Help picking first bike
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Stage III
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: canada
Thank you for all the replies, I will definitely be taking the course and even after that is driving around the block or in a parking lot till I get the hang of stuff.:: don't want to be THAT guy that drops his Harley the first day lol that would suck or worse hurt my self
im leaning towards a dyna..... Would you guys say the softail is a similar ride?
again thanks for all the replies i appreciate the help
im leaning towards a dyna..... Would you guys say the softail is a similar ride?
again thanks for all the replies i appreciate the help
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 174
Likes: 9
From: Norman, OK
I live for now, not for tomorrow. Always wanted a bike I could take all over the place, and the Road King fit that bill. I was not going to waste money on something that I was just going to sell in a few months.
With that being said, get what you want, but don't think you are going to be cruising the streets in a few days. I took a few hours out of my day everyday riding around the neighborhood/ parking lot, practicing different situations, slalom, u-turns, figure 8's etc. Do this for a month or better until you feel comfortable. Not going to act like I didn't drop it cuz I did a few times, more attributed to the weight than lack of skill. Only buy a smaller bike if you can afford it, but just get the one you really want if budget doesn't allow it.
Far as advice you have to ask what you are buying a bike for. If you are only buying it for commute to work/school and the occassional ride I'd go with a Sporty or Dyna. If like me, you plan on taking trips far away from home, might look at a touring bike. The Road King was perfect for me, no radio or fairing, just pure motorcycle at its best.
With that being said, get what you want, but don't think you are going to be cruising the streets in a few days. I took a few hours out of my day everyday riding around the neighborhood/ parking lot, practicing different situations, slalom, u-turns, figure 8's etc. Do this for a month or better until you feel comfortable. Not going to act like I didn't drop it cuz I did a few times, more attributed to the weight than lack of skill. Only buy a smaller bike if you can afford it, but just get the one you really want if budget doesn't allow it.
Far as advice you have to ask what you are buying a bike for. If you are only buying it for commute to work/school and the occassional ride I'd go with a Sporty or Dyna. If like me, you plan on taking trips far away from home, might look at a touring bike. The Road King was perfect for me, no radio or fairing, just pure motorcycle at its best.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
No one ever listens. I have recommended the exact same thing to friends, family, and here. Not one single person listened. Like you, I have a list of people who have been injured, some badly, by riding a bike well over their skill level. Even my sister, who really should know better has a Heritage sitting in her garage that she is afraid to ride. She's owned it 6 months and I think it has 15 miles (and one low speed drop) on it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 368
From: Panama City Beach, FL
OP - how tall are you, what is your height and how fit/strong are you? The answers to these really do make a difference in choosing your first bike, IMO. I am closing in on 50 and my first bike was an 883, back when I was 21. I am 6'2" and never felt comfortable on it, because it was too small for me. I sold it and bought a Honda 750 cruiser which was better for my height. After that Honda, I had two softails and am now on my second Street Glide.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 73
Likes: 5
From: huntsville ON
If you start with a big bike like a dyna you will never learn how to ride , lots of people do it but they are the ones with the flat spot in the centre of there rear tire or on forums asking about counter steer, which can not be explained you have to feel it when you ride. I didn t know it had a name I just did because of the bike I started on it was the right size for me.
Thank you for all the replies, I will definitely be taking the course and even after that is driving around the block or in a parking lot till I get the hang of stuff.:: don't want to be THAT guy that drops his Harley the first day lol that would suck or worse hurt my self
im leaning towards a dyna..... Would you guys say the softail is a similar ride?
again thanks for all the replies i appreciate the help
im leaning towards a dyna..... Would you guys say the softail is a similar ride?
again thanks for all the replies i appreciate the help
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 849
Likes: 130
From: Inside of a house
There's two other posts on this forum right now from people who never learned how to ride correctly and just started out on the harleys ones called counter steering and the other is called embarrassed rider, spend the $2500 on a used 250 or 300 and actually learn how to controls the bike at slow speeds or have fun paying way more money latter in repairs
