Help! Need to learn to ride before 5pm

[michael]

A mate of mine needs me to ride a Harley across town for her work. Dont know why they just need someone to move it. Anyway I've never ridden a harley, so please tell me what the differences are compared to a sports bike (when it comes to changing gears ect). EG: are the gears the same, one down five up. Kinda dont want to look like a dick because it's gona be infront of a TV crew (she works for Juice) and I really dont want to drop the bike.

Please any advice would be appreciated.

PS: she cant tell me what kinda harley it is, just that its loud

[michael]

and big...

[Maha]

Firstly.....whatever you do, dont wave to anyone.....
Second thing....the key wont be where you it normally would be on a sports bike, so have a look around the bike before you get on.
Third...how hard can it be?....once you find the key, the rest should fall into place....sorry, I mentioned the word fall.....:shifty:

[michael]

exactly...fall....its not my bike (I dont even know whos it is). So everything's the same i gather, except for the key.

[Maha]

exactly...fall....its not my bike (I dont even know whos it is). So everything's the same i gather, except for the key.

Yip, one down and you're away, I guess it will feel a tad strange to start with, but you'll get into the grove quick enough.

Dont worry about the vibration and shaking, its the Harley way...:scooter:

[Supermac Jr]

I hope that they're paying you...

[phoenixgtr]

The key's likely to be down by the engine somewhere. The left indicator may be on the left switchblock and the right indicator on the right switchblock and they may be self-canceling

[michael]

self canceling, does that mean they switch off themselves

[phoenixgtr]

Thats the one

[Maha]

Heres one way to make them stop.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nd68WjDIBqk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nd68WjDIBqk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[98tls]

Remember that you will be able to corner much faster than if on a sportsbike.<_<

[Crisis management]

Keep it simple, ask for instruction before riding the bike explaining you have not ridden one before. I do this every time I get on a new bike and it saves those embarassing moments like "don't you know you need the clutch in to start this..."
Theres nothing wrong with asking for help but there's plenty wrong with being too cool to ask.

Enjoy the ride, should be fun!

[98tls]

If some off-road is needed fear not they seem more than capable.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whVXD3ex9DA.

[michael]

Keep it simple, ask for instruction before riding the bike explaining you have not ridden one before. I do this every time I get on a new bike and it saves those embarassing moments like "don't you know you need the clutch in to start this..."
Theres nothing wrong with asking for help but there's plenty wrong with being too cool to ask.

Enjoy the ride, should be fun!

how can I possibly look cool on a harley haha. Just joking I cant judge if I havnt ever ridden one. The problem is there's nobody there that has a clue how to ride a bike, any bike. So I'm gonna have to figure everything out myself.

[Crisis management]

how can I possibly look cool on a harley haha. Just joking I cant judge if I havnt ever ridden one. The problem is there's nobody there that has a clue how to ride a bike, any bike. So I'm gonna have to figure everything out myself.

Go to AMPS tonight and ask them, they will gladly show you all you need to know.

[fatzx10r]

remember to get some clip on tassle's so that you dont look stupid

[3umph]

exactly...fall....its not my bike (I dont even know whos it is). So everything's the same i gather, except for the key.

And the big burley guy that own is..... and will own you if you drop it :lol:

[3umph]

how can I possibly look cool on a harley haha. Just joking I cant judge if I havnt ever ridden one. The problem is there's nobody there that has a clue how to ride a bike, any bike. So I'm gonna have to figure everything out myself.

sounds like you don't have a clue either.... have you actually got a license????

TBH how hard can it be.... no different to fucking a fat or skinny chick.... theory the same but approach may just a bit different....

[jim.cox]

Harley's are pretty easy to ride

The low seat is a big help

The engine has lots of friendly torque

Yes, they are slow, weighty and shake a bit

But you'll get used to that

Just leave yourself lots of braking distance....

[cave weta]

This thread is getting better and better- keep us posted!:2thumbsup:2thumbsup

[michael]

sounds like you don't have a clue either.... have you actually got a license????

TBH how hard can it be.... no different to fucking a fat or skinny chick.... theory the same but approach may just a bit different....

TBH I dont fuck fat chicks....well havn't yet, so when I need advice for that I'll come straight to you, ya sound like you've got heaps of knowledge

[Usarka]

You'll find it's better if you actually use the rear brake too.....

[3umph]

TBH I dont fuck fat chicks....well havn't yet, so when I need advice for that I'll come straight to you, ya sound like you've got heaps of knowledge

don't get to my age without a bit of knowledge.... or luck

Those were the days.... when you could drink and drive and sex was safe:niceone:

[Taz]

You know this bike is stolen don't ya?

[michael]

You know this bike is stolen don't ya?

mmm, good point... Maybe I should take it home rather, park it in my garage then find out who the owner is

[portokiwi]

:lol: Whos doing it again???:2thumbsup:lol:

[LBD]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=95265

Your comments here after the experience please....

[cave weta]

Well Michael.. Its 5 pm:lol:

keep us posted:whistle:

[michael]

will do. Kinda looking forward to it. Gota admit I do like the sound (only when they're idling though), but nothing beats a sports bike. Anyway will comment tonight

[sunhuntin]

i have been told that the clutches are heavier than on other bikes. they need a fairly strong grip to control. ive never ridden one either except as a passenger. good luck!

[cave weta]

gota admit i do like the sound (only when they're idling though),

potato potato potato potato potato potato potato potato<_<

[cave weta]

i have been told that the clutches are heavier than on other bikes. they need a fairly strong grip to control. ive never ridden one either except as a passenger. good luck!

THEY SHOULD HAVE A CLUTCH PEDAL -its bigger than some cars! :no:

[SARGE]

get off at corners and push it around ....


oh .. and make sure you pick up a fat chick

[The Pastor]

rember to give it LOTS of throttle, those harleys are slow.......... ;)

[michael]

sorry I meant to put this up earlier but got busy. Anyway that bike (the harley) was hidious. Dont have much time so gona make this quick. Brakes, what brakes, it needed like 200m (only slight exageration) to stop from 50kph (and the front brake was useless). Then I couldnt get nuetral at the lights so had to sit with the clutch in during peak hour CBD traffic. My hands were numb after 20min. It fucking wobbled and stalled everytime I got my hands off the throttle, until I found the choke.....THEN it shook like.....well a Harley. My dads ride on lawnmover could drag that thing away to, it was completely gutless. Dont get me wrong once it got up and boogied I could keep up with the flow of traffic, but first gear and part of second was just pathetic. It apparently was given to Juice by a chopper company from Rotorua so I doubt it actuallly was a Harley. Don't know how to tell, didnt see any Harley badges on it. Got a couple of CD's and a bottle of Jack for my efforts though so was all worth it, I think. Wouldn't mind taking a real Harley for a spin though so I can have a real opinion.

[Taz]

Sure it wasn't a mini chopper?

[michael]

Sure it wasn't a mini chopper?

If they make full size "mini" choppers then ye I guess it was. How big do mini choppers get?

[cave weta]

sorry I meant to put this up earlier but got busy. Anyway that bike (the harley) was hidious. Dont have much time so gona make this quick. Brakes, what brakes, it needed like 200m (only slight exageration) to stop from 50kph (and the front brake was useless). Then I couldnt get nuetral at the lights so had to sit with the clutch in during peak hour CBD traffic. My hands were numb after 20min. It fucking wobbled and stalled everytime I got my hands off the throttle, until I found the choke.....THEN it shook like.....well a Harley. My dads ride on lawnmover could drag that thing away to, it was completely gutless. Dont get me wrong once it got up and boogied I could keep up with the flow of traffic, but first gear and part of second was just pathetic. It apparently was given to Juice by a chopper company from Rotorua so I doubt it actuallly was a Harley. Don't know how to tell, didnt see any Harley badges on it. Got a couple of CD's and a bottle of Jack for my efforts though so was all worth it, I think. Wouldn't mind taking a real Harley for a spin though so I can have a real opinion.

Mate what you have just described is a Harley!
even if it wasnt a Harley - it was such a good copy that it behaved EXACTLY as it should- the perfect clone.:done:

was the aircleaner trying to rub its way through your jeans?
did you have to move your ankle trough an un-naturally large arc to make it change gear?
did you have to keep your thumb on the indicator button to keep them flashing?
did the suspension bottom out over service station driveways?

[michael]

Ya sure? Look I'm extremely biased and I'm trying not to be. Just that this is the first time I've ever been on a bike and wanted to get off after 10min. The worst thing was people kept looking at the bike, like it was cool or something.

[cave weta]

Ya sure? Look I'm extremely biased and I'm trying not to be. Just that this is the first time I've ever been on a bike and wanted to get off after 10min. The worst thing was people kept looking at the bike, like it was cool or something.

You are so funny:lol:

[michael]

Mate what you have just described is a Harley!
even if it wasnt a Harley - it was such a good copy that it behaved EXACTLY as it should- the perfect clone.:done:

was the aircleaner trying to rub its way through your jeans?
did you have to move your ankle trough an un-naturally large arc to make it change gear?
did you have to keep your thumb on the indicator button to keep them flashing?
did it bottom out over service station driveways?

Didn't have a chance to experience all those things unfortunately but I can say that changing gears was terrible. Its like the arc would never end. Why is it so long?

[cave weta]

Didn't have a chance to experience all those things unfortunately but I can say that changing gears was terrible. Its like the arc would never end. Why is it so long?

because they are- a g r i c u l t u r a l !

[HungusMaximist]

Great, that throws me out of ever of trying a Harley.

Surely they can't be that shit? Those wathever Nightrods look pretty cool.

[cave weta]

Great, that throws me out of ever of trying a Harley.

Surely they can't be that shit? Those wathever Nightrods look pretty cool.

Looking cool is all the designers and purchasers think of.....

stopping cornering and breakdowns dont happen in the pub carpark.

and why do you think they always park on the footpath?

Its all about NOTICE ME- FUCK YOUSE!