How bad do you have it?
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: NH
RE: How bad do you have it?
Way back in 87 when I owned a 85 Low Glide (Year later named changed to Low Rider) I never really "got it". Went back to sportbikes and racing motocross. A new HD shop opened 2 min down the road and I walked in to check it out..........fell in love with the RK and now I "get it"! I think it must be the timeless look and smooth ride of the bagger!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 38
From: The real N.CA (not S.F. Bay Area)
RE: How bad do you have it?
I've owned bikes all my life and now I'm over half a century old. Goldwings, dual sports, crotch rockets...had 'em all. Yesterday, after a 230 mile ride on my RK Custom, the bike sat in the driveway just outside the garage. While I was getting ready to wash her, I became overwhelmed with admiration for that bike. My Harley affects me on a level that none of the other bikes did. Now, I don't know if I'm done trying other brands yet, but the Harley is not going anywhere. She's a keeper.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From:
RE: How bad do you have it?
I've had lots of bikes but they were just dirt toys and transportation. It's a bit different with the EGC.
My uncle had a couple of Nortons and his son, 10 years older than me, started buying old Harleys.
He was my hero. Nam vet, rode with a well known club, I wanted to be just like him. I'll probably never make it to the 1%er lifestyle but I do love my bike. My cousin is gone but not forgotten. I'll keep the faith..........
I guess if you don't have one, it's hard to understand why were so damn proud to be HD family.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
RE: How bad do you have it?
I too, can just walk by my bike and get that "knowing smirk" on my face.
Knowing that she's just sitting there....waiting....waiting for ME.
Sometimes, I'll just sit on my roller seat in the garage and stare at it.
That usually leads to some kind of adjusting, polishing, etc.
I don't really find the need to defend Harley-Davidson as a brand, but if anyone asks,
I'm right there to let them know what kind of bike they should be riding or buying. Anyone
that knows me, knows what bike I ride. And, if they don't know me, they know what brand
of bike I ride because of the shirts that I wear.
Yeah, I guess I have it just as bad as everyone else...
Knowing that she's just sitting there....waiting....waiting for ME.
Sometimes, I'll just sit on my roller seat in the garage and stare at it.
That usually leads to some kind of adjusting, polishing, etc.
I don't really find the need to defend Harley-Davidson as a brand, but if anyone asks,
I'm right there to let them know what kind of bike they should be riding or buying. Anyone
that knows me, knows what bike I ride. And, if they don't know me, they know what brand
of bike I ride because of the shirts that I wear.
Yeah, I guess I have it just as bad as everyone else...
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From:
RE: How bad do you have it?
I was walking to my car to go to work this morning. I walked passed the garage and saw my beautiful 06 Street Glide in there all clean and shiny from this weekend. I got in my truck to go to the office got half way down thedriveway and pulled back in.
It called to me and I had to ride it to work. It was coldthis morning, 40 degrees, but I loved the ride.Anytime it warms up a little and is sunny I can not resist I have to ride.
I have had bikes all my lifebut this harley is the best most fun bike ever. It does not leak any oil and runs perfectly. Idont care what others say, this is the best bike I have ever had. It was too cold to ride last weekend so I washed it.
It called to me and I had to ride it to work. It was coldthis morning, 40 degrees, but I loved the ride.Anytime it warms up a little and is sunny I can not resist I have to ride.
I have had bikes all my lifebut this harley is the best most fun bike ever. It does not leak any oil and runs perfectly. Idont care what others say, this is the best bike I have ever had. It was too cold to ride last weekend so I washed it.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 408
Likes: 2
From:
RE: How bad do you have it?
Hello, my name is Dale and I am a "Harley-olic"
I have owned probably in the neighborhood of 12 to 14 bikes since the late 60's, this is my first Harley. I was one of those that said a bike is a bike, blah, blah, blah.
I was wrong, there just has not been any other bike that excites me the way my UC does.
When I get off its like I cant wait to get back on. Wifey likes to ride this better than any of the others except maybe my old Yammy Venture. I seem to be having withdrawals cause its been over 2 months since I have been able to get out and do any riding, mostly weather, but I have been having some medical issues also. Monday it ws pretty nice but I was sick as a dog and it just made it worse since I couldnt get out for a bit. I did get to go to the garage and start her up for a few mins though.
Cant wait till temps get a little higher, hope the salt is all gone by then.
I have owned probably in the neighborhood of 12 to 14 bikes since the late 60's, this is my first Harley. I was one of those that said a bike is a bike, blah, blah, blah.
I was wrong, there just has not been any other bike that excites me the way my UC does.
When I get off its like I cant wait to get back on. Wifey likes to ride this better than any of the others except maybe my old Yammy Venture. I seem to be having withdrawals cause its been over 2 months since I have been able to get out and do any riding, mostly weather, but I have been having some medical issues also. Monday it ws pretty nice but I was sick as a dog and it just made it worse since I couldnt get out for a bit. I did get to go to the garage and start her up for a few mins though.
Cant wait till temps get a little higher, hope the salt is all gone by then.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: S Puget Sound
RE: How bad do you have it?
Chiming in from the Sportster forum, but yeah, I've got it too--still surprised its affected me this way. Dream about riding, come home every day and hit the garage--even in bad weather, just to say hello... My dad still rides at 70--the man's on oxygen and still mounts a new Sportster. I never got it before--I do now. I feel I'm someone new, and feel lucky lucky to have discovered the world of Harleys--truly puts you in the moment, all the stresses of the day left behind--um, um. Now if I can just convince my16 year-oldson I haven't lost my mind ! And I still haven't told my mom... I'm planning for when I pull into her driveway--she'll hear the Rush pipes and think she's been invaded by Hell's Angels--she's absolutely going to sh%#! Oh well, won't be the first time, wouldn't want her to think I've lost my mojo now [8D]!
[IMG]local://upfiles/47766/89B08939C0FC40948CC7A2350C1EA68F.jpg[/IMG]
! And I still haven't told my mom... I'm planning for when I pull into her driveway--she'll hear the Rush pipes and think she's been invaded by Hell's Angels--she's absolutely going to sh%#! Oh well, won't be the first time, wouldn't want her to think I've lost my mojo now [8D]![IMG]local://upfiles/47766/89B08939C0FC40948CC7A2350C1EA68F.jpg[/IMG]
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
RE: How bad do you have it?
Since 1971 I have had two shovels, one custom pan head hardtail, one evo Eglide. Went broke in late 80's and had to sell all of them. In 03 everyoone had the fever for "the 100 year models" . Went back to my dealer (same dealer) and was told he could order me an 03 but I had to get on "the list" and wait. I said WTFwith that and he laughed told me thats todays harley market. Told him to keep his harleys and went home pissed off at harley and the world in general.
The following springI'd be drinking coffee just before sun upI'd hear a great sounding old shovel ride past my house. Loud and proud with that real potato, potato, potato sound. Knew it was a shovel and carbed bike. This went on for months drove me crazy I started dreaming of the old days riding, just putting around. Then one Saturday morning in Dec 04 I could not hack it any more at 09:00 I was at the harley shop when they opened. Justwalked in sat on a black Heritage and waved the check book over my head. Told the saleman to write it up cuz I'm riding it home...NOW.
Next morning at just before sun up I was sitting on the heritage in the front yard when the shovel rider rode past. Ifired her up and chased him down at the next light. Asked him if he had time for coffee to which he repled sure, brother. Well neither of us made it to work that day we decided to take the day off to celebrate. We still ride on occassions and have met manyold friends.
Since then Ive had FLHTCI, and now a new faster in black 08 FLHTXI. I don't have it bad, not bad at all, it's good!! I'ts the ride not the distination that matters and counting bug splatter on your jacket is somethingmy cager friends will neverunderstand.
The following springI'd be drinking coffee just before sun upI'd hear a great sounding old shovel ride past my house. Loud and proud with that real potato, potato, potato sound. Knew it was a shovel and carbed bike. This went on for months drove me crazy I started dreaming of the old days riding, just putting around. Then one Saturday morning in Dec 04 I could not hack it any more at 09:00 I was at the harley shop when they opened. Justwalked in sat on a black Heritage and waved the check book over my head. Told the saleman to write it up cuz I'm riding it home...NOW.
Next morning at just before sun up I was sitting on the heritage in the front yard when the shovel rider rode past. Ifired her up and chased him down at the next light. Asked him if he had time for coffee to which he repled sure, brother. Well neither of us made it to work that day we decided to take the day off to celebrate. We still ride on occassions and have met manyold friends.
Since then Ive had FLHTCI, and now a new faster in black 08 FLHTXI. I don't have it bad, not bad at all, it's good!! I'ts the ride not the distination that matters and counting bug splatter on your jacket is somethingmy cager friends will neverunderstand.
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Joe Kucinski
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: California
RE: How bad do you have it?
Growing up I watched my dad own serveral Harleys. I have never wanted a Harley myself because I always thought Harleys are for old guys not to mention the ones my dad owned were definitly old man bikes. Plus they leak like no tomorrow and they were loud and obnoxious.
I've only owned a Ninja ZX-6Rfor one year when I was 36. When I was 40 I was getting ready to buy the CBR1000. I was in Monterey with my wife when her bother said lets go for a ride. He ownes a 96 softail custom and a 95 Road King Classic. Personally, I didn't like the softail because of the vibration I had in my hands after a 2 hour ride. Then he said ok, you can ride, so go ahead and ride my Road King. I said it's kind of big but ok. First thing I notice there almost no vibration at all and sitting up you can see everything(which of course on a crotch rocket you're bent over so it's hard to see anything but the pavement). That gave me the bug
But it wasn't until I bought my Road King Custom that I realized why everyone that owned a Harley was so proud. Once Ibought that bike I couldn't help myself. I felt special and now I can't think of owning anything else but a harley. Also I would never buy clothes or what not, because I don't like being a catalog. My entire closet is nothing but Harley now and all my friends alwayssay Ishould be in the Harley catalogs. Ya, I have it bad.
Rico
I've only owned a Ninja ZX-6Rfor one year when I was 36. When I was 40 I was getting ready to buy the CBR1000. I was in Monterey with my wife when her bother said lets go for a ride. He ownes a 96 softail custom and a 95 Road King Classic. Personally, I didn't like the softail because of the vibration I had in my hands after a 2 hour ride. Then he said ok, you can ride, so go ahead and ride my Road King. I said it's kind of big but ok. First thing I notice there almost no vibration at all and sitting up you can see everything(which of course on a crotch rocket you're bent over so it's hard to see anything but the pavement). That gave me the bug
But it wasn't until I bought my Road King Custom that I realized why everyone that owned a Harley was so proud. Once Ibought that bike I couldn't help myself. I felt special and now I can't think of owning anything else but a harley. Also I would never buy clothes or what not, because I don't like being a catalog. My entire closet is nothing but Harley now and all my friends alwayssay Ishould be in the Harley catalogs. Ya, I have it bad.
Rico
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio
RE: How bad do you have it?
I've owned numerous metrics. None of them......blah,blah......you know, fill in the rest of the story yourself. Right now, I have to go out to the garagefor a smoke and to stare atmy Harley.