BuzzCap7

If I may ask your advice: I am taking the Florida approved safety course (MSF I think ti is called) in about 3-4 weeks.

I have been reading, learning as much as I can about riding bikes, techniques, safety, etc...

1. What is the 1st few pieces of advice would u give a newly licensed rider who took the States safety course?

2. I like HOGs. And was thinking about starting off with a sportser and working my way up to the crusing bike like the softail. When I went to a dealer, he strongly suggested to go right to the softail deluxe. He had me on a lot of bikes and thinks the deluxe is the best for me. It SURE DID FEEL THE BEST!!! Should I start with something smaller since I am so new?

3. To get my confidence level up, where should I practice riding after getting my license? I live in the suburbs. Should I practice in teh city? The burbs? Or the country?

THANK YOU for your assitance in advance,

BuzzCap7

m_ayotte31

I am a newer rider as well. I completed the MSF course in Michigan last fall. My advice for the course is to be confident and be sure to ask questions if you are unclear with anything. My instructors were very helpful and very understanding. I think the MSF generally does well in the instructor dept.

As for selecting the bike. I have been told by riders and dealers to select a bike that will suit your riding style rather than starting on something because of its size. If you are going to spend the $$ for a Harley you should make sure you are going to be happy with it.

You may have already come across about.com they have a nice motorcycle section with a lot of info for beginners. They suggest riding on roads with little traffic until you are comfortable with your riding ability then progress to riding in traffic.

This site has also been a great learning tool. The other members are full of information.

Take care and good luck

roadking

G'day BuzzCap7,

Welcome to the group.

Its a great time of your life when you are buying your first motorcycle Good on you mate!

In Australia we have engine capacity restrictions for learners & P plate licence holders. Do you not have similar restrictions in the US?

If I was to give you one peice of advice, it would be Keep your eyes open all the time & watch out for the other drivers. You can have all the confidence in the world in your own ability, but it will be the other guy you need to watch out for, his mistakes etc.

As for where to ride, you will need to gain experience on all types of road conditions. Use your best jugement & dont get too overconfident too soon. Especially if you are riding your new Harley Davidson (they are too beautiful to damage) LOL.

Good luck & let us know how you go ...

RK

H-D 4 Life

I grew up riding bikes. However, there was a period of about 15 years when because of one reason or another I was without a bike.

So when the time finally came for me to buy again, the first thing I did was ride straight home on it. Then I took the time to Read the Owners Manual and learn everything I could about the new bike. The first weekend I took off by myself and rode for 200 miles. This allowed me to learn the bike, how it responded, how I felt riding it, what adjustments I wanted or needed to make, and basicly get comfortable on it.

I did this mostly on back country roads with less traffic. As my confidense grew, so did the areas that I expanded into my riding. I would not suggest that first off you take off right into City Style Traffic. Give yourself time.

When my wife passed her class, they first thing we did was go to a large parking lot and just let her ride around for awhile. Then she did some riding, just around the streets near the house. Finally we went on a ride. We started on a road that aaverages about 35 MPH. Then onto a road that runs 45 MPH. Then we turned onto a main road with a 55 MPH limit. We rode at about 55-60 (making sure she was comfortable with the speed) until we turned onto a 4-lane highway. Slowly I increased speed until we were running about 70....And she never knew it!! By taking the time to let her learn the bike slowly, she became comfortable riding.

Now we both ride all over the place.

She started out on a Suzuki Savage 650. This is a great bike that is avaliable used for $1500-2000. It is light and easy to handle. After about a year, she moved up to a Heritage. She loves it. It was a bike that fit her well and was easy for her to balance.

It is important that you find what model and/or style fits you best...not what your friend or spouse likes.

Lots of people have started out with a Full Size Bike. It all depends on what you feel comfortable handling.

In any event, welcome to the Family of Riders. Take your time, enjoy the process and enjoy the experience for the rest of your life.


Ride Safe and always remember........ They Don't See You So You Must Be On the Lookout For Them.


FM

Crawdaddy

Just my opinion but,....

Whatever you buy is going to feel much smaller in 6 months.

If you buy a bike,...and sit on it and say,.."damn this thing is huge",...in 6 months,..you'll be looking for a bigger bike.

Get what you can handle,..but almost any harley is going to be managable. They are built to fit even the smallest riders. Now you caompare it to a Goldwing,...< thats a bigass bike.

but any of the softails should be no problem. i can't say I'd go with a sporty just because your a new rider. In no time at all,..you'll be riding comfortably and if you get a small bike,..you may soon regret it.

We have women,..5' tall in my chapter that ride road kings with no problem.

Good luck however you decide.

snake

Hey BuzzCap7

I totally agree with Crawdaddy. You need to find a dealer who has test ride bikes or when a dealer has an open day, and get on a few different bikes that, 1st of all, catch your eye. Take them for a spin, decide on 1 and just do ot Buzzy. Dyna streetbobs may be an option for you also.

riding tips? You are the most important person on the road, and the only one who knows you are there. Basically never take anything for granted.

If possible get experience in all conditions. you will be riding in all conditions eventually. If you can get a small group of experienced riders together it would be helpful. you can learn a lot from just being around bikers who have been around. Before you set off ask them what formation you are to ride in and talk about advanced indicating, speed limits etc.

It is also good experience to jump on a bike and just cruise around the neighbourhood on your own at your own pace. Try, stopping, hill starts, shoulder checking and just generally getting used to being upright on two wheels. It can be foreign, and then it just clicks and you won't want to be any in other mode.

Ride on

Snake

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Ride on

Snake