Should I buy an '04 Ridgeback

D

Danny Bagley

New Member
I have a bike that I want to buy but I also have some concerns. I am 5'7" and am wondering if I will be able to handle the bike. Are chopper style bikes harder to handle than regular bikes? I wrecked one 15 years ago, finally got back on a Harley in 2013, and am looking to upgrade. I bought an 883 Iron to gradually work back some courage. (It was a pretty bad wreck) Now I am wondering if I am biting off more than I can chew. The bike seems to be in excellent condition except it needs a front tire relatively soon. I figure about $150 for the tire and who knows how much for labor. It's just that when I sit on it, I can reach the brakes and the shift lever....but barely. That concerns me. I have heard of moving levers forward...but can you bring 'em back? (I'm obviously not a gearhead) How hard is it to make a turn on the street...say make a left onto a side street? Is it about the same as a Harley or super-wide like a semi? Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
wolfen

wolfen

Member
The Bikes are harder to handle. I heard it described as the difference between driving a car and driving a semi truck. I agree with that. It`s sounds like you are to short a chopper with forward controls. Good luck trying to decide..
 
CHOPTOP45

CHOPTOP45

Well-Known Member
Hey I'm seventy and i ride mine with no problems how ever it does take some getting use to at first as far as the pedals there are options there you can have the seat redone to push you forward there are venders on here that do that good luck on what ever you decide.
 
firedog19

firedog19

Active Member
have you checked to see if the controls have been moved forward already if so you would remove the blocks to put it back
 
Ray

Ray

Well-Known Member
I am 6'5" and the ole scooter fits me perfectly. I have a friend that is only a little { key word } over 5' ish and he rode it and had no problems... at least he didn't crash it. It does take getting used to the turning radius, it doesn't turn in small places, but that is just getting used to it. Keep it on smooth roads . I can't honestly think of another scooter I had rather ride!

Ray
 
Unsprung

Unsprung

In the Potters hand...
I'm 5'6 and ride an 03 Pitbull, takes a little getting use to especially after riding sport bikes, (still own one), for so long but it works and the learning curve is short. I say go for it. Like Choptop45 said, you can have the seat redone to push you forward, but in any case if your not comfortable with it, it may not be for you.
 
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heybaylor

heybaylor

Active Member
I have a 29 inch inseam, a reach to the controls for my stock seat pitbull.
So , I fabbed a spring seat and moved it forward about 2 inches.
VIOLA !! rides fine .

btw , mine is a 01 , doesn't have quite the "stretch" on the front forks as later models.
however I can ride my friends 05 Chopper fine ..
Go for it .
 
Ray

Ray

Well-Known Member
Take it for a ride and see if it intimidates you or thrill you. Don't waste money on a bike to impress others, invest money in a bike to soothe your own soul. Simple really, and a Ridgeback ain't no beginner bike....

Agrees 100% ,,,,
 
liferider

liferider

Looking forward to retirement
heybaylor said:
I have a 29 inch inseam, a reach to the controls for my stock seat pitbull.
So , I fabbed a spring seat and moved it forward about 2 inches.
VIOLA !! rides fine .

btw , mine is a 01 , doesn't have quite the "stretch" on the front forks as later models.
however I can ride my friends 05 Chopper fine ..
Go for it .
Click to expand...
Yep he's short. I can vouch but a great burger eater!
 
T

Tumbleweed

New Member
I love my 04 Pitbull (no push) and I'm a 5'4" woman, although it looks a Ridgeback would be hard not only to control but see over the top. If you're no gear head, make sure you have someone you can trust to work on it. Get documentation that they replaced the electric module for


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
francoblay1

francoblay1

The Spaniard
Danny Bagley said:
I have a bike that I want to buy but I also have some concerns. I am 5'7" and am wondering if I will be able to handle the bike. Are chopper style bikes harder to handle than regular bikes? I wrecked one 15 years ago, finally got back on a Harley in 2013, and am looking to upgrade. I bought an 883 Iron to gradually work back some courage. (It was a pretty bad wreck) Now I am wondering if I am biting off more than I can chew. The bike seems to be in excellent condition except it needs a front tire relatively soon. I figure about $150 for the tire and who knows how much for labor. It's just that when I sit on it, I can reach the brakes and the shift lever....but barely. That concerns me. I have heard of moving levers forward...but can you bring 'em back? (I'm obviously not a gearhead) How hard is it to make a turn on the street...say make a left onto a side street? Is it about the same as a Harley or super-wide like a semi? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...
Check THIS out too! :oldthumbsup:
 
titus722

titus722

Active Member
I'd have to agree , take it for a ride and not just around the block go for 45 minutes , when I first got mine it took me about 300 miles to get used to the bike and now a Harley feels extremely uncomfortable, check the bike over , read thru some threads on here , that way you can recognize any issues a normal person doesn't look for
 
cdogg556

cdogg556

Guru
francoblay1 said:
Check THIS out too! :oldthumbsup:
Click to expand...
Tumbleweed said:
I love my 04 Pitbull (no push) and I'm a 5'4" woman, although it looks a Ridgeback would be hard not only to control but see over the top. If you're no gear head, make sure you have someone you can trust to work on it. Get documentation that they replaced the electric module for


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Alert! Hey Franco,I think you missed one! Get her intro police! Lol!
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
Viking said:
Take it for a ride and see if it intimidates you or thrill you. Don't waste money on a bike to impress others, invest money in a bike to soothe your own soul. Simple really, and a Ridgeback ain't no beginner bike....
Click to expand...
X2:chopper:There's also a forward seat available also if you do consider
 
RON WHITLEY

RON WHITLEY

Member
Unsprung said:
I'm 5'6 and ride an 03 Pitbull, takes a little getting use to especially after riding sport bikes, (still own one), for so long but it works and the learning curve is short. I say go for it. Like Choptop45 said, you can have the seat redone to push you forward, but in any case if your not comfortable with it, it may not be for you.
Click to expand...
 
RON WHITLEY

RON WHITLEY

Member
hey Gerald my name is ron I have two pitbulls love my bikes would not want anyother bike .do you know of anyone that has the handlebar mount and tachometer for a pitbul that they might would sell
 
Unsprung

Unsprung

In the Potters hand...
RON WHITLEY said:
hey Gerald my name is ron I have two pitbulls love my bikes would not want anyother bike .do you know of anyone that has the handlebar mount and tachometer for a pitbul that they might would sell
Click to expand...
Hey Ron, I spoke to Curtis at wildsteedworx.com about this very thing several weeks back and he has all you need.
 
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