finally got to take a short ride today

[jserio]

so i got a friend who's got a 2003 harley-davidson dyna wide glide lowrider. he gave me permission today to take it round the block. so i get on and proceede to go for a ride. first 2 attempts to go the bike stalled and died. i was confused. i thought i was doing as i'd learned in MSF. then he tells me, oh, the bike idles really low so there really isn't a "friction zone" you gotta be on the throttle a bit more when you let out the clutch. so this i tried. and whatta ya know, we're off, slowly of course. i make it to the end of the alley-way and prepare to stop to look at the traffic i'm about to enter. at this point i realize how much of a hassle it is for me to stop this bike. i get it stopped but i'm not comfortable now. he has foward-mounted foot controls and for my 5'5 frame, that just isn't comfy. add in the fact i'm allready nervous because it's been 2 years since i've been on a bike and not to mention the bike isn't mine.  i decide against taking the bike into traffic and turn round and head back down the alley and into the drive. at this point i'm embarrassed to no end because i've been dying to ride again for so long and couldn't seem to get over the nervous feelings. traffic wasn't heavy at all it's a really small town. but i just didn't feel comfy. so now i'm bummed. i'm back at home again and still bummed. not sure why i'm posting this, just rambling the day's thoughts i guess. so i guess i did learn today that this particular bike at this point is prolly too big for me. which is fine i had planned to get a smaller displacement bike anyhow. but i'm still bummed. 

[DrtRydr23]

Don't feel embarassed, Wide Glides are really made for taller folk.  I test rode some Harleys at a local dealer's demo day a while back, and I found that most HD's are made for taller riders.  They didn't have a Wide Glide to demo, but I sat on one in the showroom and my knees were fully extended just to get to the forward controls.  I'm a little over 5' 7", but my legs are pretty big so it's hard for me to feel comfortable on bikes with a longer reach to the forward controls.  I've sat on some Jap cruisers (Honda VTX 1300 and Kawasaki Vulcan 1600) and they seem a little more tailored for the shorter/average height rider.  I found both to be very comfortable, much moreso than any of the Harleys that I demo'd minus maybe the Dyna Low Rider.  The Low Rider has got mid mounted foot controls so it's much more comfortable for me, but it has highway bars mounted stock that I can barely get to.  I'd have a hard time riding most of Harley's bikes, soley because of my height.  If you are looking for a Harley that is more comfortable for the shorter rider, try the Sportsters or any other Dyna than the Wide Glide.  Most of them have mid mounted controls.  The Sportster 1200 Custom is a very comfortable bike for a shorter person.  It's got forward controls, but they are closer to the seat leaving my knees comfortably flexed.  Most of the cruisers with running boards instead of foot pegs are a little more comfortable as well.

Sport bikes can be kind of uncomfortable for me as well because of the seat height, but I think that is a little easier to deal with than being in an awkward position while actually ridiing the bike.  Generally I find sport bikes to be pretty comfy to ride, even if I'm tippy toeing it at stop lights.

[yamahonkawazuki]

jserio, my compliments, you had enough maturity, to say, " ya know what, im not readyt for this yet"  . with your height, id suggest a bike with mid mounted controls. harley or otehrwise

[jserio]

ty for the replies. being comfortable on the bike both in just sitting on it and in riding position are probably the most important things i think in choosing a bike. you've got enough to worry about without being uncomfortable too.  i've had my eye on a hd 1200 low at the local dealership. i've not sat on it yet for fear that i may fall in love with it and not haveing the money till spring. ah, Mr. Tax-man be nice to me this year!

[annguyen1981]

I agree with Yama, and I share his respect for you for being smart enough to know when you are ready and when you're not.

I applaud you Sir!

[werase643]

I rode my first H-D a couple of weeks ago.
from the trailer to the dealer front door to sell it for a friend
talk about a$$raping.....as quoted..."the bike is worth 14,5....will you take 9....i might get you 9,5 is i talk to the manager real nice.
it was a FXblahblahHP police bike
now I can say I rode one.....didn't like it...I'd rather ride a Z-50 all day

if you ain't comfy.....so friggin what. 
better than trashing somebody's joy

good decision in my book
if it scared you...good.....it should....it will kill you in a heartbeat

we rejetted and synch'd rob's VTR1000 last night
and it scared him......the throttle response is wicked