Took the Plunge
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Chugiak AK
Took the Plunge
Well as of Feb 20 I am the proud owner of a 2009 Street Glide with ABS and Cruise. It all started many years ago.
Always wanting a HD I had lusted over them for many a year. Finally when I made E-6 (2002) quite a few years ago this was supposed to be my reward, a nice softail. But I promoted myself out of my position and had to move from Fairbanks AK to Vegas where I bought the family a house. Add the stupid drivers in Vegas I decided that I would wait and buy a new Duramax instead. Not to mention I had just finished restoring my 65 truck at that time with a blown 350.
A couple of years (2005) later I melted the motor inthe 65 and decided to migrage away from the blown motors to a healty little 540 CI big block. Still have my toy so I am happy but that empty feeling is still in me, the one that is tickled when I walk in the HD dealership. I mad E-7 this year and the wife told me to buy a bike. There we are standing in the dealership with a green light, looking over a couple of beautifull road kings. But, me being myself whom is good at talking myself out of anything personally frivilouse for a while. I decided that it still wasn't the right time, after all the Vegas drivers, my pending assignment to Korea with a follow on back to Alaska.
We arrive here in AK a couple of years later and start to get settled. We get ATV's, hunting for me and fun for the wife. Decide that this is where we are going to retire from the AF at so we buy a house. That empty feeling is still there untill I walk in the local dealership.
As soon as I walk thru the door I see it, second bike in to the right. It's red glistening in the sun that is radiating thru the windows off the snow. I tell the salesman whom I had established report with on previous visits to get that customer off my bike. But remember I am good at talking myself out of things, I try to rationalize that I am supposed to deploy this summer for 5 months then after next winter most likely go back to Korea for my last year in the AF (not to mention the last time I rode a bike was in '88). The wife aint hearing it and encourages me to get it. So things being what they may, I write to the military sales rep and request a quote. Low and behold the local dealer honors that price, 5 year warranty with wheel and tire were thrown in as they didn't notice it on the invoice.
My bike was deliverred on 21 Feb. I was so anxious to ride that about a month ago I was chipping the 3" of ice in my 95' driveway so I could get out. I do a little neighborhood riding, trying to knock the rust off and get a feel for that beautifull machine. Two weekends ago my buddies offically were able to ride off base so we have been out the last two weekends. Now I am getting comfortable enough to venture out on my own, like today (beautifull day).
The accessories bill is starting to grow. FXRG leather jacket (clearance), chaps (40-50 deg weather), a couple of small doo dads for the bike and a harley orange vest so I can ride on base so far. The doo dads that I want... Bub 7's, wind vest 6", floor board spacers and of course a few chrome goodies for sure.
The things I have noticed in my limited riding of this fine machine and from reading on here is.
Buffetting, anoying yes but not as concusting as I would have though from reading the posts on here. I am 6'1 and wear a full face. Sure it makes it hard to hear the radio but not intollerable.
Vibrations, one member posted about numbing vibrations in the floorboard. The only way I could even notice any was if I lightly rested my foot on the floorboard.
Handling, just as mible as everyone says. Got to love it. The suspension is a little stiff but I don't have anything to compair it to. Its about what I would expect from a bike to be honest.
6th gear, 60 and above, period. Any lower and it lugs the motor to much (not responsive).
All I can say is what the hell was I waiting for. There is nothing like it. I love going out on the roads in or by the mountains then loosing myself. Before i know it, I am at the end of the trail. Almost like hunting, just me and the open...
Always wanting a HD I had lusted over them for many a year. Finally when I made E-6 (2002) quite a few years ago this was supposed to be my reward, a nice softail. But I promoted myself out of my position and had to move from Fairbanks AK to Vegas where I bought the family a house. Add the stupid drivers in Vegas I decided that I would wait and buy a new Duramax instead. Not to mention I had just finished restoring my 65 truck at that time with a blown 350.
A couple of years (2005) later I melted the motor inthe 65 and decided to migrage away from the blown motors to a healty little 540 CI big block. Still have my toy so I am happy but that empty feeling is still in me, the one that is tickled when I walk in the HD dealership. I mad E-7 this year and the wife told me to buy a bike. There we are standing in the dealership with a green light, looking over a couple of beautifull road kings. But, me being myself whom is good at talking myself out of anything personally frivilouse for a while. I decided that it still wasn't the right time, after all the Vegas drivers, my pending assignment to Korea with a follow on back to Alaska.
We arrive here in AK a couple of years later and start to get settled. We get ATV's, hunting for me and fun for the wife. Decide that this is where we are going to retire from the AF at so we buy a house. That empty feeling is still there untill I walk in the local dealership.
As soon as I walk thru the door I see it, second bike in to the right. It's red glistening in the sun that is radiating thru the windows off the snow. I tell the salesman whom I had established report with on previous visits to get that customer off my bike. But remember I am good at talking myself out of things, I try to rationalize that I am supposed to deploy this summer for 5 months then after next winter most likely go back to Korea for my last year in the AF (not to mention the last time I rode a bike was in '88). The wife aint hearing it and encourages me to get it. So things being what they may, I write to the military sales rep and request a quote. Low and behold the local dealer honors that price, 5 year warranty with wheel and tire were thrown in as they didn't notice it on the invoice.
My bike was deliverred on 21 Feb. I was so anxious to ride that about a month ago I was chipping the 3" of ice in my 95' driveway so I could get out. I do a little neighborhood riding, trying to knock the rust off and get a feel for that beautifull machine. Two weekends ago my buddies offically were able to ride off base so we have been out the last two weekends. Now I am getting comfortable enough to venture out on my own, like today (beautifull day).
The accessories bill is starting to grow. FXRG leather jacket (clearance), chaps (40-50 deg weather), a couple of small doo dads for the bike and a harley orange vest so I can ride on base so far. The doo dads that I want... Bub 7's, wind vest 6", floor board spacers and of course a few chrome goodies for sure.
The things I have noticed in my limited riding of this fine machine and from reading on here is.
Buffetting, anoying yes but not as concusting as I would have though from reading the posts on here. I am 6'1 and wear a full face. Sure it makes it hard to hear the radio but not intollerable.
Vibrations, one member posted about numbing vibrations in the floorboard. The only way I could even notice any was if I lightly rested my foot on the floorboard.
Handling, just as mible as everyone says. Got to love it. The suspension is a little stiff but I don't have anything to compair it to. Its about what I would expect from a bike to be honest.
6th gear, 60 and above, period. Any lower and it lugs the motor to much (not responsive).
All I can say is what the hell was I waiting for. There is nothing like it. I love going out on the roads in or by the mountains then loosing myself. Before i know it, I am at the end of the trail. Almost like hunting, just me and the open...
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
Welcome from Montana. Enjoy, you made a great choice. Now get out there and ride that pig! Good Luck.
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