what is your experience
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 4
From: Smyrna, Delaware
I started riding in April of 2004. I had always wanted to, but a lot of things stopped me!
I had pretty much put the idea to rest, but then something happened! My parents told me they were getting a bike. I didn't believe em. Sure enough, Dad bought a little Kawi 440 LTD, took the course, and got his lic. Then he got a 2004 Ultra Classic!
I figured if he wasn't too old to learn at 59, then I could sure as hell learn. I stated putting around on that thing in the spring, Early March of 04, and got my permit in April. I rode that thing around untll I passed the riders test, then in July of 04, I bought a Suzuki Volusia. An 805CC bike, and rode that for 17 months. Paid that off, then traded it in for a Yamaha Road Star in Jan 06. Up until Aug 29, that was my bike. At that point, I picked up my 2009 FLHTCU.
I had 1600 mils on the Kawasaki
Then 12,300 on the Suzuki
Next came 25,300 on the Yamaha
That Yamaha was the bike that really got me into riding big time. I rode that bike to 3 Rolling Thunders, down to Outer Banks, and just on quite a few longer distance rides.
I learned that I just wanted more. More distance riding, that is.
So on Aug 29th, I pulled the trigger on the 2009 Ultra Classic. I never saw myself on a fill touring ride 4 1/2 years ago when I was just putting around half finished neighborhood, setting up cones on the brand new roads to practice for the dirvers test, but here I am.
I've got just a bit under 1200 miles on the bike in two weeks, and I feel like I was born to ride it.
This bike will be mine for a looooong time!
I'm glad that I made the move to ride, and can't imagine not having one now.
Hey, if Dad could start at 59, it as nothing for me to start at 36! I took and passed the riders test the day before my 37th birthday.
See ya on the road!
I had pretty much put the idea to rest, but then something happened! My parents told me they were getting a bike. I didn't believe em. Sure enough, Dad bought a little Kawi 440 LTD, took the course, and got his lic. Then he got a 2004 Ultra Classic!
I figured if he wasn't too old to learn at 59, then I could sure as hell learn. I stated putting around on that thing in the spring, Early March of 04, and got my permit in April. I rode that thing around untll I passed the riders test, then in July of 04, I bought a Suzuki Volusia. An 805CC bike, and rode that for 17 months. Paid that off, then traded it in for a Yamaha Road Star in Jan 06. Up until Aug 29, that was my bike. At that point, I picked up my 2009 FLHTCU.
I had 1600 mils on the Kawasaki
Then 12,300 on the Suzuki
Next came 25,300 on the Yamaha
That Yamaha was the bike that really got me into riding big time. I rode that bike to 3 Rolling Thunders, down to Outer Banks, and just on quite a few longer distance rides.
I learned that I just wanted more. More distance riding, that is.
So on Aug 29th, I pulled the trigger on the 2009 Ultra Classic. I never saw myself on a fill touring ride 4 1/2 years ago when I was just putting around half finished neighborhood, setting up cones on the brand new roads to practice for the dirvers test, but here I am.
I've got just a bit under 1200 miles on the bike in two weeks, and I feel like I was born to ride it.
This bike will be mine for a looooong time!
I'm glad that I made the move to ride, and can't imagine not having one now.
Hey, if Dad could start at 59, it as nothing for me to start at 36! I took and passed the riders test the day before my 37th birthday.
See ya on the road!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
softail04,now that is experience!! I bought my first Harley in 1962,since then have owned a lot of them.The only way I could ever get what I wanted was to build my own ground ups and save a ton of money.Been riding and racing Strokers almost 30 yrs to help satisfy my drag racing addiction.Back to riding sleeper baggers,one has an S&S 124" the other an R&R 155".After all these years the Need for Speed still dominates my style.Going up through the gears with these hot rods,is still an urge I cannot resist,especially when some unsuspecting sole needs an education.Dog
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 1
From: Hot Springs Village AR
Started on a taco mini bike then my dad bought me a 1961 yamaha 50 it had a springer type front end on it with an electric starter, a buddy had a honda 50 and we used to ride them in the dirt alot, took a long brake after that, no money then I had a 1970's honda 450,1982yamaha yz250 then 83yz 250,86yz250,1990 yamaha Radian 650,kawasaki kdx 220, then I got my first HD 1991 Springer and now I ride a 2005 Springer Classic next maybe a Street Glide
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
Just 2.
Too long chronologically.
Too short mileage wise.
Started on mini's and 50's/90's late 50's.
Road ridin' '66.
Raced MX for yrs in 70's. 15 secs of 'fame'. I started a race next to Roger DeCoster. Gate dropped, last time I saw him, til he lapped me.
Raced for Team Kaw for 2 1/2 yrs. Rode the first KX450 shipped into the US. Drag raced a Kawi Mach 1 triple at the same time.
First HD - '52 Servi. Restored it in Hawaii, sold it to a retired HonoluluPD, he originally rode it in uniform. COOL!!!!!
First "new" bike -71 CB450 Honda. Rode it from Norfolk, Va to Madison, SD almost non stop, and then back. July 2,3,4,5,6, '71
First, and only, new HD 76XLCH.
Too many since to remember.
Best ride? I'd have to say the 01 Ultra. 124" Zipper built with Baker 6 spd.
"Class Haulin' *** FAST"
Worst ride? 1968 Sporty chopper, about 16 or 18 over springer, hardtail. Year was 1975, waiting for delivery of the 76 XLCH. Home chop job, (not mine) most ill handling POS I have ever ridden.
So, I say 42 yrs this year. I start at 'road riding'
Too long chronologically.
Too short mileage wise.
Started on mini's and 50's/90's late 50's.
Road ridin' '66.
Raced MX for yrs in 70's. 15 secs of 'fame'. I started a race next to Roger DeCoster. Gate dropped, last time I saw him, til he lapped me.
Raced for Team Kaw for 2 1/2 yrs. Rode the first KX450 shipped into the US. Drag raced a Kawi Mach 1 triple at the same time.
First HD - '52 Servi. Restored it in Hawaii, sold it to a retired HonoluluPD, he originally rode it in uniform. COOL!!!!!
First "new" bike -71 CB450 Honda. Rode it from Norfolk, Va to Madison, SD almost non stop, and then back. July 2,3,4,5,6, '71
First, and only, new HD 76XLCH.
Too many since to remember.
Best ride? I'd have to say the 01 Ultra. 124" Zipper built with Baker 6 spd.
"Class Haulin' *** FAST"
Worst ride? 1968 Sporty chopper, about 16 or 18 over springer, hardtail. Year was 1975, waiting for delivery of the 76 XLCH. Home chop job, (not mine) most ill handling POS I have ever ridden.
So, I say 42 yrs this year. I start at 'road riding'
DeCoster and that wicked Zook 400 ??
Remember them Russkies had some good MX teams back then too ..
My short fame , did a litl fuel drag racing , had the honor of losing to the late ET .. He was a fine fellow and fuel harleys and harley drags in general owe a lot to him ..
Remember them Russkies had some good MX teams back then too ..
My short fame , did a litl fuel drag racing , had the honor of losing to the late ET .. He was a fine fellow and fuel harleys and harley drags in general owe a lot to him ..
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
1964. First ride on a Sachs 125. Then went to a Greeves 360. Crazy fun in the dirt. Honda SL350, crazy heavy dual sport. Too many street bikes to even think about because it gives me a headache. Over 50,000 miles in the dirt in Baja on various hondas riding from sea level to over 5,000 feet high. From the beach sand to the snow. Several Yamaha street machines. 97 Honda Shadow 1100. 99 Heritage that gave me the Harley bug. 07 Heritage that scratches the bug.
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
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Back when I was 14 (I seem to remember the year was 1952) I saved up and bought a Cushman MoScoot. Most classy guy on the block, especially with my girlfriend, age 12, (now my wife) riding in the passenger seat. Got rid of it when I bought a '49 Jeepster.
Wife & I bought a '79 Road King about a month ago. Sure wish we'd done it before this, but we raised a parcel of kids instead. Now we're spending their inheritance. Gramma wants her own bike. Gonna get one for her pretty soon.
We admire y'all who've been riding for many years. But we still got us a long time to ride. ****, I'm only 70!
Wife & I bought a '79 Road King about a month ago. Sure wish we'd done it before this, but we raised a parcel of kids instead. Now we're spending their inheritance. Gramma wants her own bike. Gonna get one for her pretty soon.
We admire y'all who've been riding for many years. But we still got us a long time to ride. ****, I'm only 70!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: San Diego (Poway), CA
I'd say first ride was when I was 7 or 8 on a briggs and stratton and then to racing motocross ending with a honda elsinore. (2 pins and 5 broken bones from dirt bikes)
1st street bike Yamaha 200 twin 2 stroke in 72. 2 hondas (450 & 750) then on to Harley's ever since.
Totals 36 years.
With the exception of water time (8 West Pacs and 2 World Cruises) averaging about 6 months each makes 5 years on the water
So I would say 30 years at least.
Ride safe and for many years.
1st street bike Yamaha 200 twin 2 stroke in 72. 2 hondas (450 & 750) then on to Harley's ever since.
Totals 36 years.
With the exception of water time (8 West Pacs and 2 World Cruises) averaging about 6 months each makes 5 years on the water
So I would say 30 years at least.
Ride safe and for many years.