Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I salute you for pursueing your dream bike. You deserve it. I can tell you from my own experience that I bought my first bike last year knowing next to nothing about them. I took the riders course also and even though the bike I trained on was tiny in comparison to what I bought, it did a lot for me in respect to balance. With a bigger bike, balance at stop and very slow speed is where you might need more strength, especially if there is loose gravel under your feet and you feel yourself slipping around a bit. I put 3500 miles on last year and feel confident(but not cocky) in my comfort level with it. I am 5'9" and 220 lbs. My bike is 605 lbs. dry weight. As long as you take it easy, don't ride beyond your capabilities, and respect the dangers involved, I think you will be just fine. If doing any damage to your baby would be worse than death, then I would agree that spending a couple $$ on a beater to ride around for a few months, while your bob sits patiently in the garage, might be a wise decision. Either way, congrats and have fun!! Get home safe and stay safe!

Hey have fun on your new bike!! Be safe, be smart and most of all........
THANK YOU!

Definitly, I'm with Basshole.

Not to steer the thread elsewhere, but many people confuse the contribution of people like yourself with the issue of controversial decisions made by the people that order your deployment. No matter what the opinion on the latter may be, your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Now go get your bike.

I did exactly what you want to do...had never ridden before but bought my softail Deuce 1 day after finishing my MSF course. Its more or less the same bike you're looking at.

If you do the MSF properly and take it to heart (ie follow everything they teach you even after you've left the class ) I don't see why you should have any problems. Just know as I've come to learn and respect, if you do drop it, it'll be expensive

As far as the accident rate for returning veterans, unfortunately its down to the lack of motorcycle training, so you're helping your odds with the course.

The upside to Harley is they'll put the Warranty on hold while any servicemen are serving in Afghanistan or Iraq, so if you happen to go back (hope you dont have to) you dont lose any time on the warranty.

As with everyone else here, appreciate what you and your colleagues are doing over there. Sorry you had to do it, but you are making a country proud

If you don't like it you can always sell it. If you got enough money to get a beater bike to learn/play with by all means do so. But I've found all bikes have their quarks so you'll have to learn its ways anyway. You already said you're signed up for a course so if this is the bike you want GET IT!
And don't forget it's dangerous on the road on a bike even if you don't do the haulin a$$ thing.
Get to know as much about your bike as you can and you'll enjoy every minute you have it. Do as much as your own maintenance as you can (you'd be surprised how much satifaction you get from this). Invest in some quality riding gear (don't forget rain/cold weather gear) and the best part of learning to Ride is practice, practice, practice.

And Thank You for stepping up to do your part in our armed forces.