Harleys, Choppers, Cruisers Thread

[texasaxe]

Where is the Can Am Spyder thread?

between the "how to choose the right tampon" thread and the "is it safe to swallow during pregnancy" thread.

sorry DN, i had to.

[|progress|]

So what would you guys recommend starting out on? Have ridden ATV's for a while as my transportation at the hunting lease, very limited Motocross bike experience, and now I'm wanting to get a Harley or Victory to ride on the road, which I've never been on. Everywhere you look, there's tons of people saying don't start on anything bigger than a 600 or 750, but I'm a big dude (315) and worried those for me are going to end up being like a 250 is to the average joe and wanting to dump it a month after I get it. There's a few V Twin 750's here in the metroplex for sale that I can get cheap (less than $2500) to start on, just concerned I'll want to get out of it quick. I can afford to get a new 883 or a Fat Bob, etc, so I'm not opposed to getting one out the gate, just trying to get some input since road riding is new to me.

What would you guys recommend?

[IronCharles]

So what would you guys recommend starting out on? Have ridden ATV's for a while as my transportation at the hunting lease, very limited Motocross bike experience, and now I'm wanting to get a Harley or Victory to ride on the road, which I've never been on. Everywhere you look, there's tons of people saying don't start on anything bigger than a 600 or 750, but I'm a big dude (315) and worried those for me are going to end up being like a 250 is to the average joe and wanting to dump it a month after I get it. There's a few V Twin 750's here in the metroplex for sale that I can get cheap (less than $2500) to start on, just concerned I'll want to get out of it quick. I can afford to get a new 883 or a Fat Bob, etc, so I'm not opposed to getting one out the gate, just trying to get some input since road riding is new to me.

What would you guys recommend?

I'd recommend taking a MSF Basic Rider Training course. You can ride one of their bikes for a couple days, get a feel for the power of a 250 street bike, and it will make you more confident when you go to test ride some bigger bikes. Problem with bigger bikes is, sometimes the weight is hard to control for a new rider, and you can get in trouble fast if you panic twist the throttle. It's best to master turning and throttle control on a less powerful bike first.

Some Harley dealerships offer rider training programs, too. They'll usually start you out on an 883. They also can have rental programs, where you can rent different Harleys for a day or two, before dropping a wad of cash on a bike you may want to trade in in a month. And other brand dealerships regularly have test ride days, where they bring out their lineup and let people go for a short group ride on various models. Call around.

[texasaxe]

So what would you guys recommend starting out on? Have ridden ATV's for a while as my transportation at the hunting lease, very limited Motocross bike experience, and now I'm wanting to get a Harley or Victory to ride on the road, which I've never been on. Everywhere you look, there's tons of people saying don't start on anything bigger than a 600 or 750, but I'm a big dude (315) and worried those for me are going to end up being like a 250 is to the average joe and wanting to dump it a month after I get it. There's a few V Twin 750's here in the metroplex for sale that I can get cheap (less than $2500) to start on, just concerned I'll want to get out of it quick. I can afford to get a new 883 or a Fat Bob, etc, so I'm not opposed to getting one out the gate, just trying to get some input since road riding is new to me.

What would you guys recommend?

agree w/ IC on taking a course and seeing how you feel. i've always been more of a buy what you'll want long term vs. starting small, but most people with more sense would say otherwise. the 883 is nice cuz you can punch it up to a 1200, but at your size, might not feel right on it. i weigh 100lb less and was told i looked goofy on my sporty, but i felt fine on it. sit on as many models as you can at the dealer and see what feels right. don't worry about too much power on those. not like you're hopping on a 200 hp 400lb bike or anything.

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Yea, I've already looked into the safety course, going to take it either next weekend or the one after, just haven't registered yet. It waives the skills test for your license in Texas, so it's pretty much a no brainer. I looked into the Harley course, but it's full until mid-September, so I'm just going to go somewhere else to do it. That is my concern with the 883 that it's going to be too small dimensionally for me, but I'll just have to see. I'll look into the rental part, didn't think about that and probably a smart thing to do. Couple of my buddies that ride are telling me to start on an 1100 or bigger, keep telling me I'll ramp up quick to it and want that power when I need it.

Thanks for the input fellas.

[texasaxe]

Yea, I've already looked into the safety course, going to take it either next weekend or the one after, just haven't registered yet. It waives the skills test for your license in Texas, so it's pretty much a no brainer. I looked into the Harley course, but it's full until mid-September, so I'm just going to go somewhere else to do it. That is my concern with the 883 that it's going to be too small dimensionally for me, but I'll just have to see. I'll look into the rental part, didn't think about that and probably a smart thing to do. Couple of my buddies that ride are telling me to start on an 1100 or bigger, keep telling me I'll ramp up quick to it and want that power when I need it.

Thanks for the input fellas.

my buddy just retired and took the class last week, looked at bikes with him, and he bought a heritage classic. was just what fit him and his plans the best. one thing i told him was him being not as experienced and how fuggin slick these TX roads are, to pony up the extra $ for anti-lock brakes. might be something to consider, but puts you up in the price bracket too.

[|progress|]

my buddy just retired and took the class last week, looked at bikes with him, and he bought a heritage classic. was just what fit him and his plans the best. one thing i told him was him being not as experienced and how fuggin slick these TX roads are, to pony up the extra $ for anti-lock brakes. might be something to consider, but puts you up in the price bracket too.

Yea, heard that from a few folks around here. And know from my truck....bitch will spin the rear wheels whenever she wants.

[El Fuerte]

Not a Sportster (No rear shocks visible), it's a very modified Big Twin. I'm guessing it's a Softail Slim with a Dyna front wheel and fender.

thanks

[TXBuddy]

Got my bike out for a little shake down ride today. Just rebuilt the front shocks, neck bearings and front brake pads. Rides soo much better.

I still have an issue with one brake dragging and I can't figure it out. Might need to enlist some professional help .

[texasaxe]

Got my bike out for a little shake down ride today. Just rebuilt the front shocks, neck bearings and front brake pads. Rides soo much better.

I still have an issue with one brake dragging and I can't figure it out. Might need to enlist some professional help .

that would be a shovelhead, so guessing you have the banana calipers on it. if i had to guess, your brake is dragging (likely rear) because the pin has egged out the hole. you can get a kit that allows a bigger pin and bore out the bracket to accommodate. that was a little better, but when i finally just put GMA brakes all around, was one of the best improvements i ever did to the bike.

[TXBuddy]

that would be a shovelhead, so guessing you have the banana calipers on it. if i had to guess, your brake is dragging (likely rear) because the pin has egged out the hole. you can get a kit that allows a bigger pin and bore out the bracket to accommodate. that was a little better, but when i finally just put GMA brakes all around, was one of the best improvements i ever did to the bike.

Well, the front end is ~81. Not sure if that is the same as you are referencing. I did tear it apart, clean and rebuilt it. It is just a metal piston, really. I wonder if it has something to do with the fluid or lines. The left side doesn't seem to have a problem and they are on a Y split from the master cylinder.

[texasaxe]

Well, the front end is ~81. Not sure if that is the same as you are referencing. I did tear it apart, clean and rebuilt it. It is just a metal piston, really. I wonder if it has something to do with the fluid or lines. The left side doesn't seem to have a problem and they are on a Y split from the master cylinder.

the front doesn't look exactly like what i remember the banana ones, but i don't know if they had same issue or not. wasn't the piston on mine, was the pin that holds the caliper to the bracket.

when you cleaned out the piston and everything, did the piston actuate smoothly and you could force it back in?

[Ben6485]

Yea, I've already looked into the safety course, going to take it either next weekend or the one after, just haven't registered yet. It waives the skills test for your license in Texas, so it's pretty much a no brainer. I looked into the Harley course, but it's full until mid-September, so I'm just going to go somewhere else to do it. That is my concern with the 883 that it's going to be too small dimensionally for me, but I'll just have to see. I'll look into the rental part, didn't think about that and probably a smart thing to do. Couple of my buddies that ride are telling me to start on an 1100 or bigger, keep telling me I'll ramp up quick to it and want that power when I need it.

Thanks for the input fellas.

Find out what day Don does the motorcycle class for "go motorcycle training" in the Irving location. He's a great instructor. I used him for mine at the beginning of June after reading reviews of courses.

[|progress|]

Find out what day Don does the motorcycle class for "go motorcycle training" in the Irving location. He's a great instructor. I used him for mine at the beginning of June after reading reviews of courses.

He's the one I was looking at. The other is the one that's at the Stockyards, which is super convenient for me since I live in downtown FW.

[TXBuddy]

the front doesn't look exactly like what i remember the banana ones, but i don't know if they had same issue or not. wasn't the piston on mine, was the pin that holds the caliper to the bracket.

when you cleaned out the piston and everything, did the piston actuate smoothly and you could force it back in?

I lubed it up with brake fluid and it went right in. I may need to lube up the caliper pins and braket. The free floating action could be jacked.

[Motiviert]

Hey everyone, hope it's cool if I drop in. I'm in the market for a bike. Don't mind me k just want to learn/research from you all. May ask a question here and there if that's ok.

[slumerican]

Here's a few of my recent pictures, because pictures

My Victory Gunner


My Vic and a buddy's Harley

[slumerican]

Uno mas...

Buddy's big wheel Victory Cross Country

[Motiviert]

Kickass pictures ^ up there

[jaygee15]

FROM THIS PAST WEEKEND

[Motiviert]

Please see stats. If I post some links to different bikes, can you guys give me advice on if they are good deals?

[texasaxe]

Please see stats. If I post some links to different bikes, can you guys give me advice on if they are good deals?

all relative and not going to get good input that way IMO. My suggestion would be decide what bike you want, then go look for best deal on it with features you want. just my $0.02.

[Motiviert]

all relative and not going to get good input that way IMO. My suggestion would be decide what bike you want, then go look for best deal on it with features you want. just my $0.02.

Thanks man. Well, if I pick out a few, could you guys tell me if the pricing us relatively fair?

[texasaxe]

Thanks man. Well, if I pick out a few, could you guys tell me if the pricing us relatively fair?

as long as you bear in mind 'fair' is a relative term. i've seen bikes bought and sold for way high or way low, but if the buyer and seller both walk away happy, that's what matters.

best thing i can recommend is find a biker buddy to take with you to look at them first hand, test drive them. i've done that for new bike buddies before. that's always going to be the best approach than trying to estimate value from an ebay ad. again, just my $0.02. we can tell you generally it's in line, but the test is the face headlight.

[MtnJax]

Thanks man. Well, if I pick out a few, could you guys tell me if the pricing us relatively fair?

this is just my .02 coming from my recent experience of buying my first bike, but if you're looking on craiglist, you'll find that a lot of people over value their bikes, especially when it comes to ones with the initials HD. so just be weary of that.

[Motiviert]

as long as you bear in mind 'fair' is a relative term. i've seen bikes bought and sold for way high or way low, but if the buyer and seller both walk away happy, that's what matters.

best thing i can recommend is find a biker buddy to take with you to look at them first hand, test drive them. i've done that for new bike buddies before. that's always going to be the best approach than trying to estimate value from an ebay ad. again, just my $0.02. we can tell you generally it's in line, but the test is the face headlight.

Haha weird, lifting partner rides and just text me saying "Bro let me come with you. I'll help you in the right direction.

[jaygee15]

[jaygee15]

[jaygee15]

[TXBuddy]

A buddy of mine is selling his 71 shovel. Top notch bike. You can find him on IG or chopcult if interested. His username is in the pic.