I find myself waiting to hear the results of your motorcycle safety course with the same concern and excitement as when my kids and wife took the course. Keep us posted when you take it. I know you mentioned that you've sat on your dad's Ultra and [not surprisingly] it appeared to be a bit much for you. I'd like to hear your thoughts and comparison of the 125/250 cc bikes used for the course. Spoiler alert: we're talking apples & oranges [actually, pumpkins]! Good luck and be well.

 

Brian, I started on a Fatboy. I didn't ride a bike till I was 47 years old. Had never even ridden a dirt bike or the like even when I was a kid. Lost my first wife to cancer, when I got remarried, my wife's sister and her husband rode. Kept coming back from these trips talking about how good a time they had. Told my new bride that maybe we should try that. On our 3rd bike now (2016 CVO RGU) and have 80Kish miles in the last 5 or 6 years.

All that to say, I never really noticed the wind pushing me around on that Fatboy. I knew when I got it that I really wanted to be on a SG eventually but for $$ reasons went with the Fatboy to start with. (traded to SG some 4 months latter).
I will say that I must have really taken to riding pretty easy. Had guys that had been riding all there life ask me when I got my riding skills. (they knew me for years and knew I didn't ride a bike during that time). I guess they thought I must have rode previously. They were astonished as to how well I rode for only having a bike for a few weeks.

I would say that if you feel pretty comfortable on the bikes they use during your class, you will probably take to the Fatboy pretty well. So as Nevada72 said, I don't think it would be worth the cost to go buy a bike to start with. (unless your still not comfortable after the class)

Good Luck and keep us posted. Pics from your ride to Daytona and your class would be awesome....

 

"Respect"

 

Hello Everyone,
I just took a few moments to click on the "thanks" icon for you. We are leaving for Florida in 4 days to head to Daytona. Actually, we will be staying in Port Orange. We are planning to stop for the night in South Carolina on the way down and arrive the next day. Mom has Dad right now so I am solo tonight ( except of course for my wonderful wife and son ). I guess I got caught up in the moment about which bike to ride after class. Anyway, thank you to everyone for the heartfelt replies, Will keep you posted and I plan to post some pics of my Dad soon. Some dating back to when he was in "country" as he described it and forward to the last one I took of him a few hours before he died. There was a reply that simply said "respect". It took my breath away as Dad always had great respect for everyone. Thank you, God bless each and everyone of you, As always. "wishing you all warm sunny days and good rides". Good night.

 

Delay in heading south. One thing about Maryland weather is you never know what it's going to do. We had quite a bit of snow today. Instead of leaving tomorrow, we are leaving Friday and arriving there on Saturday. Still going to be pretty cold until we get to Santee for the night and even they have a wind warning. Friday onward looks ok temp wise. Dad always said winter isn't over until March is over. Once again he was right. It's my turn to have him with me and it seems strange that his earthly remains are in a wooden box. He was 6 ft 4 " tall and I can't get my head around the fact that he is not towering over me anymore. Trying to stay strong but still cry quite a bit. Mom has begun digging out all the pictures of him. In this digital age it seems strange to see a Kodak polaroid picture of him. He was very young in those pictures and I wish they were more clear to see. Anyway, I just needed to type a few words and again let you all know what we are doing. "warm sunny days and good rides"

 

Feel free to bend our ear anytime. As you know, we are all riders and quite a few of us are vets as well.

 

Yeah, that. May not have had the service like your dad did Brian but fact is, many of us here.

 

Saw the Nor'easter on the news. Lots of problems out that way so be careful.

My dad was 6-4 as well. I recall feeling the same way when I got my little tin from my sister. It was an odd sensation. Really pings one's sense of mortality.

 

Good luck on the trip I hope the weather cooperates and that you have a safe journey!

 

Holiday Inn, Santee, South Carolina. Woo-Hoo !! Exciting place ( not ) but feels good to get off the road. We are only about 5 hours from Port Orange?? Not sure if this place has breakfast or not. Didn't think to ask. Good night. In the morning I will be the passenger on the three wheeler with Dad