Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Newbie

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 02:57 PM
  #1  
Netastophales's Avatar
Netastophales
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
Default Newbie

Hey all. New to the forum. Buying my first bike in just over 4 and a half hours from this posting. I am getting a 2002 Softail heritage. Any tips for a new guy? (I am signed up for the CHP class on the 18th, I am not riding till I complete it.)

Just so stoked.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 03:32 PM
  #2  
08Nighttrain's Avatar
08Nighttrain
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Default

Ride on the back roads and side streets till you get really comfortable before trying out the interstates. Be very defensive. Always assume that everyone around you cannot see you or is trying to kill you.

Have loads of fun go on lots of rides and enjoy the hell out of it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 03:41 PM
  #3  
Guitardude's Avatar
Guitardude
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Netastophales
Hey all. New to the forum. Buying my first bike in just over 4 and a half hours from this posting. I am getting a 2002 Softail heritage. Any tips for a new guy? (I am signed up for the CHP class on the 18th, I am not riding till I complete it.)

Just so stoked.
WELCOME to a WHOLE NEW WORLD!

Like has already been said, stick to the back roads, ride YOUR ride, don't let another rider or vehicle make you feel like you need to go faster, and assume you are INVISIBLE, because you ARE! My wife hasn't been riding with me long, but one of her observations was how many more bikes she sees now that she's spending time riding on one. You'll have the same experience, I'm sure!

Remember, there are two things that WILL get you hurt or killed.

1) Riding beyond your limits, you'll know them, and they will change.

2) It's not YOUR limits that you need to be worried about, it's EVERYONE ELSES!

Be safe, and be a part of the forum. There are some great guys who share your new found love, and who will help you in any way they can!
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 03:44 PM
  #4  
ghoticov's Avatar
ghoticov
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
Default

Congrats! You will love it! Like others have said though.... drive defensive and act like cagers are trying to run you over (because they probably are).

Make sure you post some pics after you pick her up!
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 03:49 PM
  #5  
phanowel's Avatar
phanowel
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Default

Welcome and congrats, you will have a blast.

I was driving in the car with my wife last weekend, and a young guy passed me on his sportster, but he kept looking down with one of his hands on his crotch. Turns out he was TEXTING while riding. I turned to my wife and said, that boy is just going to die.

Don't do that.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 03:53 PM
  #6  
LarryLives's Avatar
LarryLives
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut :(
Default

welcome! Ur gunna love it.
Riding is my therapy
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 04:18 PM
  #7  
Smileman's Avatar
Smileman
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 460
Likes: 4
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by Netastophales
Any tips for a new guy?
Tips? Yeah.
1) Bright colored full face helmet.
2) Read the Hurt Report
3) A bike always looks better with a pretty girl on the back.

Welcome and enjoy!
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 04:37 PM
  #8  
151fire's Avatar
151fire
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 31
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Welcome! Have fun, enjoy the ride, take your time and enjoy meeting a whole lot of new friends!!!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 04:48 PM
  #9  
jeffreydsilver's Avatar
jeffreydsilver
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 168
From: WPB, FL
Default Welcome Aboard

Welcome aboard from NJ.

Sounds like you're starting off right! Take the course, pay attention and then ride like your life depends on it. Before you know it you'll be feeling "comfortable" on your ride. THAT WILL BE WHEN IT IS MOST DANGEROUS!

BUT - most importantly, welcome to the fold!
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 05:45 PM
  #10  
uklauren's Avatar
uklauren
Florida Crew Moderator
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,396
Likes: 3,391
From: Port St Lucie Florida
Default

congrats on the new bike, don't drop it!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:34 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE