No0b questions
- Thread starter mattmuir
- Start date
I had come from a 650 Kawasaki to my '03 Ultra and I too was nervous/excited about the ride home. Where my dealership is located is on a very busy road with a lot of heavy traffic on it. I remember just riding around in the parking lot of the dealership for like a half dozen times before the salesman came out and told me that I couldn't ride on their property without a helmet on. It was an insurance liability thing. Gee, and he was sooo nice to me before the sale! 
Anyway, I headed home taking the easiest way home that I could. I remember looking at all of those controls on my handlebars and trying to learn on the fly which was the directionals. I mean there was cruise control, mode buttons to advance the stereo channels, all kinds of buttons there on that busy handle bar. I just concentrated on my ride home trying to familiarize myself with the bike as I went along figuring it would come to me eventually. I had never ridden anything this big before and Alto & Bubbie were right on as far as stopping & braking. Especially with two people! I just knew that my wife sensed that I was no where near as smooth as I used to be with my smaller bike. But again, with practice stopping, I have gotten a lot smoother. I still get a little uptight when I have to make sharp turns on loose gravel.
Anyway, I headed home taking the easiest way home that I could. I remember looking at all of those controls on my handlebars and trying to learn on the fly which was the directionals. I mean there was cruise control, mode buttons to advance the stereo channels, all kinds of buttons there on that busy handle bar. I just concentrated on my ride home trying to familiarize myself with the bike as I went along figuring it would come to me eventually. I had never ridden anything this big before and Alto & Bubbie were right on as far as stopping & braking. Especially with two people! I just knew that my wife sensed that I was no where near as smooth as I used to be with my smaller bike. But again, with practice stopping, I have gotten a lot smoother. I still get a little uptight when I have to make sharp turns on loose gravel.
Last edited:
Mainah
Junior Member
Congrats on the Ultra and welcome to the best Harley forum on the web. The only time you will have problems is in slow speed maneuvers. Here is a link to some videos that may help with that issue RLAP safety tips These are quick tips to get you started and I recommend the full video and the live course if you want to get the most out of your bike.
I had come from a 650 Kawasaki to my '03 Ultra and I too was nervous/excited about the ride home. Where my dealership is located is on a very busy road with a lot of heavy traffic on it. I remember just riding around in the parking lot of the dealership for like a half dozen times before the salesman came out and told me that I couldn't ride on their property without a helmet on. It was an insurance liability thing. Gee, and he was sooo nice to me before the sale!
Really ! I look at the controls and they are never ending it seems. It is supposed to rain all week so the bike may have to be trailered...
I will post some pics when I get it and spend a day getting the shine on it. And I have to learn how to post pics.:s
HDSickness
Banned
Um, its like riding a bike ....just get on and gooooo!!!!
BUBBIE
Well-Known Member
TripleJ
Senior Member
STRAP it DOWN good..
signed....BUBBIE
NOW look what you sarted BUBBIE
Trailering Tips - Harley Davidson Community
Webbtron
Banned
It was raining the day I drove my bike home...No big deal..Bike will clean and we wont melt..
They are way harder to get on a trailer than ride. I vote ride it home. Don't forget your favorite CD ..Oh that might be a tape player
stray dog
Junior Member
Your not alone with that nervous/anxious feeling, been there several times.
Unless you seriously doubt your riding skills from the past, kick the tires & check the gas guage because if your like me you will find yourself taking the looong waay home.
Congrats on your new ride!
Unless you seriously doubt your riding skills from the past, kick the tires & check the gas guage because if your like me you will find yourself taking the looong waay home.
Congrats on your new ride!