You have made my day! I hope you get that dream bike and start enjoying it as soon as possible! I wish you the best of luck! I'm a little green with envy, but better late than never. The sooner you get it, the more years and miles you will have to love it!

 

Yeah....what that guy said. Having owned a couple, even in the days when I couldn't afford one. I'd say Harleys are not always practical, or economical, or cost-effective, or..... some synergistic combination of all 3.

I still own other makes. All of them are faster and handle better, are more comfortable on a long ride, most get better gas mileage, are more reliable and they outperform my Harleys in virtually every category one could think of to compare them. Most of them are "sexier" in as much as I think I understand the term as it applies to motorcycles. To put it in perspective.....I just rode from the southern coast of Oregon to eastern Nevada, and I would not even think of taking any of my American iron on that trip.

But the Harleys are now and always have been.....cool....I guess. I'm not much for posing, I don't care what people think of me or my ride, but the others are like Dixie Cups.....you use them and throw them away. A Harley is like your old lady, your botttom bitch. Yeah she pisses you off fairly regularly....no one can elicit anger as quickly.....you probably have had some fights over the years....but there's history there....in my case, a generational history....there's an understanding between us. You might go to jail for smacking the **** out the bitch, but she's the one who punts the bail 24 hours later.

The others are for fun. And just like all the girlfriends I've had, you use them...and throw them away. Harleys are keepers, like a good old lady.

On an unrelated note. I rode an XR750 in 1987....and have been waiting for Harley to make one for the street EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE SINCE THEN...If I coulda' got my hands on Willie G. when they released the XR1200 in Europe, I would have punchisized the **** out of him.

 

My first Harley found me about 8 or 9....I had a paper route, and was looking for a minibike. Dad said Harley was the best (he didn't ride), so The Yamaha 90 like the neighbors were out. Yes, an AMF Harley 90 with the solid wheels. Good luck finding parts. Even the dealers didn't support these things. LOL.

I think it was a combination of the sound and the looks of the bikes. I always get goosebumps when I hear a Harley go by. The other cruisers just don't do it. Now that I think about it, it was probably the Viagra commercial...I bought the bike, not the pills...

More that a few years later I own, yes paid cash for, a Dyna. I got the itch, about a year ago, spent more than a few months researching, and here I am. I was seriously considering a Fat Boy...but that was not in the budget. I think I rode 2, and this one just fit perfectly. I'm not sure I'll be looking to trade for anything else at this point, I'm that happy here!

 

Funny when I turned 14 I found a Harley I could afford.Dad said no or move out,Mum said OKay just keep it out of his way.So I did!That was 1962,still at it.Now it's the wife who always gives me a little bit of a hard time when it comes to big purchases.I just keep them out of her way.

 

As a kid growing up in Southern Louisiana I never was around bikes. In fact, I've never 'driven' one, and have only ridden on one a few times. I'm a COMPLETE "Virgin" as it relates to riding or owning a motorcycle.
I'll be 46 on Wednesday this week, and until I hit my 40's I never really had an overwhelming desire to ride a motorcycle, mainly due to life and family and a Naval career occupying most of my time and energy.
A few years back I told my now 13 yr old son that when I retired from the Navy I was gonna buy me a Harley. At the time I was as serious as a heart attack. However, in December of '07, 3 days before I transferred to the current - and LAST - ship I am on, one of my best friends was killed on a crotch rocket he was riding. At that point I decided NO WAY was I gonna go thru with my bike purchase.
That was a few years ago, and as I have gotten closer to my retirement I started rethinking my decision of a few years ago. I sat and talked with the Navy Auto Source rep here on the ship about 2 months ago about a bike. He suggested a Super Gilde Custom after I explained my non-experience with bikes. I did some online looking. Got into this website and looked at all the pros and cons of the differnt types of Harleys. I never considered a Metric even once. I only buy FORD, and will only buy a Harley. I support AMERICAN WORKERS as much as I can. Dont' care WHAT the other guys thinks in that respect.
Anyway, last Sunday I ordered a 2010 Fat Bob. Now I have to wait until April to get it. But in the meantime I'm taking the Basic Rider Course, have to get riding hear, and may even try to rent one or two just to get used to RIDING somewhat until MINE arrives.
I don't really know what to expect. I'm scared S#!TLESS that I'm gonna kill myself. BUt still, the little kid in me is excited about it. NO, I do NOT consider this a Mid-Life Crisis event. I'm just doing something out of the oridinary from my family. I was the first one to join the military in 1981 out of about 30 grandkids. And will be the first one to own a Harley. I can't wait.

 

Guy I know had ridden smaller metric cruiser/naked type bikes for a number of years, and like many others caught the 'Harley Bug'..

Last year he picked up a very nice used Harley, and ever since he has been like a kid in a candy store. Always see him out cruising the roads, and no doubt he is putting a lot of miles on the bike...

He turned 72 a few months ago and unless something drastic happens he will probably be riding well into his 80's (or maybe even longer)...

 

Always wanted a Harley as far back as I can remember. My first Harley was an an SS250 made in conjunction with Italian bike maker, Aermacci. Traded it for a '66 XLCH Sportster, great bike.

 

[quote=dfredb;5655225]Hey Texas! It sure does start young. I still miss my Schwinn Sting Ray.quote]

Here you go. Only $375
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/1416071499.html

 

Fell in love Harleys when "Then Came Bronson" hit the tv screen. Yep, it dates me, but I loved that show and was sad when it was canceled. Rode a lot of different bikes, did a lot of extreme sports, raised a family and finally got my first Harley this year. I love riding more than anything in the world but one thing, and that ain't eating or sleeping.

 

Im pretty much in the same boat as everyone else in this thread. I have been riding 2 wheelers with motors ever since I can remember. Even had the Schwinn Orange Crate complete with cards on the forks. Oh the memories! First motorized was a 3.5 HP pull start mini bike. Then on to Mopeds, Scooters, Dirt Bike and on street bikes at 16. My neighbor had Harley's and an old Indian. He taught me the basics. Never will forgrt that guy! Had the Japs untill I got married in '84. Had kids and "Life" took over. After about 5 or so years, I wanted another bike. Still couldnt afford a Harley so I bought a wrecked V65 Magna and rebuilt it. Rode it for a while and everything was good. Then we fell on hard times and the V65 went buy buy in order to get christmas presents for the kids. Well, after 17 years without being in the wind, I was finally ready for another bike but still couldnt afford a new Harley. I bought a wrecked '96 Electraglide with very minor damage and a clear title, fixed it and have been in my glory ever since. The wife and I get out every chance we can. Its better now since the kids are all grown up. Still at 51, I am waiting to be able to go into a dealer and ride away with that shiny new Ultra. Some day!!