[Steppin Razor]

I actually just got a side mirror on ebay so I'm just waiting for that to arrive. What kind of handlebars would you suggest for a more "standard" one?

What came as original equipment were a little lower and with less sweep back towards you.


I'm a relatively new rider myself. I highly recommend the MSF course. Required here, as I mentioned, but valuable. In the first 15mins or so, you'll get the balance down, as long as you know how to ride a bicycle. Then most of the maneuvers are at low speed, which is more difficult, so you get good skill building. I was on a 125cc Grom, which made falling or dropping the bike unlikely because it's so light. The main challenges for me included actually going too slow because 15mph felt like 25 when I'm hanging out in the wind instead of in a cage (car). Also getting used to counter steering and accelerating widening a turn.

 

[Steppin Razor]

May I ask, is there s basic "test" a rider has to pass to be allowed to ride on the road in the USA ?

Or can anyone just jump on any bike and ride ?

Depends on the state. Here in Texas, they make you take the Mototrcycle Safety Foundation class, so that the state doesn't have to come up with and staff their own. It's a 2day 6hr/day riding session.

 

[Steppin Razor]

He has a vendetta against Japanese bikes. Said I won't ever find parts (which is fair) and that if I wanted a small bike a Sportster would be 100x better. Jokes on him I love Honda's and Suzuki's more and I don't have to pay the Harley premium for the same quality bike.

I'll spot you one - how do you know when a Harley needs an oil change? There's no puddle underneath.

Parts can be hard to come by on vintage bikes, but there's stuff out there. cmsnl, davidsilverspares, 4into1, randakks, partzilla. You'll find more when you look for something you need.

 

[Steppin Razor]

Welcome. A little surprised your father in law would knock a bike from his era (I'm guessing). Modern bikes and their humpback tanks don't do it for me either. There are plenty of Harley jokes if you want to give as good as you get.