29 yr old Extremely New Rider...Harley Preferred!!

[satansbedbugs]

Hello, I am totally new to this forum and was wondering if I could have some input from some of the more experienced riders. I am totally all about Harley Davidson Motercycles and am looking to invest into a HD sometime in the near future. I guess my main question is: Should I invest in a HD for my first bike? Should I start on something smaller? I know myself and I think that after riding a smaller bike for a while I will get bored with it and want to move to something like a Dyna -glide or a softail. I am fully prepared to invest and need some advise from the pros. please advise...ty ..

satansbedbugs

[firebos7]

Harley's come in different sizes so you could find a suitable beginner Harley but insurance will be about double whatever it would be on the same size bike from a different company (at least that's true where I live) as they get stolen a lot (compared to other brands).

[LowRiderGhost]

Evening SatansBedBugs (heh-heh, VERY cool handle! :cool:) and welcome to the Forum! :D

As You asked: Definitely NOT. Assuming you have NO biking experience what so ever, do NOT start out on a Harley! Or for that matter, anything bigger (Domestic OR Foreign) then say a Honda 250 Rebel. Yes, you will grow out of it, and yup, you will be wanting bigger ride someday. BUT the idea is to get you TO that point in time, alive and well – NOT in a body bag! It seriously has less to do with engine size and power, because even at that Harleys ARE (far as I’m concerned) gentle and VERY easy to get along with machines, intent on taking the more mellow side of life in stride. NO, the problem stems from physical size of the machines. And for most people just starting out on bikes, it’s that getting initially use to the physical size of these things that will jump up and bite you on the rear, more then anything!

Yeah it’s weird, when they start us all out in cars, it seems to me it’s always in some giant hulking piece of American Iron?! Not you’d think logically in say a smaller intermediate or even compact car?! But regardless even the tiniest little girl to the most giant dude out there can handle most of the same cars and trucks – with power assist everything the playing field is pretty even. But a motorcycle sure IS a different animal – one that you’ll either learn to work WITH or one who’ll wind up kickin’ you kiester damn hard! Across the board Rule of the Thumb: start small and work your way up. Join, attend and graduate a MSF course nearest to you. Get used TO that little 250 until such time you understand the ‘emotions’ OF that machine and can recite them in your sleep! AFTER you’ve done all of that, THEN go reward yourself with that friggin’ Harley! Because by then you’ll really KNOW heart and soul how to ride that scoot proper. But also you’ll be able to treat that fine machine with the RESPECT it truly deserves…. And NOT muck it up OR yer’ self! Nuff’ said.

LRG :cool:

[satansbedbugs]

Evening SatansBedBugs (heh-heh, VERY cool handle! :cool:) and welcome to the Forum! :D

As You asked: Definitely NOT. Assuming you have NO biking experience what so ever, do NOT start out on a Harley! Or for that matter, anything bigger (Domestic OR Foreign) then say a Honda 250 Rebel. Yes, you will grow out of it, and yup, you will be wanting bigger ride someday. BUT the idea is to get you TO that point in time, alive and well – NOT in a body bag! It seriously has less to do with engine size and power, because even at that Harleys ARE (far as I’m concerned) gentle and VERY easy to get along with machines, intent on taking the more mellow side of life in stride. NO, the problem stems from physical size of the machines. And for most people just starting out on bikes, it’s that getting initially use to the physical size of these things that will jump up and bite you on the rear, more then anything!

Yeah it’s weird, when they start us all out in cars, it seems to me it’s always in some giant hulking piece of American Iron?! Not you’d think logically in say a smaller intermediate or even compact car?! But regardless even the tiniest little girl to the most giant dude out there can handle most of the same cars and trucks – with power assist everything the playing field is pretty even. But a motorcycle sure IS a different animal – one that you’ll either learn to work WITH or one who’ll wind up kickin’ you kiester damn hard! Across the board Rule of the Thumb: start small and work your way up. Join, attend and graduate a MSF course nearest to you. Get used TO that little 250 until such time you understand the ‘emotions’ OF that machine and can recite them in your sleep! AFTER you’ve done all of that, THEN go reward yourself with that friggin’ Harley! Because by then you’ll really KNOW heart and soul how to ride that scoot proper. But also you’ll be able to treat that fine machine with the RESPECT it truly deserves…. And NOT muck it up OR yer’ self! Nuff’ said.

LRG :cool:


Thank You, LRG !! I will heed your riding wisdom and take things slow at first. Man, Ill tell you its going to be hard . I like to jump right into things and teach myself how to do stuff a little too fast sometimes. I didnt take into consideration that riding can be dangerous if the proper precautions arent followed. I will sign up for that MSF class near my home in good old MD and listen to what the pros say. BUT I will tell you LRG, that that Softail better watch out when I do learn on that little poop scooter, cuz im gonna ride the shit out of it......Nuff said? LOL

[Schneiderman]

LRG takes it a little farther than I do, IMO you would be ok on the smaller HD's. I know two girls who started on Sportster 1200s without a problem. It is a better idea to start small, yes, but I don't think that it is as crucial on a cruiser as it would be on a sport bike. Do take the MSF course and maybe the Riders Edge course and whatever else you can find.

[LowRiderGhost]

Definitely no argument. All I'm saying is better to Err on the side of Conservatism, then to advise to jump head first into the fire, then have someone’s blood on our hands. No question that there are those who can go to the dealer, jump on a bigger scoot and ride happily off into the sunset – no previous experience necessary. ON the other hand there’s (?) others out there like myself who started out with two left feet, about as coordinated as a Rhino with a blindfold and a Mensa score probably equal that of a brick. But I managed to survive (somehow), but it could have been learned so MUCH easier these days…. with all due patience. Nuff’ said. ;)

LRG :cool:

Footnote: What “small” Harleys are that?! I dunno… I just don’t consider a Sportster all that small. Compact yes, ‘Sporty’ definitely. But these are still relatively tall bikes… not so good still for those at this time who desperately need to have they’re feet FLAT-footed on the ground until the confidence can be accumulated. I believe there is (?) still a small displacement Buell on the market, ideal for newbies. Not quite a Harley but least ways the next best thing (for now). All I can say is shame on AMF (pre-82’) or the upper echelon Buy-Back group (post-82’) for selling off Aermacchi (H-D’s Italian-made line of smaller displacement bikes) and NOT replacing it with something else at least. I can see clearly there IS after all a market for smaller engine sized Harleys IN this forum. Yes, the initial profits would be minimal or perhaps even result in a deficit. But I’m saying after this public Upper Echelon fascination with H-D’s ultimately fades into the dust, it’s the new younger riders that started on a (if it was available NOW) smaller H-D, that would sub-stain the company through the 21st Century. Just my two-pence worth…. What can I can I say??? The wife won’t let me talk IN the house! :eek:

LRG takes it a little farther than I do, IMO you would be ok on the smaller HD's. I know two girls who started on Sportster 1200s without a problem. It is a better idea to start small, yes, but I don't think that it is as crucial on a cruiser as it would be on a sport bike. Do take the MSF course and maybe the Riders Edge course and whatever else you can find.