wood.
Wally
In your car/truck, are you a good, observant, calm, safe, super defensive driver?
Do you know how to use a stickshift in car or truck? Do you understand the concepts of downshifting and engine braking?
Are you blessed with intelligence, common sense and "street smarts"?
if you can answer yes, I say go for the dream bike!
I think there is this myth perpetuated that all newbs drop their bike in a parking lot or slow turn. Don't believe it. Think positive! I took the MSF on their little 250. I test drove a Honda 750 for about 15 minutes, then went down to my Harley dealer and got my super glide. Granted it's not a huge bike, but it's not small. 2,000 miles later I've never even come close to dropping it, knock on wood.
Wally
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood, TN
RE: Never ridden..
ORIGINAL: RubBuster
I disagree the MSF has put unskilled riders on the road. They teach you on a highthawk 250 and forego the riding test, The person gets on their big bike they cant handle and promptly crash it. If you cant pass the skills test on the bike you ride or pick it up you have no business riding.
I disagree the MSF has put unskilled riders on the road. They teach you on a highthawk 250 and forego the riding test, The person gets on their big bike they cant handle and promptly crash it. If you cant pass the skills test on the bike you ride or pick it up you have no business riding.
I certainly think that the MSF class is better than nothing. It shows that someone wants to learn things the right way from the start. So if you take the class, practice and ride within your limits I don't see the problem. Yeah there are going to be some that do just what you say but they would anyway.
What I really don't get is this attitude by some of you with thousands of miles of experience. It's like you are pissed off that they are new people wanting to get into the sport and that can afford the bike of their dreams. You were all beginners once!
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Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 3
From: Mass.
RE: Never ridden..
Fatso,
Actually the Fat Boy is a pretty easy bike to ride. It's well balanced has good but not touchy brakes and even tractable power. I would like to suggest that you add an engine guard so if you have that parking lot oops the bike will be protected. Besides, it's a good place to put hiway pegs.
DC.
Actually the Fat Boy is a pretty easy bike to ride. It's well balanced has good but not touchy brakes and even tractable power. I would like to suggest that you add an engine guard so if you have that parking lot oops the bike will be protected. Besides, it's a good place to put hiway pegs.
DC.
ORIGINAL: Fats
Being brutally honest, I've never ridden a motorcycle but want to get into it. Many of my friends ride and it looks like fun. I've always had an appreciation for bikes and drool over fat Harleys. Anyway, 1st thing 1st I'm planning to take a MSF class and get my motorcycle licence. My predicament is that I really don't want buy a small bike and want to buy my dream bike, FatBoy.
Is this a dumb move or should I buy a little putt putt first? My friends tell me to get the bike I want FIRST because I'll immediately grow out of it and it would be a waste of money.
I'm 5'10" 170lbs and in good shape if this info helps.
Any advice/recommendations?
Being brutally honest, I've never ridden a motorcycle but want to get into it. Many of my friends ride and it looks like fun. I've always had an appreciation for bikes and drool over fat Harleys. Anyway, 1st thing 1st I'm planning to take a MSF class and get my motorcycle licence. My predicament is that I really don't want buy a small bike and want to buy my dream bike, FatBoy.
Is this a dumb move or should I buy a little putt putt first? My friends tell me to get the bike I want FIRST because I'll immediately grow out of it and it would be a waste of money.
I'm 5'10" 170lbs and in good shape if this info helps.
Any advice/recommendations?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,967
Likes: 94
RE: Never ridden..
my first bike was a honda magna, it was good to learn on, but now that I've got my HD I can't imagine riding anything else. Having that honda makes me appreciate my HD even more, plus I didn't wanna drop 20 grand on a first time bike. to each his own though