6 Milestones to Look Forward to with Your Harley
Owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle can be full of milestones and achievements. Although milestones can differ from person to person, here are few that we are all likely to encounter.
1. First Ride
Each and every Harley-Davidson rider will have differing criteria as to what constitutes as a "milestone" over the course of their ownership, but there is no denying that it all begins with the first ride on a new bike. Chances are you have made multiple trips to various dealerships to kick the tires of different models that interest you, researched specifications and reviews for hours on end. Maybe even took a demo ride or two, but until you've finally made that bike purchase, you are still in H-D no man's land. Once you have signed on the dotted line, thrown a leg over your newly acquired hog, and roll out of the dealership. You can chalk up milestone number one as the Harley journey is just beginning.
2. First Mod
Part of what makes the Harley-Davidson ownership experience so great is that there are literally thousands of modifications one can do to make a bike truly their own. Some owners will start modding their bike as soon as they roll it off of the dealership lot, whereas others may ride it in stock form for a while to fully determine how they would like to improve it. As most Harley owners know, mods can greatly enhance the aesthetics and performance of a bike and can be incredibly addicting. So, the milestone of your first modification likely will not be your last.
3. First Service
The first few miles on a new Harley can be a bit awkward in that you are not only coming to grips with the handling, braking and power characteristics of the bike, but are also breaking-in the new engine. There is quite a debate as to how the bike should be ridden during the break-in period, with some saying to take it easy for the first 500 miles and others saying to let it rip from the get go, but by the time the first service is due at 1,000 miles, the bike should be pretty well settled in. The first service interval can be considered a milestone because not only has the motorcycle actually been ridden some, but it will also be gone through to ensure all fasteners are tight and secure, fresh engine oil will be swapped in, and any other mechanical issues can be addressed. At this point the motorcycle will be ready to put in as many miles as you can dish out.
4. Motorcycle Payoff
In general, Harley-Davidson motorcycles are some of the more expensive two-wheeled vehicles, so it is not surprising that many owners finance the purchase of their bike. While credit makes most major life purchases possible, debt can be a drag because it sucks up a portion of your hard-earned paycheck each month. However, where there's a will, there's a way, as continual payments will allow your Harley to one day be completely paid for. It is quite a relief and an achievement/milestone when the lien for your Harley is lifted and you receive the pink slip for your bike. Not to mention, you now have extra funds to put towards riding or modding your Harley.
5. Bike Events
At some point during your Harley-Davidson ownership you are going to want to be part of a motorcycling event. Whether it be a major gathering like the Sturgis Rally or Daytona Bike Week, a charity ride such as Ride For Life, or even a local bike night or poker run, the shared camaraderie and passion for motorcycles found at these gatherings is a great experience any rider. As with other ownership milestones, the first event on your Harley is likely to be a memorable one.
6. Parting Ways
In life, we learn that all good things must eventually come to an end, and the same is true of Harley-Davidson motorcycle ownership. The final milestone every Harley owner will encounter is the day they part ways with their bike. Ownership of a particular H-D may last only a short while before being traded in on a shiny new model, or ownership can last decades if the bike is everything the owner wants in a motorcycle. Regardless of the circumstance, a change in ownership is not only the final chapter for the individual who is parting ways with the bike but the first chapter in a string of new milestones for the new owner.
If you have service or maintenance questions, the how-to section of HDForums.com has answers.
