I'd say it goes with the size and abilities of the rider more than anything...Yes, a lighter (Sporty) might help "break in" a novice rider but again, go with what you feel most comfortable and competent on. Just my thoughts, Good Luck

 

I took the Riders Edge course. I don't think I should have gotten a fully loaded bagger right away but I had no problem starting out on a Softail.

 

We are talkin HD's here, the bigger ones are just bigger, they're not crazy, dangerous powerful.The same balance is required for a bagger as a sporty. My opinion is it's not a bad idea to buy the smaller bike because if you find that riding is not for you, at least yer into it for less money. So, maybe if ya want a big twin, a used one with less investment?? I've known a couple people that got the ridin itch, but, just never got comfy on the street because of fear of gettin squashed. Other than the financial thing, if thats not an issue, get whatcha like.

 

I switch between a TRX and FXR several times a week. And while the same skill set will let you ride either, there is a noticeable difference. The FXR corners so well that it will make you lazy. Getting back on the bagger can give you some moments when you forget that it wants more than just a nudge to lay into a turn. And the bagger likes to have the rear brake drug a little in tight spaces, the FXR could care less.

 

If you are going to start small and work your way up, buy used. I started small and with in a couple of weeks wished I'd bought what I really wanted to start with. Just my 2cents.

 

My wife took the "Ladies Only" MSF course and got similar advice. Two weeks after the course, she bought a gently used FatBoy with Woods cams, V&H BigShots and a SE air cleaner. She rides the heck out of it.

 

I think it depends on the individual...I started on a 450 honda when I was 18.I was a lanky,skinny kid at the time.I'm glad it wasn't bigger,was all I could handle at the time.
I got a lot bigger and more co-ordinated in my 20's,and was on a kawasaki 1100 with a vetter fairing,then went to harley's.
I would honestly not like to see a brand new rider on a touring bike.Too easy for them to lean it over too far at a stop and drop it.

 

It's always weird goin from one bike to another. Different ridin position, foward controls vs mid, whatever, but as long as a newbie is on the same bike they should be OK

 

My first "street" bike was a Road King bought it after MSF course..

However i did ride dirt bikes in my early teens;fell la few times.learned lots of lessons

 

For a large bike a Road King is very user friendly.

Tall bikes that carry their weight high can be a pain to ride.

 

Never took the MSF course. Aced my state riding test on my brand new '95 EGC and never looked back. Before that I just rode without a state endorsement.
If a big touring rig intimidates you, start out on something you're comfy on - you can always trade up.

 

I took the course, passed, and bought my first bike, 2005 RoadKing Classic, while growing up I had spent some time on other peoples dirt bikes etc. but thats all the previous experience I had.

 

Do these courses give ya a break on insurance rates or some benefit like that or are all yuou guys just takin them because?? Not saying it's a bad idea at all , just curious, I don't think they were around when I stsarted ridin on the street.

 

MSF has been around since 1974.

40 years ago nobody thought that anything was dangerous, so not a whole lot of people looked for such courses.

Anyone over 40 must remember sleeping on a blanket in the back of the family station wagon (and those interiors were made of solid steel), riding in the bed of a pickup truck, riding a bicycle without a helmet and playing ball in the street without any adult supervision.

The fact is that there are a whole lot of riders out there who have been riding for many years who could not pass the test given after the two day intensive MSF course.

The MSF course brings to the rider a completely different perspective to riding. One where you understand the risks of motorcycle riding, how to minimize them and how to actually ride.

No, you don't leave the course an expert rider, you leave the course with a thorough understanding of risk management, basic riding skills and basic crash avoidance skills.

While ignorance is bliss, deaths among motorcycle riders is on the rise.

Proper use of safety gear including helmets, gloves, riding jackets, pants and boots do save lives while loud pipes only get you tickets.

Sure, I rode a dirt bike as a kid, on the road, without a license, above the speed limit, without paying attention at intersections -- without a helmet and without a clue that not getting killed was just because I was lucky.

But that was then -- before I had a family and before I knew what being responsible was.

In many states the MSF course grants you a road test waiver because the states recognize that the skills test given at the end of the course is far more comprehensive than what could be done on a road test. In addition, insurance companies give you a discount because they recognize the value of what is taught in the course.

MSF has multiple courses covering entry level riding up through advanced levels.

 

Passing the course eliminated taking the dmv road test, present completion certificate...
receive license.

 

Halloo. I'm with streetg, weren't any courses available when I started riding. But, my firstest real, honest to God street bike was a '68 Triumph 650 TR6, which in it's time was considered a good sized street bike, similar to today's 600s in comparison. Had ridden a lot in the dirt up to then and had no problem going to the "big" bike. I have to agree with about everybody though, lotsa good points. Ja, get bigger scooter, if you don't like it ya can always sell...be good learning experience.

C......

 

My nephew wants a bike,so I told him I'd take the msf course with him.been riding 35 years,and it wasn't offered back then,or at least I wasn't aware of it.I figured it couldn't hurt.I did pick up a thing or two,figure it's worth it if i got just one thing that saves my butt down the road.

it IS good for an insurance discount though.the intermediate and advanced courses are 1 day and 75 bucks,I'll probably do those next year.

 

The first four or five bikes I bought were all baggers three of them were tank shifters.You should start out on what you want if you are really interesting in riding a motorcycle so go for it.

 

Depends on your experience. If a person has never been on a bike before, I would recommend taking the class before committing to buying any size bike. Once a person makes it through the course, they might have a better idea of their skill level and can make a better buying decision. I rode an older Honda shadow (750) for the first year then moved to an Ultra classic. The shadow was fine to start on and if I roughed it up learning, I would not have been out much money with the bike.

 

@gree:
I am not at all a fan of buying a big bike out of the gate. Sure, there are those that can do it and get away with it, but I would say those are the exception. A big and heavy bike is not something to be learning on. There are far too many instances where you can get your butt in a bind with any bike so why complicate the situation? It's like learning to fly and making your first airplane a jet. Some might get away with it, but most will end up a smoking hole sooner or later.

 

I started riding sport bikes back in 88. First bike was a Yamaha Radian 600. Had that for two weeks then an old man pulled out in front of me and wrecked the bike. Me, I Was just banged up a bit. Got my insurance check and bought a Ninja 1000 and it's been big bores ever since.

I say learn on what you intend to ride. Buying a smaller bike is a waste of time and money IMHO. Even if you're super comfortable on an 888 when you get the Ultra it's still going to be a drastic change.

 

At my MSF course one instructor advised all the riders to buy a small bike and ride the hell out of it for a couple of years before getting something bigger. T

I took their advice to heart. Bought this bad boy three years ago after taking the MSF course, 60,000 miles later I feel like I have mastered it and would feel comfortable moving up to a 75cu in after they come out water cooled in 2014!!

 

I rode bikes in Canada for years, never took a course, never had a license, biggest bike was a kawasaki special 2.
Took the mc course 3 years ago, learned a lot, bought an 06 rk. A bit top heavy, dumped it in the garage one night drinking beer and polishing it. Pinned me against my old pickup truck, had a hell of a laugh.
Dumped it again in a slow mo parking lot manuver, thought I could hold it up with one arm,,, ha, snapped the tendon off my tricep I did, wow did that smart. After surgery, we kissed and made up, love my rk, going to drop a 120 in her before the end of the year.
Morale of the story, live while your alive, get the bike you want, and bond with her one way or the other.

 

If I were you I'd stop using the term 'drop' in any context having to do with your bike. Just sayin...

 

"I'm mostly interested in the responses from those that have taken the MSF course or something similar since presumably they got a good start to their riding experience". I agree ride what you are comfortable on but I am not sure what you mean by the above statement? The good start part.

 

This is an individual thing... at 6'4" 280lbs I feel at home on a larger bike and my wife at 5'4" 120 feels better on a Honda 250. I did get her a Street bob and it was too much bike for her... and when I rode it, it felt like too little of a bike for me. I had a little old man tell me as I was leaving the Harley Shop... "Son you need a bigger bike."

 

I take the MSF every 3 years for military, took it several times now.
slid my Ultra about 10 feet last time, on the engine guard & bag guards.

and my wife at 5'4" 120 feels better on a Honda 250. I did get her a Street bob and it was too much bike for her... ."

i think this is a COMMON mistake...to buy a small woman a sportster...they are TOP HEAVY as crap.

any woman who can...moves up from a sportster QUICK.
dont push your wife onto a sporty.


FWIW, I like the way you sit down in a softail, don't like they way you are "on top" of a FL. makes it feel top heavy/taller.

FWIW, i would always advise to start out on a USED CHEAP bike.
there are too many factors that affect people (to make them stop riding) to pay big coin for a FL for a garage ornament.

my buddy had 3 bikes, and rode them ALL THE TIME. now his family situation changed, and he hasn't been on them for a year.
one hasn't been registered for a year.

life changes. and getting "almost" run over changes how much you want to ride

arthritis & age are a killer too. there are just to many variables to start out on a big expensive bike.

 

I took the MSF. It lowered my insurance quite a bit. And was well worth the experience. One thing that bothered me was that they deducted points for dragging the break in the tight maneuvers. Those little Asian twins were really lurching at low speed and not dragging the brake made it difficult for a big rider to do well. Bad enough having my knees in my chest the whole time. But top heavy as the scooter was, the bucking and lurching made it unsettling. Riding in the middle of a damn hurricane didn't help either.

 

I didn't read all the responses here so my comments may echo some of the others. For a brand new rider, i think it could be a mistake to start out on a touring bike. They tend to have a higher center of gravity than other models and can be a challenge, especially for someone with short legs. There is no one size fits all response here, but in general, it's better to start out on a lighter and lower bike. Then you got the element of repairs involved. A new rider is more likely to drop the bike a few times while practicing skills. Better to start on a cheap bike that won't cost as much to repair, or hurt your wallet on resale.