Aloha from Hawaii

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Mar 1, 2013 | 04:15 AM

HI85WH1

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Intermediate

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 35

Likes: 9

From: Oahu, Hawaii

Aloha from Hawaii

Aloha!

My name is Rob, I've been riding for just a few years (Started in my teens, in my mid-late 40's now)

Ridden all kinds of "stuff", dirt, street, roadracing, dragracing, then finally cruising.

In October of 2002, I finally decided that instead of partying my azz off all the time, I wanted something to show for my hard earned dollars. (In other words, I felt at least chorme had some equity as compared to what I was doing at the time)

Went down to the farthest dealer from my home (I live on an island, so its only 30 miles away), as they were rumoured to give the best pricing. I walked in, specifically asked for a black, fuel injected Fatboy. The owner said "Aint got one"... I looked at him and said: "Aint got one or just dont want to sell me one?" He repeated... I turned around and walked.

The next dealer was 10 miles closer, but it was the big, corporate store... all the flash and pa-zing! but overpriced ($5K dealer markup) and talk about attitude (not to mention I had a history with one of the car dealerships they owned.) We walked in, looked at prices and walked out.

At this point I was a little disenchanted. I told my wife that maybe this isnt in the cards for me right now. She said one more store...

So, that left the other little store... 10 miles from home. Walked in and the floor was loaded with almost one of every color of every model (it was crowded for a small shop) There were leftover 2002's but mostly new 2003's (I had no idea about the 100th anniversary at the time)

Talked to a friendly salesman, who took his time with us. I balked at the price, which was marked up but nowhere near the big store prices. We haggled a bit. I wanted it in a bad way, as it was a big reminder of the change I was making in my life.

Eventually, we made a deal (Total time in the shop was 5 hours.. my fault, I was being indecisive. On my wifes birthday no less!) I got what I wanted. Paid more than I wanted to, but thats the nature of the beast when you've got captive buyers all stuck on a rock.

My Wife got a free shirt... (I did too, but hey, it was her birthday

)

And I've been riding regularly ever since. 140K on an island (OK... 2K was on the island of Maui) over 4 different bikes, but 1/2 was on the Fatboy.

Got involved with HOG, at the chapter level, then as a volunteer, then as an officer, then got involved with the State Rally... This year makes 10 years with the Rally in one way, shape or form. Rally Committee (this year makes 5 years) and also the Director of a local Chapter.

Sure, its a lot of work... but its still better than the stuff I was doing before I bought my first new Harley.