Ya know how they say "If you have to ask you'll never understand" well now I understand. I was always one who did not understand the whole Harley thing, I liked power, speed and handling; those traits that I did not believe Harley possessed. A year ago if you asked me what was going to be my next bike, I probably would have said a Ducati 996 or a Aprilla Milli R, but definetly not a Harley. I just never thought I was the Harley type. I mean I ride around 10000 - 15000 miles a year, live near the mountains of NC and ride them often, but something changed... Being a Motorcycle instructor and teaching a couple of weekends a month - mostly the Intermediate and Experienced classes (riders do them on their own bikes) I started to appreciate the Harleys more and more. The real impressive part was the comradre of the Harley riders and their williness to improve their riding abilities by taking a class ( they were definely in the majority). But, what really sold me was riding a Road King that another instructor owned. Huck and I traded bikes on day, I loved it, just could not get the feeling of riding that bike out of my head. My sportbike just didn't measure up after that ride. I sold my bike and know I own a 06 Dyna Lowrider, of all the bikes I've owned I can already tell that this will be my favorite. Last night I went for a long ride, after an hour or so on the backroads I hopped on the Interstate to cruise home. The golden lights shinning off my chrome triple trees, feet on the highway pegs, beautiful music coming out of my SEII pipes and just an awesome cruise at 70 MPH. I felt like I could have rode all night. Damn, I love this bike, it took me 34 years of riding, but now I finally get it......

 

Better late than never

 

It's a sickness. No cure. Getting on my Harley is 1000% better then any drug I could take to make me feel better.

 

At least you figured it out. Some people never do.
Post some pictures of the new ride when you get a chance.

 

Can I get an "Amen"? Welcome to the flock.

 

I just wish that the legions of Harley bashers out there would at least have the intelligence to RIDE one first before mouthing off about them. You are one of the all too few who have "hopped over the fence" for a closer look, with the happy result of going out and buying one. Good for you - congrats and welcome to the Harley family!

 

@ mike . . . all i have to do ist to agree . . . you are right .-)
one question . . . how do you get your nickname . . . some german-knowledges?

regards . . . thomas

 

Something like that. Check out my webpage, there's a story that explains it there:
Gummiente's Roadhouse

 

I went through a similar process, although a little slower one. After 35 years of mostly Japanese bikes (a couple really terrible Germans in there, but only for a short time), I bought a Japanese cruiser (Yamaha V-star) as a companion to my FJR1300. Soon I found that for anything less than intergalactic trips, I was taking the cruiser. Still, I didn't get the Harley thing - they were slower, cost a lot more, shook like the paint-shakers at Home Depot. Along the way I rode a 4-speed FL, a late 90's Electra Glide, an '03 hardmount Sportster, and none measured up to my cheap Yamaha. Then I borrowed a Road King for a weekend and liked it, and read what they'd done to the '06 Dynas - fuel injection, 6 speeds, serious fork tubes, wider tire, etc. and bought an FXDI sight unseen. I spent the last 2 months making it fit me (forwards, Mustang seat, pullback risers) as well as the V-star did, and now I'm hooked.

The shake disappears at speed. The transmission shifts as slickly as any metric cruiser. The fenders are real-live steel and not some composite plastic. There are ten times the number and variety of aftermarket accessories. The resale value is so much better that spending more money for a Harley, saves you a bundle over time compared to the instant depreciation of metric bikes. And it looks and sounds like a real motorcycle. I couldn't be happier.

I don't generally go on HOG rides, go out of my way to hang out with "Harley guys," haunt the local Harley shop or any of the stuff that collectively I hear referred to as the "Harley community." It's all nice, but I generally ride with a mixed bunch of mostly-metric riders, hang out the same places I would if driving a car, and generally go my own way. But even without all the "community" stuff, my Dyna is a terrific machine, and would be just as terrific if it were made in Yugoslavia and sold only to the Bangladesh police. For what it does and is designed to do, it is equal to or better than all its supposed competition, and a long-term bargain to boot. I'm a Harley convert, not because now some guy in a flamed bandana will now wave at me, but because it's a damn good ride.

 

welcome to the wonderful world of Harley.I do hear the Ducati 996 is an animal.Fastest bike out the door