Guys with 2bikes question
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,453
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
You need to look at having 2 bikes like the wife and the mistress, completely different and both do something unique for you. Main bikes like the wife , it's there stable and reliable. Second bike is like that hot redheaded mistress , big fun to play with but high maintenance and not something you wanna deal with all the time.
Make the second bike your alter ego persona, makes life much more interesting over the same old same old.
Make the second bike your alter ego persona, makes life much more interesting over the same old same old.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I'm at 18 now and just arrived in Colorado to look at a dealers NOS 14 EBR 1190. I brought my check book and if they say the magic number that my research says that it should be it's mine.
I have 1 or more of each HD family of bikes. All have a purpose. One is a show bike, one is a drag strip bike (120R in a 13 Street Bob), two are show off bikes (CVO's), a freewheeler for winter use, 2 are for tribute to HD's racing heritage (XR1200 & a 883R both in HD racing orange of course, several are for touring and adventure touring, 2 are just plain cool (Low Rider & Fat Bob). Yes I said it. Dyna's are cool. But! Softails are sophisticated. I don't know were to put the Revolution VROD and Street bikes but they are needed to have a complete history of current HD offerings.
I dont just look at them, I ride them 20 to 40K miles a year. Did 890 miles today on the Ulysses adventure touring bike in 14 hours to get to the EBR dealer North of Denver. Not bad for a 75 year old. That puts me past 24K this year with 3 more big rides planned.
I have 1 or more of each HD family of bikes. All have a purpose. One is a show bike, one is a drag strip bike (120R in a 13 Street Bob), two are show off bikes (CVO's), a freewheeler for winter use, 2 are for tribute to HD's racing heritage (XR1200 & a 883R both in HD racing orange of course, several are for touring and adventure touring, 2 are just plain cool (Low Rider & Fat Bob). Yes I said it. Dyna's are cool. But! Softails are sophisticated. I don't know were to put the Revolution VROD and Street bikes but they are needed to have a complete history of current HD offerings.
I dont just look at them, I ride them 20 to 40K miles a year. Did 890 miles today on the Ulysses adventure touring bike in 14 hours to get to the EBR dealer North of Denver. Not bad for a 75 year old. That puts me past 24K this year with 3 more big rides planned.
Last edited by lh4x4; Jul 9, 2015 at 11:42 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I think there's 10 bikes in the garage and shed. Currently I only have the 1200C and newest acquisition, a 2007 Ural sidecar rig, insured and running well, though the Ural needs a back tire.
Lot of folks think that many bikes would be way too expensive, but all of mine together cost less than most new wethead Harleys - and most needed a lot of wrenching to reach what I'd call acceptable riding condition. I've changed a lot of tires!
Why so many? I just sort of bumped into most of them and thought it might be fun when it's fixed. I was looking for a 1200C, 2004 to 2006, and an EVO bagger, rest just kind of caught my attention. The 1200 and 89 Tour Glide are keepers, I love those bikes, too very different rides. Got a trail bike I'm planning on selling, so I can get a better one. I want to keep the Helix, only scooter I've ridden I actually like.
My 6 year old grandson was/is too short for a Harley, and an old cheap non running Ural caught my eye, thought it might be fun for the grandkid - it was (had it running in less than an hour). Ran across the 07 this spring, way better model, grabbed it and we're having even more fun. My daughter likes riding it, too. Saving some miles on the cage, doing most of the grocery runs with the hack.
Only 4 bikes I really want to keep, should sell the rest. Then I'd have room for an FXRT, always wanted one of those. Maybe a trike someday, a Triumph twin... it never ends. No sport bikes, though, way too uncomfortable for my old bod.
Was gonna put a pic or two on here, but Photobucket is down. Again... Lot of pics in my albums here on the forum.
Lot of folks think that many bikes would be way too expensive, but all of mine together cost less than most new wethead Harleys - and most needed a lot of wrenching to reach what I'd call acceptable riding condition. I've changed a lot of tires!
Why so many? I just sort of bumped into most of them and thought it might be fun when it's fixed. I was looking for a 1200C, 2004 to 2006, and an EVO bagger, rest just kind of caught my attention. The 1200 and 89 Tour Glide are keepers, I love those bikes, too very different rides. Got a trail bike I'm planning on selling, so I can get a better one. I want to keep the Helix, only scooter I've ridden I actually like.
My 6 year old grandson was/is too short for a Harley, and an old cheap non running Ural caught my eye, thought it might be fun for the grandkid - it was (had it running in less than an hour). Ran across the 07 this spring, way better model, grabbed it and we're having even more fun. My daughter likes riding it, too. Saving some miles on the cage, doing most of the grocery runs with the hack.
Only 4 bikes I really want to keep, should sell the rest. Then I'd have room for an FXRT, always wanted one of those. Maybe a trike someday, a Triumph twin... it never ends. No sport bikes, though, way too uncomfortable for my old bod.
Was gonna put a pic or two on here, but Photobucket is down. Again... Lot of pics in my albums here on the forum.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
For most of my life I've had two; usually a Sportie or something else short and light for in the city and short runs and something more FLH for longer trips. I often joke about my Sportie being my Mud Bike since its my go-to for rain, winter and the rock salt that goes with it, and general commuting. Road Kow is more my weekender fancy ride.
Barring mechanical issues - which happen - mileage across the year turns out about the same but days on the pavement the Sportie wins by about 5 to 1. Both are older (94 for the XL and 04 for the FL/RK) and the Sportie isn't worth selling really but she usually runs for me like a swiss watch. The big one has some value, even painted like I have it, but is just so damn comfortable for long hauls and busy highways.
Barring mechanical issues - which happen - mileage across the year turns out about the same but days on the pavement the Sportie wins by about 5 to 1. Both are older (94 for the XL and 04 for the FL/RK) and the Sportie isn't worth selling really but she usually runs for me like a swiss watch. The big one has some value, even painted like I have it, but is just so damn comfortable for long hauls and busy highways.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 90
From: People's Republik of Kalifornia
I have two as well
I also have two homes, 278 miles apart. One is a vacation home. I have my Softail there because it is a good long distance bike and gas stations are far apart.
My Sporty, with its 2.1 gallon tank can never be too far from the gas pump, so it works well in a more urban environment.
I also have two homes, 278 miles apart. One is a vacation home. I have my Softail there because it is a good long distance bike and gas stations are far apart.
My Sporty, with its 2.1 gallon tank can never be too far from the gas pump, so it works well in a more urban environment.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 90
From: People's Republik of Kalifornia
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 832
Likes: 29
From: New England
I just sort off fell in to the two bike think myself.
07 Electra Glide Classic and 95 Softail Springer
I was riding what most would call baggers since the 90's pretty steady. I had smaller lighter stuff back in the early days (late 70s early 80's) and kind of missed the quick and easy feeling a bobber gives you.
I bought the Springer a few years back so I could teach my wife to ride and have something to hope around on..
She never did learn how to ride, she'd rather sit on the back of the classic. So I bobbed out the Springer for single ridding...
I think about selling it now and then but love it for short rides here and there so for now I still have 2 bikes... The classic has been all over the country, we rode to Canada twice this summer, all over New England and to Nova Scotia in a few weeks..... Ill ride the Springer to work today and for whip after work...
07 Electra Glide Classic and 95 Softail Springer
I was riding what most would call baggers since the 90's pretty steady. I had smaller lighter stuff back in the early days (late 70s early 80's) and kind of missed the quick and easy feeling a bobber gives you.
I bought the Springer a few years back so I could teach my wife to ride and have something to hope around on..
She never did learn how to ride, she'd rather sit on the back of the classic. So I bobbed out the Springer for single ridding...
I think about selling it now and then but love it for short rides here and there so for now I still have 2 bikes... The classic has been all over the country, we rode to Canada twice this summer, all over New England and to Nova Scotia in a few weeks..... Ill ride the Springer to work today and for whip after work...
Last edited by Eddy G; Jul 10, 2015 at 05:00 AM.
