I'm planning on taking Harley Davidson's Beginner Riding Course. Do a lot of people go straight to a big bike?

Question

I've looked at the Buell Blast, but i'd really love to get the Buell Firebolt XB9R. Does the course prepare riders enough to (relatively) safely handle a bigger-engined bike as such?

What all of you are saying makes good sense. I want to stay alive as much as the next guy. I guess the center of my question was about how much more difficult/dangerous a Firebolt is to ride than a Blast.

Answer 1

Pretty much what most everyone has said: forget the Firebolt and reconsider the Blast ... you will ruin it and feel real sad, even if you do not eat pavement.
My first bike was a clapped out, five-year-old, 70,000 mile Honda CB450. It was garbage, but it was a good learning machine, taught me a lot about basic mechanics (I was always tinkering to keep the POS running), and I didn't mind so much when I laid it down the first time or two (as you WILL do).
Riding a motorcycle is about developing new reflexes. Nearly everything about riding a bike is different from what you would "logically" expect. F'rinstance, you PUSH the right handlebar to GO right (called countersteer). And you use the Front brake in corners, unless you want to go off the outside of the curve and eat a tree. And to regain control and tighten a turn radius, you use THROTTLE, not brake. See, it's all backwards from what you would expect.
The looking/seeing/being seen thing is different on a bike, too. And the sensations are way way different (thrilling, and scary, and a little disorienting at times). Do you want to have that much power whizzing you onto the shoulder and over the handlebars?
Trust me on this. I have been on motorcycles for 30 years now, and have developed some perspective: do NOT get a powerhouse machine for your first bike. The safety class is a great idea, and the Harley class will teach you a lot. But forget wasting your money on the Buell for a first bike, unless you don't mind breaking your toys. Maybe for your second bike, in a year or so.

Answer 2

First, let me ask you a question? Do you want to stay alive?? If the answer is yes then this is my advice. 1. Take a course from an independently certified school w. certified teachers. Anyone who has something to sell will not be dealing at arm's length (objectively) that's a fact. 2. The basic course is just that - basic. Statistics show that most riders will have an accident in their 3rd year because that's when they feel that they've reached a high skill level and get careless. 3. Start with a smaller bike and move on up. I started 4 years ago with a 250cc (1 yr) went to 600cc (2 yrs) getting a 750cc this year AND taking an Advance Rider Training course. My daughter started with a Buell Blast and she had a blast with it for 4 years. She moved up to a Firebolt this year. Think about this, a person getting their pilot licence, starts with a Boeing 747? Please!!! use your head and forget about the machismo for at least a year or two. Have fun and keep the shiny side up.

Answer 3

It's like asking:
I have someone that needs to learn how to drive.
Can they safely learn in a Corvette?

You can ride anything after taking the basic course. The question is, what is best for you given your experience, confidence and aversion to risk.

This is just my opinion but, I would suggest getting a smaller bike to start with. Buy a used one and ride until you feel you're ready. Then you can supersize to the Buell.

Answer 4

why are u even considering getting a bike that's almost 1000cc....both fuel injected and water cooled? did u even see how much this puppy weighs? it's barely heavy enough to be used for a paper weight with the engine this thing has in it. the only difference the firebolt has vs the blast is.......the blast will be a hell of alot more forgiving than the firebolt will ever be. if u make a mistake on the 'bolt, if the riding gods are against u, it will be the last mistake u ever make.
just because u graduated the brc doesnt mean u have enough skills to handle a liter bike on the twisties at speed. on the road, u cant afford to make a mistake.

Answer 5

While the Harley course is MSF certified, there have been documented cases where the MSF 'bent' the rules and allowed a course to be conducted at a facility that was inadaquate for doing so. This resulted, sadly, in a fatality.

I'm all for training, and for the most part the MSF courses are great. But any training course is only as good as it teachers and facilities. My advice would be to find a community college that offers the basic MSF course. These are usually conducted in more than adaquate facilites by instuctors that WANT to be there helping you learn to ride.

Good Luck!!!!

Answer 6

Trae &taffscott must be living in a cave is all I can figure! HarleyDavidson rider course are Motorcycle Safety Foundation endorsed. That means the instuctors are experienced and have a certificate from the State saying they have met the qualifications to teach such a course.Harley offers a multitude of bikes for riders of all sorts. Your size doesn't matter as I have seen women under 5 ft tall on full dressers( lowered of course) cause Harley offers kits to lower everything they got. It is good you are taking the class as I have been recommending this to new riders evry since I took one back in Oct. They taught this 'ol dog'a few new tricks and tips on staying safe

Answer 7

the HD new rider course will teach you enough to ride a bike safely but experience will teach you more plus you insurance Co.will be a little more reasonable if you have some experience. Big New Bike and New Rider High Rates!

Answer 8

I learned on a 80cid FLHT, but I'm good. No course will prepare a beginning rider to ride a buell. You should start on something that won't kill you with a flick of the wrist

Answer 9

You are going to drop your first bike eventually so most people will tell you not to start on a brand new one, especially not something as expensive as a buell.

You shouldnt have a problem handling it though, the xb9r has a v-twin engine, while most sportbikes are inline fours. In terms of power and top speed a gsxr600 or a 600rr will beat the xb9r in spite of the cc difference, but the buells are supposed to have really good handling

Answer 10

It is not a good idea to start with a big bike. They are (of course) heavy, less agile in manuvering and stopping.
Start with a much smaller bike. Try a 550cc to 850cc? If you are a bigger person, you might be ok with a Sporster 1100cc.
Ultimately, the best is a dirtbike or enduro...you can ride and bust those up with out being out a lot. Plus, if you can ride well in the dirt, the road is that much easier. Good luck!