What ride should I get?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 447
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis
Mostly True
Not sure about the "can't get blamed" part, we are talking about women after all. I strongly agree with the part about some models not being passenger friendly. I got an 08 Sporty XLC, which came with what they call a 2 up seat. The passenger "seat" is a paper thin little thing that is likley akin to riding on the bare fender. Ask my wife, she'll tell you. That being said, if the model you like does not com with the right seat, there are thousands of HD and aftermarket seats to choose from. Think about what you will use the bike for too. Will you be taking long cruises or just cruising around town. Are you riding to work every day and want good gas mileage, because some of the larger bikes get worse gas milage than my car. Anyway, whatever you get, it probably won't be perfect, thats why they make so many goodies to add after you buy.
If you are going to have your wife ride two up on the back of yours, then you should go to the dealership for a scout mission and find the models that make you say Hell Yeah! Then you get her and show her the models you like and can afford and have her sit on the back of all of them. Some models aren't girl friendly and some make the rear pax feel safer than others. Then get her opinion on which she would like. Then you can't get blamed and you can't go wrong. Or get her to ride along side you and get a couple of Sportsters. It is pretty sweet riding with the old lady. Nothing looks better than hot chick azz in tight jeans on a bike... why let everyone else see it and not you? Assuming you like your OL in tight jeans...
Last edited by tinman67; Apr 13, 2009 at 04:41 PM.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to sign up for the course and start looking. Probably wait till late in the season to buy and get rentals when I have time until then. I look forward to joining the club.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Safety Harbor FL
as noted above.... take the class.... if you haven't ridden a bike in 32 years... you may as well think of it as ZERO experience.
If you take the class, and decide it isn't for you.... you're out $200 dollars... and you KNOW... if you buy a bike before, than you're out serious cash....
If you decide you DO want to ride (after the class) then whatever fits YOU...
you need to reach the groud easily, you need to reach the controls, and the reach to the wallet should also be an easy one.
Now... I catch heat for this, and I've saiod it before, and I'll say to anyone who askes the question you asked.
There is NOTHING wrong with buying a used metric and learning how to ride in the real world.
What you buy is YOUR business, and your's alone. Buy what you want, not because some guy online said you should.
Welcome from Raleigh
If you take the class, and decide it isn't for you.... you're out $200 dollars... and you KNOW... if you buy a bike before, than you're out serious cash....
If you decide you DO want to ride (after the class) then whatever fits YOU...
you need to reach the groud easily, you need to reach the controls, and the reach to the wallet should also be an easy one.
Now... I catch heat for this, and I've saiod it before, and I'll say to anyone who askes the question you asked.
There is NOTHING wrong with buying a used metric and learning how to ride in the real world.
What you buy is YOUR business, and your's alone. Buy what you want, not because some guy online said you should.
Welcome from Raleigh
Ridden many a metric, had lots of fun with 'em back in the days. Nuthin' wrong with using 'em for training wheels.
When it comes to getting serious, you can buy at the dealer or do what I did. I found my '03 Wide Glide on CraigsList for $9500. Had 8k miles, custom paint, Thunderheader pipes and a lot of extra chrome. The bank would have loaned me 11.5 for it, and the guy who had it was a Coastie Aircraft mech, great guy and took good care of it.
The only thing I would caution about the safety courses is that you should take it on something besides the mopeds they offer. Ain't no skill riding a freaking kindergarten cycle. Get something along the lines of what you think you'd buy. I did mine on my 883 Sporty once they changed the law and forced me to take the course and it was cake, but I've been riding for a long time.
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sfarson
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Jul 2, 2006 04:03 AM
