Help! Need to learn to ride before 5pm

**michael** · 25th March 2009, 13:44

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** · 25th March 2009, 13:45

and big...

**Maha** · 25th March 2009, 13:56

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.....

**michael** · 25th March 2009, 13:59

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** · 25th March 2009, 14:04

Originally Posted by 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.

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...

**Supermac Jr** · 25th March 2009, 14:05

I hope that they're paying you...

**phoenixgtr** · 25th March 2009, 14:05

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** · 25th March 2009, 14:11

self canceling, does that mean they switch off themselves

**phoenixgtr** · 25th March 2009, 14:13

Thats the one

**Maha** · 25th March 2009, 14:14

Heres one way to make them stop.

**98tls** · 25th March 2009, 14:22

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

**Crisis management** · 25th March 2009, 14:30

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** · 25th March 2009, 14:32

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

**michael** · 25th March 2009, 14:33

Originally Posted by 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!

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** · 25th March 2009, 14:39

Originally Posted by michael

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.