Brian Jordan was happy to sign on as grand marshal of a charity motorcycle ride.

There was just one problem. He didn't know how to ride a motorcycle.

RENEE' HANNANS HENRY/AJC (ENLARGE)

Former Brave and Falcon Brian Jordan didn't know how to ride a motorcycle, but wanted to take part in an upcoming charity event raising money for the American Diabetes Association's 'Ride to Live.' So he took courses and is now a pro.

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Organizers offered to set the former Atlanta Brave and Falcon in a sidecar for Saturday's American Diabetes Association's Ride to Live, but he wasn't hearing it. So Jordan, now a Braves TV analyst, signed up for lessons at Stone Mountain Harley Davidson.

"He was nervous that first day," said instructor Sandy Lavelle. "He said, 'my heart's beating so fast, it feels like I'm about to play a big game.' He was so focused. He was hanging on every word, taking notes."

Barely a month after completing the four-day safety course, called Rider's Edge, he's now the proud owner of a new Harley Night Rod, a five-speed, two-tone beauty that retails at around $17,000 and gets up to 42 miles per gallon - and tons of Harley gear.

"Every time I come in here, they sell me the whole store," joked Jordan, decked out in gloves, head scarf, boots and even a Harley belt buckle.

We caught up with him during a visit to the store Wednesday morning.

Q: Do you ride it often?

A: This is my baby. If I'm not working for the Braves that day and don't have to wear a suit, I'm hopping on this. Especially with gas prices.

Q: Where's your favorite place to ride?

A: South Fulton Parkway. It's wide-open and you can test out your bike a little bit.

Q: What was the hardest thing to master?

A: When you're making a U-turn, you have to counter-balance your weight.

Q: What do you miss about being a pro athlete?

A: The comaraderie. Talking to guys who are going through things you're going through.

Q: As an analyst, what mistakes do you most commonly see?

A: Lack of hustle. Guys just taking it for granted, there for the paycheck instead of love of the game.

Q: What's the best way to look cool on a Harley?

A: Put on your Harley cap, put your jeans on, stick out your chest and smile.

Q: Your jeans have a pretty sharp crease in them. Do you iron them?

A: Sometimes I do.

• Ride to Live, benefiting the American Diabetes Association, leaves from Hooters of Gwinnett in Duluth Saturday morning. Organizers expect around 1,000 riders. Sign-in begins at 9 a.m., followed at 10:30 a.m. by an opening ceremony and a police-escorted ride through Gwinnett County. Afterward there will be a cook-out, live music, a bike show and motorcycle raffle. Info: 1888-DIABETES, www.diabetes.org/ridetolive.