Is a Softail Custom too much
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Is a Softail Custom too much
My plan is to go and buy my first harley tomorrow, going to be a softail custom tomorrow after much deliberation and going back and forth between the Custom, a Dyna WG and a fatboy.
But I have some questions regarding the bike.
I have not ridden in about 25 years and then it was a small bike, 125cc. I do not plan to get on the road much immediately. My plan is to ride it around my 4 acre property and around the neighborhood and maybe go down to the parking lot of the high school down the street to get comfortable. I will take the riders edge course in a few weeks. So, I have some time and means to get acclimated before getting on the road and will not get on the road until I absolutely feel comfortable riding and then I will be very careful and mindful of other vehicles on the road.
I see differing opinions as to whether or not a big bike like the custom is appropriate for a first bike after all of this time without riding -- the thread about a fatboy being appropriate is evidence of that.
But I am wondering, with my plan for getting acclimated, is a custom appropriate in these circumstances or should I consider something smaller, and I am not really interested in the sportsters, I do not like the upright, high center of gravity they have.
Also, a point to consider is that if I buy, at some point, I think I might lower the bike, would lowering it now, off the bat and taking the center of gravity lower ease me into it more -- I like the lower look of the backend because it looks more like a chopper. Would tha help me starting out and is it a comfortable riding position?
Thanks,
jimd4au
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RE: Is a Softail Custom too much
I just bought my custom last weekend after not riding for close to 15 years. I spent may years racing when i was younger and rode alot until i got married...lol. I was very nervous with my new very expensive bike, when i left the dealer i went around the corner and drove in an industrial park to get the feel back. It is just like riding a bike...lol but i feel much better riding after a week of riding, still taking it easy though. So to answer your question i dont think it its to much of a bike, but that depends on the individual. it is a sweet bike though, what color are you looking at?
Rich
Rich
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Western, MA.
RE: Is a Softail Custom too much
I hadn't rode any motorcycle in almost 15 years. While on vacation the wife & I rented a Harley Davidson Softail and within 5 miles I was right back where I left off.
Don't worry about it man. Ridin a bike is "just like ridin a bike"
Lookin forward to seein some pic's of your new bike.
Don't worry about it man. Ridin a bike is "just like ridin a bike"
Lookin forward to seein some pic's of your new bike.
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RE: Is a Softail Custom too much
I am looking at buying vivid black -- I want something I can have a custom paint job done on later and feel like with my tastes and what I see on the road that is the best color for me to customize.
Hey, do you have aftermarket pipes? If so, what type, what did it take to do them, dyno, fuel management and such? If not, how do the stock pipes feel after breakin?
Thanks,
jimd4au
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RE: Is a Softail Custom too much
Don't worry about it. I got a deuce after taking the riders edge course after not riding for 20 years and it was not a problem. 12 months and 2,500 miles later, noproblems, great fun.
I might be concerned about your 4 acres though. Is it grass? Grass can be mightyslippery with streettires. Loose dirt or stones? Could also be a problem.
I might be concerned about your 4 acres though. Is it grass? Grass can be mightyslippery with streettires. Loose dirt or stones? Could also be a problem.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Rochester, NY
RE: Is a Softail Custom too much
My experience was kind of mixed before I got my Custom. I hadn't really ridden a big bike over 700cc in over 30 years of riding. Well there was that once when a really good friend, and nut,let me 'borrow' his 80inch FXB Shovelheadfor about 60 miles about 5 years ago. So you can understand that I was a little intimidated jumping onsomething as big and heavy as a Softail Custom.
But I found that like tkdblackbelt said it comes back fast. And the Custom seems to be a veryforgiving and almost docile bike considering its size and weight, as long as you don't twist that right grip too hard.
Let loose its not the big fat slob the rice burners would have you believe, this sucker can get up and go quite well. Especially when you consider that with a big rideron board its nearly half a ton of bike.
Personally, considering your current state of training, I wouldn't lower it right away. Leaveing it alonemay keep the center of gravity higher, but its not that high on Softails to begin with and it will give you a bit more ground clearence.Never know when that inch or so of clearence and extra bit of lean angle could come in handy till you geta bit morecomfortable on it.
But I found that like tkdblackbelt said it comes back fast. And the Custom seems to be a veryforgiving and almost docile bike considering its size and weight, as long as you don't twist that right grip too hard.
Let loose its not the big fat slob the rice burners would have you believe, this sucker can get up and go quite well. Especially when you consider that with a big rideron board its nearly half a ton of bike.
Personally, considering your current state of training, I wouldn't lower it right away. Leaveing it alonemay keep the center of gravity higher, but its not that high on Softails to begin with and it will give you a bit more ground clearence.Never know when that inch or so of clearence and extra bit of lean angle could come in handy till you geta bit morecomfortable on it.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: ST. Louis
RE: Is a Softail Custom too much
I agree stay off the grass and stay on some pavement of some sort.
I rode all sizes of bikes (50cc to 1,000cc) from the age of 8 to 30 then quit and got back in again at 52.
Just take it easy and keep your eyes open.
......and don't make any slow, sharp turns. You'll get unbalanced.
Definately take the safty course, I though I knew how to ride until I took it.
My wife was concerned because I was kinda wild in my younger days (with speed) but I told her I want a cruise, not a hotrod.
Just take it easy and cruise.
I rode all sizes of bikes (50cc to 1,000cc) from the age of 8 to 30 then quit and got back in again at 52.
Just take it easy and keep your eyes open.
......and don't make any slow, sharp turns. You'll get unbalanced.
Definately take the safty course, I though I knew how to ride until I took it.
My wife was concerned because I was kinda wild in my younger days (with speed) but I told her I want a cruise, not a hotrod.
Just take it easy and cruise.
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RE: Is a Softail Custom too much
I understand about the 4 acres, grass and and sand and such, in fact seems like my brother who is a little older and rode bikes more than me in his early years mentioned that. I will stick to the roads in the neighborhood and the parking lot at the school down the street.
Thanks for the info.
jimd4au
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