Will you help a beginner with a motorcycle question?

Question

Just got my m license today, after taking a 20 hour training course. I have a buddy who wants to rent harleys and go on a road trip somewhere. is it too early for me to do this? ido you think like 1200 cc's is too much bike for a beginner? or am i just being paranoid?

Answer 1

I agree w/DCGirl. Harleys are big and heavy and if you don't have a lot of experience, wait until you do. I have 2 Harleys but am not 'die-hard' (although personally I wouldn't have a Honda). Go get a good affordable used bike and get used to it. I have ridden for over 15yrs and just took a class to get my license earlier this spring and there were things I learned. ( yes, I rode illegally for 15+yrs....) So get comfortable first.....THEN go rent a Harley. You may find that you don't even like Harleys.....

Answer 2

Don't do it man... The 1200 is absoilutely crap for long distance trips. It's like riding a skinny washing machine that is off balance. The 1200 is a zippy, top heavy bike for a beginner. I learned on a Dyna and I've been riding a 1500 Drifter for a year and a half now. I remember when I got out of the course how different it was to be on the road and surrounded by people that can't see you, aren't looking for you and, quite frankly, find your presence an annoying inconvenience... It's a totally different world from the course and you should allow yourself ample time to deal with the road, have a couple of close calls (and you will) and hone your skills.

Plus, think about it, it's not your bike. If you drop it you are going to have, at the very least, a large insurance co-pay/deductible to cover. Is it worth it? The very fact that you are asking, "Should I" implies that you probably shouldn't. And that's okay. We all start somewhere...

Overall, in my opinion, It's just not a good move this early in your riding career...

Finally, (And on an upward note) The 1200 sporty is NOT the big bad beast that some people try to make it out to be. It's quick and very top heavy. Ultimately it's the cheap little baby of the HD family and, if we're honest, it's terribly uncomfortable to ride for long distances. On top of that, it's almost universally considered to be an ideal bike for a woman. (Which is utter BS) I suggest you ride your own bike for six months and then rent a Dyna for a weekend. It's much smoother and better balanced. If you like it, rent one for a long trip. You won't regret it.

Best of luck!!!!

Answer 3

It's way too early for you to take this challenge. You have not gotten any on-the-road experience so you are not used to being on a bike in traffic. Dealing with cars (and their sometimes moronic drivers) is probably the hardest part of safe motorcycling. Also you are not used to controlling the weight of a big bike like that, nor its power. Combined, this could add up to an accident for you--- if a car cuts you off, you may overreact because you're not used to being cut off in the first place, and your overreaction will be made worse because you're not used to how a "big" bike feels. Make a mistake and down you go! And while the bike may be insured and you may have health insurance, that's not going to undo the damage you sustain in a crash, at least not overnight.

Harley dealers will be renting bikes forever and roads will always be there. Buy yourself a "beater" bike--- 500-750 cc would be best , something mechanically sound but maybe not all that pretty. Ride it for the next couple of months and work your way up to that road trip, either towards the end of the season or into next year.

Answer 4

I feel that a long distance trip is a bad idea for a novice rider. There're too many circumstances that will come up in which you will not have the ability to deal with appropriately (terrain, weather, drivers, animals, etc.). I personally don't think the size of the motor matters for any rider because you can ride a ZX14 like a grandma. However, the size of the motorcycle matters as far as weight goes. Lighter bikes are more easily manipulated at slower speeds (turning onto a side-type street), especially in-line engines (cafe`) of any sort versus a V-twin (HarDleys, V-Max, etc). Heavier bikes are more stable on the highway as you won't get blown around by tractor-trailers as much. I would recommend an 883 instead of a 1200 if you plan on tackling this venture. Good luck and be safe!

Answer 5

I learned on a 125 cc bike but the next bike I rode was 1200cc (Harley Buell) because that's all I had to practice with. I practiced in the parking lot because the size of the bike was a bit intimidating. I did fine except that I didn't like how I had to stand on my toes cuz the bike was a bit tall for me. So I never took it on the road. Oh yeah, and turning sharply took some getting used to, so I'm VERY glad I started out in a parking lot and not on a road. Before you take it on the road, see how you feel riding in a parking lot.

As for your first question. It takes some experience to steer that thing so be careful and practice in a parking lot. If you took the course, I'm sure you know that most motorcycle accidents are caused by poorly negotiating turns. As a newbie, you should KNOW THE ROADS YOU WILL RIDE. Start out on roads you know. Also KNOW YOUR BIKE before you go on road trips. If you do rent a bike, get to know it REAL well first. Every clutch is different. So is every throttle. B safe.

Answer 6

Depends on how far the road trip is, where you will be riding, and how much traffic you will be in.

If your staying local (near city's) a Sportster 883 may be the best if you/your bud are bent on riding a Harley. They are not nearly has heavy as most other Harley model's. Have a sportier handling and not has highly powered.

If your on a long cruise then a 'Glide might work, but they are a different breed for sure. They are Heavy and do take some getting used to...

If you are going to some motorcycle rally / event. Don't ride at all. Too much traffic (car and bike). Danger lurks there for novice riders.

Answer 7

I agree the the consensus here strictly on the size of the bike, stay away from the big bike for the time being. Your limited experience would put you at too much personal risk to make this worth while.

That said, you can still make the trip. Check with the rental place and ask if they have any smaller options available and if they don't there is most likely someplace else nearby that does. Making a trip like this with an experienced rider along can be a great learning experience for a newer rider.

Answer 8

I don't think it's the 1200 cc's you need to worry about. It would be the inexperience on such a large bike that would be your concern. Harley's are large and heavy, and can be a handful for a beginner (as can any bike). You may want some time to get comfortable on the road before you tackle a big ol' hog!

Answer 9

Start with 400's first. Don't take chances on the mean Harleys. They are real bad-*** motorcycles, and meant for the experienced. I have been riding bikes for the last 9 years. And I feel how much I have mastered my bike since the very first day. So, first Master your bike buddy! That'll help you a lot.

Answer 10

I'd say it's too early, if only because it'll cost you a BUNDLE if you make even the slightest mistake and even scratch one of those rentals.

Things may have changed, but the one time I looked into rentals, they required you to have a balance on your credit card that equaled or came close to equaling the replacement cost of the bike. Maybe it was just the one place though....

I really wouldn't risk it. I believe Harleys tend to be heavier than usual too, so that would just add to the possibility you'll have some kind of incident.

Bummer, I know, but save yourself now and look forward to next year!