Never rode a bike before ...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,639
Likes: 11,349
From: Colorado Rockies
Howdy and welcome from the Colorado high country.....not too far from Breckinridge.
Would you have access to a smaller bike you could practice with? Good luck with the new Harley. I'm sure you'll love it.
Would you have access to a smaller bike you could practice with? Good luck with the new Harley. I'm sure you'll love it.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 465
Likes: 296
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Why rush into a 900lb bike? It is not the highway that will get you, a 5 foot 12 yo can ride straight on a road, it is the slow maneuvering that will make things difficult for you. Also, getting comfortable with the concept of countersteering and object fixation....MSF will teach you about these things, but practice is what will save you when things get away from you
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,590
From: South Florida
First time poster. Take it easy on me folks. I am currently looking at HD models and have landed on the road glide, particularly the 2020 road glide "special". I have never rode a bike in my life. This is what I will start with and I appreciate any attempts to keep me out of harms way. I'd like to think at 38 years old, I am much more mellowed out and respect the bike immensely. I respect the power, the weight and frankly I'm a little nervous about the proposition. I am going to take the MSF basic riders course and have been reading some pretty good books for beginners. I know the bike is heavy, that may be my only concern. I am 6'1 and 235 lbs.
What are the experts thoughts who have been riding for a while? Any advice or tips?
I am buying the bike to eventually do some long riding as well as to ride with my dad, brother and father in law. They have given me some great advice but I want as many opinions, knowledge and advice as possible so I make sure I'm making an informed decision. Any information you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
What are the experts thoughts who have been riding for a while? Any advice or tips?
I am buying the bike to eventually do some long riding as well as to ride with my dad, brother and father in law. They have given me some great advice but I want as many opinions, knowledge and advice as possible so I make sure I'm making an informed decision. Any information you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
GOOD to have u here man.
Be sure to come to the games section. We have a lot of fun there and get to know (and joke around) with each other.
Now, back to business.
There will be an initiation having to do with a greased pig, a rope, and some hot sauce a little later today.
We have a ton of stuff here, like an excellent mechanical and technical section, Harley-Davidson videos uploaded by our members, humor, gun enthusiast, road trips, a food section, dark side section, great vendors, classifieds, regional activity, and a lot, a lot more.
Now, for my regular welcome to you...
G'day mate,
welcome to HDF. 
I will be your tour guide.
Be sure to read the manual 
before posting 
ok mate?Or we will have discipline you
and if you don't "get it" we will need to discipline you 
biker style.Here is a gift for you
LOL! I so funi! 
Now lets get serious for your orientation. Go down the hall
on your left to the 1st room. No, wait. 
The 1st room on your right. That is where the commissary is.Then you will see doors marked for the mortuary, skeet shooting, a room where we make fun of In-Jun bikes, and of course we have a
ahh, umm, oh yeah a 
across the hall.We had a BOMB MAKING room but, well, ahhhhh, 1 of the guys just didn't understand Blasting Caps very well so.....
you know.We have our own pub
.There are several places where you can familiarize your self with the
.So don't be a
wall flower 
watching others 
. Get involved.See you around mate. I am going to the commissary now.
**** ON THE SERIOUS SIDE ****
You are in the New Members Area where you can introduce yourself and let us know what Harley Davidson bike(s) (if any) you ride/own.
If you have questions about engines, exhaust systems, audio issues, etc then:
1) Please go to the upper corner and Roll Over Forums
2) Then come down to and Roll Over Harley Davidson Tech & Mechanical Forum
3) Then come down to the section that would be most appropriate for your question like Audio Systems, Engine Mechanical Topics, Exhaust System Topics, etc and CLICK on the topic you have a question about.
You will find the knowledge here is EXCELLENT and these here mates are willing to help you in any way they can. juss be careful. There are some Trolls, so I suggest just ignoring them ole farts.
See you around HDF. Come often, we have a humor thread, game thread, and a LOT of other stuff.
Have A Great Day Mate,
BuzzCap7
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
No access to a smaller bike. I thought about buying a used dirt bike, like a 250 to mess around with and learn the basics and maybe lay the foundation. I am still kicking that idea around. I have heard the class is fantastic and I'm ready to be fully engaged and open to any and all advice or tips. It's best to listen and pay attention if you're a little apprehensive about something. At least that's been the case for me in this thing called life.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
Why rush into a 900lb bike? It is not the highway that will get you, a 5 foot 12 yo can ride straight on a road, it is the slow maneuvering that will make things difficult for you. Also, getting comfortable with the concept of countersteering and object fixation....MSF will teach you about these things, but practice is what will save you when things get away from you
I like the prospect of being able to practice in little to no traffic until I can get a great feel for that big ole' bike. If I am not 100% comfortable after the riders course, I'll just ask them to go through it again. $700 is a small small price for invaluable lesson and advice or tips. Thanks for the direction though, It's much appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,623
Likes: 6,442
From: Honah Lee
Welcome from Hampton Roads Virginia.......USA
Be sure to add a Signature Line in your USER set up for you and your bike model, year, and all the letters that Harley recognizes it with if you have not already done this.
...USABe sure to add a Signature Line in your USER set up for you and your bike model, year, and all the letters that Harley recognizes it with if you have not already done this.
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Joe Kucinski
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 322
Likes: 176
From: east coast north america
Welcome.. My wife took course at dealer a year and half ago. We bought her a new Iron 883 and put it in garage at first, because I also got her a Honda Rebel 250 that she rode for several months.. She got bored with the Honda and started riding the 883. She rides to work sometime and we ride locally to lunches or breakfast. The winds at highway speeds were blowing her around pretty good, so we test rode several larger Harleys. She fell hard for the 2021 Streetbob.. After some serios budget evaluation and negotiation at dealer, we bought it today. The long winded point is this.. She hadnt ever ridden before either. She took course and continued to get more proficient with riding, and moving up in size/confidence. Youll do well if you learn correct habits and never stop practicing and learning. IMO dont get a huge bike first.. Get an amount of time and skill under your belt.. You will know when youre ready..I think I knew, when I didnt have to think about what I was doing. I just naturally was doing it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,003
Likes: 11,441
Over 18, your money. If that is your goal go for it. Consider this many people buy their first bike and find out riding is not for them. Think about a riding course and thing long and hard about this move. If it seems right for you jump in. There is no reason an adult of fair size can not have a RG as a first bike. You will like at some point tip it. Scratch some pain and or chrome . If you go out and purchase a darn near $30K bike and decide you just are not cut out fro it you will loose your *** on the the deal.
Wish you the best of luck however you decide to go.
Wish you the best of luck however you decide to go.