NOTHING feels like a Harley!!
#1
NOTHING feels like a Harley!!
I've been dying to get a Harley ever since I got my first Japanese bike about 7 years ago...a Kawasaki KZ440. I grew bored of that bike pretty quickly.
Years later, I ended up picking up a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I thought it was 'big enough'. When I started it up, it had a nice rumble too it. I thought I'd be happy with that bike for a long time, but again I grew bored of it quickly. I worked with a a bunch of guys that had Harley's, and when I sat on them I would always say THIS is what a bike should feel like. I never got to ride any of them though, nor did I ask. I never thought I'd own one because I simply didn't think that I was willing to spend 10K+ on a bike.
Just a few weeks ago, I ended up grabbing a GSXR 600, thinking that maybe I'd be into the crotch rocket thing since most of my friends were into it. Nope. Bored of it after about 3 rides. I didnt like how I felt on it, and I really had no desire to be going over 100 mph. I didn't like the way I was seated on it, and I just felt that it wasn't my style at all. So 3 weeks later, I sold it and took a $500 loss. I didn't care though, because at least I got to try it out.
After selling that bike for $3500 cash, I went over to the Harley dealership and checked out some bikes. I checked out several, but only test rode one of them - the street bob. It was used, but with low mileage and already had V&H pipes on it. I fell in love immediately after just doing that one test ride.
That is how a bike should feel, I thought to myself as I was riding it. The sound is amazing, as you surely all know. Arms are fully extended, which is extremely comfortable. And I just feel 'safer' for some odd reason on it. It's like I was gliding on a cushion of air or something...and everything just felt so solid.
It's hard to explain, but I remember feeling a similar way after finally getting my first Gibson Les Paul after years of playing on the cheap, imitation Epiphone models. I think it's almost necessary to go through a few smaller, Japanese bikes first just so you can fully appreciate a Harley.
This is how a bike should feel.
Sorry for the long post, but I just took her home yesterday, so I'm pretty excited!
Years later, I ended up picking up a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I thought it was 'big enough'. When I started it up, it had a nice rumble too it. I thought I'd be happy with that bike for a long time, but again I grew bored of it quickly. I worked with a a bunch of guys that had Harley's, and when I sat on them I would always say THIS is what a bike should feel like. I never got to ride any of them though, nor did I ask. I never thought I'd own one because I simply didn't think that I was willing to spend 10K+ on a bike.
Just a few weeks ago, I ended up grabbing a GSXR 600, thinking that maybe I'd be into the crotch rocket thing since most of my friends were into it. Nope. Bored of it after about 3 rides. I didnt like how I felt on it, and I really had no desire to be going over 100 mph. I didn't like the way I was seated on it, and I just felt that it wasn't my style at all. So 3 weeks later, I sold it and took a $500 loss. I didn't care though, because at least I got to try it out.
After selling that bike for $3500 cash, I went over to the Harley dealership and checked out some bikes. I checked out several, but only test rode one of them - the street bob. It was used, but with low mileage and already had V&H pipes on it. I fell in love immediately after just doing that one test ride.
That is how a bike should feel, I thought to myself as I was riding it. The sound is amazing, as you surely all know. Arms are fully extended, which is extremely comfortable. And I just feel 'safer' for some odd reason on it. It's like I was gliding on a cushion of air or something...and everything just felt so solid.
It's hard to explain, but I remember feeling a similar way after finally getting my first Gibson Les Paul after years of playing on the cheap, imitation Epiphone models. I think it's almost necessary to go through a few smaller, Japanese bikes first just so you can fully appreciate a Harley.
This is how a bike should feel.
Sorry for the long post, but I just took her home yesterday, so I'm pretty excited!
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mrmarklin (07-14-2016)
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#8
The right thread at the right moment Now you understand that which can't be defined.
I just came back from riding in the escort for the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall; can't tell you how many bikes. 375 or more, mostly HD. To hear them all start at once was absolutely intoxicating; believe me, I know what you're feeling. I've ridden HD since '78 but still feel like a little kid when I start this bike. This morning was a fantastic ride; all that thunder, the Moving Wall, all the flags lining the streets...
Yea, I'm a big giddy right now I'll start a thread and post up the images I took in Off Topic...
I just came back from riding in the escort for the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall; can't tell you how many bikes. 375 or more, mostly HD. To hear them all start at once was absolutely intoxicating; believe me, I know what you're feeling. I've ridden HD since '78 but still feel like a little kid when I start this bike. This morning was a fantastic ride; all that thunder, the Moving Wall, all the flags lining the streets...
Yea, I'm a big giddy right now I'll start a thread and post up the images I took in Off Topic...
#9
These companies have a reputation for a reason, and they make sure to deliver the quality that the people are looking for.
As far as cars go, I'm a Honda guy. I get my ***** busted all the time, but they are solid constructed cars. My previous car, which was a newer mustang felt like a cheap toy on the inside (and as soon as I hit 100K miles, it had a new problem every other week). I just love Honda cars. It's the feel.
Whatever HD needs to do to achieve that feel...then keep it up!
By the way, I just watched that movie the other day from your profile pic...that's pretty much what made me wanna get rid of Gsxr and get a Harley instead haha.
#10