road king classic

hey everybody!!! i'm almost done taking my states motorcycle safety program for beginners. i'm in love with the road king classic but don't know if it's a good idea for a new rider. i know it's a lot of bike but i'm a pretty big boy. i'm 6 ft. 225 pounds and i live in the gym. although it has nothing to do with riding motorcycles, i've spent the past 18 years driving tractor trailers for a living so i feel i'm a pretty decent driver. am i crazy for thinking about a brand new road king? i hate the idea of buying a bike just to sell it probably not even a year down the line in order to buy the bike i really want.

Yea, you're pretty much crazy for thinking a brand-new anything as a first bike.

Haha, but seriously, why not get a smaller used bike for your first season? A nice Honda Shadow 750, perhaps... or maybe a Sportster? Both those bikes would make a good starter bike, especially for someone as tall as you. With heavy bikes, its not just being able to pick them up if that fall over that you should be concerned with. Low speed maneuvering is also a major issue, and larger, heavier bikes will steer like a cow compared to a smaller bike.

Why exactly do you hate the idea of buying a bike just to sell it the next year? The vast majority of motorcyclists change bikes every 2-3 years anyway. Buying a cheap, used bike (and smaller bike) will not only help you learn faster (you won't be as mad if you drop it, therefore you are more likely to actually ride), but it will also allow you to cheaply figure out if riding is for you. It'd suck to buy that brand new shiny $17,000 bike only to find out that, for whatever reason, you don't ride it. It's just all around the smart thing to do.

Plus, used bikes maintain their resale value, especially bikes suited toward beginners, there is always a market for new riders. The best part of used bikes is that dropping and scratching them doesn't really hurt the value. Drop a road king, and well... quick way to shave off a few thousand bucks

I hear that quite often:

"I don't want to buy a small bike then sell it."

I never hear a reason as to why. The gas savings alone learning on a small bike compared to a large one will more than pay for any depreciation during the learning period. Compare 70 MPG to 40 MPG over ten thousand miles. You will save $762 at $4.00 a gallon. There is also the expense of a drop, which could be thousands of dollars different between a large and small bike. I don't see this as a money thing, since logic would dictate it's cheaper in the long run to start on a smaller bike.

There must be some other reason here.

I hear that quite often:

"I don't want to buy a small bike then sell it."

I never hear a reason as to why. The gas savings alone learning on a small bike compared to a large one will more than pay for any depreciation during the learning period. Compare 70 MPG to 40 MPG over ten thousand miles. You will save $762 at $4.00 a gallon. There is also the expense of a drop, which could be thousands of dollars different between a large and small bike. I don't see this as a money thing, since logic would dictate it's cheaper in the long run to start on a smaller bike.

There must be some other reason here.

it's not a money issue. i just flip over the road king but i want to be cautious about getting something a new rider might have no buisness riding. even if i buy something used ( it's all up in the air right now) which harleys would you list as ok for somebody just starting out and which would you list as a no no. i'm checking out other bikes out there so lets not get started with "why does it have to be a harley". i'll most likely try a few different rentals before i actually buy something.

It is possible to learn to ride on a Harley, just not easy. The power is mild, controllable, and predictable. The biggest issue is the weight. These are heavy bikes and difficult to maneuver at slow speeds. It has absolutely nothing to do with the strength of the rider, but rather the skill of smoothly operating the controls while negotiating the balance issues. I've seen 100-pound women navigate a 900-pound touring bike like a pro. It just takes time and practice. Trying to learn the controls of the bike at the same time as the slow maneuvering issues is the difficult part. It helps if you have a solid foundation at operating motorcycle controls before you take the next step of handling a heavy machine.

Sportsters are the lightest of the Harleys, weighing in at about 565 pounds dry. They are still plenty heavy as far as motorcycles go.

What they said.. as a learner, the weight of a Road King may be an issue. But on the plus side, their center of gravity is LOW which makes it easier to handle the weight. The MSF course will help, I'd also recommend the Ride Like a Pro DVDs by Jerry that help alot.

Ironically, I rode both a Sportster and a Heritage Softail in my learning days... the Heritage, though MUCH heavier, was EASIER to maneuver once I "GOT" the whole friction zone/counter steering thing... today I ride a Suzuki sportbike that weights bout half, go figure...

Weight is not the whole story. I think (flamers, go ahead) a lower C of G Harley is easier than a top heavy Sportster...but a smaller bike is BETTER than ANY Harley to learn on.

Athleticism DOES help... coordination, reflexes... but you still need to learn the finesse/skill. (again, waiting or flames)...and you probably have good reflexes and defensive driving from your experience.

I can't recommend a Road King as a learner, but quickly as a 2nd bike if you pick it up fast, sure. The great thing about Harleys is they hold their value... right now with the ECONOMY there are good deals to be had.

I don't rid e a Harley;not grinding that axe; I actually ride a sport bike.

My .02.

Get a used sportster and spend some time learning on that before you get a big cruiser. If you don't absolutely have to get into "the club" with your first bike then you'd actually be better off with a metric cruiser. They're smaller, lighter and they still have plenty of comfort and power.

If you take the MSF course, (After that, the 250's feel like a bicycle.) then you will be ready to ride something mid-size. I like Ninja 500 or GS500F if you like sport bikes. (or even if you don't!) They handle so very nice!
If you want a cruiser, a 750 Spirit is a good choice. There are many others in this class. Here is a list:
http://www.oldguy.us/easy-riding/bg-models-cruisers.php
I prefer a bike with a tank I can grip with my knees. Cheap to buy and easy to sell when you want the big HD. If it gets dropped, you haven't lost much. It will bring tears to your eyes to drop a new Road King learning to ride! It is true that the heavier bikes are actually easier to ride, but it takes a little time to get the hang of managing the weight correctly.
That's my opinion, and as always, opinions vary. lol

I would estimate the average 8 year old has the strength necessary to actually maneuver almost any motorcycle. The trick is in the skill needed. We aren't born with the skills needed to be a good, safe rider and they must be learned and practiced, which takes patience and time.