Advice needed

[Geespot]

My best friend over the years is my old college roommate. He was my best man and though we don't see each other as often as we used to, we still have that special friendship. While we were at school we used to go to the local Harley dealership and sit on the bikes (had to be careful of the oil all over the floor back then) and we used to talk about when we were able to get a bike.

His arm is scarred from a bike accident he had in high school and he told me that he's got something wrong with his inner ear that screws up his balance and that's why he spilled. He said that as much as he wants a bike he really can't ride one because he might loose it any time he rides.

Another mutual friend of ours has a road king and also just bought an Ultra (because he can) and he's been pressuring my buddy to buy a bike and he called over the weekend to find out more about my Wide Glide and I said "don't do anything, I'll ride up there Wednesday night and you can check it out for yourself".

What I'm really going to do is have a "heart to heart" with him and ask him if he's crazy, suicidal or what. I'd love for him to be a riding buddy of mine but I certainly don't want him to wipe out and get hurt of killed with me not saying anything.

So, how do you tell someone "Do NOT buy a Harley"? I don't know, maybe his inner ear thing is all better, maybe not. I do know that he LOVES Harleys and has wanted one at least as long as I've wanted one. It's going to be tricky but as far as I'm concerned, I gotta have the talk with him.

[Boss]

If he has a balance issue that may screw with his equilibrium, he might not pass the motorcycle endorsement. Not sure if IL is a mandatory State for the Riders Course or not but he may have an issue there. That's a tough one.

[Motive]

Sidecar might help him.

Is there no medication for the inner ear thing? They make meds for damned near everything under the sun nowadays...

[Geespot]

Like me, he's always wanted the Springer (until I actually rode one). Maybe I can talk him into a trike?

[jirvin]

That is tough but sounds like you got the right plan.

[Dan]

Like me, he's always wanted the Springer (until I actually rode one). Maybe I can talk him into a trike?

I was gonna say, why not a trike? I know it isn't quite the same but ya still get your knees in the breeze. Some times ya just gotta do what ya gotta do kinda thing. On the other side all you can do is try and change his mindset but in the end he is gonna do whatever it is he is gonna do.

[blacksheep]

I will tell you right now, if I lost both legs I would be on a trike of some sorts.

[badinfluence63]

My best friend over the years is my old college roommate. He was my best man and though we don't see each other as often as we used to, we still have that special friendship. While we were at school we used to go to the local Harley dealership and sit on the bikes (had to be careful of the oil all over the floor back then) and we used to talk about when we were able to get a bike.

His arm is scarred from a bike accident he had in high school and he told me that he's got something wrong with his inner ear that screws up his balance and that's why he spilled. He said that as much as he wants a bike he really can't ride one because he might loose it any time he rides.

Another mutual friend of ours has a road king and also just bought an Ultra (because he can) and he's been pressuring my buddy to buy a bike and he called over the weekend to find out more about my Wide Glide and I said "don't do anything, I'll ride up there Wednesday night and you can check it out for yourself".

What I'm really going to do is have a "heart to heart" with him and ask him if he's crazy, suicidal or what. I'd love for him to be a riding buddy of mine but I certainly don't want him to wipe out and get hurt of killed with me not saying anything.

So, how do you tell someone "Do NOT buy a Harley"? I don't know, maybe his inner ear thing is all better, maybe not. I do know that he LOVES Harleys and has wanted one at least as long as I've wanted one. It's going to be tricky but as far as I'm concerned, I gotta have the talk with him.

As a friend I feel you are obligated to tell him the truth as you understand it as his friend. Thas what friends do. You may not know the whole story, he may not full well understand exactly what he's doing? I don't have many friends but the few I do have don't blow butterfly kisses up my arse nor me theirs.

[krcampbell]

Side car or trike is what I would suggest if he still has ear problems

[JimP]

I agree with what's been posted. As his friend you got to be a straight shooter with him and then support his decision.

[livetoridelady]

I agree with BI, the truth is the best thing but ask him is the ear condition better - that is the clincher here.

[DoubleJ]

My buddies dad had a similar situation. He has severe type I diabetes and high blood pressure...the mix of meds the doc put him on cause balance issues for him. He was fine running down the road but would drop his ultra classic at stop signs unexpectedly. He dropped it about 5 times and decided to get the trike kit for it. If you friend still had the inner ear issue trike might be the way to go for him.

[RubberDown]

Tell him your concerns and suggest a trike........

[Geespot]

I'm going to try real hard not to say "Training Wheels".......

[RubberDown]

I'm going to try real hard not to say "Training Wheels".......

It'd be impossible.......

[Dan]

I'm going to try real hard not to say "Training Wheels".......

This maybe a more difficult issue than having the conversation with him.

[gruss]

A trike is a fine machine !!
I've seen all ages and skill levels of riders on them, and to say the trike is any less machine than a two wheeler would be untrue in my opinion. I can certainly understand his desire to ride, and his love for the Harley goes without saying, but I do think he would be wise to get a medical release in order to get on any machine.
Once that end of things is satisfied, the trike would be an excellent choice if he has any doubts. And lets be realistic, who wouldnt want a decked out, two up capable trike ?....I know I would, It really sets the bar for accomplishment in my mind. And what an accomplishment that would be for him....IMHO

[bikertaz]

I have to agree. If you tell him your concerns and he is persistent about getting a bike, suggest the trike option. I have thought about one myself, just so I could ride a few more months out of the year!

[Boss]

Appears that the trike would be a great alternative for him.

[screwball]

My wife was a very avid rider. Put over 40,000 miles on her '04 Nightrain when we bought her an 08 Deluxe. Less than 1000 miles and she was diagnosed with cancer. 6 months of Chemo left her with a side effect called peripheral neuropothy, numbness in her hands and feet. She couldn't tell if her foot was down. Bought her an '09 Tri-Glide. Did a little work on the clutch so she could pull the lever and she has wind in her face, and bugs in her teeth again. Last October we 'did a lap' of the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Sedona and home (SoCal)