Advice for an new guy
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 755
Likes: 189
From: Sartell, Minnesota
My advice? See how well you take to riding at the basic rider course. Some people are naturals, and some aren't. If you do really well at the rider course and things seem easy for you without you being afraid, then that's a good sign that you're going to enjoy riding.
At that point, I think it is stupid to follow the common advice of "get a smaller/cheaper bike to learn on." It is a waste of money and time because when you do eventually get a big bike, you're still going to have to "learn" on it and get used to it. Might as well do that from the start.
Just be smart, practice A LOT, always be on the look out for those that are trying to kill you (that would be all of them), don't ride 2-up until you've had a lot of time in the saddle, and enjoy!
Oh, and one can never overstate the benefit of having ABS...especially for new riders. If you're going to get a big bike, spend the money and get one with ABS.
At that point, I think it is stupid to follow the common advice of "get a smaller/cheaper bike to learn on." It is a waste of money and time because when you do eventually get a big bike, you're still going to have to "learn" on it and get used to it. Might as well do that from the start.
Just be smart, practice A LOT, always be on the look out for those that are trying to kill you (that would be all of them), don't ride 2-up until you've had a lot of time in the saddle, and enjoy!
Oh, and one can never overstate the benefit of having ABS...especially for new riders. If you're going to get a big bike, spend the money and get one with ABS.
Last edited by DanRC; Jul 25, 2014 at 07:57 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,363
Likes: 127
From: Yooper North of da lift bridge
I get what folks are saying, but don't agree with buying a smaller bike and riding for a year or 2. I jumped from the frying pan to the fire, and that was over 30 yrs ago. Heritage is a good starter bike. Do you guys even read?? Guy said he's 5'-11", 220 lbs, so I doubt he's some daisy who's gonna drop a bike every block or so. He can hold it up and maneuver it.
Someone said jump on a dirt bike and learn the clutch. That's great advice. Ride one if one of your buddies has one, and learn to go thru the gears. You pick that up, you'll be fine. Heritage is a very nimble handling bike. Stay close to home, practice in parking lots after hours, and start venturing out as your confidence grows. I've been coast to coast on my Heritage. Folks are right though. Change that passenger pillion out for a bigger one. Bought mine on ebay I think.
Someone said jump on a dirt bike and learn the clutch. That's great advice. Ride one if one of your buddies has one, and learn to go thru the gears. You pick that up, you'll be fine. Heritage is a very nimble handling bike. Stay close to home, practice in parking lots after hours, and start venturing out as your confidence grows. I've been coast to coast on my Heritage. Folks are right though. Change that passenger pillion out for a bigger one. Bought mine on ebay I think.
Good advice ! I took the classes and bought a SG last year ! Take your time and continue to practice ! I went to the parking lot yesterday and found out I needed to hone up on my slow speed maneuvering so keep practicing ! I've got over 5K miles on my bike, not a lot by some folks standards but considering where I live and work not to bad. If I drop it in the parking lot I'm sure some one might say should have bought the 250cc to learn on first !
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 778
Likes: 4
From: Opposite Side of the Planet
Spoke, mags, whatever. They wheels are spinning at a high RPM. The spokes and mags then are almost like a solid solid wheel in that regards. It isn't the wheels, it is the bike and riders profile and the weight of the bike. I have never seen wheels be the reason for a bike being pushed around by wind.
Also, my next door neighbor has a 2000 Heritage with spoke wheels. His bike was just as affected as my Fatboy by the winds. In fact, his windshield made it worse for his bike as I didn't have one.
Last edited by subguy; Jul 25, 2014 at 12:06 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
In European Countries, new riders have to start on 250CC bikes and graduate from that before getting anything bigger. If Harley must be your first bike, I'd get a Sportster to learn on. Remember that whatever you buy you will drop it. So just keep that in mind.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
WHOA! Hold on a minnit...did I hear you right, or was that a typo...14 GRAND for a 10 year old Fatboy?? Plus tax & bullshit dealer fees? That isn't a ripoff; it is ARMED ROBBERY! an '04 Fatboy is, at the MOST, a $7-$8000 bike. Around here you can get a 1 or 2 year old Fatboy for that kinda kablingy!
So here is my first piece of advice, which ain't gonna be about courses,buying a small bike first, etc. Everyone else has that covered. If you don't have a friend who knows about Harleys, FIND ONE & make sure he goes with you when you go shopping. Otherwise, you risk being bent over WITHOUT Vaseline. Your friend should know a bikes value, what to look out for depending on model & year, & he'll make sure you get a good deal.
So here is my first piece of advice, which ain't gonna be about courses,buying a small bike first, etc. Everyone else has that covered. If you don't have a friend who knows about Harleys, FIND ONE & make sure he goes with you when you go shopping. Otherwise, you risk being bent over WITHOUT Vaseline. Your friend should know a bikes value, what to look out for depending on model & year, & he'll make sure you get a good deal.
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