Making progress!
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 682
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From:
Making progress!
So after dreaming for months about buying and riding a bike I had my first day (of two) of riding lessons and HOLY CRAP IS IT FUN!!! I am a bit worried though because I am learning on a little Honda Rebel (under 300lbs) and I will be looking to buy either a Fat Boy or V-Rod. My concern is that I will have trouble keeping the bike up, especially while coming to stops. I'm also worried about having to turn such a heavy bike but I guess that's what test rides are for. 
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: Central, IN
RE: Making progress!
Don't worry. Just practice at slow speeds in a parking lot. You might want to check out the "ride like a pro" DVD. It covers all types of slow speed driving.
CLICK HERE
Good Luck.
CLICK HERE
Good Luck.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 2
From: Winslow, Arizona
RE: Making progress!
You are already a step ahead of a lot of riders just by taking lessons. Stay out of heavy traffic for a while and practice braking and low speed manuevers and you'll be fine.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,279
Likes: 56
From: Union Bridge, MD
RE: Making progress!
What? Is today wimp day or somepin? Courage is doing something inspite of fear. Take it easy and the parking lot idea is a good one until you get used to it. Like the man said, the bikes are well balanced. You'll be fine. Fortunatly for me when I started riding I didn't have enough common sense to be afraid. The gods were watching out for me! Good Luck.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 245
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From:
RE: Making progress!
Dude,
I wouldn't recommend a Fat Boy as first bike. I ride a 2004 Fatty which I love. Its not hard to turn or keep up at stops but the bike is heavy. You don't want to dump a new heavy bike...let alone any bike at all. Just remember what I was told at the Motorcycle Safety Class..."It might be tomorrow, next week, or next year...at some point you are gonna dump your bike so be ready!"
Maybe you should go with the V-rod. V-rod is a smaller and lighter bike a geared more towards a sportier ride.
Just my opinion...good luck either way be...be safe!
I wouldn't recommend a Fat Boy as first bike. I ride a 2004 Fatty which I love. Its not hard to turn or keep up at stops but the bike is heavy. You don't want to dump a new heavy bike...let alone any bike at all. Just remember what I was told at the Motorcycle Safety Class..."It might be tomorrow, next week, or next year...at some point you are gonna dump your bike so be ready!"
Maybe you should go with the V-rod. V-rod is a smaller and lighter bike a geared more towards a sportier ride.
Just my opinion...good luck either way be...be safe!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 0
From: Johnston County, NC
RE: Making progress!
Just remember... The rear brake on a Harley is NOT for decoration like it is on other bikes. I never had to use the rear break on my other bikes... Use it on the fatboy all the time.
And the fatboy maybe heavy but the balance is awesome.
This may sound a little morbid, but... When I was learning how to ride I lived in Chicago. We had these ginormous cemetaries... We would go riding in there all the time... Low Speeds and plenty of grass to fall on. Just watch out for the 100 year old lady driving the Olds 88.
And the fatboy maybe heavy but the balance is awesome.
This may sound a little morbid, but... When I was learning how to ride I lived in Chicago. We had these ginormous cemetaries... We would go riding in there all the time... Low Speeds and plenty of grass to fall on. Just watch out for the 100 year old lady driving the Olds 88.
RE: Making progress!
Like everyone said they are balanced but heavy, I'm a lightweight and can hold up my sporty or my dads Electra Glide without a problem, buy what you want now to save from upgrading later thats my $.02