There's some beautiful riding roads in your area. I'd stay far from town if I were to start riding again.

You can always keep the V-Rod, and pick up another bike to get yourself acclimated. Not only with the controls of the bike, but how people drive these days. People don’t give a shit about bikers, if they even notice them at all.

Cruisers are a weird bike to begin with. They are heavy, handle and brake poorly, and have a weird center of gravity. Throw in the fact that your V-Rod puts out much more horsepower than a typical cruiser.

The nice thing about “transition” bikes, is you can sell them pretty much what you paid for it. There is always someone looking for a first time bike.

Others have mentioned MSF courses, which is an excellent opportunity. Sadly, in my state, they recently decided to end the program.

And as always, all the gear, all the time. I would not be alive today, if I didn’t practice what I preach.

MSF Class and this book are a great start to learn the basics of riding. (Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well)
Depending on your State, passing the MSF class may serve as the 'test' to get a Motorcycle Endorsement on your driver's license.
Start off riding in a big parking lot, like a church. Avoid high traffic areas until you are comfortable riding your bike. Know that car drivers don't see you because the human brain is trained to see objects that are car/truck sized, not motorcycle sized. Have fun!

I'll jump on the bus headed towards the MSF course. It's a couple hundred bucks but it will knock the cobwebs off your skills, you'll learn, and you'll probably enjoy it. Very worthwhile course.

Check with local dealers (even non HD) and see if they have somebody who gives lessons. I started riding last year at age 55 after taking some one on one lessons from somebody who used to teach the Harley class. If not that, then the group Harley class should be good. Lessons really help give the foundation and a starting point. Then get your learners permit and start small in neighborhoods then lightly traveled roads. Gradually work yourself up. Assume nobody sees you and don’t exceed your skills. And have fun! I’ve done 5,000 miles in a year and love it.

In addition to the course/s, get the very best helmet you can afford, my brother.

My recommendation is an Arai. You can thank me, later

If there is a Harley dealer nearby, recommend talking to them about courses, as previously mentioned.

Enjoy! Remember to live life

Do the class, get all the gear....and wear it. Also, MC Rider is a great You Tube channel to watch. The focus is on rider training and safety. here is a link to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/kevinmorris22

If you like the bike, then by all means keep and ride it. If you felt like trading it in on something a little more well-known for its handling, though, then that might not be too bad a way to go.

I have 5 bikes. 4 BMW’S, One Yamaha. From 250cc to 1100cc.

What kind of riding do you want to do?

A 600 lb. bike is not for fun, twisty back
country roads. It might get you around town. It might be comfortable for long distance main roads. What do you want to do with it?

My 1100 doesn’t like going under 50. It will do it but that is not what it was made for. It got me a ticket my first day out - 26 mph over the limit.

How comfortable are you pushing a 600 lb. bike around? You will have to push it around. No reverse.

Is there a NEED for a Harley? Do you need a muscular bike to carry you around?

If you wanted a fun bike, around town, back roads, a little travel - I would suggest something half that size.

Everything else suggested - follow it.

People that drive on 4 wheels are used to SEEING things as big as cars. In comparison, bikes are small. 4 wheel types CANNOT make judgements on how fast a bike is coming, IF THEY SEE IT. A percentage will not even see it. BRIGHT LIGHTS are a really good idea. Really, really good idea.

My favorite bike? A 500 cc BMW made in 1967. Light, quiet, easy to ride and easy to fix. The model is an R50. Perfect day? - All day, maybe 200 miles, on back(paved) country roads. 35-40mph.

quote:

Originally posted by ersatzknarf:
In addition to the course/s, get the very best helmet you can afford, my brother. get the very best helmet you can afford, my brother.

My recommendation is an Arai. You can thank me, later

If there is a Harley dealer nearby, recommend talking to them about courses, as previously mentioned.

Enjoy! Remember to live life

Is this too juvenile?


I agree though. Good gear and training as well as practice and caution seems to correspond with the gun ownership world. After thinking about it throughout the day, I wonder if my thoughts were impulsive. Am I seriously considering this? I suppose my benchmark is the moment I buy a helmet and some riding gear. From there I like like the idea of lessons at Harley. We have a nice dealership fairly close. If I go through with this I'll definitely go through their training. I'm not feeble ( though I am working with some broken ribs)(long story)nor slow witted so I think I could do it with the proper learning and prep process.

I am grateful for the advice, gents. My neighbor, a hardcore Harley guy, is encouraging me to go forward with it. For now the next step is to ponder about it a little longer.

quote:

Originally posted by ersatzknarf:
In addition to the course/s, get the very best helmet you can afford, my brother.

My recommendation is an Arai. You can thank me, later

But, make sure to get one that fits properly. IIRC, Arai fits more of a round head/face type.
For me, a Shoei is a better fit & Schuberth fits like a glove.

Find a place that carries multiple brands & try on multiple, for an extended period.

quote:

Is this too juvenile? 

Oh, no! It's you! Definitely



Glad you see the similarities.

Glad you are also still thinking things over, too.

In addition to boots and a good leather jacket, PLEASE get some good gloves. I know you rode dirt bikes. If you fall, the first thing you do is put out your hands. Road rash hurts!!!

If you decide to go ahead, and it's good you have an enthusiastic neighbor, then please don't forget to have fun

Arai makes helmets for different head shapes, but agree wholeheartedly that fit is also critical.

Have put an Arai to the test with an impact to a car driven by a 26 year old, uninsured pothead.

Still have my noggin and most of my marbles



PS - had Shoei before Arai. Arai is an order of magnitude better

You can't go back. But you can go forward. V-Rods are very different. So are Goldwings. So, think about how to best reacquire riding skills before selling the V-Rod. It may be perfect for you. Or, it may be a ticket to a new ride, like a Goldwing. Or a Honda Interceptor.

Arai is THE helmet. They have three head shape molds. Just choose the shape that matches you.

Arai.


Thank you for your concurrence, friend

You’re done...muhahahahahaha

I sold my dirt bike over ten years ago and my cruiser when we found Out Mrs. Mike was pregnant( we were told she couldn’t have kids and we didn’t want to risk anything on losing him) (crap he’s eleven now so I guess it’s been a bit)

I have had bikes when I was little and then when I was in high school we had moved and sold all our bikes/three wheelers...I bought a new to me bike when I was in the service at 19...sold that one when I was 21....

Once you’ve got it in you, you’re done....and I’m saying your done.

I won’t get another one due to my prior stroke, but I long to feel the wind on my face and the open road in front of me.....plus they don’t have tobacco bugs here in Texas to smack you in the face....uggghh.

[secret envy increases]

Looking at the Arai helmet options and it occurs to me how does one deal with helmets and glasses?

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
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.

You took the words right out... errr... off from my keyboard.

As others have said already; a healthy respect for the power of that bike, a rider's course because dirt riding and street riding are two different animals, and a lot of time in open areas regaining your riding skills and you'll have no problem.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
Looking at the Arai helmet options and it occurs to me how does one deal with helmets and glasses?

I believe a lot of the main-line helmet hfgs have started incorporating accommodation for glasses, but I can't exactly recall.
I believe it's a recess of sorts where the frames would sit, o help relieve pressure on you/the frames.

Back to Shoei, my dad has no issues with his glasses on his RF1200. Doesn't have to deal with sunglasses either, as he has a transition visor.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
Looking at the Arai helmet options and it occurs to me how does one deal with helmets and glasses?

I believe a lot of the main-line helmet hfgs have started incorporating accommodation for glasses, but I can't exactly recall.
I believe it's a recess of sorts where the frames would sit, o help relieve pressure on you/the frames.

Back to Shoei, my dad has no issues with his glasses on his RF1200. Doesn't have to deal with sunglasses either, as he has a transition visor.

I wear glasses and they work with my RF-1200 too. When I have my clear visor, my sunglasses (ie prescription shooting glasses) easily slide in and no weird pressure. When I have my tinted visor, my very thin wire frame every day glasses take a little finagling to slide behind my ear. I have a new pair of glasses with slightly more rigid ear pieces waiting for me at the closed optometrist office that I’m eager to try with my helmet.