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.

Newbie looking for first ride... Thoughts?

Old Jan 11, 2011 | 08:55 AM
  #1  
phifer2088's Avatar
phifer2088
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Biloxi, MS
Default Newbie looking for first ride... Thoughts?

So I am deployed and thinking about either grabbing a Night Rod Custom or Fat Bob when I get home this summer. I have never had a motorcycle. I have taken my buddies V rod for a spin a few times, I had a dirt bike a few years back, and then I had a small gas powered motorcycle when I was younger... More like a 2 wheeled go cart. I like the way both look, but never ridden either. I am look for lots of thoughts. Don't hold back.

Thanks in advance
 
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 09:00 AM
  #2  
cayers's Avatar
cayers
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,422
Likes: 2
From: Las Cruces, NM
Default

You can tell by my SIG, which one I would recommend. Thanks for your service and welcome from New Mexico!
 
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 09:01 AM
  #3  
Robbie13's Avatar
Robbie13
LOSER
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,719
Likes: 4
From: Williamston, NC
Default

I suggest going to your local dealer and sit on/ride several different ones to get a feel of what you may like.
 
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 09:18 AM
  #4  
FranMan's Avatar
FranMan
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 0
From: Central Arkansas
Default

Welcome from central Arkansas. Depends on your riding style. For me the Dyna fits the bill. Good luck with making your decision!
 
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 10:22 AM
  #5  
Mike T's Avatar
Mike T
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 6
From: Union,Ms
Default

Welcome to the forum.
 
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 11:11 AM
  #6  
hullhorr's Avatar
hullhorr
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,478
Likes: 184
From: Mount Airy, MD
Default

Welcome and thanks for your service. I've never ridden a V-rod, but a friend of mine has one and likes it for commuting to work. He has a Ultra Classic for everything else. It really depends on what type of riding you intend to do, but starting off with a Dyna model is a good place to start till you figure it out.
 
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 12:05 PM
  #7  
Wassup8687's Avatar
Wassup8687
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17,717
Likes: 1
From: NY
Default

Welcome aboard from New York and THANKS for your service.
 
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:52 PM
  #8  
racerdj's Avatar
racerdj
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,453
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Default

Be sure to test ride several models! Welcome to the Forum from cold and snowy Indy! It's a great place to hang out during winter!
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 08:02 PM
  #9  
dumphy's Avatar
dumphy
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast of CA.
Default

Welcome for the Left coast of CA. I view the variety of models that H-D offers much like a set of tools. Some have more specific designs. For example, the Sporty I just got will be more of an "around town" hot rod, where my Heritage Softail is enough for a cross country trip if need be where a full bagger would be even more comfortable. IMO, figure out what you'll be using the bike for. If you're more of a daily rider, then get something you feel comfortable with. If it will be more of a toy, get something sporty or fast. Just my .02
 
Old Jan 11, 2011 | 08:53 PM
  #10  
evil-1's Avatar
evil-1
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 985
Likes: 2
From: NW Ohio
Default

Thank you for your service and welcome to the forum from NW Ohio. Go with the bob my
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:49 AM.


Top

© 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands

Follow Us        



When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE