Making progress!
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
RE: Making progress!
Hey Dude you are in the same boat I was in. I never ever rode a bike until last year, that includes dirt bikes. I took the MSF training course ( we used 250cc yamahas). Passed the course, went and bought my first bike a 2005 15th Anniverssary Fatboy (95 Cubic Inch). Everyone told me I was crazy. Reality is that bike is easy to ride that the dirt bikes on the MSF course. Of course the fatboy is way heavier, but it is balanced so well and a low center of gravity it compensates for it's weight. What I done was take the bike out on my street in a residential area, get the feel of the bike. Lots of stopping at stop signs and taking off. Go to a empty parking lot get used to the "Limits" of the bike and where you are comfortable with it. Then take it easy on back roads until your comfort level rises. I also would not advise on changing your pipes until you are confortable with your new bike. The main thing is to take it easy for the first month or so & the MSF will teach you what you need to know, and apply the knowledge from the course to your HD and you will be fine.
Regards,
Tracy
Regards,
Tracy
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Pekin, IN
RE: Making progress!
Once you're moving, it doesn't take anymore effort to hold up a FatBoy or Ultra than it does to hold up a schwinn. As for coming to a stop... as long as you put your feet down and don't try to lean the motorcycle over, it's only marginally more effort than holding up a schwinn. Thumbs up to the riding course[sm=smiley20.gif]. Go at this thing with confidence and respect whether its a 300# Honda or an 800# Harley. My 125# wife learned at a ABATE class last year, loved it, learned it and now has her license and can handle her sporty like a pro. She has even expressed an interest in riding my Ultra[
]. You'll do just fine.
Steve[sm=icon_rock.gif]
]. You'll do just fine.Steve[sm=icon_rock.gif]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
Likes: 5
From: Alaska
RE: Making progress!
balanced so well and a low center of gravity
But any bike will get away from you if you let it. You need to have a clear understanding of who is riding who.
Stop with the front wheel straight. Take off with the front wheel straight. Don't even try to put your foot out for balance unless stopped. You could catch it and get bound up.
Yes, you will probably lay it on its side. Get an engine guard to minimize the damage and make it easier to pick back up.
I know everyone is telling you to practice the slow manuvers and muck around in a parking lot before going into traffic. What works for me on a new bike is to get it on a secondary light traffic highway and get comfortable with the controls and handling before I do the slow stuff. But that is just what works for me and is probably not for everyone.
Just my opinion of course and worth every cent you paid for it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA, Madison GA
RE: Making progress!
300Lbs or 700Lbs, neither one is something I want to be moving around. If you are sold on a Harley, they are all heavy, but like mentioned they handle well, and there is training for picking them up should they fall. Don't fall for the "buy a small one" then when you get up to speed buy what you really want. Get what you want to start with.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
RE: Making progress!
Remember... No front brake at slow speeds and especially with the wheel turned. You will go down fast and probably wont be able to hold it up.
I went from the MSF to my deluxe and have had no problems.
Ride like a pro is a great DVD.
Good luck!
I went from the MSF to my deluxe and have had no problems.
Ride like a pro is a great DVD.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Making progress!
Thanks guys. I had my second class today and dumped the bike only one time (in both days) while doing a U-turn. Once they showed us how to U-turn using the rear breaking instead of counterbalancing it got a lot easier. I test next Weds for my license and ordered the Ride like a Pro dvd last Sunday so I'm hoping it'll get here soon. We did practice runs for the state test and I had a harder time doing 90 degree turns than anything else, I just have to learn to keep my head up. [:'(]
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 4
From: Central Jersey
RE: Making progress!
hell...I took the MSF on a little suzuki 125...day after I completed, I went to the Honda dealer and bought a shadow ace. It had to weigh close to 600 pounds and was really different than those rediculous things you ride at MSF. So I was pretty scared when I had to drive out of the dealer right onto the highway (first time out on a main road). For anyone in NJ, if you're familar with Rt. 1 near Woodbridge center, you'll know what I'm talking about. Talk about a trial by fire. I will say this...when I got home, I wasn't worried about riding a big bike anymore!
Todd
Todd
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,981
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA (live in Manteca, CA)
RE: Making progress!
You'll Be fine I came from a 250 dirt bike straight to my SG and I haven't had any major problem the first week was different after that you will be throwing that bike around like it was a mongoose bicycle.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 0
From: Johnston County, NC
RE: Making progress!
ORIGINAL: lil_gmac2
You'll Be fine I came from a 250 dirt bike straight to my SG and I haven't had any major problem the first week was different after that you will be throwing that bike around like it was a mongoose bicycle.
You'll Be fine I came from a 250 dirt bike straight to my SG and I haven't had any major problem the first week was different after that you will be throwing that bike around like it was a mongoose bicycle.
Just teasing... I am the same age.
Don't worry about bike weight. My first bike was a Katana 600 and the numbers there describe both the displacement and the weight. Difference there was that the weight was all on the top. I remember taking my driving test with that thing... Had to detune all 4 carbs so I could get it to go slow enough. And I dropped it while practicing the test... oops. =)
Motorcycle Drops/Crashes are a lot like airplane crashes to me... Anyone that you can walk away from is okay. Dropping a bike is more embarassing than anything... And most people have been there so it is not that big of a deal. (of course I am talking about dropping while at low or no speed).
Whatever bike you get... Just be safe and have fun. I still grin from ear to ear everytime I get on my bike.
Wear good gear, watch out for cagers (and other riders sometimes), and try to be smart about riding in adverse weather. Fear/Respect of the bike is not a bad thing.
Supporter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 11
From: Ozark, AL
RE: Making progress!
Harleys are intimidating at first because of their size and bulk but they handle beautifully. Don't worry about it. Get used to the controls and practice braking. You are stopping alot more weight than that 250 and there are some "physics" involved. One BIG mistake new Harley drivers make is overapplying the back brake and locking the wheel. Learn to use the brakes together. That video should help. As soon as you quit honking your horn when you wanted to use you turn signals, take to the road and just enjoy. my .02 cents.[&:]