new rider seeking advice......
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,172
From: Oxford, Nc
Evil Kneviel?? Really? The last time I went by and saw a class on the course, I never once saw where they put the ramps. Come on dude, I never said he would be an expert after the class. I said he would learn the fundamentals and hopefully come out with some sound basics to build on. I don't think I said that he would be ready to take on metro rush hour traffic either. Hopefully, this guy has enough sense to know when he's ready to take on more after spending some time on the country roads and highways in Arkansas. And I will still disagree with you that, with the proper technique, a cruiser is just as easy to handle as any other bike. It may be heavier, but that does not make it harder to handle.
And bigger and heavier will punish the novice quickly and brutally.
You work up to a Road Glide, not start off with one.
Bronson offers good advice.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma
Whatever. You guys crack me up. A Road Star is 102 CI (1670cc) and weighs 743 pounds. A far cry from the 650cc that was recommended earlier. A Road Glide weighs in 911. That being said, my first one was a Road Star so I can speak with some experience on that one. The balance of the HD is far superior to the Yamaha making that 168 pound difference negligible. And the ride on the Road Star is the one that is brutal! I've seen men and women that have been riding for years drop their bike (brand new Harleys) in the gravel. Seen them forget to put the kick stand down. Seen them run into other bikes in the parking lots because they never took the time to learn the basics and fundamentals of how to handle a bike of any size at slow speeds. Hell, anybody can ride one at speed. That's easy.
I think if you go back and read what I said, I didn't recommend spending tons on new bike. Hell, I don't care what it is. I told him to get something that fits him. And besides that, it's HIS money. If he wants to spend 40K on a CVO Ultra, power to him. If I were him, I wouldn't want to feel like an elephant on a tricycle, thats all.
Good luck on your search for your bike brother. You will find all sorts of opinions here. That's what makes this forum cool.
I think if you go back and read what I said, I didn't recommend spending tons on new bike. Hell, I don't care what it is. I told him to get something that fits him. And besides that, it's HIS money. If he wants to spend 40K on a CVO Ultra, power to him. If I were him, I wouldn't want to feel like an elephant on a tricycle, thats all.
Good luck on your search for your bike brother. You will find all sorts of opinions here. That's what makes this forum cool.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma
Help! I'm an older (50's), larger (height and weight) new rider looking to buy my first bike!
Have always been a fan of the Road Glide, and have found a Road Glide Ultra. It's a 2011 with 38K miles. HD dealer selling, wants $19,500 no major cosmetic or mechanical issues. Daily rider who traded in for new Road Glide.
Good Price?
Good Bike?
Questions to ask?
Things to look for?
wbs
Have always been a fan of the Road Glide, and have found a Road Glide Ultra. It's a 2011 with 38K miles. HD dealer selling, wants $19,500 no major cosmetic or mechanical issues. Daily rider who traded in for new Road Glide.
Good Price?
Good Bike?
Questions to ask?
Things to look for?
wbs
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
All good points...but what you people are forgetting is what I said in my earlier post.. he should not drop 20 large on a machine he may not enjoy. I have seen it happen to several of my friends. That is a valid point too. Start out with a bike that fits him, but pay alot less.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Don't do it! You'll shoot your eyes out!
Find a medium sized used metric for about $5K. Then take the safety courses and ride a couple seasons. Then move up to a bigger bike.
This way there is not much $ invested.
Find a medium sized used metric for about $5K. Then take the safety courses and ride a couple seasons. Then move up to a bigger bike.
This way there is not much $ invested.