The MSF class I took was interesting (a non-Harley one). The guy in the class that got the highest marks on everything is a guy that part of me really hopes didn't get a motorcycle. He basically seemed nervous all the time, and rode very slowly and hesitantly, but he stayed in the lines so he did well. Nervous drivers and riders just make me, well, nervous.

That said, though, the class was invaluable to me and I recommend taking it before buying a motorcycle. As others have said, it gives you a feel for it. Something else I did that may be a bit of a ***** move, but I'll throw it out there, is getting the motorcycle delivered to you. I just practiced with it in a parking lot nearby getting a feel for the extra weight above what the MSF motorcycles had, and practicing turns and braking. Then I hit the roads and just started slow getting used to nearby local roads, then highways, then long day trips, and ultimately roadtrips.

As for which motorcycle to get, I started with a Sportster and to some extent wish I had started with a Softail. It's a catch 22. The Sportster was more fun on twisty local roads, but less fun on road trips, so I would just say buy what suits the needs you think you'll have.

 

Take the course buy and the bike you want providing you feel confident about being able to handle it. Don't be put off by size a tourer is as easy, if not easier to ride than a sporty as it is planted to the road, has good suspension and stock has relatively more manageable acceleration. The biggest issue you can have is being scared of the weight, getting nervous and you get a low speed drop. I agree with the poster who said try other makes of bikes before you buy there are so many different riding experiences on offer a Harley may not even be the best one for you at the moment. Good luck and ride safe.

 

I never took a course... got on my first bike... took off and never looked back...

Easiest thing I've ever done... and 45 years later I'm still here... and never a scratch...

Charlie D.

 

I don't work at a dealership, so I have no interest in WHAT you ride....
You have to be honest with yourself.... take the class, get a feel for whether you THINK you want to ride, or THAT you can ride.

When you buy that first bike.... are YOU going to repair the bike? or will you be paying to have the bike fixed?

Generally... if you are just going to ride to the bar, and stand around all day.... it doesn't matter WHAT you buy.... just that it "looks good parked there"

When asked, I recommend new riders get a nice used metric bike. and then see how they like riding, without breaking the bank. A new rider will soon discover what sort of rider they are.
1) in-town bar hopper
2) all day tourer
3) weekend warrior
4) once a month , but only if the weather forecast is "right" cruiser
5) serious canyon carver

And any OTHER concept there may be... NOT that there's anything wrong with any of the above.... it's your toy, play with it as you will. It's just that there are many different bikes, which are designed for different useage. Find out what YOU like, then get the bike that does that task.

 

Here is what I did. I started out with a metric, a Yamaha Vstar 1100 and rode it for about 11,000 miles before I purchased my Harley.

I think it was the best way to go because I gave myself a chance to learn most of the basics, (although I'm still learning every time i ride), before making a big investment on a Harley.

My first Harley is an Electra Glide, what a change from the Vstar.

If you can, I recommend you do the same, it gives you a chance to learn, learn, learn and hone down your riding skills. If you can take an MSF basic course, go ahead; they are well worth the money.

just my .02 cents.

 

Take the msf course and get your license. Buy a used bike of a size you're comfortable with. Get yourself some experience and decide if riding is for you. Used bikes hold their value so you should be able to get most if not all your money back when you sell.

Wife and I both went with brand new big Softails as our first bikes. It's worked out for us but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone else. It was a foolish move which at best could've cost us alot of money and at worst could've gotten us killed or maimed.


______________________
2008 Heritage Classic: His
2008 Deluxe: Hers

 

This was my experience too. But you've got to remember that the prime time for learning new motor skills is when we are very young. I took my first turn on ski slopes in my late 40s and was embarrassed by how small kids could ski circles around me. My parents got me enrolled in violin lessons at age 9 and within a reasonable time I was proficient. In contrast my wife gave me a bango for my 40th birthday and I never could get my fingers to do what needed to be done. While Gizzygone is a long way from being over the hill, he's also past his prime learning time. Starting cautiously with a good safety course on a modest bike just makes sense.

 

Alright, I guess I'm not down with the lingo yet... What exactly constitutes a metric bike??

A motorcycle safety course would definitely be in the works for me. I assume they teach you evasive maneuvers and such, which around here are a must. With sand, potholes, and ignorant car drivers, I couldn't imagine taking to the streets without a good safety course. Anything I should look for in a course???


A few times last year I drove my friend's shadow around my work's parking lot after the shop closed for the day. I will say, at lower speeds, I felt pretty comfortable on it. I never took to the open roads with it, since I didn't have a permit, or a helmet that fit. My only problem with the thing was my hand-coordination with the clutch was pretty horrible. My buddy adjusted something though (I think he tightened the throttle up or something) making it much easier for me. But I'm sure it's something you get with time (like a manual transmission car)


As for how much will I be riding? I guess I'd be classified as a weekend warrior at first. Likely driving the back-roads of Rhode Island getting a feel for the bike, and enjoying the scenery. I'm not sure I'd have the confidence/***** to hit up any highways right away. However, at 60mpg, I'm sure the commute to work would be much nicer than the 11mpg pickup truck...


Just a few questions upfront: How common is it to drop a bike? One of my bosses was a former motorcycle mechanic - turned construction equipment mechanic. He made it seem like dropping a bike was fairly common at first. In fact, his son (30-something year old) told me a few stories about him hitting a patch of sand on a highway onramp and yardsale-ing across the highway. He had the scars to back it up.

How dangerous is riding? Those stories above, along with several others really get me nervous(I am finishing up pharmacy school, and along the way I spent some time working at a hospital, where I met doctors this past fall talking me out of buying a bike due to accidents they have witnessed). Scarier even, my Father's brother was killed instantly in a motorcycle accident before I was born. My grandmother swears she'd disown me if I ever bought a motorcycle, but apparently there is more to my uncle's accident than she knows...

Around here, potholes are everywhere. Would hitting one of those send you flying off???

What happens if you're in the middle of nowhere and you get hit by a flash-rainstorm? Are you stuck because of the wet weather, or can you ride home safely (I would imagine a rain would wash any oil up from the road making it even more dangerous)?



While you guys are answering these questions, I'm going to go and find out the difference between a Dyna model and a Softtail model.... I saw a night-train this weekend, and fell in love...

 

as bike is concerned, i would say for your age go for the Night Rod Special

 

First of all, I concur that you MUST take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation new rider's course. It's probably wise to buy your first bike used. Someone else has taken the depreciation and if you don't like riding after all (it happens), you're not out so much cash. There's a huge difference between cruisers (Harleys and their metric counterparts) and sport bikes. That's the most important choice you'll have to make.

And, finally, when it's time to buy new, the best advice I ever got was to buy the bike that looks most gorgeous to you.