I'm after a little help

**DRFTHR** · 22nd June 2011, 15:01

hey ladies im usally a dirt rider and i have a dirt bike but my partner has just brought a harley and would like me to ride it im a little less confident to ride it as it weighs alot more then my dirt bike but also i would like to look into getting a smaller bike for getting my license whats the story with getting a bike license and stuff like that or where to go if there are any courses to get my confidence up ? i know you can only ride a 250cc for the 1st stages of your license but thats about the extent of my knowledge haha oh and by the way im in west auckland aswell any help/advice would be awesome

**wysper** · 22nd June 2011, 15:26

Originally Posted by DRFTHR

hey ladies im usally a dirt rider and i have a dirt bike but my partner has just brought a harley and would like me to ride it im a little less confident to ride it as it weighs alot more then my dirt bike

Hi DRFTHR,

What Harley did he get? Often with bigger bikes like the cruisers, the weight is quite low down, so once they are moving they aren't too bad.

I can see how they would be a little intimidating though! Especially when you are used to dirt bikes. They will handle quite differently too.

Maybe go for a ride on the back a few times to get a feel for how the bike moves and stops, how it handles and what the power feels like.

**Hellzie** · 22nd June 2011, 17:16

Hey,

Before you can get your learner license you need to pass the BHS - Basic Handling Skills. You can do this with riderskills.

Then once you have your BHS certificate you can go get your learners at the same place you get your vehicle licence. More info here: Motorcycle licence

For free training, head along to NASS

HAVE FUUUN!

**Hellzie** · 22nd June 2011, 17:20

Oh and I would highly recommend a couple of dvds - Twist of the Wrist 2 and Ride Like a Pro.

**jaffaonajappa** · 22nd June 2011, 18:00

Originally Posted by Hellzie

........... Ride Like a Pro.

This the DVD with Belladonna in it yea?

**Gorgeousplak** · 22nd June 2011, 23:15

I would not ride a Harley unless I was an experienced rider as it is a lil low n heavy. By far totally different ride.. even after riding on a range of trail bikes, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda and Triumphs etc over several years, I have found my Heritage Softail a comfortable but physically wee bit trying. It feels back heavy and handling needs a bit of work. Otherwise sit the licenses and gain the experience first. I still have a 750cc Yamaha but very different from the HD.

**hellokitty** · 23rd June 2011, 12:12

Originally Posted by Gorgeousplak

I would not ride a Harley unless I was an experienced rider as it is a lil low n heavy. By far totally different ride.. even after riding on a range of trail bikes, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda and Triumphs etc over several years, I have found my Heritage Softail a comfortable but physically wee bit trying. It feels back heavy and handling needs a bit of work. Otherwise sit the licenses and gain the experience first. I still have a 750cc Yamaha but very different from the HD.

Well said! I was trying to think of an intelligent way to say the same thing. I worked up to a Harley. I started off with a GN 250, the had a 250 Intruder, a Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit, and now have a 12000cc Sportster.
I did jump from the GN250 to a big Suzuki Boulevard and failed badly, I had a wee spill, and knocked my confidence and had to go back to a 250.
Take it slowly but surely, it is all very well for our men to think we can do it and therefore encourage us to do it, but don't try to run before you can walk. I jumped in boots and all and failed, and it took me a while to get my confidence back.

**caseye** · 23rd June 2011, 19:40

But you did Kitty and in style.
Good advice.
Ratbag wants one of those hard to steer straight line only things too, eventually she'll get one I'm sure, shes just that way inclined.

**hellokitty** · 23rd June 2011, 21:35

Originally Posted by caseye

But you did Kitty and in style.
Good advice.
Ratbag wants one of those hard to steer straight line only things too, eventually she'll get one I'm sure, shes just that way inclined.

Well if she doesn't want one that corners, tell her not to get one like Madduck's - her one corners well! I am hoping mine will too if the damn rain ever stops so I can have my first "proper" ride on it.

**kilgh** · 28th June 2011, 00:42

Amen to that! Rain...grrrr.

**zealchick** · 28th June 2011, 20:18

Welcome to the world of road bikes :-) Love to see more gilrs on bikes, definately start with something smaller it takes a bit to build confidence. And definately come along to nass the guys there are awesome!
I am out west too and always keen to go riding

**R1madness** · 30th June 2011, 00:42

There are plenty of bigger bikes you can ride even on a learners if you can show a reason why you can responsibly control them (control yourself). Up to 650cc is possable. SV650 (carb only) is a great choice or ER6L is another good choice.
BMW 650 singles like F650 Funduro also pass but not their fuel injected F650 ones. R65 is an option but boring as hell. CB400 Jade is a good bike. XJR400Diversion is a great choise. HD883 should be included but isn't....

**Gorgeousplak** · 4th July 2011, 22:27

Either I haven't read the fine and legal print but last time I looked, it was 250cc only on a learners and restricted licence. Unless theres a different rule since I sat my full one.. Please direct me to the cops or insurance companies that won't give you a ticket or will insure you on a learners licence for a 650cc

Originally Posted by R1madness

There are plenty of bigger bikes you can ride even on a learners if you can show a reason why you can responsibly control them (control yourself). Up to 650cc is possable. SV650 (carb only) is a great choice or ER6L is another good choice.
BMW 650 singles like F650 Funduro also pass but not their fuel injected F650 ones. R65 is an option but boring as hell. CB400 Jade is a good bike. XJR400Diversion is a great choise. HD883 should be included but isn't....

**jaffaonajappa** · 4th July 2011, 22:35

Originally Posted by Gorgeousplak

Either I haven't read the fine and legal print but last time I looked, it was 250cc only on a learners and restricted licence. Unless theres a different rule since I sat my full one.. Please direct me to the cops or insurance companies that won't give you a ticket or will insure you on a learners licence for a 650cc

A small(ish) number of people on here applied for, and received, an exemption to the 250 rule. Involves giving details of a low Hp/Kg ratio bike to LTSA, and explaining why a standard 250 is not practical for you.

A few threads on this in the newbies forum I believe.

**R1madness** · 5th July 2011, 01:58

Originally Posted by Gorgeousplak

Either I haven't read the fine and legal print but last time I looked, it was 250cc only on a learners and restricted licence. Unless theres a different rule since I sat my full one.. Please direct me to the cops or insurance companies that won't give you a ticket or will insure you on a learners licence for a 650cc

Dude, ive been at this a LONG time. There is an exemption available from the LTSA. Its got nothing to do with the police. Insurer is simple if you have the exemption. The list of approved bikes is related to the Aust LAMS law but they will include newer bikes that meet the criteria.
Look it up ltsa.govt.nz