First Things First
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake VA
you need to but your a$$ groves into the seat...lots of rides...you'll need to preset your radio stations(in your state and the ones north and south of you) and invest in an iPod for bad reception areas...Oh and a good toothbrush to get the bugs off your **** eatting grin...
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: St. Augustine Florida
Ist and foremost...ride for a while..the extras will come to you riding
2nd Read the Owners Manual!
3rd Buy the Service Manual!!
Join HD ananymous due to the addiction!!!
Enjoy and be safe bro
2nd Read the Owners Manual!
3rd Buy the Service Manual!!
Join HD ananymous due to the addiction!!!
Enjoy and be safe bro
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
My recommendations is to always go for fit and comfort before performance. How does the bike feel to you? Does the seat feel ok? Do you need to go up, back, down? How about the bars? Do you want highway pegs? Do the grips fit your hands?
Some people don't need to change anything, they are comfortable for 300+ mile rides with the bike pretty much stock. I'm big and tall, so I have to change a lot of stuff. Others have trouble reaching the ground on the 09's, so they have to have different mods done.
Once you are comfortable, then go for performance. Myself and many others on this forum have had good luck with the Fuel Moto packages, I have the PC V and it works great and is easy to install. There are many other options out there, talk to your dealer for different Stage 1 options.
When you get to where the bike fits you fine, and is running great, start adding bling. But beware, it is a slippery slope, once you start, there is no cure and no turning back!
Some people don't need to change anything, they are comfortable for 300+ mile rides with the bike pretty much stock. I'm big and tall, so I have to change a lot of stuff. Others have trouble reaching the ground on the 09's, so they have to have different mods done.
Once you are comfortable, then go for performance. Myself and many others on this forum have had good luck with the Fuel Moto packages, I have the PC V and it works great and is easy to install. There are many other options out there, talk to your dealer for different Stage 1 options.
When you get to where the bike fits you fine, and is running great, start adding bling. But beware, it is a slippery slope, once you start, there is no cure and no turning back!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
I would also echo a couple of other posts about ride it, buy the service manual, and go for comfort features first.
I would suggest taking a rider's course if you haven't already. Then I would suggest that you get the best riding gear (boots, helmet, pants, jacket, & gloves) that you can afford. I would also suggest that you purchase the best raingear you can afford. Then, if you live in a place that get's cold weather I would go for Gerbing's heated gear.
After that I would start with the bike. First, I would add extra lighting to the front and back (driving lights & LED flashing brake lights). Then, I would add an air horn like the Stebel. Then I would start on electronics like intercom, music, etc.
Only after I got the stuff that I really need for riding would I start with all the chrome and engine. I prefer mods that increase my comfort and the functionality of my bike over looks and noise. But, I just like to ride.
I would suggest taking a rider's course if you haven't already. Then I would suggest that you get the best riding gear (boots, helmet, pants, jacket, & gloves) that you can afford. I would also suggest that you purchase the best raingear you can afford. Then, if you live in a place that get's cold weather I would go for Gerbing's heated gear.
After that I would start with the bike. First, I would add extra lighting to the front and back (driving lights & LED flashing brake lights). Then, I would add an air horn like the Stebel. Then I would start on electronics like intercom, music, etc.
Only after I got the stuff that I really need for riding would I start with all the chrome and engine. I prefer mods that increase my comfort and the functionality of my bike over looks and noise. But, I just like to ride.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Riverside, TX
ride, ride, ride. after putting about 4000 miles on my FLHR, I'm ready to send my stock seat off to mean city cycles. just talked to them today. riding 150 miles w/out stopping was getting to my butt with the stock seat.
I just now added the pcv, ac and jackpots but rode it stock for quite a while. I wanted to get to know the feel of the bike, let my body tell me what it needs. I may still do the heritage style bars as I'm kinda tall and like the way my wife's heritage bars feel on her bike.
I just now added the pcv, ac and jackpots but rode it stock for quite a while. I wanted to get to know the feel of the bike, let my body tell me what it needs. I may still do the heritage style bars as I'm kinda tall and like the way my wife's heritage bars feel on her bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 1
From: Topeka, KS
WOW, first??? That you will know after a few miles. I've bought, FXRG jacket, chaps, boots, gloves, helmet, tall-boy handlebars, lever fringe, saddlebags for bar in front of main saddlebags, headlight trim rings, windshield bag, luggage rack, solo seat..... The list goes on and on. The problem is, every time I ride or stop at a Harley shop, I think of 3 more things I want/need. Exhaust/PCV/AC is probably next. I've been thinking about it for a while now, I just haven't pulled the trigger yet.