Choosing a Motorcycle
by: Keith Nivon
You are about to embark on a one of the most rewarding experiences life
has to offer. Life is a journey! You may as well be riding a Harley
Davidson!
Choosing a motorcycle should be an enjoyable and unforgettable
experience. However for the beginner motorcycle rider it may be a little
intimidating. Generally, men purchase motorcycles on an impulse.
Statistics show women spend more time to research their purchase. I want
to outline a few points to consider when choosing a Harley Davidson
motorcycle.
The Sportster models, because of their lighter weight, are popular among
beginning riders. They are however, not your only alternative.
Harley-Davidson features 31 models of motorcycles grouped in 5 different
families. You may be surprised to know that the characteristics of a
number of them are quite similar.
I would suggest becoming familiar with all the models. Have a look at
their specifications regarding weight, seat height wheelbase etc. Sit on
a few of the models. You should have that comfortable put you at ease
feeling, the same feeling as sitting in your favorite easy chair.
Consider the 3 main contact points. Your hands, feet, and bottom should
all be where they are most comfortable. When sitting on the motorcycle,
your hands grasping the handlebars, you should have a slight bend in
your elbows and knees and have your heels on the ground. As you gain
experience you will able to move from a flat-footed position to resting
on the balls of your feet. In the future this will allow you a greater
choice of motorcycle styles.
Handlebars
To get that perfect fit, you may need to experiment with the best
combination of handlebar and riser. (A riser is the piece that connects
the handlebar to the fork). Consider the width of the bars as well. A
wider set of bars will give you more leverage.
Seats
The next part of the body that needs to be comfortable is your behind.
If you have ever been on a long trip, on a hot day, as a rider or
passenger you will know what I mean. There are many different kinds of
accessory seats available on the market. Some have a very low profile
that may not have a lot of padding. You may however need a seat like
this if you have short legs. Some accessory seats can lower the seat
height as much as 2 inches.
It all depends on the type of riding you will do. For long distance
riding I recommend a thicker wider seat for improved comfort. A seat
shaped more like a chair is ideal. There are suspension lowering kits
available for most of the models. A person can get the best of both
worlds, a lower seat height and a more comfortable behind.
Foot pegs
A floorboard is the most comfortable on the feet. Some models have only
foot pegs to rest your feet on. There are accessory foot pegs available
that are a little wider and have rubber insets to keep your feet a
little more isolated from vibration. A wider peg will also give you
better control.
Once you've decided on a model the fits, you can start to accessorize
your motorcycle to suit your riding style. Take the time to compare
products from different manufactures. Having the proper windshields,
saddlebags and raingear will make your ride just that much better. Talk
to friends and other Harley riders to get ideas. Get some books and
magazines related to the subject.
Taking the time to follow these simple steps will help guide you to the
start of a lifelong relationship with your Harley Davidson.
About The Author
Keith Nivon is an avid Harley Davidson Motorcycle Enthusiast! His
website contains information on all things Harley Davidson.
http://www.everything-harley-davidson.com is a great resource for anyone
who shares a passion for Harley Davidson Motorcycles. Have a look at
http://www.everything-harley-davidson.com for more information.
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