I inherited a motorcycle. I bought it really. I did it to help one of the Jr DFs retire his debt. My plan was to sell it. Now that it is in my garage, I kinda want to keep it. I haven’t ridden a motorcycle in 40 years. Even then they were dirt bikes and it was racing. This is a V-rod and it will be on the street, it is heavier, I am older and it is fast.....real fast.

How should I approach this? I know I need to learn what and how but where to start is my concern. Any advice from those who have everyday experience would be greatly appreciated.

Its a serious scooter. Tread carefully. Since you last rode, the power and performance of motorcycles now will be way different than your experience.
I would consider selling it and getting a newer middleweight bike. Example: Suzuki 650 V-Strom.
It will be a good choice to bring you back to speed.

IMO the best thing to do is to re-educate- start from scratch. Meaning, sign up for a basic Motorcycle Safety Foundation class. Call your local Harley dealer to start.

Full armored gear head to toe.
MSF class
Trackday (class)

I 'inherited' (storing my F-I-L's Scout) one as well.
Have had it about a year & have put a couple hundred miles on it.

I started out just riding it within a couple miles of the house. I'm fortunate to have a really large, low traffic, acreage homes, neighborhood adjacent to mine, so I would ride in there.

For me, getting back on the road, on a 600lb bike; low speed handling & control were the things I found I needed to work on most.
I'm sure the VRod has a fair bit more power than the 19 yr old Scout in my garage. A steady, responsible throttle hand would be something to keep in mind.

I also started out riding sans gear, since it was only a mile or two.
Now, I at minimum have my helmet, boots & a jacket on.

I'm sure the more knowledgeable riders will be along, but as a 1 yr rider, that's my perspective.

Congrats, the V-rod is an interesting bike, a joint design production between Harley and Porsche, one of the first liquid cooled HD offerings, it never really took off for a myriad of reasons.

I rode one, had it up over 130, controls are small, dash impossible to read, but it hauled ass..

Suggest you take a new rider course, get your endorsement when you complete the course, and some insurance discounts. If you look to your local HD dealer they offer the courses and they provide motorcycles with drop guards on them for your use. All you need is your money and your helmet. It's a weekend deal of training.

Once you take the course then if you know someone that rides that can take you out get you on some nice roads to get accustomed to the bike even better.

quote:

Originally posted by AH.74:
IMO the best thing to do is to re-educate- start from scratch. Meaning, sign up for a basic Motorcycle Safety Foundation class. Call your local Harley dealer to start.

I agree 100%. After doing that and getting good gear, spend the first few hundred miles putting around the neighborhood or backroads with little traffic. Concentrate on awareness, practice avoidance maneuvers, ride like everybody else on the road is completely oblivious to your presence. Most of them are.

I've been riding a year now, and my first motorcycle ride occurred in a MSF Basic Rider Course.

MSF also has the following classes:

Basic RiderCourse - Returning Rider

Basic RiderCourse 2 Skill Practice

Might be a good 1-2 punch taking the level 1 course on a provided bike and then taking the level 2 skill practice course on your V-Rod

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

Having an acute awareness and respect for the power of that size of bike is a good start.

A course is highly recommended. However, only you know your situation and all of the details. If you are comfortable putting around the neighborhood for a bit and slowly increasing your confidence. By all means enjoy. Make the choice along the way to take the class on your schedule. That's ok also. Invest in comfortable quality gear and just like any other sport you will enjoy it more.

Expect no one else to see you and do not assume anything on the road.

Cheers~

My first Harley was a 2003 V Rod. It was an absolute hoot to ride for short distances. That motor is fantastic and provides plenty of power all across the power band. Mine turned into a bit of a maintenance hog, but I think that had more to do with its original owner than the bike itself.

Things to be aware of:
That may be a "small" displacement bike for a Harley, but it puts out substantially more power than most other stock Harleys. Respect it.

Its a heavy bike, is relatively long, and it balances different than most others. Again, respect it until you get used to it.

The tank is small (later versions) or tiny (first couple of years). There is no gas gauge and the mileage will vary greatly based on how you ride it. Gas up every 75 miles or so.

It's not a touring bike. I rode mine from Memphis to Panama City once, but I wouldn't advise making a habit of it.

Mechanical issues I ran into were a reoccuring oil leak from around the stator, some electrical issues (pretty sure these were from how it was originally stored), coolant leaks, and one blown radiator.

When I had mine, almost none of the local shops had people who could reliably work on them. That improved dramatically after I got rid of mine, but now that they are out of production...

My advice is if you think you want to keep it, keep it. Take the MSF course and then find an empty lot near you to practice low speed manuevering on. That's the hard stuff. Get comfortable with that before you start fighting traffic with it. Then ride like every car is driven by an ex wife and you owe her money. Be careful and have fun.

Are you & the bike legal to ride? Cycle endorsement, current plate, insurance soon?

If not to many hoops you could ride some this Summer, then decide. I doubt one more year & a few miles would matter much, got the Covid scare too.

The bike may be capable of going REAL fast, with gears & a throttle I think the driver chooses how fast to go?

Should be great riding in UT, drive defensively, watch for critters.

Power is nearly irrelevant, the bike cannot go any faster than you can twist your wrist. Weight and length are not. Start slowly and work up to it.

Get a great helmet that fits.

Take the basic class. It's on provided bikes.

Take the advanced class. You can ride your bike.

Both are important, and also trivially easy for the bright and capable adult you are.

My advice? Sell it and get a Gixxer one thousand and truly experience fast.

Nah I’m just joking. Congrats. That’s one of the few HD’s that is actually a pretty cool bike. Get at least a helmet and license and have some fun. Riding on two wheels is one of the best things you can do on this planet. That’s a fun machine you got, enjoy it!

I second the recommendation to re-take an MSF Basic Rider class.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
My advice? Sell it and get a Gixxer one thousand and truly experience fast.

Nah I’m just joking. Congrats. That’s one of the few HD’s that is actually a pretty cool bike. Get at least a helmet and license and have some fun. Riding on two wheels is one of the best things you can do on this planet. That’s a fun machine you got, enjoy it!

Don't you mean the:
CBR 1000 RR-R (RRR-R, Double R, R) Fireblade SP (RR-R to add a few more R,s to the name)

For the longest time I thought I wanted a Super Sport. I like the way my dad put it when he bought his Vulcan S:
"I'm too stupid to ride something that fast"

If you have rural areas close by (I'm talking cornfields, not suburbs) head that way to get your practice in. And watch the gravel at the intersections!

I grew up riding dirt bikes. Like you I am getting older. I have also ridden a V-Rod. Better yet, we live next door to each other. I also used to do a ton of auto cases before I went to work for the state. With our joint background and knowing Utah's drivers and roads, I'd sell it. I hated riding my Honda XR250L from AF to Thanksgiving Point 10 years ago. Today, with all the construction where we live plus the bad roads, and Utah drivers, IMO, you're a serious accident waiting to happen.

Buy a SxS and head out to the dunes or the mountains.

If you plan to ride it please take the motorcycle safety course first. I've taken the course three times and learned something new each time, great course and they will help you avoid developing bad riding habits. As far as the V-Rod is concerned be mindful of how much you twist the throttle, respect the bike and you'll be fine.

Like riding a bike, you never forget.

Most dangerous item you need to be looking out for is EVERYBODY else who's on the road!!!!
Keep head on a swivel and make sure you know your surroundings at all times.
Always have a plan to protect yourself.