[backhoe]

I haven't ridden since 1987, when I sold my last bike to the guy who helped me remodel the house we're now in... before that, I always had a big street bike. I was wondering, and hoping to see, if the things I had been taught by older riders- like always applying the back brake first- had changed.

[Greeklawyer]

bump for later reading.

[pt17]

I almost feel sorry for these new riders who buy a powerful bike before they learn to ride. Back in the old days (I am dating myself here) we learned to ride two-wheeled things with motors at the same time we learned to ride bicycles. Putting a kit motor on your Schwinn or or getting a Whizzer was du rigeur as well as a worthy goal and important step toward manhood/womanhood. After some number of the inevitable low velocity, lower risk accidents, you either became a better rider or (on parents orders) you left the field to those who did. As a result, moving up through the displacements and out into the world provided you with a more gradual learning process - one that would give common sense a chance to overcome your stupid genes.

[Walkin Man]

This thing might kill me.

Nah, what you really, really, really, need to be worried about are the people driving the cages that don't even see you at all! You need to practice defensive driving and be well aware at all times of what is going on around you. Daydreaming on a bike can get you killed. Have fun with the wind in your hair and the bugs in your teeth! (c;

[mhking]

bump for later reading/archiving

[BraveMan]

Some friendly words of advice from someone who has gone down hard . . .

1.     In a panic situation, 90% of your available braking will be via the front brake (think weight transfer). Get intimately familiar with using the front brake; in corners, on gravel, everywhere . . .

2.     When you ride, convince yourself that you're invisible; at the worst possible moment, you will be invisible to someone out there . . .

Ride safe so you can come join the party next year!

[harpu]

"...my shiny new purchase, an 883 Harley-Davidson Sportster."

There's an old, tired but true saying in the world of scooter jocks that goes like this;

"the only real difference between a good case of VD and a Sportster is...that IF you really had to - you could probably find a way to get rid of your VD!"

FWIW - Sportys make an OK - second scoot but they're a piss poor, first ride for a newbie.

[leadpenny]

Brings back a lot of memories. I got my new 91 Low Rider exactly eleven years ago. Had never ridden. It is still the most fun you can have with your clothes on. I compare it to flying a Huey in Nam and potentially as unforgiving.

[VA Advogado]

Chico, and an assistant instructor named Doug, imparted all sorts of valuable and potentially life-saving information to the eight women

8 women in leather? :)

[WIMom]

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Let's have some fun!

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[SamAdams76]

As soon as I read the first few paragraphs, I knew the article was written by a woman. No man would ever teach himself to ride a bike this way! I learned how to ride a bike in 1982 when I was stationed on Camp Pendleton with the Marines. I had a Yamaha to borrow for the weekend. I spent 15 minutes in the parking lot of the barracks with my Marine buddy, learning the controls. I then jumped on I-5 and rode it all the way to San Diego (about a 50 mile jaunt each way).

A highly dangerous way to learn I might add and not recommended. But spending a few weeks riding up and down the driveway? You've got to be kidding.

[sneakypete]

By the day’s end, Chico handed us all little graduation cards. All 11 of us became bikers right then and there.

Imagine that!

The real thing. And more. <P. How could this be? I didn't read anything about tatoos,jewelry,scarey-sounding nicknames,or "Official Harley-Davidson clothing"?

[SamAdams76]

BTW, I wish to add that taking a course on riding a bike is a very good idea. I wish I had done so back in 1982 and I'd probably still be riding today. I was only making fun of the weeks of "up and down" the driveway that this woman put herself through - not the taking of the course itself.

[Dan from Michigan]

Someday......

BTW - Maybe Michigan will allow Easy Rider...the state house voted to repeal the helmet law.

[medved]

Not that I have any use for Harleys, but...

I could teach anybody who wasn't spastic how to ride and control a motorcycle in 20 minutes. The thing nobody could teach anybody else in 20 minutes is the judgement necessary to stay alive on bikes.

Two or three basic ideas will go a long way in that direction however.

• The road itself is more dangerous to a motorcycle than to a car. Get into the habit of watching the road for bricks, dead animals, snakes etc. etc.
• Don't be racing on the highways, but get into the habit of using the power of the bike to keep yourself out of tight clumps of traffic and keep as much distance between yourself and other vehicles as possible..
• Don't get into exotic bike driving tricks like driving between cars on top of the divider lines.
• While passing other vehicles, keep to the side of the lane you're in furthest from the other vehicles.
• Don't drive in other peoples blind spots, don't assume other people see you, don't take longer than necessary to get past other vehicles, etc. etc.

[Jhoffa_]

A harley (or any heavy bike) is the wrong thing to learn to ride on.

I learned on a dirt bike (like I think all kids should)

After woods, jumps high speed slides and wheelies (intentional or otherwise) mud and diverse terrain, you are ready for anything.

[The Mayor]

I learned how to ride on a Honda 305 SuperHawk, in a cemetery no less... My last bike was a Suzuki GS 1000..
I haven't ridden in 12 years, I miss it terribly..

[Washington_minuteman]

I think the author of the article chose the wrong way, initially, to learn about motorcycles.

An old Shoshone Indian chief is purported to have said something to the effect that Each of us follows a path, and the path we are on is the one we must follow; but your path is not everyone elses path.

Once someone identifies their path, and if that path includes a motorcycle, it is still their path. If it does not, and they attempt to cross to another, via the motorcycle (or something else, for that matter), the resulting destination will not be as good for them, had they remained upon the path they were supposed to follow.

I learned to ride on a an old FL Harley. For me, it was not a big deal, for I posessed a natural ability. For most, if they believe that a motorcycle is part of their path, then starting out small, learning techniques and skills common to riding both small and large bikes, will serve them well. Most of us crawl before we walk. The little Honda the author rode in the class is perfect for someone looking to discover if motorcycles are included in their path; much better suited than a Sportster. which could end up being a very expensive and possibly, disappointing experiemnt.

Being coherced into learning to ride on something bigger, more powerful and faster, makes about as much sense as taking one's basic Private Pilot instruction in an SR-71 Blackbird. Not only will the experience break your bankbook, it'll scare the pants off you and most likely sour your attitude towards the whole experience.

I don't believe that there's any so-called "perfect" motorcycle. Each is designed for one sort of riding or another; designed to perform in that arena, and to perform there very well. Outside of that arena however, things are not going to be as expected. Yes, you can ride a 200-HP Japanese TT bike across the country, (humpin' a football), just as you can ride a 777-lb, 60-HP, FLH Harley bagger on backwoods trails, (bouncin' a bagger), but neither experience will leave you as fulfilled, as riding the bike in the conditions it was designed for.

My path includes the road less traveled; an environment well suited for my old FLH. This is my path; the path I must follow. It is not everyone elses path. After over 25-years of riding, with no accidents and only one breakdown on my well-maintained old Harley, I don't care whose taillight I see fading into the distance in front of me. Chances are, I'd have little to talk about with that disappearing taillight anyhow.

So, whatever you ride; ride safe, ride free.

[stands2reason]

Bump for later

[vetvetdoug]

When my 71' Lemans Sport threw craps I bought a 400 Yamaha in 1977. I put a faring on it with crash bars and rode it for six years while in college at UT Knoxville. I looked at every car driver like a paranoid schizophrenic and imagined they were out to get me. I believe Knoxville is where the world should train Kamikaze wannabes. The bike had a kick start which was a bitch when the temperature was below 32 degrees and I walked whenever there was snow or ice on the road. I only got run off the road once on Neyland Drive and ended up in the Tennessee River. Luckily Folks helped me and my bike out and the river dropoff was not too bad there. My most serious crash was on Clinch Mountain when I hit a chuckhole that was bigger than my front wheel (Now I know the origin of the word chuckhole). It flipped me over but since I wore gloves, a field jacket, full coverage helmet, and combat boots I only suffered a few road rashes. I made a serious error by following too closely behind a car which kept me from seeing the hole until it was too late.

I am going to get a Harley probably soon, I don't care if its a Sportster or else...I suffered radial nerve paralysis by riding the 400 Yamaha across country so I think the Sportster would be quite a step up...