We don't currently have a non- Harley in the stable, but I would not be able to ride my SEEG if I had not started on a smaller bike. I learned to ride on an 800 Susuki Intruder, and a few years later traded it in on a 1500 Intruder. The latter broke me of my fear of the big tank. Once I got over the mental image of a bigger looking bike, I have never had trouble riding a touring HD bike. I did, however, have a lot of trouble trying to ride a SE Dyna last Sept at York Open House. Just cause you can ride a bigger bike, does not mean you can ride a smaller bike. I've learned my lessons.