Need some input from motorcycle riders

[Ford Freak]

I am going to be looking into getting a motorcycle after I move out of here in a year. I would like any input from learning to drive one to experienced driver input. The bike I am looking at is the HD Road King Custom. I had a dirt bike before so feel free to use that as a comparison. I will not be doing any type of racing and I want something that is comfortable for long rides. I prefer to leave the racing stuff to 4 wheel vehicles and dirt bikes.

I noticed HD offers a course for beginners. I do plan on taking that.

[Bofinn]

I highly recommend taking the course to learn the evasive driving skills. You can start reading some safety stuff ahead of time:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/C...bmLocale=en_US

My 18 year old son has done lots of dirt track racing, and just got a used Susuki 700. He didn't know how to properly steer it because a dirt bike you lean more and a street bike you lean and also push downward on the handle bar. You also look in the direction you are going (look over shoulder) when doing a u-turn. It helps keep your balance.

I rode a Honda Magna 700 from 1985 - 1986, took a 10 year break, and now I have a Harley 2006 Ultra Classic. The Harley Thread
I was scared shiatless when it came time to leave the dealer for the first time. But 2 minutes later I was back in the flow. But it still took 3 or 4 weeks to really get the handle of a big bike.

You'll probably want to borrow a smaller bike to go take the test for the license. You have to do some pretty tight crazy eight turns inside a painted box. I'd go to your state's DMV page and check out the motorcycle rules of the road stuff.

[yamawho]

I find it better to start with a smallar bike and trade up afew times until you get what you want. After owning afew you will have a better idea.

I started out riding a Yamaha 175cc street and trail 25+ years ago and got a Honda 750 Interceptor which I kept few many years. I took about a 10 year break and started again with a kawa 100cc KE100 street and trail for a year and traded up to my first custom a Savage LS650. Although I liked the Savage it was not for me. I found myself dragging the footpegs the first week I owned it. I just did not feel safe riding a crusier so I got the bike I currently own the Honda 599 or Hornet as they call it in Europe ... best bike I have ever owned

I have never taken a course but I feel it would be well worth it.

[Bofinn]

The Harley safety courses can be a bit expensive, but they provide the bike for you to wipe out, ummm ride on...

Check it out, the state of IL has free courses, so maybe shop around for a course near you:

http://www.dot.state.il.us/cycle.html

[Bofinn]

Can I get a head start on studying for the course ?
Yes. The following link is to a PDF of the rider handbook provided to BRC participants. Take advantage of this information and get a head start on the course! http://www.msf-usa.org/CurriculumMaterials/BRCRiderHndbk_2005v6.pdf
(Note: this PDF is not printable.)

[sorrow]

A large first bike as others have said might not be the way to go. Buy a bike similar in design and comfort for 4k and sell it a year later.

There are two types of street riders, those who have crashed and those who are going to crash.

YOU ARE INVISIBLE === remember that and all will be well.

[Drufuss]

First thought: Don´t buy a Harley if you want to ride a motorcycle. Be it for racing or cruising.

Second thought: Okay, when you are an american in america you probably have to buy a harley.

The Harely will be a lot different to the dirt bike.

Here in austria the ÖAMTC (this is the austrian version of the ADAC) offers trainings (one day, two days, three days, beginner, experts, racing, offroad, etc. etc.) I took a two day training every year since about eight years ago. Learned the most on the first training (more than we learned in several weeks of driving school).
In the following years i started my riding season with such a training.
Really nice when you can explictely train certain situations (emergency break at 100 km/h with an "obstacle" in front of you, so you have to open breaks again and maneuver around it for example) on a closed compound with an instructor telling you what you did right or wrong.

Some key tips for riding a bike:

Always look where you want to go! DON´T look at things you don´t want to hit! (when you see an oil patch on the street, and you want to avoid it when taking that curve, don´t make the mistake of looking directly at it. You´ll probably hit it. Look beside it, where you want to pass it) When you´re taking a corner, don´t look at the road right in front of your front wheel (like most beginners do), look deep into the corner, look at the point where you want to be within the next 5 seconds.
When you want the bike to lean to the left side (to ride a left curve), steer to the right. Yes, pull the right end of the handlebar closer to you, or push the left end of the handlebar away from you. The bike will immideately lean to the left side, smooth and easy.
When you want to the right side, steer to the left.
If you haven´t done this before (i´m sure you already have but without knowing it) try it.
Use the front break as your main break. Front/rear ratio about 90% front, 10% rear. On the harley it may be 60% front 40% rear, because of her geometry.

Okay, i´ll write more when i find the time today.

Greetings

Dru

[3 of 7]

If your buying the bike new, the tires will have mold release on them that is hella slippery, many new bikes have scars on them from the first whack of the throttle showing off leaving the dealers. Just go really easy for the first 100 km.

[ToronadoXP]

Took the msf course and learned alot that stuck in my head and im sure saved my *** plenty of times. I did get a bike has a fun toy to ride around but now its my daily driver and I ride all year long.

+1 on not buying harleys, too damn pricey and their cheapest (sportster) is *****-able.

I suggest using both brakes every time you stop for a while. You'll start figuring out when to use which the best. A course would explain it in detail. The true ratio is front 75% rear 25%. So basically just using the front brake you would stop 80ft vs 60ft. 20ft is quite a bit.

and as 3 of 7 says New tires are slick. Take it easy on em. Might slightly scuff em up with sandpaper for piece of mind.

It may take a while to find the right bike too. My suggestion is dont buy anything too small and dont buy anything big. A middle midleweight bike is a good way to go. Just take it easy...but then again your on a cruiser Just kiddin.

Oh and buy gear before buying the bike. Wouldnt want this to be your last post

[DBoone]

IMO there's no better touring bike than a Honda Goldwing. Smooth, quiet, comfortable with decent storage room. I absolutely loved mine.

[Ozzie]

Advice? Don't forget to put your feet down.

No seriously...I used to go riding with some maniacs when I was younger, and once in a while someone would forget to put their feet down when stopping.
You don't feel the weight when balancing, but get those suckers leaning and you won't be able to stop.

[Drufuss]

Okay, you should use both brakes (u don´t want to miss those ~25% if you need them), but the front should be your main brake. Some of the bikers i know are leaving two fingers on the brake handle all the time (so you can use the brake immediately and don´t have to reach for the handle first), but i can´t ride that way (hands to small).
Learn to know how your bike reacts when braking. When you have the time, do some testing on a quiet road. Try to pull the front brake really hard, prepared to let it go as soon as the front tire starts to slip. You´ll be amazed how hard you can brake on a normal road without any problems.
Do the same with the rear brake.

Also, train to release the brakes soon enough to be able to maneuver around an obstacle in case the stopping distance would be to long.

Yes, don´t forget to put you feet down!
My bike has about three times my own weight. I´m able to balance it, even with my girlfreind, two sidepacks, one backpack, a tent, etc. etc. on it. But only up to a certain angle, beyond that i can only let go.

Greetings

Dru

[BoWevil_abx]

Another great touring bike, not as large a bike as the Goldwing, is the Honda Valkyrie. They look great too.

[yamawho]

Originally Posted by ToronadoXP

Oh and buy gear before buying the bike. Wouldnt want this to be your last post

Good point !

I always wear a full face helmet ... even when I had the crusier.

Even if you don't wipeout, those bugs hitting your face at 100 mph can leave a dent

[Ford Freak]

Thanks for all the help so far. Riding gear is one of the things I had planned on getting first. Getting a cheap used one is a good idea at first is a good idea. I'll look into that for sure.

The base usually provides a safety course also. The problem is that you have to provide your own bike and it is only about a day long from what I have heard. I'd rather have the training course provide the bike even if I have to pay to take the course.

Originally Posted by yamawho

Even if you don't wipeout, those bugs hitting your face at 100 mph can leave a dent

You also get some extra protein in your diet.