Learning Curve!?

Question

I have taken a Harley instructional class and a two hour private lesson, yet I only still feel comfortable riding neighborhood streets. Have you others waited a bit (like a few weeks) to hit more "normal roads" with street light intersections, 45 mph+ speed limits, and such? I just purchased a Harley Dynaglide Street Bob; thus, the weight of the bike may be holding me back slightly. What do you think?

Answer 1

That is normal. Just go out and ride at your own pace . Ride when there isn't too much traffic (sat / sun morning) , you can get out on the roads but you don't have to fight traffic

Answer 2

Yes, it's a very good idea to practice in a safe, slow environment before heading out into more difficult traffic. Took me several weeks of practicing before I was willing to go more than 4 or 5 miles from my house.

And yes, weight has a lot to do with the difficulty of controlling a bike and how intimidating it can be for the rider. I learned to ride in a class where they had teeny tiny Honda CB125's. The bike I bought was a Honda that weighed about 500 lbs - and that's nearly 200 more than the bike in the class. It was definitely a harder bike to ride as a complete beginner, and I'd imagine the Dynaglide is even more difficult for a newbie.

So practice what you do feel safe doing, and only ratchet up the difficulty a little at a time. Don't try anything you don't feel ready to do, unless you absolutely have no choice. If it takes you two months before you feel confident enough to ride it to work, so be it - some people don't reach that milestone for even longer. Only take on the sorts of changes in riding that you feel you are ready for, and don't push yourself too hard at once.

Answer 3

Where do you live? I want to make sure you are not on the same streets I ride. I don't want to see you become a statistic and I surely do not want to be a statistic you caused.

Sorry, I do not mean to be rude, but if you just had to have a Harley you should have started out on a 883 sportster. First time bikers do not understand it is unsafe to start out on huge bikes. Even the 883 may be too big for a beginner, but Harley no longer makes smaller bikes, and the 883's are really good starter bikes.

Heck, I am 54 years old and have ridden daily for 37 years and I ride an 883 sportster, but I do not have a prejudice against smaller bikes that most do.

It scares me that most new riders today are taught to believe that bigger is better and Harley only. I love my Sportster and I doubt I will ever go back to Jap bikes , but I still maintain that someone who has never ridden should start of with a smaller bike.

I see too many people on the news who get these big honkers and have never ridden and they die.

Please, please, please take a motorcycle saftey course. I do not think you took a real motorcycle safety course. These are usually all day events and they usually furnish the bikes which are usually small 125 cc bikes and they teach you how to start, and stop and lean and all the things you are asking. Your last question got many responses, which in my opinion based on 37 years of riding daily will get you killed. Try shifting your gears without moving before you get on the road. you will find it is very difficult and you will find that if you come to a stop and then change gears you will get honked at and cussed because you cannot chnge fast enough and sometimes you have to rock the bike when stopped to change gears. Please park that thing until you get the proper training and plese get a license.

I have owned larger bikes and my favorite was a 1100 Yahama Silverado , but my favorete size bike is the 750cc to 1000cc, class. I personally prefer the 800 or 900 cc bikes simply because the smaller bikes are easier to handle and manuver, but on long trips and Highway trips of course the larger bike is more comfortable and easier on the butt. touring bikes are great for cross country riding but not good vor city riding, but it is all a matter of personal choice and style of riding.

Answer 4

Stick with what is working for you. Do not take to a highway until your are ready. Their are certain things you must learn first. Just simple opperation.

Go back and make sure to read the entire HD Owners manual. You will pick up tips, which most people do not even think are in their.

Key tips:
Always Brake in a straight line, using both front & rear brakes =On dry pavement.

Always get in the habit of pulling in the clutch when turning, this will make the bike act like a coaster bicycle, this way you will not chug or cause the engine to lag on a corner, which causes you to drop the bike or slip on oil spots.

Remember that Asphalt is somewhat like riding on gravel at times, stay away from the lines and uneven asphalt, it can throw you off or cause the bike to chine walk. (Whobble)

When you move up to riding on the roads at 45 mph. stay left of center in the Right-hand lane. Day time riding, w/high bean on!

Remember to give 4-5 seconds of distance between you and all the cars. Never ride to the rear or side of a car, stay to the front of them, to be seen.

Riding in the rain:
Spend the money to buy the Harley Rain Pants, they are worth it, they have nomex on the inside of the legs to keep from burning on your pipes. Get a Leather Perforated Jacket from Vanson, w/ the liner. Kevlar gloves for protection, and full face or flip up Vega helmet.
1.Allways brake in a straight line.
2.Do not down shift in the rain or engine brake, it can cause the bike to whip or slide on you.
3.Stay off the white paint at intersections, don't put your foot down on them, they are as slick as snott.
4.Riding on concrete provides the best surface in the rain. Asphalt will be slippery in the rain, due to oil on it, down ride in the center of any lane, stay to the left of the oil spots.
5.If you happen to fall down or have a lay over on the bike. The easy way to pick up the bike is to, turn around, bend down and put your butt on the seat, using your legs like squats at the gym, just push with your legs, it will save your back from injury.
6.Buy some rain Clear if you have a windshield, if not and you plan on taking a trip, buy the HD removable windshield.

Extra grear:
Travel bags. I found that the bikers friend bag is one of the best ideas, because it works as a back rest for a solo rider and also holds your stuff.

The links below should give you all the info. you need on places to buy the things you need. I have done all the research, so take it from me, the easy way, follow my links.

Good Luck, and be safe.

Answer 5

Keep doing what's comfortable for you, and enjoy buying new parts for your expensive toy when you drop it. You WILL drop it, because ALL new riders drop their first bike more than once. Think of it as an opportunity to customize your bike!

But you're on the right track. There's a lot to soak in when learning to ride a motorcycle, so just make sure you're comfortable.

Answer 6

Find an empty parking lot large even and go practice in it..do lots of turns lots of stops just going round and round in circles.get the feel of the bike and also get yourself more practice on the bike..do this for about a week and see where you are

Answer 7

i'm way behind the curve,but still managed to make a couple of milions

Answer 8

you'll get there with more practice