Researching my first bike!
#11
06-11-2018, 06:44 PM
#12
06-11-2018, 07:10 PM
Tourer
I started on a Honda trail and street when I was 13 years old. Rode the crap out of that little bike for 2 years. When I turned 19 got another trail and street suzuki 175? Took the week long drivers course at USAF base (required to ride on base). Rode that bike 2 years then got a chance to buy a Suzuki 850G. Big step up...Rode that bike for two years until I went to Europe for 18 months. Came home drove it a few more months then sold it in 1983. I was without a bike many years until about 5 years ago, bought a little suzuki 800 CC bike that I rode a few months, then upsized to a Honda 1300, BMW K75, then Harley Road King, then Ultra Limited, and finally 2017 Road Glide special...Some of these I owned simultaneously....So with my riding experience I kind of agree with some of the well seasoned guys in recommending you start with something smaller and easy to handle, take the riders course....ride the bike in all kinds of conditions, get used to it and riding among the fools in cars....Then go get your cruiser.....These Harley M8s I believe are too much bike for a beginner...IMHO.
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NORTY FLATZ (06-13-2018)
#13
06-11-2018, 07:41 PM
I started on a Honda trail and street when I was 13 years old. Rode the crap out of that little bike for 2 years. When I turned 19 got another trail and street suzuki 175? Took the week long drivers course at USAF base (required to ride on base). Rode that bike 2 years then got a chance to buy a Suzuki 850G. Big step up...Rode that bike for two years until I went to Europe for 18 months. Came home drove it a few more months then sold it in 1983. I was without a bike many years until about 5 years ago, bought a little suzuki 800 CC bike that I rode a few months, then upsized to a Honda 1300, BMW K75, then Harley Road King, then Ultra Limited, and finally 2017 Road Glide special...Some of these I owned simultaneously....So with my riding experience I kind of agree with some of the well seasoned guys in recommending you start with something smaller and easy to handle, take the riders course....ride the bike in all kinds of conditions, get used to it and riding among the fools in cars....Then go get your cruiser.....These Harley M8s I believe are too much bike for a beginner...IMHO.
#16
06-11-2018, 08:16 PM
Stellar HDF Member
Many of us here did not start on a cheap Jap bike....we started riding what we wanted to ride and contrary to some belief we all survived. I've said it before and I'll say it again if you wanted to learn on an Electra Glide and it was the only motorcycle built, and you really wanted to learn, you would..if a Cushman was all that there was, you would learn on a Cushman. Take a safety class, learn the basics on their scooters, buy what you want to ride, and start building hours in the seat. They almost all have a clutch, throttle, front and rear brakes. Stop letting people into your head making decisions for you. If this was hard there would be a lot less of us doing it !!! It's your money...spend it wisely !!!!
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FXDXTSport (06-12-2018)
#18
06-11-2018, 09:20 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
#19
06-11-2018, 09:26 PM
Novice
I ignored all the typical advice and bought a used deluxe for my first bike at age 40. Had literally ridden my dads road king a handful of times over the years and just decided I wanted a softail and would take it slow. That was a year ago and I have no regrets. My only advice would be to look hard at the used bike deals out there. I bought a 2013 with 200 miles on it for 12k. The market is so soft that you can get something very close to new for way cheaper and then if you don’t end up liking for any reason your total cost of ownership is low. Just something to consider. But for me I didn’t want a smaller jap bike at all, so it was get my softail or get nothing. Let us know what you decide.
#20
06-11-2018, 09:36 PM
Grand HDF Member
Hello everyone. I’m 45 and starting the process of researching my first bike purchase. The only thing I know so far is that I want a Harley Davidson. I love the look, the sound and I won’t lie, they have the best gear around. So what things do I need to consider? New? Used? I’d like to take a more extended trip someday, but maybe I shouldn’t get a small touring bike right away? Any and all advice, questions would be appreciative.
Good luck.
Last edited by F150HD; 06-11-2018 at 09:48 PM.