[FatFXST]

Well I finally was able to buy my dream bike and have all the things added to it that I want. Well this is my first harley and due to my lack of skill (never ridden one before) I feel like Im going to be afraid to ride it. Mainly due to messing up such a nice expensive thing. I have been riding a Enduro 500 to learn in the mean time that my bike is being built. Do yall think that is enough? Is there anything you recommend? I think I am a little above a beginners MSF course but below the intermediate. Anyone have any words of wisdom of how to practice and build up my confidence?
Here are some pics of my bike inprogress:

[chucktx]

nice looking bike!!!!! the riders course is good for any skill level. they will point out things that the rider does and doesnt. it will point out bad habits. it is well worth the time. for the first time out i would take it easy, get used to the machine as it will be quite a bit heavier than the enduro...have fun and stay safe!!

[Red Rider]

Ride. Fear is for the cagers. Get over it and get on her. Anything less is a crime. Sweet looking baby ya got there, don't let her be a show pony. RIDE!

[Peyts]

RIDE, RIDE, RIDE. You can go to the driving range as much as you want, but it ain't gonna mean jack sh*t on the golf course... you gotta PLAY THE GAME to get good at it. Where was I going with that? Hmmmmm... oh yeah, get out and ride! (And don't be too sure of your skill level... a course will NEVER hurt you.)

Nice looking machine, bro!

[kenfuzed]

Ride, ride, and then ride some more. Take one of those riding courses as well. You can never be too good for them and everyone always learns something.

Also if you ride around like you are scared because of how much money you poured into the bike, you'll never fully experience the joy of just riding. I'd ride it around with the mind set that it were a junker. Keeping your mind off the price tag and on the road is the best advice I can offer. Oh, and did we all mention to RIDE!?

[voodoochild]

Ride, ride, ride, just like stated by everyone here. My first bike was the one you see in my gallery, although I rode others and dirt bikes for a good portion of my younger days. Just take it slow and remember what they taught you in class.....it works! One of the biggest things, learn how to stop. Now go have fun and enjoy your bike. Don't worry about the money, it's insured, right? So f*ck it, if something happens to it, then fix it. It's only metal, very nice looking metal, but metal.

Hmmm, I'm wondering, if you dated a model and she was reeeaaalllllyyy hot, would you ride her or walk away?

Good luck with a great looking bike!

[FatFXST]

Thank you everyone for the encouraging words! I Will go out and RIDE and take some school along the way.

[kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by voodoochild

Hmmm, I'm wondering, if you dated a model and she was reeeaaalllllyyy hot, would you ride her or walk away?

LOL Chris

[Clem]

As the guys are saying: ride it! A bit of fear (respect) is always good with a motorcycle and when you get used to the way it is - you will want to renew your fear by upgrading the engine....as long as pain does not enter the equasion! Keep your cool, chew some gum, and go for it!

[Hot01]

I rode for 20 years before I took the MSF basic course. I took it because I never had a license, and when I bought my Softail new in 2001 I figured that if I was going to be so mainstream I should probably get a motorcycle endorsement too. I didn't think there any way I was going to get it on the Softail.

The course was great. It is pretty slow at first when you've had some experience, but it gets interesting. I was far more comfortable riding my bike than I had ever been in the past. I started having a lot more fun riding. In fact, I thought it was such a great class that I now teach it. (I figured it was a better part time job than working retail) I see a lot of people who have ridden a lot and are there for the same reason I took it. It's scary to see how some of these "experienced" riders handle the bikes, and they're 250cc.

I say take the class. It's fun (it is in NH anyway - we make a point of having fun) and you'll get a lot out of it.

[firefighterbrad]

Don't be scared, ride it man. The only two bikes I had ever been on before were a kawasaki 100cc dirtbike and a suzuki gn125 when I was 14 or 15. I rode mine out of the dealership with 2 miles on it. I felt the same way you do for about 5 minutes and 6500 miles later I still had a sh*t eatin' grin.

[Texas Road Glide]

i think you need a a moped....load the bike up and bring it to me....i will make sure it gets riddin the way it needs to.......giggling
otherwise......just get on and enjoy!!!!
the happiness it brings......will keep you coming back......trust me on this....



TRG

[Slimjim]

The best advice I can give you is ride it but.......


Take the Riders Edge course.
Take some time in an empty parking lot to get used to the feel of your bike.
Don't get behind your buddies and try to keep up with them. They may try to show you how good they are and you could wind up in the ditch.
Don't try to do too much too fast. Ask me how I know.



You'll do great with it. Now have fun!!
Slim

[ringo912]

I agree with TRG and Slimjim...you have two choices. Either ship the bike to one of us so we can make sure it's not neglected, or take the riders course and practice, practice, practice. I think most of the guys here will agee, no matter how many years you have in the saddle, or how good you think you are on a bike, your still never good enough.

[Jackdaluz]

This is a no brainer. Take a MSF course. The beginner course. Right now, all you know how to do is ride on a MC; you need to know how to DRIVE a MC. I bet you can'd\t do figure 8s in 2 parking spaces or stop with maximum front and rear brakes without locking the brakes. How about an obstacle course?
Take a course and after 2 years move up to an intermediate. The average new person becoming a car driver believes they have great skills after a few months. It takes 7 years to obtain the skill level of those they call jerks!
How about milled pavement when its wet? Do you know how to make an emergency lane change and brake at the same time?

...TAKE AN MSF COURSE!!!!!

Jack

[Ultra Al]

Another advantage of taking the safety course is you get a reduction on your insurance. Before you take it out in heavy traffic take it to a big parking lot before the cars get there or after they leave and practice some emergency stops maybe draw some chalk lines and make sure you can get 'er stopped if you need to. It will give you more confidence. Do some lazy figure eights too. Thats a nice looking scooter and dont worry it is nothing to be afraid of AL

[fittykick]

I just picked up a bike that scares me too! It's raked way out...like 42degrees and it has the S&S 124" with the RevTech 6 speed and it's in an aluminum frame. It is a nasty,nasty motor which I like but the steering suc*s. I guess it's get rid of it or try and take a couple of degrees out of the front end...which of course means more $$. It's just hard to hop from my Electraglide to the wicked raked out chopper. Man I love that motor though.

[skull2007]

you'll get used to it being raked, after awhile you won't notice it. takes no more than a couple hundred miles

[voodoochild]

Hey Fitty, why don't you post a pic of that thing, we'd love to see it. BTW, when you have a bike like that, with a motor like that, they don't WANT you to go fast cause the thing won't turn.....

[Tomflhrci98]

Originally Posted by fittykick

I just picked up a bike that scares me too! It's raked way out...like 42degrees and it has the S&S 124" with the RevTech 6 speed and it's in an aluminum frame. It is a nasty,nasty motor which I like but the steering suc*s. I guess it's get rid of it or try and take a couple of degrees out of the front end...which of course means more $$. It's just hard to hop from my Electraglide to the wicked raked out chopper. Man I love that motor though.

Aluminum frame ?? hmmm That's scary enough.
I gotta see this thing.

FatFXST, that thing is too nice to ride. Just put it on a trailer and pull it behind your car. Make sure you wipe it down every time you stop. Like most "bikers" do these days.