Everyone rides a Harley... Even Nerds...

[djroadking]

Today my friend Bryan went to Louisville to buy an Iron 883 Sportster... It's his first motorcycle and he spent nearly $8,000 on the bike. He is surely what I'd consider a real geek in terms of personality... So why did he buy this bike? Simple factor that he wants to be "badass" and remove the nerd impression. Bryan works with my Dad and he had came by our house a couple of weeks ago during the mid-summer season and I taught him how to ride on an XR70 then let him get used to using a clutch on a 125cc yamaha. What really has me concerned about Bryan is that he has literally not even an hour of riding time in on anything... He has yet to even get his permit or even get insurance on the bike but he rode it around some tonight with my Dad and I following along. He took it easy and didn't even go 30mph so he has a lot to learn. He surely will need to take the MSF course... I'm happy for Bryan but concerned at the same time... I saw my friend Ryan go down on his bike several years ago and I do not want to see anyone else go down.

I myself will be getting a Ninja 300 next riding season. For now I'll stick with my BSA

(From a ride my Dad and I took this afternoon)

 

[DziEsMoto]

Most of chopper owners that i personally know are really retarded... Looks like "Look i have a chopper,you dont. Im cool ,you not.Im sexy,you not...." They think that when they ride they are like pussy magnet And why the f*** they cant even greet other bikers with their left hand... ( idk about other countries but here in poland we "wave" to another biker ) Im talking especially about which riders I know... but not waving to sport bike riders by choppers riders is common...

 

[Slothman]

Its really an idividual thing what sort of bike you can learn on. In Aus we have a restriction on what bikes you can learn on but I originally learned on dirt bikes as a kid and before the restrictions became law I learned to ride on the road on my dads zx6 and cbr 900rr. now im going through it all again on a learner legal bike its frustrating.
What Im getting at is with passed experience and even maturity or good attitude one could really learn on just about any bike. smaller less powerfull bikes are more forgiving if or when you make a mistake and theres no denying that its smarter to learn on that sort of thing, but not everyone is a total noob when they 1st get their learners permit (or whatever it is in other countries).

Your friend might do fiine if he takes his time and doesnt rush it and keeps a good attitude and doesnt try to show off or live upto other expectations. Good luck to him.

 

[Chris033081]

As an MSF RiderCoach,I could go on for days about the benefit of taking a local MSF class. The 883 is a nice starter bike. As long as he feels secure maintaining balance of the bike at low speeds he should be fine. I know here in WA they offer subsidized classes, not sure about Kentuky. Even so, it woud be worth the $250 to better prepare your friend for riding. Even after completing a BRC I would still recommend additional traing.

 

[O8ride]

I love the Iron 883, I think it's a great looking bike, and have seen some souped up ones with old style seats and leather bags on the side. Not sure there is a pillion seat or pegs though.

If he can afford that as a first bike, and is "a geek", I'm sure he will take whatever training he can get and he should be fine. Us geeks are usually very strong on "learning the tradecraft".

As for labelling specific people as those who do or don't wave, or nod, or wiggle their foot, based on their bike, I ride a 125 Piaggio Fly scooter and the only thing I have noticed is that there is no correlation between bike and recognition. Some people just don;t know about it, or they are just arses. Don't blame the bike!

 

[DziEsMoto]

I dont blame the bike, just owners But im talking about behaviour in my country. In your its not the same i bet Polish people are specific...

 

[SwitchBiker]

Already said, but that 883 will make a fine beginners bike, not too powerful or aggressive and handles well enough to get somewhat spirited when the experience/comfort level gets there. I also don't think getting a new bike as his first will be a big issue, if anything it should make him feel a stronger need to be safe and not start clowning around on his shiny perfect bike. On the subject of being a "Badass", is that what he told you or your assumption? if he told you that, my advice would be to tell him to get the bike his heart desires and that he loves, not the one he thinks will affect his social status, not all geeks are likeable, but nearly all posers are unlikeable. I say if you are a geek, then thats definately what you should be, don't hide from it or try to change it, accept it in yourself, embrace it and show others how cool of a geek you can be, get social, talk to people and get them to like you for who you are.

@DziEsMoto-As for waving, I'm guilty of not waving at every bike, not because I don't want to , just sometimes the amount of bikers out and the frequency of waving at all the bikers on the road it starts feeling a little ridiculous. If you're getting all pissy cause someone didn't wave, you definately need to thicken up the skin a little, that's kind of like expecting everyone you meet to click with you, it's just not gonna happen 100%.