Beginning of the End?
I just sold a whole bunch of take off Sportster parts to a couple of young guys who are building a bike this winter. There are plenty of young people on two wheels, but they aren't buying brand new $20,000 motorcycles.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,000
Likes: 11,441
I started riding because of a small gas engine on frame with small hard rubber tires on it. Mom and dad knew I was hooked right then. Dad did not ride but if I earned it he would make sure I had the chance, but in his words, it would be on something built better. Honda mini trail 50 , then a CB 90 then a CB 350 off to the races . Every time I wrecked it messing around, had to work to fix it. Mom gave up preaching about when she turned 79 I think. Had uncles that rode and lived a life style that would not appeal to me. But learned about Harley from them and on and on it has on all my life. Sons can ride but had so many other interest and responsibilities. Second son rides one of mine when he is here with me. Oldest rides some.
Every Grandchild rides with us, the 19 year old will have her own soon as medical issue allows her to ride.
First new one I purchased was no 20K but at the time it was just as big a bite.
I try to show young people there is more to riding than parking at a bar and getting hammered. We have some younger couples that join us on rides now and then. They see a different side of riding. Times change and they will change again.
There is still some preteen trying to stick one together some where. Some Kid some where is working his or her *** off to get something on two wheels they dream of.
Few months back met a couple of teens that ride crotch rockets around this area. Talked about riding cross country as a teen. They had never considered but it got them thinking. Last couple years at home it was clear where I was going after High school.
Dad gave me all the room there was ,those last couple years. He said do it now while can.
I enjoy riding , no madder what size bike it is. No madder how fast or slow. Today 9 year old Granddaughter wanted to ride and we did. You have no idea what that bike means to her.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/Er9RLb]
Every Grandchild rides with us, the 19 year old will have her own soon as medical issue allows her to ride.
First new one I purchased was no 20K but at the time it was just as big a bite.
I try to show young people there is more to riding than parking at a bar and getting hammered. We have some younger couples that join us on rides now and then. They see a different side of riding. Times change and they will change again.
There is still some preteen trying to stick one together some where. Some Kid some where is working his or her *** off to get something on two wheels they dream of.
Few months back met a couple of teens that ride crotch rockets around this area. Talked about riding cross country as a teen. They had never considered but it got them thinking. Last couple years at home it was clear where I was going after High school.
Dad gave me all the room there was ,those last couple years. He said do it now while can.
I enjoy riding , no madder what size bike it is. No madder how fast or slow. Today 9 year old Granddaughter wanted to ride and we did. You have no idea what that bike means to her.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/Er9RLb]
Last edited by smitty901; Dec 16, 2017 at 05:57 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 872
Likes: 237
From: Covington, Ga
WOW! That's quite a turnout. Hope everyone made it safely with no accidents. We usually have someone go down if we have 300 bikes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 243
From: Oklahoma
I thought they made it for the Asian market (India).
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,434
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
They say things always come full circle, I started on 2 wheels being an outlaw and looks like I may finish on 2 wheels being one again. Fug um I will not go peacefully into the night.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 11,630
Likes: 990
From: NC
Gee, my dealer told me two days ago he has already sold all of his 2018 allotment of bikes so far and is buying what they can from other dealers.
He is also buying what '17s he can.
Sounds to me like the market or industry is dying here...........
He is also buying what '17s he can.
Sounds to me like the market or industry is dying here...........
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
I'm waiting for popular culture to equate riding Harleys as some sort of male privilege, promoting the rape culture, and representative of jingoism.
Wait for it.
http://motorcyclestudies.org/volume-...sm-misao-dean/
Wait for it.
Some might find the association of the Harley with cowboy iconography exclusionary and the celebration of US frontier history and US patriotism downright offensive. To Canadians, Harley culture can seem dominated by a militaristic and hierarchical exclusiveness that disrespects riders of other bikes, and by a persistent and peculiarly American debate over helmet and gun laws.
Last edited by Sling Blade 14; Dec 17, 2017 at 04:08 PM.