Motorcycle (Harley) riders. Need advice.

TheSPAINishLover

TheSPAINishLover

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I've ridden dirt bikes in the past and bmx/mountain bikes since I was a kid (and still do).  Now in my 40s, I'm really digging those custom bagged street glides with massive front wheel. 

How would someone like me with no motorcycle (sport bike or cruiser) riding experience get started to prepare for riding a motorcycle?  What advice do you have for me?  Here in Knoxville, there is minimal traffic on the highways and zero traffic on the weekends so I have more confidence in buying one and getting out to ride.

Thanks.

 
Take an MSF street course. It's a great class in basic rider operation and safety and a small bike is provided. Usually yamaha xt250, honda crf250L type bikes though some classes have street oriented bikes. It's usually a 3 day course. Then, ride your neighborhood on your own bike practicing what you learned and getting seat time. I generally tell people that ideally, you want to start on a small and simple machine to get some hours on. A bagger isn't ideal but plenty of people have started on them so it can be done. 

 
Fireballsocal said:
Take an MSF street course. It's a great class in basic rider operation and safety and a small bike is provided. Usually yamaha xt250, honda crf250L type bikes though some classes have street oriented bikes. It's usually a 3 day course. Then, ride your neighborhood on your own bike practicing what you learned and getting seat time. I generally tell people that ideally, you want to start on a small and simple machine to get some hours on. A bagger isn't ideal but plenty of people have started on them so it can be done. 
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what he said. ^^^^ 

Also, assume that everyone is out to kill you.  they might not be actively trying to, but they are not actively trying to not kill you either.  people are A-Holes....  even when you look them in the eyes they do stupid carp. 

 
Start out easy - work your way up and BE SAFE - some starters to get you going in right direction. Some of the 48volt bikes by little tikes can be quite fast around the hood

dont be a hero- wear a helmet!

:poule:

AB23A3F0-618B-472E-85A4-FB6AF388C06C.jpeg

953D0919-4845-41EB-A74B-E002D6C2D20B.jpeg

 
As mentioned, take a Motorcycle safety foundation (MSF) approved course.  It will save your life.  After you do and start riding, take another course for refresher skills and advanced techniques. 

I've taken several courses.  They were always good.

 
No amount of practice or experience can prepare you for the fools on the road that are not paying attention, using their phone, and or on drugs. There seems to be an acceptance of the "oopsie I didn't see him" excuse by law enforcement where the dingbat should be charged with attempted murder.

 
Mac said:
As mentioned, take a Motorcycle safety foundation (MSF) approved course.  It will save your life.  After you do and start riding, take another course for refresher skills and advanced techniques. 

I've taken several courses.  They were always good.
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THIS !!! all joking aside - a course I took that focused on "Driveable Terrain" saved me from a BAD wreck. here is soo much debris on the roads today and it can propel and be deadly. Reaction time and a "way out" becomes a lifesaving tool.

Don't go overboard on the larger bike - you can always go bigger as you get better. Riding on the road in a car with everyone distracted is dangerous....On a motorcycle its even worse. 

It is the greatest freedom riding a bike on the street. Get every advantage you can on your side b4 you head out.

Post Pics of the new ride!!!

:poule:

 
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Seriously nobody mentioned these......

psz125-2mred_83552_1024x1024.jpg


 
All kidding aside.... I rode my dual sport on the street...Hated it.... felt like a target......juice not worth the squeeze for me.... Lots of people love it.... just not enough for me I guess. 

 
That Actor guy just got killed by somebody not paying attention.... not much  you can do either..... sad. 

 
Poule43 said:
THIS !!! all joking aside - a course I took that focused on "Driveable Terrain" saved me from a BAD wreck. here is soo much debris on the roads today and it can propel and be deadly. Reaction time and a "way out" becomes a lifesaving tool.

Don't go overboard on the larger bike - you can always go bigger as you get better. Riding on the road in a car with everyone distracted is dangerous....On a motorcycle its even worse. 

It is the greatest freedom riding a bike on the street. Get every advantage you can on your side b4 you head out.

Post Pics of the new ride!!!

:poule:
Click to expand...
I started out on a Suzuki SV650.  Still one of my favorite bikes.  Enough power, nibble, light, very fun to ride.  I'm a huge fan of sports bikes for learning and commuting.  A Harley is heavy but balanced.  Most Harley dealers will offer a specific Harley riding course that will show you Harley specifics.  I've done advanced riders courses on a Harley.  Pretty cool how balanced they are and how much you really can yank them around once you have that confidence. 

 
Realbadlarry said:
All kidding aside.... I rode my dual sport on the street...Hated it.... felt like a target......juice not worth the squeeze for me.... Lots of people love it.... just not enough for me I guess. 
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I had a Ducati 1100 Hypermotard.  What traffic?  :lol:

That bike was so nimble and had so much power.  You could straight up lay it flat and drag the handle bars and it would still stick to the road.  

 
Fireballsocal said:
Take an MSF street course. It's a great class in basic rider operation and safety and a small bike is provided. Usually yamaha xt250, honda crf250L type bikes though some classes have street oriented bikes. It's usually a 3 day course. Then, ride your neighborhood on your own bike practicing what you learned and getting seat time. I generally tell people that ideally, you want to start on a small and simple machine to get some hours on. A bagger isn't ideal but plenty of people have started on them so it can be done. 
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Thanks.  I signed up.  It's a large local HD dealership.  They provide the bikes and helmet.  They also offer follow up advanced courses and beginner rides.  Unfortunately, it's not until the end of August.

 
I started riding a year ago. Bought my first bike, Harley XL1200 Sportster, a week after taking my MSF course through the local Harley dealership and put over 18,000 miles on my bike in just a year.

One thing to consider is how you want to ride, and where you want to ride. Most of my friends I ride with are into the club-style and performance bagger bikes. We all ride pretty aggressively and enjoy the twisty canyon roads. If you are wanting something fast and fun, a big wheel bagger probably isn't the best bike. If you want to stay local and just cruise around and go to bike nights, etc. then obviously get what suits your style. It is also okay to have more than one bike in your garage. 

1000% best decision I ever made was getting into motorcycles. My wallet may not agree but the friends, adventures and memories are completely worth it. 

 
Be sure to cut off the exhaust of the air cooled generac so you will be really Cool!!!!

These guys explained it correctly.


PS, loud pipes do not save lives, just lowers yore IQ.

I have also been riding MC for years, started off in the 80's on a GPZ550, Honda 750 triple and a few others, but never had the urge to cut off the exhaust.  

:focus:

 
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First things first, FORGET everything you learned about riding dirt bikes! Seriously. Put your foot down in a turn and eventually you will run over it with the bags!

Take the course as mentioned. I know back East the big wheel is really in, stretched bags, low to the ground, big stereo,,,,, Probably not the best first bike but,,,

Head & eyes. Clutch & throttle.

The bike will go where you are looking, look down, go down. Look at the guard rail, hit the guard rail. You want to look through the turn. You want to look where you want to go, NOT at what you don't want to hit.

Find the friction point of the clutch and use the throttle to power up. Will help you ride slow, in a parking lot, slow tight turns, etc

Turn your head to look not just your eyes. Ride defensively! 

I could go on but start out slow, don't let the group make you ride above your ability. Ride your own ride.

 
I got this Road King Classic a few years ago. I never took a class or got the proper license but found that just getting out and riding was the best way for me to learn and get comfortable. It didn't take me long to decide that it's not for me out here on the busy streets of San Diego. 2000 Road King Classic with about 20k miles. Anyone have an idea of what it's worth? I want to sell it. 

Harley.jpg

 
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JWHracing said:
I started riding a year ago. Bought my first bike, Harley XL1200 Sportster, a week after taking my MSF course through the local Harley dealership and put over 18,000 miles on my bike in just a year.

One thing to consider is how you want to ride, and where you want to ride. Most of my friends I ride with are into the club-style and performance bagger bikes. We all ride pretty aggressively and enjoy the twisty canyon roads. If you are wanting something fast and fun, a big wheel bagger probably isn't the best bike. If you want to stay local and just cruise around and go to bike nights, etc. then obviously get what suits your style. It is also okay to have more than one bike in your garage. 

1000% best decision I ever made was getting into motorcycles. My wallet may not agree but the friends, adventures and memories are completely worth it. 
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Just cruise.  Chill rides throughout minimally trafficked scenic backroads.  Some highway roads but minimal traffic- not main arteries with heavy traffic.

 
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