I have never ridden any motorcycle before my softail. Tonight I got to ridea second bike, an Indian Scout with 3000 miles on her.I now know how smooth and refined our bikes are compared to some others. I love Harley more tonight then ever before.....

 

I've never understood the appeal of the new Indians or Victory bikes. I understand why people buy Japanese cruisers--they are cheaper. Since Japanese cruisers loose half their value when you push them off the showroom floor, they are not a good deal at all. But, they are cheaper.

Indian and Victory are not cheaper. I think the Indians were more until they went bankrupt. If you want something that looks like a Harley, and can pay Harley prices, why not get the REAL THING?

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

It's nice to be reminded how lucky we are. I honestly feel that way at one point or another on every ride I've been on.

 

Anybody that's had to work to get their first Harley remembers that we are lucky to have one. Every now and again while riding I still can't beleive that I actually own one.

 

I've been riding Harley's since the early 1970's, but my 2003 FatBoy is the first Softail (and EFI) bike I've owned.

I still can't get over how 'smooth' and refined this Softail seems to be. It's an absolute joy to ride, and I consider it to be the best Harley I've ever owned...

 

I had to sell my 97 Heritage 2 years ago and forgot how cool it was to open that garage door and see that bike sitting there. I've had motorcycles since I was 14 and a Harley for the better part of 10 years and still get off on seeing that scoot sittin there. Ridin it don't suck neither.

 

I stumbled across this post while lurking on the forums and felt compelled to register. Currently, I'm in the process of learning to ride (practicing a bit on my dad's Sportster, taking the H-D New Rider Course in April) so that I can buy myself a Deuce. Just wondering what your experiences were with stepping right into a heavyweight bike. Any advice for a newb headed down a similar trail?

Sorry to thread hijack, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask this question of someone who went down this road before me. And you're right, you H-D owners are a lucky bunch...hopefully I'll be joining the party within a month or so.

 

I never rode a street bike before I got my first harley either. My first was a softail deluxe and I had no problem what-so-ever getting on the bike and riding. I now ride a heritage and don't have a problem with that one either. I rode dirt bikes before I got a street bike so the deluxe felt heavy the first time I stood it up, but I got used to it after a handful of redlights. I think they are really easy to ride as long as you can stay away from the people trying to run into ya.

 

+1

Advise? Well for starters, keep your head on a swivel and don't just look around, SEE wants around. Carsand trucks never seem to be able to see you. So you better see them first, causethem suckers will hurt you if you let them.

The heavyweight bike isn't much of a problem, its no harder than a little bike, just "different". Pushing it around the garage is a bit harder, but its actuallya better and easier bike toride on highways. Cars and even large trucks going by affect it less than a little light weight bike. There is something positive to be said aboutbeing on abike that weighs nearly half a ton with you on it when an 18 wheeler or a Grayhound bus blows by you on the road. It might rock you around a little, but you won't get sucked up behind it.

As for "joining the party", welcome to our world. Just be ready for an instant case of "chromeitis". It seems to be an illness that is contracted by the owner almost as soon as, if not before the dealer hands over the keys.

Unlike the cookie cutter metrics that all seem to look and to one degree or another ride the same.No two Harley's outside of the dealer show room are the same, a Harley just wouldn't be aHarley if it wasn'tmodified, customized,and personalized in some way.
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Good Luck and welcome aboard.[sm=biker2.gif]