Starter bike necessary?
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Starter bike necessary?
I learned on a Yamaha 350.........dropped it several times got hit twice and if I had done all that on my LR........it would have hurt a lot worse. My $.02 says get a used Jap bike 500-800cc or a used 883 Sportster for your first season. 
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Starter bike necessary?
ORIGINAL: Salucious
I plan on taking a safetry course, probably the one from a Harley dealer. I know they use Buell Blast bikes, 500cc.
I plan on taking a safetry course, probably the one from a Harley dealer. I know they use Buell Blast bikes, 500cc.
I didn't get a starter bike. I have driven and ridden many vehicles over the years so I didn't think *I* needed a starter bike. However, I took the class to brush up on the skills and information they provide (and to substitute it for the driving portion of the TX MC test), then went and picked up my Dyna Lowrider.
Now if someone were to offer me a Blast for a good price I would probably talke it. It is a fun little bike.
Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
RE: Starter bike necessary?
I started on someone else's Hodaka Ace 90, so I didn't have this dilemma.
I then got a 90cc dirt bike of my own, and logged hundreds of hrs riding off-road.
3 years later I got my license on a Yamaha RD350.
Some people feel more comfortable starting on a mid-weight bike, or a used bike they don't have to worry about wadding up.
Technique is the most important thing, as opposed to engine size.
Another good text is Keith Code's "A Twist of the Wrist". Lots of good street skills there.
Keith runs a Racing School, and is an excellent teacher.
MarkDett
I then got a 90cc dirt bike of my own, and logged hundreds of hrs riding off-road.
3 years later I got my license on a Yamaha RD350.
Some people feel more comfortable starting on a mid-weight bike, or a used bike they don't have to worry about wadding up.
Technique is the most important thing, as opposed to engine size.
Another good text is Keith Code's "A Twist of the Wrist". Lots of good street skills there.
Keith runs a Racing School, and is an excellent teacher.
MarkDett
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,197
Likes: 708
From: (Toronto) Canada
RE: Starter bike necessary?
IMO, don't do HD for your first bike. Get something smaller, and if you crash it into a curb first month, who cares???
When you have taken the course, and you have experiance come join us.
When you have taken the course, and you have experiance come join us.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,388
Likes: 0
From: Dallas,Texas
RE: Starter bike necessary?
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Starter bike necessary?
New ?...take the "safety course" first. How you do with the mechanics of riding may help you determine your confort zone of selecting your first bike. We have a 06 Heritage, 05 1200C Sportster, and a 06 250 Honda...yes...a "little honda" which my wife rides on short trips...and if you are riding under 60 mph...she is hard to keep up with. Road awareness, confort level, and confidence level will provide many hours of enjoyable riding. Find the bike that provide you with these and you will have found the right one.
There is a lot of things that you can learn prior to spending your money...with Harley there is no such word as "upgrade"...it's called "replacement"...and it cost $$$$.
Good Luck...and safe riding.
There is a lot of things that you can learn prior to spending your money...with Harley there is no such word as "upgrade"...it's called "replacement"...and it cost $$$$.
Good Luck...and safe riding.
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