New Guy looking for info/advice
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
New Guy looking for info/advice
Hello to the forum! I'm James from Indianapolis, and I've recently found myself interested (again) in riding a motorcycle. I had a serious desire for a Fat Boy from the time I was 15 until I was 23. I got a job selling cars first thing out of college and I was rapidly cured of my desire to ride. This was after I discovered that all the male staff members rode Harleys, and all of them had some sort of old injury due to other drivers and their lack of attention behind the wheel. I recently turned 30 and I am again in school, so my income is next to nil. I'm hoping to buy an inexpensive starter bike to learn with since my commute between home and campus is around 10 minutes or less. I'm more interested in cruising and getting around town than touring at this point, but I'm looking forward to talking bikes and getting advice from the seasoned vets. -James
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Hello and welcome to HDF from NorCal... Be sure to take a rider's course like MSF.. Good luck and have fun!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Thanks for the welcome wagon everyone!
I was thinking I might buy a dirt-cheap late 80's/early 90's Japanese bike (nighthawk, GS, intruder, etc) to learn on and then move up to the big show. I sat on a Forty-Eight at Southside H-D here in Indy the other day, had the sales guy take a pic while I was on the bike. I have to say I'm not crazy about how I look on a Sportster (@ 6'3/250# I look like a fat kid on a scooter). I'm probably not going to fare much better on an older bike as listed above, but they are a LOT cheaper than picking up a sportster from what I have seen.
I know there are ways around the comical size issue (Nightster Sportster has a hell of a setup on his XL1200N) but I'm not sure I want to get a bike that I might ruin during my first year because of my lack of skill and flush a lot of money down the tubes making it fit properly (mortgage + tuition = tight budget) if I'm just going to trade up to a heavy bike in a year or two.
Am I just splitting hairs here or is this a better idea than getting a Harley right out of the gate?
(I was lazy and copied this from another thread I was in)
Any and all opinions would be appreciated
I was thinking I might buy a dirt-cheap late 80's/early 90's Japanese bike (nighthawk, GS, intruder, etc) to learn on and then move up to the big show. I sat on a Forty-Eight at Southside H-D here in Indy the other day, had the sales guy take a pic while I was on the bike. I have to say I'm not crazy about how I look on a Sportster (@ 6'3/250# I look like a fat kid on a scooter). I'm probably not going to fare much better on an older bike as listed above, but they are a LOT cheaper than picking up a sportster from what I have seen.
I know there are ways around the comical size issue (Nightster Sportster has a hell of a setup on his XL1200N) but I'm not sure I want to get a bike that I might ruin during my first year because of my lack of skill and flush a lot of money down the tubes making it fit properly (mortgage + tuition = tight budget) if I'm just going to trade up to a heavy bike in a year or two.
Am I just splitting hairs here or is this a better idea than getting a Harley right out of the gate?
(I was lazy and copied this from another thread I was in)
Any and all opinions would be appreciated
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Haven't ridden much in INDY and don't want too.. the few trips around Indy I've taken and the way a lot of drivers drive there I could see why a lot of the the older riders have injuries. Lots of cagers will run U over if Ur not the defensive type of rider.
Welcome to the Forum and safe riding.
From Indiana
Welcome to the Forum and safe riding.
From Indiana
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Haven't ridden much in INDY and don't want too.. the few trips around Indy I've taken and the way a lot of drivers drive there I could see why a lot of the the older riders have injuries. Lots of cagers will run U over if Ur not the defensive type of rider.
Welcome to the Forum and safe riding.
From Indiana
Welcome to the Forum and safe riding.
From Indiana
