My best friend finally bought a Harley.

This story starts out back in 2003 when my best friend calls me up and say "Lets buy Harleys".
I'm like Hell Yeah!!
We grew up riding dirt bikes and ATVs together.
I've been riding street bikes since I was 15 but he only ridden ATV's
So I start my research on what bike I would happy with.
I actually started out by looking at Yamaha V-Stars and a couple Kawasaki's.
Then the ex-wife started giving me grief and delayed my purchase by a few years (one of the reasons she's the EX-wife)

2008 I bought a new Sportster Nightster 1200 and loved it.
My friend still hasn't bought a bike but is talking about how much he likes the look of the Street Glides.
So on a visit to the dealership they are having a "Ride It & Rate It" event where you can test ride any bike and then fill out a questionnaire and get a gift.
So I ride a Street Glide so I can tell my friend about it.
Well that changed everything and I ended up buying the Street Glide I have today.
After 10 years of talk I gave up on my friend buying a bike let alone a Harley.

That all changed 3 weeks ago when I get a text from him saying he's looking to buy a bike.
He started out looking at a KTM 390 Adventure then a Yamaha Tenere' 700 and an African Twin.
Next thing I know I get a call and he's at the Harley dealership looking at a Street Bob 114.
We talk and I give him my thoughts on it but he changes his mind after sitting on one since he's 6'-3" and his knees are above the tank.
He starts looking at touring bikes and can't decide which one he wants.
About a week passes and I haven't heard anything on if he's actually buying one or not.

I send him a text with the following pic.


Come to find out when I sent the text he's at the dealership talking with the salesman trying to decide which bike to buy.
He finally decides on a 2023 Street Glide ST.
They are all stoked that he is buying an ST for his first bike.
He signed the papers and they are delivering it next week.
I'm off next week and will probably ride up the day they are delivering it.
He still has to get his motorcycle endorsement but now I get to ride with my best friend again.
Good times.

 

Congratulations to both of you.

Sweet bike

 

The Bride, white of hair, is stooped over her cane,
Her footsteps uncertainly guiding.
While down the opposite aisle,
With a wan, toothless smile,
The bridgegroom, in wheelchair, come riding.
Now who is this elderly couple thus wed?
Well you’ll find when you’ve closely explored it,
That here is the rare
Most conservative pair
Who waited till they could afford it.

I know for some it's about the money, and spending the money. Having decided to spend the money, I can assure you, it ended up costing me way more than I thought it would. I still have no regrets.

 

Congratulation on the new rides to you and your friend.

 

I always felt I was getting late to the party. We're in our 50s. About 10 years ago my wife gets a bug in her butt and wants to ride a motorcycle. Not knowing much about cross-stitch, I figured I better learn also.

So she purchased a Harley and I paid cash for a Honda and we were off! We've met some fantastic folks along the way at benefit rides and rallies and it has been a great experience! She eventually traded up to a Heritage and I found a gorgeous Wide Glide. A few years later, as age set it, I chose a Heritage also for long-ride comfort. Kept the WG as my Saturday, need-to-make-some-noise, local "bar hopper"

Friends would say, "you're riding a motorcycle? WTF!" Others would say "what took you so long?" Depends on your POV But you're right, it is a whole lot easier with no young kids around to just pick up and go on a Saturday or Sunday.

 

Its great but get out and ride em. I have friends with Harleys that never want to get out on a ride I don't get it... I ride alone, alot...

 

I am I the only one honest enough to say your buddy is an idiot and give him plenty of room so you don't get hurt? I bet the dealer is excited, they are thinking of the scratched up parts he will replace, and hopefully not the totalled bike they will replace.

Heavy and expensive bike to learn on, and lets be honest he may not even stick with it. People who go that long in their life without the addiction, should just go buy a sportscar. If you are not into it, why add something dangerous this late in your life?

Luckily he is a big guy, that will help. Hope it turns out well.

 

Yep I'm always riding alone.
I will be nice to have a friend to ride with now.

 

Yeah, I'm a little worried but I'm going to do my best to work with him so he doesn't kill himself.
He's going to take the Rider Safety Course soon so that should help.

 

Avoid alcohol even though tempting to have new buddy to go out with.

Being tall will help, must drops are parking lot. Coach him not to ride close and keep plenty of space.

Having buddy to talk about all the things we had no one to talk about will help.

I just bought a bike, rode up and down road couple times, and then highway. Stupid.

A used dyna or Softail, probably would have been better,but the dye is cast.

Flip side is having nice comfortable bike might keep him riding. We stayed riding those crappy bikes cause young.

Though seat and shocks on flhx might not be great