Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Stupid drivers.

It's good that your ok for the most part. What was the driver's excuse? Or did he have one?

From what I've heard the VTX 1300's are great bikes. I almost bought one but decided against it due to it's weight. I'm sure once you get the wheels moving it wont seem like that much at all. And I ride my Sporty on the highway daily 60-70MPH and it does fine...I'm sure the 1300 does even better.

Most of the time when highway riding I tend to forget about how much wind an 18-wheeler can whip up when it passes by in the opposite lane. When I see one coming I remember to stay relaxed but ready for the gust and anything it carries with it.

I voted 20-50 miles because my "average" ride is to work, and that's about a 25 mile trip. On the weekends I average 100+.

Whatever you choose to do, just learn at your own pace.

Most advise(me included) not to start out with a bike with so much power, but if that's what you really want...nobody can tell you different. I've seen people learn on CBR1000s/GSXR1000s and do quite well. I've also seen the opposite.

Just be ...

I've been riding for a while, and luckily the largest thing/animal I've hit was a frog. Back when I had my Shadow. I remembered hitting it, then about a week later I went to the garage and it smelled so bad. I wondered what it was and got to looking. Come to find out the frog had gotten wedged ...

Around 35mph is around the time when she needs to shift...3rd gear at 35mph tends to rattle my bones and 35mph in 4th seems like shes gaspin' for breath. This is only a problem because some of the main roads I take to work have posted speed limits of 35mph.

Other than that...I love this bike.

2009 ...

It's not wrong to assume that considering the "look" of the other two bikes I had in mind, but no, I got the Custom. It had the bigger tank and stock forward mounted controls. Plus, I just liked the looks of it.

The Nightster is a good looking bike though.

My new '09 Sporty 1200 is my first Harley. Love it so far.

I had two other bikes in mind other than the one I ended up with, the Night Train and the Cross Bones but both were out of my price range. My 1200 has plenty of torque and less weight to carry around though.

No mods as of yet, still ...

In that case I would just take it to your local bike shop/dealer. Usually though with time you'll get used to it and it will feel easier to pull in...but if it is really that tight just take it to the shop.

Good luck and have fun!