Ok so here is the stroy.
I bought my first bike in 15yrs - '07FLSTC. My wife picked it up and had it put in the garage for me (I am in Baghdad).
I have not even seen the bike, except for a pic she sent me.
Already I am buying crap to hang on it.

So do most of you have a Harley fund or something like that - I just set up a similar account to put money away for stuff (nothing is cheap for this thing)

Guys I talk to here say they spend loads of money for the bike - I know decorating and upgrading it is part of ownership, but come on
I haven't even touched the thing and I am overcome with a NEED to buy stuff for it - starting with small stuff to replace things that just don't sit right with me - like rear turn signals etc. I will wait for big items like pipes and air intakes and performance management systems etc till I get home in '08.

I guess what I am getting at is why this need to customize - I did not feel a need to buy anything for my truck, why so for the bike?

If any of you want to see my bike before I do just stop by Ft hood - it is in my garage.

Tom

I think I got the pic thing to work, but who knows...


[IMG]local://upfiles/36788/574564B049D6456A837289F9EBDE5718.jpg[/IMG]

 

Its just one of those things. I did a mental tally of how much I have spent on my bike and decided to take pictures of everything and call my insurance company for gap insurance. I am not one to go for outrageous chrome or anything. I could justify all of my mods by saying they were for comfort or safety. The exception is the round air cover, I just hated the football. Just go with the flow and don't worry about it.

 

Buying a motorcycle is just a license to buy accesories. Accept it, it's just how it is.

 

I went with getting it to run and sound better first. Stock it runs too hot and sounds like a sewing machine. Drove me nuts. Now it sounds great and has a lot more grunt with just a stage one upgrade. I actually get better mileage now also. Good luck over there and have fun with your hobby when you get back.........Mike

 

The bike is more of a hobby and the truck is not. And asin any hobby, you will continue to dump money into it. Yea, I know that to some it's a lifestyle, but to most it's just a weekend hobby. That's just an opinion.

 

Hey this is only the beginning. Just wait a year and see what you've spent. Don't even bother to try to track what you're spending because in the long run it doen't matter.
You're normal and you've found a good support group here.

Oh yeah, a big THANK YOU for your service, it is appreciated.

 

I have spent alot of money on my deployments. For OIFI spent over 6Kon my Mustang Bullitt (and did no body or engine work). I am guessing your dropping money for two reasons. Your deployed and need a direction/goals/fun.And the bike is going to be usedto have fun with others around Fort Hood or where ever you may go. Your tuck is just transportation.

Fort Hood has a lot of bike owners and many club/orginazations.IMHO part of being a proud soldier is owning a Harley. Many in my unit bought H-D when we returned from deploymets or combat. Nothing like riding down the highway, wind in your face,with a bunch of brothers (and you will find that you have alot of brothers and sistersaround Fort Hood).

Enjoy the money you spend bike as its what you need to stay motivated over there, and come home safe to ride with fellow soldiers and share your war stories.

 

I think, for me anyhow, it's about personalizing your bike~ Anyone can walk into the dealer and walk out with one just like mine~ So I personalize it to set it off, one way or another, from every other one like it~ I also refer to it as 'bonding time' with my machine~ I'll sit in my garage and strip it down and put it back together just to get to know every little detail I can find and learn about 'er~ Looking for my next mod... be it cosmedic or performance~ [8D]

 

See avatar. Wife MADE me get that plate. I could have bought 2 Ultra's for what I have in this one! It's a '05. We looked at the new bikes this weekend, and we ALMOST brought home a new RK Classic!! My 97 Saleen convertible is for sale for a new purchase! Even the wife had a hard time walking away from the Road King. She's telling me to do what I want to... She's the BEST!!!

 

Just a few thousand more and I am done....