Never ridden..
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
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RE: Never ridden..
Amen to engine guards and I will add a "helmet"! You can bang your head almost as hard on a low, or even no speed fall. I had a $32 DOT approved, internet bought 3/4 helmet when I did my slow speed oops. You could hear that sucker crack for a block. Only damage to the bike was a mirror and a slight scrape on the engine guard. Perfect excuse to put on highway pegs which covered it up.
Good luck.
BTW, after that I did go buy a 1981 Honda 400 with 1800 miles for $850 and sold it for the same amount. Put about 40 parking lot miles on her and another 100 around town and felt ready to go. Art
Good luck.
BTW, after that I did go buy a 1981 Honda 400 with 1800 miles for $850 and sold it for the same amount. Put about 40 parking lot miles on her and another 100 around town and felt ready to go. Art
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Joined: Sep 2005
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RE: Never ridden..
Well, I just did what you are thinking about. Two weeks ago I finished up the MSF class (great class), got my Motorcycle endorsement, and bought a Fatboy. Like you, I was worried about the Fatboy being to big to start with.
Like DC pointed out, the Fatboy is an easy bike to ride. I like the size and weight of the bike. It feels more stable and balanced than those crappy 250s we used in the MSF class. On the down side… the Fatboy is less agile. I can’t imagine doing that figure eight exercise from the class on my Fatboy. Then again, I have not needed to do any figure eights yet.
Like DC pointed out, the Fatboy is an easy bike to ride. I like the size and weight of the bike. It feels more stable and balanced than those crappy 250s we used in the MSF class. On the down side… the Fatboy is less agile. I can’t imagine doing that figure eight exercise from the class on my Fatboy. Then again, I have not needed to do any figure eights yet.
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,090
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From: Pennsylvania
RE: Never ridden..
I'm not making any recomendations, only passing on my own experience
I was in exactly the same position back in May.
Never rode before, but been in love with the Fat Boy for years.
I bought the Fat Boy
I just took it slow and easy while I was learning how to ride.
4 months and 4000 miles later I'm as happy as can be
I was in exactly the same position back in May.
Never rode before, but been in love with the Fat Boy for years.
I bought the Fat Boy
I just took it slow and easy while I was learning how to ride.
4 months and 4000 miles later I'm as happy as can be
Road Captain
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 645
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RE: Never ridden..
I'm with Chunks, just passing on my experience.
I had never ridden before and took the MSF. I then purchased an Ultra because it was what I ultimately wanted. I took a while learning how to ride in addition to the MSF. I went to empty parking lots a lot and worked up my confidence. Finally, I went out on the roads with a retired motor cop who knew some back roads and took some time and let me get my wheels under me. That's been less than a year ago, and I am pretty comfortable now, and I would be unhappy at this point with a smaller bike. Having this one allows me to commute to work because of the storage (I carry a lot of gear back and forth). Incidentally, I'm only 5'6", so take that for what it's worth as well.
Bill
I had never ridden before and took the MSF. I then purchased an Ultra because it was what I ultimately wanted. I took a while learning how to ride in addition to the MSF. I went to empty parking lots a lot and worked up my confidence. Finally, I went out on the roads with a retired motor cop who knew some back roads and took some time and let me get my wheels under me. That's been less than a year ago, and I am pretty comfortable now, and I would be unhappy at this point with a smaller bike. Having this one allows me to commute to work because of the storage (I carry a lot of gear back and forth). Incidentally, I'm only 5'6", so take that for what it's worth as well.
Bill
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