A back spasm, an epiphany and a realization that I want a Harley
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 11
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From: San Carlos
A back spasm, an epiphany and a realization that I want a Harley
Hi everybody,
This is going to be a rather long, so please bear with me. So I am planning to getting back to riding again after 10 years or so, other than the odd motorcycle trip in Asia every winter. The last 10 years or so have been devoted completely to school, work and building a life in this country out of nothing. For sometime I had been saving up for a Yamaha Super Tenere to go on long solo camping trips to the deserts of Oregon and Nevada. A Harley was not even remotely in consideration in immediate future.
Just a few days back, an episode of back spasm (and immobility) spiraled down to a full blown mental health crisis for a couple of days. While I was laying in bed in intense pain, I realized that I need to slow down, prioritize my lifestyle and happiness over work/career. I realized I want to do long lazy rides and soak everything in, instead of covering the longest distances. And I don't think there is any bike better than a Harley to do that in the lonely back roads of Western US. I have now come to the realization that I will probably not be doing consecutive 500 mile days like I used to, nor will be I be blazing over a rocky terrain on an adventure bike.
My favorite Harleys are Sportsters, I absolutely love the idea/looks/sound of those machines. Well, Iron 883 is the only Harley I have ridden. But I think I will have to get something that is more comfortable for my back. I know that if I don't keep my back happy I won't be going on any trip at all. Somehow I had always visualized a Harley as a bike I would have after 20 years. I may not be able to go hardcore offroad riding with a Harley, something I had always wanted to do, but I will try to go as far offroad as I can on my future Harley. When I do, I will share those stories here.
I think I have lost my mind that I am thinking of getting a Harley for solo desert rides. But I am at ease with it.
Cheers,
Anby
This is going to be a rather long, so please bear with me. So I am planning to getting back to riding again after 10 years or so, other than the odd motorcycle trip in Asia every winter. The last 10 years or so have been devoted completely to school, work and building a life in this country out of nothing. For sometime I had been saving up for a Yamaha Super Tenere to go on long solo camping trips to the deserts of Oregon and Nevada. A Harley was not even remotely in consideration in immediate future.
Just a few days back, an episode of back spasm (and immobility) spiraled down to a full blown mental health crisis for a couple of days. While I was laying in bed in intense pain, I realized that I need to slow down, prioritize my lifestyle and happiness over work/career. I realized I want to do long lazy rides and soak everything in, instead of covering the longest distances. And I don't think there is any bike better than a Harley to do that in the lonely back roads of Western US. I have now come to the realization that I will probably not be doing consecutive 500 mile days like I used to, nor will be I be blazing over a rocky terrain on an adventure bike.
My favorite Harleys are Sportsters, I absolutely love the idea/looks/sound of those machines. Well, Iron 883 is the only Harley I have ridden. But I think I will have to get something that is more comfortable for my back. I know that if I don't keep my back happy I won't be going on any trip at all. Somehow I had always visualized a Harley as a bike I would have after 20 years. I may not be able to go hardcore offroad riding with a Harley, something I had always wanted to do, but I will try to go as far offroad as I can on my future Harley. When I do, I will share those stories here.
I think I have lost my mind that I am thinking of getting a Harley for solo desert rides. But I am at ease with it.
Cheers,
Anby
Last edited by Anby; Nov 14, 2019 at 12:26 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
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From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding.
Good Luck!!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding.
Good Luck!!
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