Freedom or Engaged?
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 653
From: Potter County, PA
I ride a Shovelhead with coil and points with chain drives. I have no cell phone. I am retired. I say I am free. When I am feeling a little down I only have to go out and open my garage door and take a look at my two Harleys and then all is right with the world. Once I am on one of my Harleys and out on the road I am truly free from the troubles of the world or life.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
As mentioned above, freedom is marketing hype like if you have a motorcycle you can go anywhere you want forever. For me riding is a temporary distraction from whatever is currently going on in my life and the sensory input provides me a rush, then back to reality. Could it be considered therapy? I think that's more accurate than calling it freedom.
The most accurate and succinct answer to the question!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4,245
From: U.S.A. Upstate N. Y.
Freedom
Even though my bike has a lot of the bells and whistles, I never really use them. Listen to occasional music and talk with my wife on the headsets when she's with me.. Cell phone is in a case and it's off.
I like the freedom of no outside interference .. I want to ride in solitude and leave the worldly bullshit behind.
I like the freedom of no outside interference .. I want to ride in solitude and leave the worldly bullshit behind.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 300
Likes: 166
From: New Hampshire
No radio. LOL - I listen to the music that's always playing in my head 
OR the music the engine makes. If I need directions to where I'm going, I look it up before I leave and memorize it to the best of my ability. Sometimes I get lost.... At best, I can stop and ask directions or worst, take out the phone, turn it on, ignore all the messages/emails/missed calls, and look at a map. Then I can turn it off and rock on.
If your scoot has all the bells & whistles, you still don't have to USE them.
IMHO, *I* don't need extra distractions while I ride. The cagers ARE out to kill us, so beware.
As always, YMMV. To each his/her own. Do your own thing. Etc, etc.
OR the music the engine makes. If I need directions to where I'm going, I look it up before I leave and memorize it to the best of my ability. Sometimes I get lost.... At best, I can stop and ask directions or worst, take out the phone, turn it on, ignore all the messages/emails/missed calls, and look at a map. Then I can turn it off and rock on.If your scoot has all the bells & whistles, you still don't have to USE them.
IMHO, *I* don't need extra distractions while I ride. The cagers ARE out to kill us, so beware.As always, YMMV. To each his/her own. Do your own thing. Etc, etc.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
As mentioned above, freedom is marketing hype like if you have a motorcycle you can go anywhere you want forever. For me riding is a temporary distraction from whatever is currently going on in my life and the sensory input provides me a rush, then back to reality. Could it be considered therapy? I think that's more accurate than calling it freedom.
Cheers!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I enjoy riding. My ultra I have the choice AM/FM/Weather, C or CD (if I have one). I can plug in my MP3 player and I have a GPS unit if I want to use it (I don't have to go where it says). I can also choose to use none of them..
My phone is either in my pocket or stowed away on the bike.
My springer it is it's own "entertainment" system.
My phone is either in my pocket or stowed away on the bike.
My springer it is it's own "entertainment" system.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 293
Likes: 206
From: California
I don't understand how a digital screen, ride modes, or electronic controls would make riding less interesting or inhibit where I want to go. I agree they have way too much going on though, and features are distracting. I see myself picking a ride mode I like and not touching that feature ever again. I'd also like to know how long it takes most people to learn all the buttons intuitively on the new touring models. I have a hard time with my turn signal & horn button and have to look at what I'm doing to set the cruise control.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
I feel free when I ride, but not a particular sense of freedom, which has a political undertone. If I felt a true sense of freedom I would ignore traffic lights, road signs, speed limits, and any other sign of law. Regarding technology interfering with my "free" riding, I enjoy most of the tech. I would get lost in my neighborhood if it wasn't for GPS. The only time I get overwhelmed is when two morons turn left in front of me.
