THE New Guy

[Markus]

So I'm the new guy from NJ. I've been thinking about getting a motorcycle for years, but other financial issues were always more important. So I bought tickets for a charity raffle and wouldn't you know it, I won the motorcycle.

I'm very aware that it's a big bike (2010 Harley Davidson Road King Classic), and I'm very aware that it's in most people's opinions NOT a good first bike. Hopefully I won't take too much of a beating on that point .

I am registered for a Basic Rider Course at the end of the month and just happen to have a nice big parking lot across the street from my house. I'm in no hurry to hit the open road, or break any land speed records. I'm going to take it slow, and if it doesn't work out I'll be more than happy to sell the bike and either buy a smaller one or do something else with the money.

I've been looking through the forums and have found alot of good information, tips, and links. With that being said I'm glad to be here and hopefully everything will work out for the best.

[Wrider]

Welcome to the club man.
You're right it's a pretty huge/heavy/powerful (as much as I hate that last part it's true lol) bike for a first bike.
If you haven't already I'd invest in some crash bars/highway bars/engine guards. It's all the same thing, just different names for them.
Fortunately for you land speed records were never what the bike was designed for, so you should be good on that!
Definitely take the class before getting on the bike. It will help a ton!
Good luck and stick around!

[JTRogue]

Congrats on the win, Mark and a nice one at that. That is a great win, keep approaching it with a level head and I second wrider's advice about the guards. I will admit I am with envy, that is my favorite bike made by HD.

Keep dropping by this is a great community, a lot od great support, advice and will give you a few laughs as well.

[fireguzzi]

You can do what you want. But if you sold that baby you could have ANY beginner bike you could possibly want and have more then enough $ left over for lots of the gear (helmet, riding jacket, riding pants, riding boots) that would be wise to get. Just sayin'.

At any rate, good luck with whatever you choose to do and congrats! You scored a nice bike there!

[society909]

Conrads mark on your good fortune. I envy you. There was a college here that raffled off a Heritage last year. I was really hoping I would win but didn't.
As far as the land speed record goes I plan on setting that as soon as I get that new generation Vmax. (Some day) how dose the bike feel to you? Do you feel like you can handle a bike that size or dose it feel too big? Being comfortable on whatever bike you have is very important.

[Markus]

I haven't even done any riding on it. I was going to do some parking lot stuff but something tells me that until my Rider Safety Class that I'd better leave the bike alone. I do plan on making sure I know all the controls and such, but I don't have to ride the bike to do that.

It's definitely heavy I'll say that much. If it doesn't work out for me I can always sell it and buy something else. I'm in no hurry to rush anything.

[sunshine229]

Wow, you are one lucky guy! My parents have been buying annual tickets for the Calgary Stampede raffles trying to win the Harleys but just haven't...

Enjoy the course and best of luck with your first ride on the Harley!