5 TIPS for NEW Motorcycle BUYERS 

What was your first motorcycle? Don’t ride yet? Which one are you thinking about?

Brand new rider, like seriously 1 week. I really appreciated these tips. I took the MSF class and I bought a 2014 Switchback for my first bike. Andy Helmer told me about your channel and I’m so glad he did. Fabulous stuff!

I rode for years before taking the rider course. Thought I knew everything. I did not, learned a ton. Highly recommended.

I've had a bike payment for most of my adult life. It's just part of my living expenses because I couldn't imagine life without a bike.

Well thought out video. Thanks John

Thank you John for the great tips you put out in this video. It really help the ones who are getting started on riding. Awesome video.

Taking the Harley Academy Riding Coarse the first week in April. Very excited! Good advise.

Another awesome video. Good tips. I rode for a long time without license or motorcycle course. Learned a lot when I finally did.

Great video. All things I talk to new riders about. Lots of information to take in.

When you got to the tip on buying parts, ya cracked me up. As a Deuce owner, I'm very familiar with the "*except FXSTD" notation in Harley (and other) parts catalogs. You are spot on. Keep up the great videos.

Hey John,way cool vlog and excellent advice,saves a lot of heartache down the line.Thanks John looking forward to your next vlog 😃👍

Great advice,,,,,and yes every rider should take a rider course, you will learn a lot. I taught the first MSF course in Florida many years ago and everyone can use a refresher.

Awesome advice. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Thanks John! Awesome video and good advice.

Nothing wrong with that advice. You are absolutely right. Great content John . Stay safe!🍻

Made me feel better on my most recent buy! I got an 06 road king classic great price but my biggest bike and I’m in love, came with everything I wanted! Thanks John! Ride safe!!

Grew up riding mini bikes/dirt-bikes and finally at age 27 decided to get a bike. Took the motorcycle course, and bought an old used 883 Sportster. Had an absolute blast on it this past summer !!! Great video and excellent tips 👍🏻

Great video keep up the the outstanding work.

Thank you John. That’s a good amount of excellent information

Great info JM it’s the kind of knowledge that’s very useful to any prospective or seasoned rider. Getting my license to be legal and taking the MSF course was on my bucket list after riding for years, I did it and recommend doing the same.

Great points. Cost of ownership and philosophy of use are good things to figure out prior to purchasing a motorcycle.

Great advice i bought a new heritage in 06 before i took the rider coarse best decision of my life keep up the great videos i lok forward too them every week

Great advice! I will pass it on to any people I know bike shopping for sure!

glad you mentioned the bike safety course. I rode dirt bikes growing up but I tried to keep an open mind in the MSF course, I couldn't believe how much I learned and fine tuned my skills. like emergency braking.... not over rated, saved my life.

Love the vids John. Feeding my Harley dreams.

Good video John . Love the bike and passion. God Bless

I have only owned and ridden Triumph, Ducati and Yamaha bikes but really enjoy your content. Biggest bike I've had was a Yamaha Warrior, 1700cc Vtwin, great bike, almost bulletproof! Great advice in this video, people so often forget to factor in insurance, maintenance, tires etc... taking the MSF rider safety course and advanced rider training was the best thing I've ever done. Been on 2 wheels for over 20 years and love seeing new generations getting into bikes.

Brand new 94, 1200 Sportster. I was 23. Had to wait three months for it. (Had to wait for Harleys back then) Dad cosigned the loan. It was my first loan on anything. Three years later found a 65 Electra Glide. (Still have today). Good luck to all of you new riders! (No matter your brand of bike)

John, I started in 1970 on a 1970 Triumph Trophy 500, rode various bikes on and off at age 52 purchased a FXSTI new and still riding it at age 68. Starting to loom at getting something a little bit lighter due to hip problems. Like your videos. Great information.

Holy Jesus....u r absolutely correct. I wrote to u last weekend bout my first bike flhtp...but my seat to high. I'm having a custom made lower narrower seat by the way! Still tho I love it. It's what I wanted and I practice in my parking lot doing u turns n braking. Outstanding tips John

Started on a 250cc Honda Rebel, moved up to a 400cc Suzuki something... Then many years later got a Yamaha Vstar 1100. Was so stoked on that bike, and rode it for the last 3 years until I bought my dream bike, an HD Ultra Limited. Awesome touring bike. Even though I've been riding for years, and been all over North America, definitely going to be taking a riding course this spring. I want to boost my riding skills and learn advanced handling. Nobody is above training. On a bike your riding skills are your airbags, cage, and crumple zone...yeah, don't get hit.

Good info on some accessories not being available on certain models, e.g., electronic cruise control and heated grips). How about a how-to video on installing heated grips on a Dyna Super Glide? Keep up the great work.

Great video! I toke the riding course at age 38. 10 months later i bought my very first motorcycle - brand new 2018 Road king. I have newer rode motorcycle before. For 10 months i did research online, went to the local Harley Dealership ( Alligator Alley H-D ,Sunrise, FL ) sit on a few, and most importantly i asked the bikers in the store, what do they recommend, what should i buy as a first motorcycle. Surprisingly almost everybody told me that i should buy the one what i want to ride. At that point i knew it is gonna be the road king. "learn to ride the one what you like" they said. I did exactly that. It toke me some time to feel comfortable riding it. And as you said, i knew what parts i need, i new that i am going to do local an long distance riding too. And even before purchasing the bike, a have called my insurance company for quote. I newer regretted any of my decision.

My first bike was an 04 sportster 1200c and it was great since then an 07 lowrider, 12 Streetglide and finally now a 17 Road King Special. I have always thought the riding height on the sportster is kind of high where as a dyna or softail has a lower center of gravity making it easier to control. Great video John thanks keep up the great content.

I was up in the air when I got my low rider. I sat on multiple sportster and dynas before I settled on the 18 fxlr. And I'm happy I went bigger,I already have 2 sportys prior

the insurance tip is BIG!!!!! I have owned 4 bikes and 3 were cruisers. The one 1000 cc sport bike I bought I paid for straight up but my monthly insurance was almost as much as the payment on my other bike. Cruisers are sooooo much better for insurance

Rode dirt as a youngun, then first street legal bike at 18 was AMF Harley 250...great little "dual sport" as they're called these days. Next was Harley XLX sportster that I loved and gradually turned into a mini bagger (hard bags and tourpack)...actually worked and looked really good! Couple of KLR'S in middle age and now at 59 ride a FLHR and couldn't be happier (for the moment) !

Great advice brother. I absolutely fell in love with the night rod, purchased one and loved riding it. Then I realized there were virtually no accessories for this thing. Especially since it was discontinued. I didn’t think much about how I was going to use it, turns out I commuted to work a lot and had to wear a backpack. I HATED wearing that thing. Night rod saddle bags were super expensive and way small, oh and I couldn’t find any. Ugh! Long story short, I moved to a Street Glide and love it, love riding a lot more too. Could have saved myself time and money if I had thought it through.

Great advice, would have loved to have had is years ago!👍🏻

Got one of those 18 Road Glide, lovin it

Shadow. Fj1200 long absence with kids. Switchback. And now the best so far a road glide and I am going to use that two kinds of riders line it’s a nice one thank you John maxwell I enjoy your work

I've always had the MOCO on a pedestal, finally broke in with a 2009 Night Rod. Then traded up to a 2011 Road Glide Ultra, then a 2014 Limited and just inked a deal on a 2019 Limited. And I went all out on this one. I've always bought new and I've always had a payment. I always buy an extended warranty so I have a little peace of mind. I'm ok with having a payment. I ride in Wisconsin so I only get 6-8 months a year. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to have the bike I want. It's a horrible financial decision nearly every time but I'm almost 50. I'm not sure how many more good years I've got left. Thanks for these great videos John!

Hey John Had an idea for a topic a lot of the the riders have to put their bikes away for winter how about a video on getting your bike ready for spring riding.

My first bike was a new 2007 Suzuki GSXR 600. Had it for about a year and sold it because I was young (23) and dumb with it. Waited until 2017 to get my next one. Went with a 2018 Road King Special. Love that bike! It was a huge step up and had to learn how to ride all over again but I am so happy I went with it instead of a smaller cruiser to learn on.

My first bike was a 1980 honda cm400 that I had to pour quite a bit of work into. After enough years and different bikes I finally bought my first Harley last year. A 2012 ultra limited, also my first touring bike, hell, it's the first bike I've ever had with anything. I've never had a windshield or saddlebags or a radio or any of this fancy stuff. To be honest it's because my wife loves to ride with me and I'm hoping to attempt some traveling on this one.

2018 road glide special was my first public road bike, being 6’1 with long legs made me have to look around for awhile for comfortability and style I liked and ended up going new with 8 miles on the bike, with bars grips clockworks windshield and stage 1 kit, and I live in California so the non riding season is very small so I have no problem making the payment

I just got a street rod for my first bike I love it but in six months I may trade up!! I learned so much on that bike and still learning I may just keep it!!

2 years after release and it is wednesday. Impecable timing John! Damn.

Good video thanks for sharing

Solid advise as usual!!

As to rider courses, I would highly recommend checking with your state to see if they have a training program. My state, Illinois, has a basic rider course which includes road and written tests and best of all, it's free!!! You do have to put down a small deposit that will be refunded at the end of the course, or you can choose to waive the deposit to help fund the program. The only problem is reserving a spot. Seats fill up for the entire year shortly after the schedule is posted. It's well worth the effort to check and see if your state offers something similar, and if they do, it sure beats paying a dealership, or someone else, $300+ for basic motorcycle training.

great points John!! I recommend the rider course to all riders. It cured me of my bad habits from BMX riding days. One of these vids would be great for buying a previously loved bike too. JMO. Keep up the awesome vids! Hows your boy doing with his dirt bike?

Great great info have to think it out before

In the garage is where mine sits for most of the winter since I don’t ride when the temperature falls bellow 45 degree. And I make every payment with the most joy knowing my baby sits nice and warm lol

Love the heritage. But my 1st bike was the 2016 xg500 i bought in march 2018 with 1k miles on it. Rode it til September of 2019 put 15k miles on it. Traded it in on my 2012 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic I love it. Payments doubled but I'm good with that. Only thing I have done to it was lowered the rear 1.5" cause of my short legs. I'm only 5'6". Love the channel, been binge watching for last couple weeks.

I had a CBR and it was fun but I’m a little older now and I want comfort and power. I found it with my stage 1 street glide. Some day it will be a stage 4 ..... bought it 2nd hand because our local Harley shop had the bike I wanted over priced and said they will raise it another 1,500 come riding season. So found a deal but it is still a serious price to pay for something I can only ride part of the year. I thought about it for months before buying. Great video

My first bike was a 250cc Honda Rebel. My second bike was a Road King. That was a switch. I did “outgrow” the Rebel pretty quickly, but I bought it outright brand new and I don’t ever plan to get rid of it. I don’t care what anybody says, I like that bike.

First bike was a Fatboy. Took my riders license course on the Fatboy. The officer suggested that I rent something smaller. I figured if I can't pass the test on what I am about to ride, then I should not be riding it. I think he might of been the one taking a chance when he stood in front of me riding right at him during the course!! LOL! Everyone is different, ride what you like, pay the way you want, that is what makes freedom so badass!!! Great vid as usual, hope to see you at the Bring It Home!!!

Good video and informative. We leave where we can ride damn near 365 and Yes it would be hard to spend the money and have to store a bike for months and continue to pay for anything you can’t use all year . Suppose this is why the price of used bikes seem to be cheaper up north.

I started on a Slim and still have it! I just wish that winters weren't as long and that isn't counting about a month of mud...

My first bike was a 1969 Honda 50. That was in 1970. I was 11. My first street bike was a 1971 Honda 450 in 1977 though I had access to a friend's Yamaha RD 350 before that. I have a tip for first time motorcycle buyers. Not all dealerships are the same. Some of them are run and staffed by true jerks. A brand of motorcycle might be more popular in your area than in other areas because of a bad dealership. Don't be afraid to travel a little ways to find a nicer dealership for a brand you like if your local shop makes you uncomfortable or if they're high pressure pieces of guano! I like dealerships that are honest enough to put their price on the bike in the showroom. All bikes are nice...the price tag is what makes the sale.

I took HD’s riders course for safety factors 6 years ago and glad I did.......I thought, I knew it all until I took the course which humbled me to the core.

Laughed my arse off when you spoke of the Softail Duce. Never liked that model, didn't know that nothing would mate up with the darn thing. That comment made me think about what really crossed my mind about that bike whenever I saw one and that was of a duce in a bowl

Hey John, love the vids, ya know I been following ya since ya was 10k and below... quick quality of life tip ya can do for me, when you do TIPS put like a Number in the video to say which tip your on, or time stamp it. You have some good ones, but sometimes when I am at work, and I want to show someone, it be easy to scan through the video to that number. Hope that makes sense brother! Thanks again!

Yes! Make sure you can afford at least basic upgrades. Bags, seat, windshield, even pipes seem like must haves after riding stock for a while. Upgrades can make riding so much more enjoyable. One fun part of motorcycling is customizing your bike to express yourself. To make it a little different from everyone else's.

My first bike was a 2014 street glide in 2014 at age 40 and my second bike was a 2017 ultra classic in August of 2017 first bike had 25 k when I traded up I learned to ride on the street glide !! Was awesome

I bought a 2017 FXDB Street Bob as my first bike. Love every minute of it. And as to the 'freedom promise' the only reason that I did not get a sporty is because of the fact that you can only put 2500 miles on in the time period. I already have 1700 on my bike in 3 months of ownership.

Hi John... Are you still running the Screaming Eagle mufflers you installed awhile back? Sounds like they broke in really well - they sound pretty nice on these videos. I recall they were part of your Dyno-tune videos where you were not real satisfied there either. Love your channel and thanks for what you do.

Good tips look in to the HD Rental. Unfortunately no Rental in Houston. Smh Great idea.

I'm currently riding a 2015 Honda shadow phantom but I'm already looking at a heritage classic or road king. I'm just trying to get good at low speed control as well as doing everything else smoothly on my bike before doing so on a bigger and heavier bike. I know that if my technique is great then the size of the motor or weight of the bike won't matter much

Outgrew the Sportster in one season. I am on Harley number 5, Road Glide Special. My advice is to test drive a friends bike to feel for fit, then decide what's best.

I started on a 2003 Vrod. Perfect bike for me to start on. Light, nimble, not overly powerful. Great bike IMO. Anyway I was used to riding dirt bikes so that definitely helped when going to street bikes. Everybody’s different like you said and no one way fits everybody. Most important thing is that you’re riding. 👍🇺🇸 Oh and Military and Veterans can take the course through Harley (sometimes) free or at a discounted rate. So if you’re military or prior military check into that.

My first motorcycle was a cb 550 Honda a1974 it was fun had a king queen seat was very quick as well . I must say when it comes to bikes I have 2 loves Honda's are smooth efficient zippy like a sports car like a Ferrari and Harleys are like the old hot rods my dad & I use to work on . I have a 79 iron head sporty and a 2006 vtx 1300 I love them both 😀

1.My first mistake was starting out on a brand new Road King. 2. 20,000 miles later I’m loving my Road King.

I had a windshield, small sissybar, small rack, air shocks, ape hangers, long shots and a reach seat on my 01 Deuce. Rode it out west twice. Loved that bike until I traded in for a Street Glide. I had over 60k miles on it when I traded it in.

He's right nothing better than being on the road away from everybody and everything and relaxing

The first motorcycle I rode was a Street 500 in the Harley MSF course. I immediately purchased a 2017 Dyna Fat Bob upon completion and rode home.

My insurance is the same from when I had my first bike 15 years ago. I had a Kawasaki 440. Now I have 03 Harley Electra glide ultra classic.

Good points , Big is not always better, rode most all and I am still a DYNA fan @ age 50+tax. Your personal size Will make a difference. Accessories forward vs mid controls can make the same bike feel totally different 😎. Also js, ive seen a increase interest in dual sport bikes lately, just not for me yet. Good video, good tips $ & keep riding & always ride safe.

Took rider course b4 even looked into buying bike. Cause wanted learn right ways to do things. Dad been riding for 50 years he even said take the course first

I bought 2013 Dyna Super Glide Custom last may . it was perfect for me . tall big guy lol fell in love. I figured in cost of payments, gear,insurance, accessories and maintenance . some stuff you can buy over time .I bought helmet and some riding gear (jacket and gloves) before I found my bike. I took MSF course soon as I could get into a class. Highly Recommended I found this guy on you tube that give out lots great info and enjoyable vids might know him John Maxwell :-) .

cool video as always can the saddle bag bars be used with stretched side covers I want both and would opt for the bag bars over cosmetics

Dirt bikes, Kw650, Honda then took a break, 15 years later took MSF course, then a used HD 1200 Sportster, rented many different models (Gold Wings, Indians, CamAms, Yamahas, BMWs, Softails, Trikes, RGS, SGS, Ultra Limited) before deciding I wanted to ride longer distances and then bought a 2017 SGS especially for the M8 engine. Kinda of wished I got the Ultra Limited due to more bang for the buck, though I test rode a 2018 Softail Heritage 114 and loved it!!! Really hard decision. Dearly miss the Sportster. Summary opinion: take the rider course at HD, they supply the bike, you just need to show up. Most states, you can take the MSF certification right to the DMV and they will put the endorsement on your license without having to take a riding test. Then go shopping. Buy something used and small to begin with if you are uncertain what type of riding you most want to do, then go from there. Ride safe.

First st bike was the 08 Nightster about 7 to 8 months later I was ready for next size.always assumed would go softail or dyna. But didnt wanna have same issue. So went to road king. There so well balanced it's a totally different ride compared to the sporty. Making me think I should have started there till begin with lol

Really wish I had seen this video back when I first started looking. I got a 2017 Sportster, I could have used a larger bike that came with hardbags. I take my bike to work everyday when I can and then I like to take it camping. A large bike with more storage would have made more sense.

It also helps if you grow up riding a minibike.

I started out on dirt bikes, but my first road bike was a Yamaha XV 920, bad fit, never rode it. A few years later i bought a KLR650, and again not a great fit. I now have a 2018 H-D Streetbob and could not be happier. I bought a windshield, forward controls, and a rear tail rack, i am set ;)

First bike at 14 y/o was Honda 70. Then at 15 y/o a Honda CB350 which I rode year round (no car) for 6 years all through HS and college. Went into military, got married, had kids, sold motor. Many years go by, always wanted another motor but wife was always hesitant, so other than occasionally riding my Dad's Harley soft tail classic when I visited, I didn't own a motor for 40 years after the CB350. Then after kids are gone, wife decides she wants to take MSF basic rider course and I tagged along for support. Wow- I thought I knew a lot about riding until I took that course and realized I didn't know much. After the course, decided I would buy myself a Harley Wide Glide and the wife a smaller bike to learn on. The WG I had my eye on sold before I could make a deal and I ended up buying a new 2017 Road Glide special and the first time I rode it was when I drove it out the door - how stupid I was . Over the next few months I realized I was not really in full control of that big bike so I decided to take one of the basic Police motor officer training courses for civilians (Lock and Lean). That was the smartest decision I ever made. I now have much more confidence and control over the big Harley but also realize there is much more I can do to improve my skills, so I am enrolled in an advanced Police motor officer course in late spring. Oh - and I traded the RGS for an Ultra Classic and couldn't be happier. So use the three degrees of separation approach to riding : 1) Riding Strategy, 2) Rider skills, especially emergency accident avoidance skills, and 3) ATGATT. If you put emphasis on 1 & 2 you improve your odds that you will never have to depend on the gear to protect you.

I would suggest putting at least enough money down to give you positive equity on trade in value. That way if something happens and you absolutely have to sell it quick, you can at a lower price point to move it quickly.

My first Street bike was a 2005 Honda VTX 1300 because it was inexpensive. I regretted not buying a Harley-Davidson almost immediately. Saved up and bought a Dyna and have had zero regret. Moral is get the bike you really want, it cost me more learning that lesson than if I had just bought the Harley to begin with.

Love your new LP. Strat - tick! Tele - tick! LP - tick! Gretsch - tick! But you didn't mention Chapman. Doesn't your signature Chapman make the grade? Thanks for sharing, it's great when one finds 'the one".

though's who do and though's who don't hahaha .. Starting a war hehe ..Some very good points. My sporty is great around town and on a short day trip but 2 weeks not so much haha .

First bike XXLC 05, xl low 07, FLHRCI 05, current 19 FLTRXS. Also there are to kinds of bikes , Harleys and those that want to be Harleys

john there's a percentage of riders that go over their head on bike purchases , not every one can afford the luxury of a bike and then dress it out , its not easy on your pockets with a touring bike , that's some good info to pass on

All great points. In the neighborhood where I live I see guys with Harley’s sitting on their porch or in the garage but I never see them ride except maybe during Bike Week here in Az. What’s the point ?

I bought a 2011 road glide before I even knew how to ride. Fucking best thing ever

Oh, I should look into that program. But,, I love my 07 Electra with 102k miles. Maybe a road glide .

John fortunately I have the best of all worlds. Small 01 XL 1200 Medium 13 FLSTC Large 18 FLHTK. Got it all covered and no payments

One thing I would suggest, don't overlook the "medium" bikes. Once you leave Sportster territory, you don't have to go RG/SG/Ultra etc. You could go FX Softail or FL non-touring Softail and get bags so that you can still travel, but with the benefits of lighter weight. Granted, my bike is "old" (97 FXSTC), but it's still great for travel. Sure, I don't have a radio and I have more vibration/less smoothness (though it's not that bad in vibration), but I can fit as much luggage on mine as someone with an Ultra (by strapping bags on the passenger seat to the sissy bar), and my bike weighs 200 lbs less (than a large TC or M8 model). I mean, a "medium" bike (FX Softail through Road King is a pretty big range of "size") may not be for you, but on forums and stuff, I just don't see many talk about them, it's always sportster or touring. And a two guys I know on a forum that own touring bikes recently got FX Softails and they absolutely love them for non-touring. There's some other guys, like one I know that prefers his Dyna Switchback for everything. So, the medium ones, in short, can be a great compromise for all-arounders (if you bar hop AND tour, for example, and can't afford to have two bikes). They're extremely versatile, if you can do without some of the touring features like the infotainment.

I bought a 2008 Ultra 105th Anniversary with just over 22,000 on the odometer in January this year. I hadn’t planned on buying the Ultra, was looking at a Dyna or a Road King, but once I saw it, that was all she wrote. The salesman asked me what kind of riding did I think I’d be doing, because it’s important to get a bike that fits your needs. Called a friend who is a CHP Officer who does training. He said, “ Go ahead and sit on it, and square it up, if it’s not hard, or strains you hand over the Visa card.” I’m 6’1” and 277, so it wasn’t difficult. Haven’t ridden seriously for 30 years. In April I’m taking the MSF course. Can’t wait to get the bike home. I live in Buffalo so the dealer stores bikes all winter. I did order a Classic when I was in Iraq in 2003, but the wait was forever. Never got it. Now I’m 57, back in graduate school and the time is right.