Jeeezzzzzz!!! Bust the guy's chops because he asked some questions. Everyone is a newbie at some point. Maybe he doesn't know how to do a search or doesn't know enough about the engine to even know what to type in Google or Yahoo. It's not a typical troll way of asking the question, so I'm betting the guy is legit.

So ... welcome to the forum. As you'll see there are more folks willing to help than there are those who will bust you chops for even asking. So don't be afraid to post ... just don't get upset when someone jumps down your throat.

As for the questions ... probably easiest place to start is with the online motorcycle sites and magazines. Here's a couple links for you ...

Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine ... includes online articles and reviews. Publishes on all brands and models, so long as they are related to cruisers. Since you're intersted in the Dyna line then this is a good spot to start.

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com

American Iron Magazine. One of about a dozen decent magazines focused on the Harley-Davidson. Lots of technical articles as well as how-to stuff along with the usual bike reviews.

http://www.aimag.com

Roadbike Magazine (owned by the same company that owns American Iron). This is a good magazine for all brands as well. I had an article published by them several months back. Good folks to work for, and they have a less technical approach (more reviews) than AIM.

http://roadbikemag.com

American Rider Magazine is another good source for Harley related articles. Fewer pages than AIM and not nearly as technical. They have more articles on rides and destinations, so if you plan any trips this is a good source.

http://www.americanrider.com/

Speaking of travelling ... if you do plan to do any touring then look for Road Runner Magazine at your local bookstore or online. It's a large format, slick publication (higher quality pics, etc.) and it caters to touring on bikes. Lots of articles about touring and travel, as you'd expect, with basic articles on maintenence, upkeep, etc., that help the rider.

http://www.roadrunner.travel/

Brain Bucket Magazine is another decent source. At one point he was a forum sponsor, but I haven't noticed him around lately. Anyway, he has articles on tech, industry news, and lots of stuff of general interest (including pin-ups) for the average biker.

http://www.brainbucketmag.com

 

Try these two links below:

Motorcycle Model information, features, specifications:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/2010models.htm

The Dyna section of this forum:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-.../?daysprune=-1




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Thanks for the support and info, it will take a while but I'll figure it out. I have done a lot of searches on HD's in general its just going to tale a while to go through them. I have rode Jap Bikes when I was growing up but never a Harley. I did ride on the back of one that was chopped out and when I got off my skin was itching all over from the vibration. I know the new bikes are not like that.

How do you go about getting a Drivers license for a motorcycle ? Is it like a car where you take a test and then a driving test ? and I will probably need that before any dealer will let me sest drive anything ?????

Thanks, Guy's

 

I am not sure about how Ms handles the Drivers License...but essentialy...Yes, that is how it's done. And Yes you will need that before you can rent one, and I'm sure the same is true for a test ride. Keep in mind, it has been over 30 years since I took my test, and I'm sure they have changed one or two regulations since then. But for the driving skills test, you ride un-licensed to the test center, a buddy in a car (or truck) in good repair for the testing Officer to ride in. They will follow you...and use horn honks or headlight flashes to tell you which direction to turn. If I am understanding what I have read on the Forum, some states will substitute the skills test, for completion of a qualified rider's safety course.

 

Hey Dannell --- I'm 53 & just started riding about 5 yrs ago. In PA, I went to PennDot, got a permit, and then took my safety course. The last day of the course was the driving test for a license. THEN, I got my 1st bike. In PA, you can ride a bike with only a permit, but have to wear a helmet, and can't have a passenger. I started out with a Yamaha. Small one, like an 883 Sportster. Outgrew it in about 6 weeks, as I got more confident. Knowing what I know now, I'd have started with something like a FatBoy or Heritage Softtail. Others might disagree, but I'm not crazy about having a bike with the "bicycle tire" in front --- I like the big touring-type tire. It's all personal preference. You might have to go buy an old Yamaha or Honda (some $1000 throw-away bike), get some experience before a dealer will let you test ride a new one --- I don't know. With no experience? --- who knows. My nephew had a big ole Yamaha Roadstar & I rode it the day before my safety course. Too big & intimidating for me. His buddy had a FatBoy. Much more manageable. Was actually kind of fun. I was just scared of the weight of that big one, for my 1st bike. As I said, knowing what I know now, I could've skipped the 1st Yamaha & gone right to the FatBoy-sized bike. Once I started riding, I knew I'd like it, and would ride alot. That's why I outgrew the small one. Hope it helps.

 

Hopefully your the type person that can read between the lines when it comes to some of the rants you will read on these forums.A Harley, like any other motor driven machine is only as good as the person performing it's maintainance and how that person treats their machine.Any well maintained machine will work just fine,for a very long time.All my Harleys over the years have been a pure joy to own.Good Luck

 

If I did it all over again I would rent one from each family and then decide and there alot of very clean used bikes out there good luck

 

here ya go ... a lot of info about Harley twin cam motor & other stuff... best would be to rent one or look for a demo day and ride all without the sales pitch ...

http://www.aimag.com/forums/archive/f-7.html

good luck..