Rookie buys Roadglide - advice
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 586
Likes: 1
From: White Rock BC
Rookie buys Roadglide - advice
One of my friends just bought his first Harley , a 2015 Roadglide. I'm kinda worried for him because he hasn't ridden a bike in over 25 years and has only taken one parking lot lesson since the purchase. He is planning on picking up the bike this weekend. Do I tell him he's not experienced enough for an 800+ lb bike or mind my own business?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 14
From: Northern Colorado
You could always go to a parking lot and work with him. Teach him some things, maybe help him with a re-fresher. Nothing wrong with not ridding for a LONG time. Just needs to be safe and take it easy until he gets the hang of it again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I would tell him he is making a mistake. If he argues with you, just buy some life insurance on him.
I wouldn't want to give him any training. I think that would be condoning his stupidity. When he drops it in the parking lot, he'll blame you.
I wouldn't want to give him any training. I think that would be condoning his stupidity. When he drops it in the parking lot, he'll blame you.
Help him.
I say buy what you're going to ride.
What would you have him buy? A Sportster? They're harder to ride than a Road Glide.
Waste good money after bad for what reason?
Encourage him to get some practice, maybe take a course, but ride what you're going to ride.
I say buy what you're going to ride.
What would you have him buy? A Sportster? They're harder to ride than a Road Glide.
Waste good money after bad for what reason?
Encourage him to get some practice, maybe take a course, but ride what you're going to ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
how much riding did he do previous to his 25 year 'break'? if he has a bunch, then sure, he's going to be rusty, and could definitely benefit from a msf course, but it may not be the 'end of the world' that you make it out to be.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 229
From: Saskatchewan
I picked up my Electra Glide after over 25 years of not riding. I trailered it out of the city I bought it in and got used to it on small town roads. It didn't take me very long to get comfortable on it, it is a well balanced bike. I did ride both dirt and street bikes from about 10 years old up till I was 25, a lot of which were on highway when I was older. I also picked up the videos "Ride Like a Pro" and "Twist of the Wrist II" and still practice many of the techniques described in the videos. Closest I have come to wrecking is cars cutting me off.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: So Cal
Just because he hasn't been riding for 25 years doesn't mean much. You haven't given enough info on him. Was he a Baja 1000 winner? Did he ride motocross? Was he a weekend warrior or a road racer? From all the info you've given so far we could think he's a better rider that you are.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
I quit riding due to a injury 21 years before I bought the next ride. Had ridden rice rockets and a few old hard tail Harleys but never a dresser until we bought the '03 Road King. Best decision I ever made to buy it and hit the road again.
And while I say this I did get to experience a dump on the bike, dropped the damn thing in a tight parking lot and yes 800+ pounds is a mess once on its side. But worth every minute besides.
And while I say this I did get to experience a dump on the bike, dropped the damn thing in a tight parking lot and yes 800+ pounds is a mess once on its side. But worth every minute besides.