Why a Harley?
Later riding an adventurer Aprilia Pegaso i was keeping eye on Harleys, MotoGuzzis, Triumphs.
I visited local dealerships of HD, Indian, Honda, Yamaha, BMW, Suzuki, to check what's available and chose a H-D Sportster for several reasons.
1) H-D has a dealership and service in city, unlike Ducati, MotoGuzzi and Aprilia, which are far in Dubai.
2) They have trade-in, which is useful option for expatriates. You never know when you will have to go, thus option to sell bike quickly is good.
3) I want reliable and full-featured bike ASAP.
Sportster XL1200T is bike of that sort: it has reliable time-tested Evolution engine, and comes with ABS, windscreen, saddlebags, soft 2nd pillion. Even keyless start and security alarm! Many things that usually are optional, Harley provides as basic configuration.
4) Cosy atmosphere and heart-warming staff in Abu Dhabi H-D dealership, it really matters as well.
5) I like appearance and ergonomics, which are all-around very classic on Sportster.
6) And my wife supported my choice in favor of Harley, she told that I'd look great on classic bikes, especially on Harley
She is professional designer, so she knows better about style.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 595
From: Living in a van down by the river
Ever since I was a kid in the 50's and 60's, I'd hear them, then see them and couldn't take my eyes off of them. I swore that one day I'd have one. The trike is my 6th and last. Got many more days behind me than I do ahead of me. I had my fun.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 587
Likes: 312
From: here n there
So, I was the latter for a long time and then became the former AND the latter but now I'm still the former but not so much the latter.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,312
From: Virginia
I was looking for a used Japanese cruiser. Found a used 882 Sportster for $2,000, about half the price of the used jap cruisers I was looking at.
So strangely I bought my first Harley Davidson because it was a cheap bike.
So strangely I bought my first Harley Davidson because it was a cheap bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 118
Likes: 88
From: Illinois
I started riding motorcycles at 15; a Honda 65, Bridgestone 200, Honda 160, Honda 350, Kawasaki 500 triple, Honda Goldwing Interstate, Harley Davidson Sportster 1200, Honda Shadow A.C.E 1100 Touring (2), and a Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE6. The Sportster had that primal rhythm that was different from anything else I had ridden, but it was a little light for cruising, so I bought the Shadow A.C.E. However, owning another Harley was always in the back of my mind. I recently thought I wanted an Indian Chief Vintage in willow green and cream, until I started reviewing reported issues. After a lot of back and forth between the Thunderstroke 111 and the Milwaukee 8, I reached what I believe to be a well informed decision. A couple of weeks ago I bought a 2018 Heritage Classic 107. I love it! It has a mystique that nothing else compares to, in my opinion. I guess you could say it was one more thing to check off my bucket list.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
Dealers are less than 100 miles away during my most common adventures. I like parts available.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4,912
Likes: 8,987
From: SoCal
I'm not completely sure, but probably because I just got older while postponing my reentry.
Bought a new Honda 90 two days before I was 15.5 and could get my "learners permit" (and ride a bike), then 3 days later traded it for a new Honda 305. Rode the snot out of that for 6 months, then graduated to my first sports car. I always thought someday I would get back into a bike, in fact I kept my MC endorsement all those years. Waited not quite 50 years to get back. I've said that had I bought a bike 10 years earlier, I probably would have been attracted to something like a screaming Ducati, but by the time I was ready, a Harley "just seemed right". And zero regrets, I love my Harley and it does everything I want from a bike at this stage of my life.
Bought a new Honda 90 two days before I was 15.5 and could get my "learners permit" (and ride a bike), then 3 days later traded it for a new Honda 305. Rode the snot out of that for 6 months, then graduated to my first sports car. I always thought someday I would get back into a bike, in fact I kept my MC endorsement all those years. Waited not quite 50 years to get back. I've said that had I bought a bike 10 years earlier, I probably would have been attracted to something like a screaming Ducati, but by the time I was ready, a Harley "just seemed right". And zero regrets, I love my Harley and it does everything I want from a bike at this stage of my life.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7,470
Likes: 4,602
From: Jonesborough Tennessee
Been riding since I was young, had Honda's finest aka their 50
Later years raced moto cross, RM and CR 250's.
I have time on rockets, GSXR750, CBR929RR, earlier models, 1991, 2001
Hell, back in college had a 1986 Ninja 600, just remembered that... Hahaha
In any event, bought my house in May 1997, and first Harley a 1998 XL1200S in September. Put 65,000 miles on it. Longest I ever kept a bike, before my current scoot.
2005 I ordered my favorite machine, 2005 Heritage Softail Classic.
So far have racked up 150,000 miles plus riding.
Point is, the comfortable, slow, nostalgic Harley feels right and keeps me out of trouble.
Cheers
Darren
Later years raced moto cross, RM and CR 250's.
I have time on rockets, GSXR750, CBR929RR, earlier models, 1991, 2001
Hell, back in college had a 1986 Ninja 600, just remembered that... Hahaha
In any event, bought my house in May 1997, and first Harley a 1998 XL1200S in September. Put 65,000 miles on it. Longest I ever kept a bike, before my current scoot.
2005 I ordered my favorite machine, 2005 Heritage Softail Classic.
So far have racked up 150,000 miles plus riding.
Point is, the comfortable, slow, nostalgic Harley feels right and keeps me out of trouble.
Cheers
Darren
Last edited by Spivitz; Dec 13, 2019 at 08:45 PM.