General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

What hooked you?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:03 PM
  #11  
traveler's Avatar
traveler
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Default

1988. As a Private in the Army at Fort Hood Texas, 1-67 Armor. One of the Sergeants came into work one morning, and we were all standing outside...he rides up on his brand new '88 Softtail custom....2 tone Tangerene and black with mini apes.....the most beautiful thing I had seen in a long time...sounded good too! He had a FXE Shovel at home in pieces, frame, tins, everything either chrome or bright yellow waiting to be put together. Back then you could have alot of tatoos...he had 2 sleeves, really cool dude. Just an old E-6 who loved HOG's and good times. He was a real biker and a REAL NCO, before the "pussified" days came about.

~Joe
 

Last edited by traveler; Nov 21, 2010 at 10:06 PM.
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:29 PM
  #12  
Mal74's Avatar
Mal74
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 7
From: Clermont, GA, CSA
Default

My Dad, who was a Motor Cop. I remember him taking me for rides on his Police Harley, so I was hooked at a very young age.

 
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:34 PM
  #13  
OLD 96's Avatar
OLD 96
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,149
Likes: 2,975
From: WACO
Default

I think I was "born to ride". I can not remember a certain time when it clicked, so to speak. I started on a tricycle as soon as I could walk. I could not wait to get on a bicycle about 4years old. My parents would not let me have a motorcycle. No matter how much I bugged them. I had to wait until I got out of high school and on my own to buy my first motorcycle. I have had one every since. 38 years.
 
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:38 PM
  #14  
traveler's Avatar
traveler
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Default

Originally Posted by Mal74
My Dad, who was a Motor Cop. I remember him taking me for rides on his Police Harley, so I was hooked at a very young age.

Cool pic of your dad...thanks for sharing....either a '55 or '56 by the tank emblem. Panhead....
 
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:39 PM
  #15  
KBFXDLI's Avatar
KBFXDLI
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
Default

My dad had bikes when I was very young. Bought my first one when I was 21 back in 1974.
 
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:43 PM
  #16  
2kids3pets's Avatar
2kids3pets
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 15
From: River City Western Canada
Default

I was about 7 or 8 and my friends older brother let me twist the throttle of his Honda 125...I will never forget it...a few years later I was on a mini bike
 
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:45 PM
  #17  
dickey's Avatar
dickey
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,110
From: Florida
Riders Club Member
Default

Early 70's--I was going out with a girl who left me for a guy on a motorcycle--fat ugly SOB and a freakin' Honda to boot!--So I figured maybe she would come back to me if I rode a bike,too. So I was a little money ahead & went bike shopping. Didn't know the first thing about motorcycles. Just bought the first thing that looked good to me. It was a big orange & chrome BSA--loud as hell,and slow as molasses in Milwaukee. But I was Mr. Cool,Jack. I picked up so many chicks with that bike that I forgot about the one who dumped me. Ran into her a few years later--200 lbs. & unhappily married to the Honda guy. Revenge is sweet when you don't have to lift a finger to accomplish it!
 

Last edited by dickey; Nov 21, 2010 at 10:51 PM.
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 11:15 PM
  #18  
Other Sheep's Avatar
Other Sheep
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
Default

1964. My uncle came over with my cousin and a 1963 Sachs 125 dirt bike. Went out to the dirt fields and rode all day. Took me a couple laps just to get up the nerve to shift out of first but after that day it was all over. About six years later I was riding on the street with Honda 350 SLs and such. Seems like yesterday sometimes.
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 22, 2010 | 01:22 AM
  #19  
CEJohnson21's Avatar
CEJohnson21
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
Default

I was in college. My 1978 Toyota broke and it would cost more to fix than it was worth. The left over early 80's Kawasaki KZ550 was cheap. For a couple of years my wife had a 280Z and I had the KZ550. It worked when I was in college and had a part time job. I don't want to go back to just having a bike as my only transportation, but it was fun at the time. I've been riding ever since.
 
Old Nov 22, 2010 | 04:06 AM
  #20  
hardwork2's Avatar
hardwork2
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 13
From: georgetown ky
Default

A motor cop ate breakfast where my Mom and I ate on sturday. This was about 65 or 66. I remember him pulling up the the resturant and all the chrome shining brite. The next thing I knew he was dating mom for a good bit. I was crushed when they split up.
I always said someday I will own a Harley.
Then around 72 My Uncle came home from Nam and he took me for a ride on his brand new Bonnieville.
I got my first bike at 17 been riding ever since.
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:05 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE