Welcome Area Only New Member Welcome Area Only. Be sure to pop in here and introduce yourself & let us know what Harley Davidson you own. Save your bike related questions for the proper area.

New here from Washington State.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 08:40 PM
  #1  
Mykdiver's Avatar
Mykdiver
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From:
Default New here from Washington State.

Hello everyone. I came to this site after I found it in a Google search. My wife and I are looking at getting into bikes.
I am a car guy and race Pro Bracket at Bremerton Raceway in Bremerton Wa, so I know alot about cars and motors, but I know nothing about bikes.
My wife and I went by Destination Harley in Silverdale yesterday and took a look at some of the bikes.
We are thinking that the Sportster is a good place for us to start.
I am here to learn everything I can about bikes, so any help would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks, and Hello!
 
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 08:55 PM
  #2  
Fatbernie's Avatar
Fatbernie
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse, NY
Default RE: New here from Washington State.

Welcome from Syracuse, NY. You will love this forum and riding Harley Davidson MC. Great people and great help here just for the asking. Good luck.
BA
 
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 08:58 PM
  #3  
SPRINGER's Avatar
SPRINGER
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Default RE: New here from Washington State.

Howdy, welcome to the forum. Getting a new Harley can depend on what type of riding that you intend to do. For example, are you going to ride solo or double? Do you want to just make short trips around the area or make some longer runs? Also, have you taken the time to go to your local dealer and rent a few models to see which ones feel the best to you? There are a lot of questions that a person needs to ask themselves and I hope that you are able to narrow it down and get the model that's right for you. Enjoy the ride
 
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 09:08 PM
  #4  
Mykdiver's Avatar
Mykdiver
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: New here from Washington State.

Thanks guys.
I have not rented any because I have never ridden a bike. My buddy is going to teach me.
I think at first my wife and I will get one bike that we can both ride on. Then she will keep that as her bike. She likes the Sportster and I want a Dyna.
I think we will go on short, and long drives, sometimes to work, but mostly weekend riding.
 
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 09:19 PM
  #5  
Big Ted's Avatar
Big Ted
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 1
From: Bartlesville, OK
Default RE: New here from Washington State.

Welcome to the forums from Oklahoma. Welcome to the world of motorcycles. You will love it and kick yourself for not doing it sooner.
 
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 09:24 PM
  #6  
Mykdiver's Avatar
Mykdiver
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: New here from Washington State.

Yeah I am sure I will. Actually this is my wifes idea, she does not relate to my passion for cars and wanted to find a common interest.
 
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 11:04 PM
  #7  
Anniesage's Avatar
Anniesage
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Redmond, Washington
Default RE: New here from Washington State.

Welcome to the site from Bellevue, WA.

Harley will not allow you to rent unless you have an endorsement. You can take the DMV test, but one of the best ways to go is to tell Harley you want to make the purchase, but you need to take the class first. The Evergreen Safety Foundation holds classes throughout the year. Classroom on Thursday night 6-9pm; Saturday Hands-on riding from 8-noon and then the class with the written exam 1-5; Sunday riding 8-noon, 1-3 and then the riding part of the exam 3-5. Once you pass this course, you just take the info to the DMV and get your endorsement without having to do the DMV stuff. Reason I bring this up is because the dealers have something called 'dealer slots' in each and every class - x amount of spaces reserved for dealer customers. Otherwise, it can be a wait to get into the classes.

I also just learned how to ride. I started out on a 1200C Sporty in April of this year. My hubby started on the Dyna last October. We both just upgraded - I purchased the Softail Heritage Custom and he purchased the Road King. I have been a passenger and driver of both and all. You will find that it is all a personal thing - for both parties. I also highly suggest that before you put the down payment on the counter and sign a 4 or 5 year loan - test drive each and every model you might be interested in and have your wife passenger also. For me, some were far more comfortable as a passenger than others.

Also, take a drive on a Sunday and go to the Destination in Fife - the sister store to Silverdale. A larger location, more selection. If you want, you can alway pm me if you have any questions.
 
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 11:07 PM
  #8  
dezlrock's Avatar
dezlrock
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: New here from Washington State.

Hello and welcome fr:Central Canada. check out TCSTD's do it yourself threads there is a wealth of info for the new rider and those that are thinking of joining the family, and when you finnaly make your choice and start rollin' ride safe
Warren
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 11:58 PM
  #9  
The Punisher's Avatar
The Punisher
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 0
From: The Peoples Democratic Republic of Maryland
Default RE: New here from Washington State.

Welcome to the forum from Maryland. I think you and your wife are on the right track in looking for your first Harley by asking questions here. The guys (and gals) on the forum are great, and can give you really good advice.
 
Old Oct 11, 2005 | 12:23 AM
  #10  
HDF Tech's Avatar
HDF Tech
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
Likes: 156
From:
Default RE: New here from Washington State.

Welcome to the forum from NY. I think you'll find a lot of good times on a bike and as they said above, you regret not doing it sooner. Stop by the Do it yourself forum and get some input on harleys here https://www.hdforums.com/forumid_241/tt.htm

 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:51 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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