Never ridden..
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Never ridden..
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?
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?
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Never ridden..
Take the course and then get what you want if possible. Just remember to take it easy and slow and enjoy the ride. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly. Just remember NO ONE in a car sees you so keep your eyes peeled. I'm sure they'll go through that in the MSF class
RE: Never ridden..
when i bought my first bike i bought a smaller one because i thought it would be easier to handle. i sold it 9 months later for the bike of my dreams. im now on my 4th bike of my dreams....lol...but thats the good thing about dreams, you have a different one every night. buy the fatboy. you will get used to it very quickly. plus you will get the bugs out of you with the msf course. go for it!! just post some pics when you get it....good luck
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Redmond, Washington
RE: Never ridden..
I also had never ridden/driven a motorcycle up until this past year. I practiced on a Honda Rebel250, which, I found, I could sell in a jiffy with hardly any loss. Next got myself a Sporty - 1200C - and rode her until I felt comfortable. And I just picked up mt 06 Softtail Heritage Classic two nights ago, after trading in my Sporty. For me, personally, I had to do the gradual step up-I figured that if I had a mishap - I would rather learn and mishap on a $3,000, then $9,000 motorcycle rather than a $20,000 one. But that was just me. Each one has to move along and progress at their own rate at which they are comfortable at.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood, TN
RE: Never ridden..
I was just in the same boat as you. I thought seriusly about starting out with a smaller bike but everyone I talked to recommend that I go ahead and get what I want now. And with my size (6'3" 275) I'm glad that I did. I don't think I would have enjoyed a smaller bike for very long. In fact I actually purchased my bike a couple weeks before taking the MSF class. I was browsing at the dealer and he had just taken a bike in on trade that was exacxtly what I was looking for.
Just take it easy and go at your own pace. Find a big parking lot and practice, practice, practice. The first time on my Heritage I almost thought I had made a bad decision. But after a couple of days getting use to it, I love it and glad I went for it!
Good Luck!
Just take it easy and go at your own pace. Find a big parking lot and practice, practice, practice. The first time on my Heritage I almost thought I had made a bad decision. But after a couple of days getting use to it, I love it and glad I went for it!
Good Luck!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 15
From: PA
RE: Never ridden..
mikeisglidn Date 9/30/2005 9:14:43 PM
buy a cheap throw away, get some miles then go for it!!
buy a cheap throw away, get some miles then go for it!!
I can relate to this too
If I want it I want it now. Yeah there's always something new to catch my eye.
screamn_eagle Date 9/30/2005 7:23:33 PM
im now on my 4th bike of my dreams....lol...
im now on my 4th bike of my dreams....lol...
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 8
RE: Never ridden..
Well you sure have a wide spectrum of choices here. I guess it depends on how much of a chance you want to take.
Keep in mind, if you pick up a smaller bike to start with, you can sell it and move up gradually. Personally, I think it's wiser to take a smaller gamble than a bigger one in the beginning. Moving up in steps seems less risky. Riding a bike is not like driving a car in a lot of ways. Risks are much higher for personal injury, not mentioning damage to your ride. Riding a bike is one thing, being comfortable enough to make very quick defensive moves is another.
Either way, ride safe and enjoy!
Keep in mind, if you pick up a smaller bike to start with, you can sell it and move up gradually. Personally, I think it's wiser to take a smaller gamble than a bigger one in the beginning. Moving up in steps seems less risky. Riding a bike is not like driving a car in a lot of ways. Risks are much higher for personal injury, not mentioning damage to your ride. Riding a bike is one thing, being comfortable enough to make very quick defensive moves is another.
Either way, ride safe and enjoy!
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Glenwood, N.J.
RE: Never ridden..
I was at the same place you are about a year ago. I wanted to ride for a long time and finally took the MSF riding course, passed and got my license. Several months later I thought about going for a "smaller" Harley to learn on bit didn't want to turn around and sell it to get the one of my dreams. I chose a 05 Softail Deluxe and am so glad I did. This bike was easy to learn on and is a dream to ride. I'll have this bike for a long time (still lots to add) and am glad I didn't go smaller. It took me several rides of increasing length and increasing traffic to get comfortable but it comes and is a blast when it does. Good luck in whatever you choose.
hb
hb
