2012 harley crash!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 470
Likes: 2
I rode a Yamaha V Star 1100 for about 3 years and a little Honda Rebel before that before I got my RKC, so I thought I was pretty comfortable on a motorcycle. Hopped on the RKC and instantly felt like a noob. Luckily I have good clutch/throttle control and I was able to make it home in one piece.
I was so used to my V Star that the difference between that and the RKC was so huge that I felt like I was learning how to ride again. So I understand that a number of people crash while heading out of the dealer cause getting used to a new ride will put you into instant noob status unless you realize this and take it easy.
I was so used to my V Star that the difference between that and the RKC was so huge that I felt like I was learning how to ride again. So I understand that a number of people crash while heading out of the dealer cause getting used to a new ride will put you into instant noob status unless you realize this and take it easy.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Culpeper, VA
I've been riding a 99 1200C since Sept of 98 until I got my 09 SG last November. The change between the Sportster to the SG was huge change for me. 300lbs of more bike with the SG was a big change but the lower CG helps. I'm not too proud to say I'm still learning. One thing that still baffles me is when I see these small little women riding RG, RK or SG or any big bagger. Not that I'm bashing on women riding baggers but my wife is only 5'4" 120ish pounds and when she tries to stand up my SG she even says the same thing "How do they do it" and she's been riding for over 20 years.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Queensland Australia
Yeah been riding since my teens on all makes and models been exlusively Harleys for the last 6 years and I was very tentative when I picked up my first new tourer a New 2012 SG today!
Those footboards had me freaking out evey time I had to put my feet down to stop at lights.
I think I am finally getting more comfortable with it, but Whoa!!! way different from a streetbob!
But so damn comfy!!!
Every bike is different and really we should approach all of them with a certain amount of respect!! otherwise you are gunna hurt!!
And its only a matter of time!!!
Those footboards had me freaking out evey time I had to put my feet down to stop at lights.
I think I am finally getting more comfortable with it, but Whoa!!! way different from a streetbob!
But so damn comfy!!!
Every bike is different and really we should approach all of them with a certain amount of respect!! otherwise you are gunna hurt!!
And its only a matter of time!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
I do hope any rider noob or otherwise is OK after a crash, a good many do not make it. I bought the King after not riding for over twenty years, remembered the day I rode my first street bike and it felt close to the same at this time but caught back on to the feel and control in no time. Never can tell when your turn to drop/crash one will come up, it isn't IF you drop/crash it but when.
That friend/co-worker of mine that went down last month is recovering well, will be sitting it out for awhile as his shattered collar bone, cracked ribs and road rash knit, bike is savagable and at a repair shop getting evaluated for now.
That friend/co-worker of mine that went down last month is recovering well, will be sitting it out for awhile as his shattered collar bone, cracked ribs and road rash knit, bike is savagable and at a repair shop getting evaluated for now.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 77
From: Orlando, FL
I took the MSF course before buying my first bike. Best $$ I have spent. Even started with a Yamaha Vstar 650....and still I was scared shitless on the way from the dealer to my house..wife following me in the car. It is about putting your pride aside and taking it easy at first. I practiced around the sub before I went again to the public roads, and still that first time out, with heavy traffic, got me a little uneasy...
And every bike has its issues...even after riding for ten years, when I bought my Honda CBR600RR, the day I rode that bike home fromthe dealer...first time I applied those brakes, I almost flew over the bike. I was so used to the inferior brakes on my Yamaha ( a Roadstar by then)...
And now I am learning again with the RGC... It takes time to get use to this one, I can't tell you how many ohshit! Moments I have had when parking the bike...but I am getting there.
But my brother, someone we taught would be dead by age 16, because he is nuts!! He had never riden a motorcycle, and out of the blue goes out and buys a Suzuki M109! At least he asked me to go with him and I rode the thing from the dealer to his house. I begged him to take a riding course before using the bike...no dice. Lucky bastard has been riding for 5 years now without an incident. Go figure that out!
And every bike has its issues...even after riding for ten years, when I bought my Honda CBR600RR, the day I rode that bike home fromthe dealer...first time I applied those brakes, I almost flew over the bike. I was so used to the inferior brakes on my Yamaha ( a Roadstar by then)...
And now I am learning again with the RGC... It takes time to get use to this one, I can't tell you how many ohshit! Moments I have had when parking the bike...but I am getting there.
But my brother, someone we taught would be dead by age 16, because he is nuts!! He had never riden a motorcycle, and out of the blue goes out and buys a Suzuki M109! At least he asked me to go with him and I rode the thing from the dealer to his house. I begged him to take a riding course before using the bike...no dice. Lucky bastard has been riding for 5 years now without an incident. Go figure that out!
Last edited by wachuko; Aug 11, 2012 at 06:36 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Graham, NC
My first Harley was a '02 Fatboy. Was the most expensive bike I'd ever bought at that time and it'd been 10 years since I'd ridden last and then it was a crotch rocket. I was so paranoid about messing the bike up, I hauled it home and rode around a school parking lot until I was used to it. All bikes are different, common sense tells you to take things slow until you get a feel for how the bike is setup.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
Awww! Come On Now!
Novice
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Florida Pan Handle
That sucks for the guy, hope he is alright,
Maybe people think riding a motorcylce is like riding a pedal bike, they both have two wheels!!
Its people who make the news like this that make cagers all think bike riders are idiots.
Kirt
Maybe people think riding a motorcylce is like riding a pedal bike, they both have two wheels!!
Its people who make the news like this that make cagers all think bike riders are idiots.
Kirt
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 114
From: Jackson, Ohio
I know dealerships are running a business but you would think that they would check and see if potential buyers had a MC license and have completed a motorcycle riders safety course before they would let the buyer ride off the lot. IMHO seeing a bike go down in the dealership lot doesn't look good for the dealership.
Last edited by scj; Aug 11, 2012 at 07:22 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: NOVA
Not to proud to learn more
Yea man, been riding all my life and am an old guy. Just sold my 2 big non HD bikes which I have been riding for over 5 years every weekend to buy my 2012 SG which I got yesterday. I rode a 69 xlch in HS, bought a 91 fxstc in 91 and a 2000 FB new and rode that for 5 years. BUT the SG is a change! Am a confidant rider but its a big change since my last 2 bikes only weighed 650 lbs. On SG everything is different. Oh I can ride it ok. BUT thats the thing, just OK! Riding in Northern VA traffic is a BIG challenge and feel a rider needs to have COMPLETE control of their bike just to survive here. I will keep riding straight out to the country and take things super easy until I feel I have complete command and control of the new to me SG. And yes even though I have ridden and owned bikes all my life am going to sign up for a HD rider course ASAP and get it done. I feel riding is a constant learning process.
Signed - Not 2 proud to learn more!
Just my old man 2 cents worth.
Have fun and ride safe.
Signed - Not 2 proud to learn more!
Just my old man 2 cents worth.
Have fun and ride safe.