Handling a Softail
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Pikeville, Kentucky
I've never sat on one. This would be my first bike. I know some say get a small metric, but I "REALLY" want a Harley, not for a fashion statment either, I like em. I also know their a powerful bike, but I think I've got enough sense to get on one and not act stupid. Plus I'd probably, till I got use to it stick to ridin it up and down the holler here. Oh Yeah!! I was talkin about 84-85 Softail's. Why? I just like older bike better, they seem to have more character. LOL!
Last edited by highwayman; Dec 11, 2008 at 04:52 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,364
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From: East TN
i'm 5'7" 160 ride a night train no problem. you should be good. foward controls may take some getting used to. if your riding up and down the hollar you must be close to me here in east tennessee.
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jim
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From: Peterborough, Canada
I've never sat on one. This would be my first bike. I know some say get a small metric, but I "REALLY" want a Harley, not for a fashion statment either, I like em. I also know their a powerful bike, but I think I've got enough sense to get on one and not act stupid. Plus I'd probably, till I got use to it stick to ridin it up and down the holler here. Oh Yeah!! I was talkin about 84-85 Softail's. Why? I just like older bike better, they seem to have more character. LOL!
My FatBoy was, and is my first bike, all 670 pounds of it, I took it real slow at first, just around the block the first day, getting used to turning was the first hurdle. The next day I took it around the hood a few times, and got to know it a little better. Next day was around town, and before I knew it, I was cruseing in and out of town and starting to become one with the bike.
Becomeing "one" with your bike is what take's time, and it what you need to strive for, the bike needs to be an extention of "you" all the controls and handeling charectoristic's need to be an extention of your body, and need come naturally, then you can truly enjoy the rideing experience.
IF at all possible, you should take a rideing course, BEFORE you get your bike, you will not regret it, and it may save you and your bike!
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She's 5'8 and 125 lbs..
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From: Rochester, NY
There's nothing wrong with wanting an older Harley. Hell that's the same bike I fell in love with many years ago and if they weren't as popular as they are the prices of used Harley's would drop through the floor overnight.
But if this is your first bike I HAVE to agree with Silver Ghost. Take the "Riders Edge" or "Motorcycle Safety" course at a local dealer or school BEFORE you start running up and down the 'holler' on a 700+ lb. Harley.
They'll give you a smaller and lighter bike to start out on and teach you the right way to ride it.
Anyone with more than half a brain will tell you that its a lot easier to consentrate on learning the fundamentals on a smaller, lighter, and less expensive bike that your not constantly thinking about falling over on.
They usually use one of the smaller metric street bikes in the 250/350cc class that nearly anyone over 15 can deal with. Something like a 250 Honda Rebel is going to be a lot easier to deal with at first if for no other reason than its going to weigh about half what your Custom will. As well as be able to run rings around it all day long doing low speed manuvers.
You can say what you will about them but IMHO the smaller metrics (under 500cc) are really excellent bikes for training novice riders on.
Once you complete that you should be good to go. Your not going to be a great rider overnight, that's going to take a few years of experience and a bunch of practice. But you'll be well on your way and if your smart and pay attention to what they teach you. You'll be far less likely to make the kind of dumb rookie mistake that gets a lot of new riders into hospital emergency rooms and trashes perfectly good bikes.
BTW Silver Ghost, unless your bike has been on a serious diet its probably 50 or 60lbs heavier than you think with gas in the tank.
But if this is your first bike I HAVE to agree with Silver Ghost. Take the "Riders Edge" or "Motorcycle Safety" course at a local dealer or school BEFORE you start running up and down the 'holler' on a 700+ lb. Harley.
They'll give you a smaller and lighter bike to start out on and teach you the right way to ride it.
Anyone with more than half a brain will tell you that its a lot easier to consentrate on learning the fundamentals on a smaller, lighter, and less expensive bike that your not constantly thinking about falling over on.
They usually use one of the smaller metric street bikes in the 250/350cc class that nearly anyone over 15 can deal with. Something like a 250 Honda Rebel is going to be a lot easier to deal with at first if for no other reason than its going to weigh about half what your Custom will. As well as be able to run rings around it all day long doing low speed manuvers.
You can say what you will about them but IMHO the smaller metrics (under 500cc) are really excellent bikes for training novice riders on.
Once you complete that you should be good to go. Your not going to be a great rider overnight, that's going to take a few years of experience and a bunch of practice. But you'll be well on your way and if your smart and pay attention to what they teach you. You'll be far less likely to make the kind of dumb rookie mistake that gets a lot of new riders into hospital emergency rooms and trashes perfectly good bikes.
BTW Silver Ghost, unless your bike has been on a serious diet its probably 50 or 60lbs heavier than you think with gas in the tank.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,569
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From: Arizona
find one and sit on it. if you can reach the pegs and handle bars comfortabley than you should be able to ride it. i have a 90 softail custom and im 5' 10", 220 and do fine but i have long legs. friend of mine is 5' 8" and cant reach the pegs on my bike.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Pikeville, Kentucky
You would'nt have extentions on your forward controls would you?