Man killed while riding new motorcycle home from shop (TX)

ABC13 ^ | 3/15/05

[martin_fierro]

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Let's be careful out there.

[Not A Snowbird]

When I get my new Dyna, my husband will ride it home. I will spend some time in a parking lot getting the feel of the added weight before I get out amongst the people.

[kingattax]

Police say it’s the second-time in two days Montgomery County motorcycle riders have been killed while driving their new cycles home.

unreal

[Old_Mil]

Most unfortunate. I can't quite make out what model of bike it is.

Either way, this is probably a good time to point folks to the homepage for the motorcycle safety foundation:

http://www.msf-usa.org/

If you want to learn how to ride or improve your skills, the best thing you can do is take one of their rider courses. Comes with a nice insurance discount too.

Ride safely, folks. Wear your gear. It's too early in the season for stories like this.

[martin_fierro]

When I get my new Dyna, my husband will ride it home. I will spend some time in a parking lot getting the feel of the added weight before I get out amongst the people.

Do us all -- your hub, you and me -- a favor and spend A LOT of time getting used to the added weight.

I made the mistake of pushing Mrs. Fierro too hard into riding a new Kaw Vulcan 750 after she'd done well in a riding course on a Honda Nighthawk 250.

She did a low-speed tipover in a parking lot while learning on the 750 and really messed her knee up.

Her riding days are now over, and I still feel lousy about it.

[Old_Mil]

What version of the Dyna are you getting? A superglide sport with more accessories hanging off it than a bagger is currently infesting my garage. I'm a pretty big fan of the Dyna line (except for the wide glide, which feels a little chopperish to me).

[Not A Snowbird]

I'm going for the Dyna Low-Rider, if I get one at all. I'm still not convinced it's a good move.

Right now I have a 2001 Sportster. I'm leery of the added weight, even though the Dyna sits lower and is more stable (I'm told.) The Sporty is topheavy.

I may just go with a new Sporty, now that they've moved and rounded out that blankety-blank battery case.

[Not A Snowbird]

spend A LOT of time getting used to the added weight

Don't worry, I will.

Okay, motorcycle people, what do you think? I currently ride a Sportster. Everybody (husband and motorcycle sales critters) thinks I should go to a Dyna because of the lower center of gravity.

I'm not sure about the added weight vs. lower seat. I'm 5 feet tall, 105 pounds. Advice?

[Dog Gone]

I think anyone who rides a motorcycle in the Houston area has a secret death wish.

[Old_Mil]

Right now I have a 2001 Sportster. I'm leery of the added weight, even though the Dyna sits lower and is more stable (I'm told.) The Sporty is topheavy.

Tough call. You're right in saying that you do get a lower CG with the Dyna - but at the expense of extra weight. Perhaps renting one from your local HD dealer for a weekend is the answer...

I came to HD after riding 700+ pound BMW touring bikes so both the Dyna and Sportster feel a bit like mopeds to me.

I may just go with a new Sporty, now that they've moved and rounded out that blankety-blank battery case.

The other advantage you'll get with 2004 and newer Sportsters is a rubber mounted engine, making for a much smoother motorcycle than the 2003 and older models.

Good luck whatever you decide...

[blackie]

New rider, new bike, night riding, head on, on a curve.

He was looking at the headlights of the approaching car = Boom!

Bike riding 101 ~ look at the part of the road you want your bike to go ~ the bike follows your eyes.

Also ~ keep your eyes parallel with the horizon while turning.

[international american]

Careful BTTT!!

[international american]

Keep the sportster, and enjoy it. I like mine: )

[Not A Snowbird]

Perhaps renting one from your local HD dealer for a weekend is the answer...

I just may do that. I'd hate to drop big money on something I can't (or shouldn't) ride.

[NonLinear]

I'm not sure about the added weight vs. lower seat. I'm 5 feet tall, 105 pounds. Advice?

LOL! Yeah, you can come beat up my wife. You have her by 3/4" and about six pounds!

I'm way too scared of her to do it myself!

Happy trails on the new scoot. Rubber down, paint up, throttle to wide, and DON"T "Armor All" the seat!

[tacticalogic]

It's too early in the season for stories like this.

Unfortunately "early in the season" is when you see 'em. New, unfamiliar bikes and rusty reflexes are a bad combination.

[ladtx]

Thirty years ago I bought my first bike, a Honda MT-250 Elsinore, a really torquey enduro bike. After I laid my money down I asked the salesman if they had someone who could show me how to ride it. After a couple laps behind the Honda shop I rode it home. Lucky I didn't wind up in the ditch or worse. Sometimes when we're young we do REALLY dumb things.

[NonLinear]

(Jus kiddin' about the beating up part - She's a sweetie.)

[blackie]

Go with your gut feeling ~ just ride, ride, ride. :)

I've owned three Harleys, twenty plus bikes of other makes, in 56 years of riding and they are all good!