For the Over 40 Crowd
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 544
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
I had dirtbikes on the farm growing up. Rode them everywhere and all the time. Left the farm at 18 joined the Marines and stayed there for 7 years. Never really thought about bikes. Got out of the Marines and went to college and still never thought about the bikes. Once my son got old enough for a dirt bike I started thinking about bikes again. Only now I'm 43 years old and not 18 and now I was looking for a street bike, something to ride and get away from things. I took the riders edge course and loved it. Bought a Fat Boy on the last day of the course and haven't looked back since.
I didn't realize how therapeutic riding is, especially for someone that is usually on call as much as I am. Leave the cell at home and just ride, no calls, no texts...no hassles. I love riding, which I'd started sooner. And yes, I'm not a biker, I ride alone and you could say I'm a poser
but I could frankly care less...I love my bike!!!
I didn't realize how therapeutic riding is, especially for someone that is usually on call as much as I am. Leave the cell at home and just ride, no calls, no texts...no hassles. I love riding, which I'd started sooner. And yes, I'm not a biker, I ride alone and you could say I'm a poser
but I could frankly care less...I love my bike!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
From: Rescue, VA
My first recollection of ANY motorcycle was a BIG two tone bike, LOUD, with a HUGE saddle seat and fringed saddlebags. I must have been like 5 or 6. Harley? Indian? Excelsior? Who knows...
First Harley was a 1000cc Ironhead.....what a POS!!! Got rid of it after a year. Rode a BMW R90 for 18 years, then a few far east metrics. Back onto Harleys in 1994 (1200), and my FLHR in 1997.
JUST a tad more reliable......
First Harley was a 1000cc Ironhead.....what a POS!!! Got rid of it after a year. Rode a BMW R90 for 18 years, then a few far east metrics. Back onto Harleys in 1994 (1200), and my FLHR in 1997.
JUST a tad more reliable......
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Harleys have mostly been a fringe(edge of society)thing for ever, still that way really. Try bringing up your Harley stories with your non H/D acquaintances most will give you that "Why the hell would you pay that much for that?" look and there are a way more non HDer's than there are of us. Most likely to get involved with HD young you would be born into it, Dad rides Mom's cool with it ,you know, otherwise the drill is no way not until you are out on your own speech then life gets in the way unless you make a lot more than most and you gotta wait until you have some disposable income that the OL doesn't want to spend or doesn't know about. I was lucky Dad was an old Velocette rider so I was brought up around bikes ,started racing any thing that moved or floated, and when I had a few extra bucks I bought a used shovel and I was hooked.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
You think HD is still fringe of society? I thought that was one of the big changes in the last 15 years or so, with the RUB's and whatnot, the HD has become mainstream. Much to the annoyance of the "real" bikers.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
For those who didn't get their first Harley until they hit 40+.....My experience was somewhat typical. Fell in love with them at about 16, Mom and Dad said no way in hell unless I moved out, the years went by and life got in the way with women and college and jobs and other hobbies and interests. That old spark never died. Now 30 years later everything comes together and I'm living the dream. I often wonder if at 16 or 18 or whatever if I would have appreciated my motorcycle as much, not to mention the fact that I may well have killed myself during those years of heavy partying and doing crazy stuff like (fill in the blank, y'all know what I mean!). I do know one thing, I'm making up for lost time and not looking back. I wonder how many kids in their teens nowadays are consumed by the desire to own a Harley, and no other bike is even in their consideration. Just some 5:00 A.M. rambling......
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
No I don't think Harley is mainstream, more exposure because of the TV shows, but when you go to any non biker destination, supermarket, doctors office, work, church and the like how many HD's do you see compared to autos? Thats what i'm talking about
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
How many bikes in general do you see compared to autos? Not many, unless you're at a biker bar or the Dragon.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
For those who didn't get their first Harley until they hit 40+.....My experience was somewhat typical. Fell in love with them at about 16, Mom and Dad said no way in hell unless I moved out, the years went by and life got in the way with women and college and jobs and other hobbies and interests. That old spark never died. Now 30 years later everything comes together and I'm living the dream. I often wonder if at 16 or 18 or whatever if I would have appreciated my motorcycle as much, not to mention the fact that I may well have killed myself during those years of heavy partying and doing crazy stuff like (fill in the blank, y'all know what I mean!). I do know one thing, I'm making up for lost time and not looking back. I wonder how many kids in their teens nowadays are consumed by the desire to own a Harley, and no other bike is even in their consideration. Just some 5:00 A.M. rambling......