I think the main thing lacking in the motorcycle industry is BALLS. A lot of young people today are afraid of their own shadow. Danger doesn't hold the same appeal that it used to.

I am 36 just got my first Softail heritage​ 2 months ago never rode before already have 3,000 miles under my belt. wish me luck.

Great recommendations, Matt. However, I purchased a 2017 Road Glide Ultra as my first bike back in January before this video was ever made. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll add a few recommendations for those who may be like me and went straight for one of the heaviest bikes on the road as a beginner bike. First, I’m a retired military helicopter instructor pilot who now instructs in both airplanes and helicopters. I’ve always had a natural ability to operate all types of machines. (Trucks and trailers, boats, tractors, dozers, track hoes, etc.) Second, my friends are also military instructor pilots who ride HD’s and know my mental and physical abilities. They have been flying with me for 20 plus years and their belief was I could handle that much bike based on past experience and my ability to assess and mitigate risk. They knew that just being able to ride was not going to be good enough for me. That I would approach riding with a desire to be good at riding. Third, I completed the basic rider course and obtained the endorsement prior to making my purchase. I found the course to be fun and fairly easy. I can’t say the same for all 12 who were in the course. Fourth, after purchasing the bike, I spent hours working on slow maneuvers and emergency braking in a vacant parking lot to develop the necessary skills. A 900 pound bike does not behave the same as the bikes you ride in a basic rider course and it takes some getting use to. Even after almost a year, I will still go and work on improving my skills in a parking lot on a regular basis. I’m looking to take an advanced course soon. An RGU or Ultra will practically go on autopilot on the interstate. But slow maneuvers in tight areas takes some serious practice. I can’t stress this enough. Practicing traffic patterns in any aircraft is boring. But correctly flying a traffic pattern with precision will develop skills a pilot will use on every flight and should be practiced regularly. Same principle applies to learning to ride a motorcycle. Challenge yourself to learn to ride with precision. You may think you will look silly riding your $30k motorcycle around cones in a parking lot. But not nearly as silly as dropping it in an intersection, gas station or parking lot. And finally, I stress to pilots to use superior judgement so they are not forced to use superior skills. I carry this principle over to riding a motorcycle. Ride within your skill level. Watch your following distance. Expect motorist to do the unexpected. Maintain an attitude that you are never an expert, you and the bike have limits, and that you can always improve your skills and you will lessen the likelihood of damaging yourself or a very expensive bike.

I never rode a motorcycle in my life before. Did my course and test then bought an iron 883 sportster. Had it for almost 2 years I love it.

I’m a new rider. I was given some really great advice from a seasoned rider before I got my license. She told me to to buy a bike that fits my stature...6ft and 220 lbs. Buy one that’s easy to handle...affordable....big enough I won’t grow out of it too quickly. I ended up buying the same bike she rides...09 Heritage Softtail Classic. 2 seasons and 28000kms later I am still in love with my bike and plan to keep it for many more seasons. It’s got everything I want in a bike...performance...handling...comfort...style...and still runs like new due to good care by past and present owners. I highly recommend checking this model out for first time riders ....costs nothing to check it out regardless what you buy. Safe travels.

People told me I was a bit nuts for buying a Harley (for a lot of reasons: I'm young, Harley's aren't beginner bikes, they're too expensive, etc etc etc). I didn't listen to them at all lol. You can 100% learn how to ride on a Harley, and you don't need the most expensive motorcycle on the market.

Just got my first bike about a month ago 04 Road King switch to roadglide everything custom floorboards clutch cables LED lights 23 inch rim custom paint first bike I've ever had in my life and I'm on the f*

This is my first year of riding after taking 15 years off. I started with a V-rod because it looked badass. I quickly traded it in for a Street Glide Special, listening to my friends that had baggers. I realized that this was like driving an SUV full time when you wanted a sports car. I traded that in for the Lowrider S. This is the bike I wish I rode in the first place. It loves the hills of Southern CA, looks amazing, and despite the power, can be a great first bike as long as you respect it. My advice to new riders, attend a demo day. Don't just make an emotional decision without having a chance to ride a few biles. As for those bashing the technology, we but Harleys because of the heritage and raw nature of the bike itself. If we wanted the highest technology, we would buy a ducati or BWM. That's not what riding a harley is about. Great channel Matt! Keep up the great work! Hope to visit the dealer when I get up that way.

First thing I did when I got my first bike (and first rode) was took it on the 101. I don’t recommend that for people but survival is the best way I learn and it worked. Also how I learned to swim as a young kid

I never rode a motorcycle before in my life. I took two HD riding classes and learned the basic for riding. The first motorcycle I purchase was a HD road glide ultra (2017). I had my friend pick it up for me and take me to a school parking lot to ride around for a couple of hours. Afterward, I had a friend go with me on a slow ride on the surface streets in my community. Now I ride along on the surface streets and interstates. My motto is: Be Safe! The only way you are going to learn to ride is to go and ride!

MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) has the MSS (Motorcycle Safety School) classes throughout NYC for 2-3 day courses for a reasonable $350 and you get a road test waiver with the completion. It how I got my License.

This video helped me make my decision last year, I had never rode anything more then a 250 four stroke dirt bike a few times every few years. After watching your videos and trying to penny pinch I ended up buying what I really wanted a 2016 SG used. I took it slow cruised around close to home, rode on the freeway early Sunday mornings and now a year later I ride it to work, freeways etc. I want to trade it in actually on a road glide now lol. Thank you Matt your vids have brought me so much happiness and pushed me to do something I have always wanted to do. I would tell any new rider buy 1. What you can afford, it’s a toy 2. Take it slow ride within your means 3. Take the riders safety course it’s long days but fun.

Yes my first beginner bike was a 2014 street glide with 7 miles !!! My second Harley is an 2017 ultra awesome times

I went back to bikes after thirty years, I bought a Dyna Super Glide which a friend rides to safe country road where I can get my confidence back. Your advice is very important and we all need to recognise our limitations and ride accordingly.

I just learned to ride in April and bought a 17 Low Rider S as my first bike. I managed 2400 miles so far, and never had a problem.

Brand new rider here. Starting out on a brand new 2017 Dyna Street Bob. Wish me luck...

Bought my first bike back in March. It was a 2009 1200 Low. After three months I decided to trade it in for 2012 Street Glide. I'm 5'2" weighing 135 lbs. at first it was really hard getting used to the weight and the size but I ride it like I was riding my Sportster now. I put 10,500 miles in three months on the Sportster and learned a lot. I got my Street Glide about a month ago and have put 5,000 miles on it. I daily it and I love my Harley.

After getting my license I struggled if I should get a iron. After long thinking and talk with H-D dealer and my H-D academy instructors I got the fat boy. Mainly because I don’t want to spend the money on iron then spend more again money on the fat boy which is actually the bike I want. The fat boy to my size is perfect I can put my feet down no problem. So far I been driving very carefully and is slowly getting the hing of the bike.

Great video and spot on advice. I used to ride dirt bikes and atv's a little and the occasional street bike if I found one to borrow. I'm 37 and just bought my first street bike a year ago. A 1999 Kawasaki zrx1100 with 40k miles on it. I've got $1500 including insurance and a new front tire invested in it. Dropped it 3 times in the first few months and laughed about it because that's why I got it. No injuries to me and a few scuffs to the bike. Now I'm comfortable and competent enough that I'm not worried about dropping Harley Davidson breakout. I appreciate your decency and demeanor in your videos. It's nice to see someone offering legit advice without being a d-bag like so many biker channels.

Matt I love your videos very informative and open minded. Always give it to us real and I respect that. Thank you for your time keep the videos coming. I just recently bought my first Harley a 2018 SGS Twisted Cherry