First bike for beginner
Congrats bud, you've got one exciting weekend ahead of you - Def update us and post pics once you get back home with your new Ryd!
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Arlington and Shenandoah Co. Va.
Build confidence with smaller bike first
A lot of sound advice here. I took the safety course when I got back into riding after a long time and then picked up a small metric at a fair price. I outgrew it sooner than I thought, but it built my confidence big time. Confidence is important and it leads to much increased satisfaction and riding pleasure, and riding safety. No one can really enjoy this great experience if they are tense and even a little scared. Now I ride two Harleys and love them.
O yeah, I did have a wreck that put me in the hospital with broken bones when some sob in a work truck ran me off the road. His fault and he never stopped. Damage to my beautiful Sportster was over $3000. My speed was under 25 mph. It doesn't take much to mess up a Harley.
O yeah, I did have a wreck that put me in the hospital with broken bones when some sob in a work truck ran me off the road. His fault and he never stopped. Damage to my beautiful Sportster was over $3000. My speed was under 25 mph. It doesn't take much to mess up a Harley.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
I have to agree with many others. I started out in 2007 on a used 93 Yamaha Virago 535, rode that for two seasons to work on my skills, moved up to a 2009 Yamaha 1100 Silverado, rode that for two seasons to work more on my skills, then this year moved up to a 2012 Ultra Electra Glide. I shudder to think of going straight from getting my endorsement to a HD of any kind. Parts are cheaper on the meterics for those starting out so when you drop it, is cheaper to fix. That is my $.02 worth of advice. Enjoy what ever you buy and buy what fits you.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
If I worked with you i'd tell you to get the Electra Glide Ultra Classic then buy it off you in a year
Test ride before you buy
Buy a used bike cuz no matter what you're gonna want something else within a year or two
Safety course
Test ride before you buy
Buy a used bike cuz no matter what you're gonna want something else within a year or two
Safety course
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
Like others have said, go to a Harley dealer and sit on the bikes. THEN, heft them up off the kickstand. You'll get a feel real quick for how heavy they can get and what you want to stay away from being you're a new rider.
My first bike was a 300 Yamaha offroad/road bike (never took it off road). Then and '69 Triumph Bonneville. THEN the big twin.
My first bike was a 300 Yamaha offroad/road bike (never took it off road). Then and '69 Triumph Bonneville. THEN the big twin.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 102
From: Waukesha, WI
My first bike was an 82 Kawasaki KZ440 LTD. Perfect beginner bike- Had excellent balance, was smooth and had good low end power (it was a twin) and was light enough to move around with ease. As others have mentioned, Harleys are heavy bikes. They also carry their weight differently. A Softail or Dyna (to me) has a "lower" feeling weight, like there's blocks of lead in the transmission. When I pick up an Ultra, it feels like the weight has moved up and back slightly, like under the passengers seat. My Sportster feels like it's all in the rocker covers, higher up in the frame. Make sure you're physically capable of safely and repeatedly picking one up off the stand and moving it around short distances, especially backing up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
I got my MC license in 1967 and been riding ever since.
I learned on a dirt bike in the woods when I was 10.
My first street bike was a 125cc Honda. (all I could afford)
Start small used metric (under 500cc), at least for a season (you will dump it) and move up from there.
Take the riders safety course. JMHO
I learned on a dirt bike in the woods when I was 10.
My first street bike was a 125cc Honda. (all I could afford)
Start small used metric (under 500cc), at least for a season (you will dump it) and move up from there.
Take the riders safety course. JMHO
Print this thread out and tape it up on your refrigerator. Highlight the part that says you will dump it.
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Stage III
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
I'm new to the forum. Its definetly a progression, at least for me. Started off on a Honda CM400 (bobbing it now), put 10K on a sporty roadster and just got the new Softail slim. Its a fatboy lo on a diet. The Slim's feel and weight was much better and sits you low when you throttle it up. the sportster was high up but you could throw it around. You definetly have to sit on all the bikes that interest you, I love the wideglide but cant reach the front controls, the road king and models above are heavy. So try them all out!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 116
From: OKC
If you are a normal sized person, with average strength, you will be fine buying a Harley. Low speed manuevers are the place where a heavy bike may feel awkward, but practice makes perfect.
I'd recommend a used bike, maybe a softail or another bike without a lot of "stuff" on it. Take the MSF course, then take the Riders Edge or MSF Experienced Course as soon as you can, you can use your bike on it. Practice and ride like you practice.
If you go on a group ride, don't ride past your comfort level and don't be ashamed to pull out and go off alone if you don't like the pace. Always watch your 3, 12 & 9 positions, but don't forget your 6, either. Ride defensively.
Most of all, have fun and be careful.
I'd recommend a used bike, maybe a softail or another bike without a lot of "stuff" on it. Take the MSF course, then take the Riders Edge or MSF Experienced Course as soon as you can, you can use your bike on it. Practice and ride like you practice.
If you go on a group ride, don't ride past your comfort level and don't be ashamed to pull out and go off alone if you don't like the pace. Always watch your 3, 12 & 9 positions, but don't forget your 6, either. Ride defensively.
Most of all, have fun and be careful.