I've been riding motorcycles since I was 7. I worked my way up through different sizes and styles, and eventually owned 2 Harleys. I'm now back on a Honda.

Sure, sometimes I miss the thunderous roar of a chopper - but I also like the smooth, water cooled, reliability that is provided by my Honda.

Plus, I could finally hang up that big black leather jacket and get a wallet without a chain. :D

My advice is the same as most everyone else here. Start with a lightweight and move up as your skills improve. It really sucks trying to pick up a 900# bike when you stall and drop it making a left turn in traffic. Not that I know.

It's sucks picking up a 500# bike too...it's just easier :)

Does anyone remember the days when Harley rides were tough guys with cobbled together bikes ...rather than the typical doughboy w/ garagequeen of today?

r i g h t

Hey fog, can you please point me towards where I can buy a BWM motorcycle? Always wanted one... :)

Regarding people who own a Harley, BMW or Duke... I assume that people who are a 911 Porsche do not need perspective and are totally different?

Have a good day...

I guess you are what you drive...

Always fun to heckle a heckler. ;)

Thats what I was thinking. Here is someone looking down on someone who rides a Harley, BMW or Duke, while posting on a 911 Porsche forum! Had to laugh about that one!

As another rider, I'd have to echo the comments about starting small. Smaller than a Harley, for sure. The combination of weight, not-so-great stopping/cornering, and gobs of torque aren't newbie-friendly. Not that you couldn't start out on one and never crash. I'm sure lots of people wind up just fine. But there will be easier (and cheaper) ways to enter this very unforgiving hobby.

The other benefit of starting with a smaller bike (and then moving up in a year or so) is actually becoming a better rider. No one believes me (or has the patience for it?) when I say this, but starting on a smaller, lighter, less powerful bike will allow you to learn to be a better rider. You'll be less intimidated by the power and weight of a bigger bike. It'll force you and allow you to actually learn to ride. And when you step up to the bike you wanted all along, you'll be far more prepared to ride it safely and to its potential. However, you'll have to tolerate the ghey-ness of riding a less than sexy "starter" bike for awhile. 'Course, I can think of plenty of starter bikes that I'd be perfectly happy to ride. YMMV.

At the same time, I've noticed that most of the people that ask the question of "Is this bike too much for me?" never wind up listening to the advice that's given them. At least on the sportbike forums--though I can't imagine the egos/motivations of cruiser riders are much different. They just wind up buying whatever they wanted to begin with.

MSF should be mandatory, BTW. As well as decent gear and health insurance (check to make sure your policy covers you in case of a motorcycle accident--some policies won't). Don't count on your moto policy to bail you out of medical bills, as most states consider a bike as a recreational vehicle, and not in the same category as a car.

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Lots of excellent advice here, test drive a rental, Safety Course, check other models and sizes, stay away from the wanna-be jerkoff bikers. I've been riding for a lot of years, don't go on runs anymore, last time at Stugis, left after 2 days, too much crap. And I rode all the way there, no trailer.

Here's the deal for anyone, even those with a lot of years riding. The odds of going down on a new bike are about 80% within the first 6 months. Takes that long to learn the new bike. How long did it take you to dial in on your Porsche? Same if not longer on a bike, without any protection.

Old saying, "Two kinds of bikers, those that have gone down, and those that are going down". True. Some survive, some don't. Been down twice, broken neck C2 first time, shattered leg last time.

Not trying to talk you out of it. I still ride the bike I broke all the bones on and I went down within the first 12 months, but then those were the years when I thought I was bulletproof. But it is getting more dangerous out there, with all the idiots on cell phones, texting, etc.

Go get a dirt bike and take your falls there first. Broke my foot the first time out on my dirt bike. Got road rash and destroyed the road bike within one month. Both times I was not fully equipped with corect garb. Get that first.

OK OR, I am glad to see this is a serious thread, I like others, was waiting for the punchline. Now that it isn't coming and you are serious about looking for a bike, there has been some good advice here so far.

My first bike was a BMW R1150 GS. It was significantly taller than any Harley, and although it was a little lighter, didn't feel it due to the riding position and height. After having kids, I noticed that most of my riding was commuting to work (60 miles each way on a 4 lane interstate), and the BMW just wasn't cutting it. I am pretty tall (6-4) and I couldn't find a windshield that did a good job of blocking the wind, my helmet would move around no matter what I did. I stripped all the parts of my BMW and sold them to a friend with an R1150R, and sold the GS.

I knew I wanted something more comfortable, and started looking at touring bikes. With the exception of the big ass BMW LT's and Honda Goldwings, in my opinion, you can't beat a v-twin touring bike. My Electra Glide has a nice big windshield, a fairing, and hard saddlebags. It was exactly what I was looking for, and I knew that the HD would basically do a pretty good job of holding its value.

With regards to everyone talking about posers and folks that shouldn't be riding HD's, I agree, but come one, why worry about something you can't change. Last time I looked you can choose to ride with whomever you want. If you have some friends that fit the poser or whatever bill, either don't ride with them, or accept that if you do, there could be some risk.

Also the advice on riding gear is good. I have a BMW textile jacket, and pants that have the protective padding, and also a set of leathers. The leather jacket took me about two years to buy, because I had a very specific idea on what I wanted with regards to no collar, the padding, etc. For the whole time I was looking for the leathers, I wore my textile BMW jacket while riding. I have numerous paris of gloves, and agree, they are an important piece of gear to wear. Also spend the money on a good helmet. I personally like Arai, but that is just because they fit my head the best.

Now, with regards to what you should ride. i don't think anything until the MSF course. After that, I recoment the idea of a Buell. While I don't know everything about them, I do have a friend that rides one, and its a cool bike. You can always "hang" with the HD crowd, and the sport bike crowd, and see if there are a certain group of riders you like better, or whatever.

Bill

Don't know if this is gonna work, keep getting error message, me and my bike after my 5th engine rebuild. The paint, leather, build is by me, the only thing I don't do is the lower end.

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+1,000,000 on the MSF course. Check with your local harley shop...they usually offer them and provide the bikes.

Case in point...enrolled my 18 y.o. stepson in one this past spring. Variety of people in class...from stepson to mid 30's women to 25 y.o. GI to 60 something guys wanting their first ride with plans for a hog. All slow speed stuff...during the last hour of the 3 day course the instructor complimented everyone on their progress and said "If everyone doesn't dump their bike or do something stupid you all will pass."

Within 10 minutes of that statement, a 50 y.o. guy who had never ridden got crossed up and grabbed the front brake and simultaneously opened the throttle at about 9 mph. Over the handlebars he went in. Landed flat on his face. Knocked out his two front teeth and broke his nose. Gash on lip requiring 12 stitches.

I drove him to the ER. He decided he really didn't want a motorcycle anymore.

I have 2 Buells (hence the "Dueller" tag) and I would disagree. The crotch rocket guys don't talk to me because they're harley's and the Harley guys don't talk to me cause they're crotch rockets. Which is EXACTLY why I love them so much....everyone leaves me the fock alone.:D

Seriously, my old "tuber" Buells almost always generate the most attention at any bike related gathering because there are so few of them around. Everybody from both camps want to ask the question of the ages: WHY?

They are an absolute hoot to ride tho'.

Hmm, I wouldn't have thought that Dueller. I have ridden a bunch of Buells, mostly older, the new ones are way too small and I look like a praying mantis on them, and I agree, I think they are cool.

I've ridden the newer ones and with a 52" wheel base and me at 6'1 200+ lbs they are a bit cramped. My old school buells are a lttle bigger (55" wheelbase) but I still look like a bear wrestling a football but they are fun.

My favorite of the two..98 S1W (White Lightning) punch out to 1430cc's:

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Sportsters are the same way. Crotch rocket guys...ditto, Harley guys won't since it's a "girls bike" :) ...like I give a crap about what anyone thinks, but being left alone is a REAL plus.

So true.

Time for a riddle: Why do Harley guys wear fringe?




















Answer: So they'll know when they're moving.:D:D:D

AGATT

you've been warned

That alone will keep the Harley posiers away :)