I wanted a Triumph Bonneville, but "Then Came Bronson" came on TV in March 1969 and that was it. When I graduated college in 1972 and got my first job, I stopped at the small Harley dealership on the way home from my 1st day on the job and ordered a new 1973 Harley Sportster for $2050 out the door. Been riding Harley's ever since.

 

I drank the koolaid

 

In 2012 my wife saw a white metallic with pink flames Sportster so I ordered her an XL1200CP on Harley's HD-1 custom program in this factory color. Traded in her 750 Honda on it. We've been riding together for years but this was our first Harley-Davidson. I liked her Sportster was so much I traded my Triumph on a new 2014 Dyna Wide Glide in July. In 30 days I've put just over 3,000 miles on my new Harley so yea I'm loving it!

 

I did it because I wanted to cross it off my childhood dreams list. Now that I own it, I can finally grow up.

 

Most Definitely!

 

Back in '04 I started out with a Honda Shadow Sabre 1100, and the wife loved to ride with me around Charleston, SC. At the time I was stationed at Charleston AFB. We stopped in at a HD dealership while out for a ride, forgot the name, and test rode a Wide Glide, and a Softail Deuce 2 up to see what the fuss was about. From the moment we took off I knew what the fuss was about The wife probably couldn't tell, except maybe when we stopped at stoplights and it vibrated like a mother .


Everything was different on the HD's, than the Honda. The HD's were tight, and heavier than the Honda, with real metal all over. The Honda...not so much. From that first ride on a Harley I told the wife that I would have one some day. I almost had her talked into it today while taking the kids to see the Ninja Turtles. "Come on babe, just drop me off at Shenandoah HD so I can grab a Heritage, no worries". She misses riding just as much as I do, and next spring I may get the nod....

 

First encounter with a Harley was a motorcycle cop who lived in our neighborhood. Must've been about 6 or so. My parents then got Yamahas, my mom had a 100 and my dad had a 305. Was riding on the back at about 8 or 9 years old. Anyway, my dad got scared and sold the bikes, which my mom hated him for.

When my parents got divorced in the 70s, my mom hooked up with a biker named Gerry, G-d rest him, and they stayed together until he passed, in 1988. I used to go down to their place and always ended up on the back, while we went for beers and shot pool and stuff. Things were different in those days. Drinking age was 18, and I could pass for 18, because I am kind of tall. I rode on the back of that bike to aafes, when I went to Lackland for BMTS.

So, I had a thing for Harleys from way back. I tried to buy one on my return to CONUS, but I got turned down for financing. Should have purchased through aafes, but, I didn't think there would be an issue. I had a Yamaha 850 triple for about 3 months out in Cali, but I still wanted a Harley, real bad.

Ended up having to wait 13 years to get on a bike, due to the whole Harley craze of the 80-90s; just weren't any bikes available. It sucked having to sit on the porch, knowing that some RUB was riding his bike to the coffee shop just to sit on it and say, "Betcha wish ya had it, doncha?" Those bikes hardly ever even broke 1000 miles, before they sold for 5Gs over MSRP. In case you were wondering why the hate for the RUBs, there it is.

Nowadays, there are a lot of choices in motorcycles for big guys like me. In those days, there was only one. I always wanted a Harley, but would've settled for another V-twin, if only there was one that even came close. Nowadays, with Vics and Indians looking better, I'm not worried about it. But Harleys are my first love, and I've been on one consistently for almost 16 years.

I can't see myself not riding again, unless something drastic happens to change it. But whatever happens, I hope to stay on american, or maybe british. I have a soft spot in my heart for the Triumph T-bird storm. Course, I was in England at the time they were reborn, and I am glad to see they're doing well too. So, it's Harley, Indian, Vic, or Triumph for me. But so far, it's been Harley.

I think I can live with that.

 

HARLEY = CHICK MAGNET

 

Yep. http://images109.fotki.com/v779/phot...ldWoman-vi.jpg

 

Q.) What lead you to purchase your Harley?
A.) Blend of the Machine and Art.

Q.) Have you always ridden Harley's?
A.) No, but I always will ride Harley's.

Q.) Have you tried other brands/types of motorcycles along the way?
A.) I have owned many bikes: Triumphs, Hondas, Susukis and even a CZ at one time.

Q.) Do you currently own only a Harley or do you have other bikes too?
A.) I own two Harley's at the moment and I also have a Honda Goldwing and an old Triumph Bonneville.