I bought a Harley because no matter what motorcycle that I owned and rode, none of them were comfortable enough to take out for long distances. I had Yamahas, and Hondas, and even a Buell, but nothing ever felt "right". The Road Glide cured that problem and I can ride for hours and hours and not feel cramped or in pain.

Then again, these bikes do get cool points as an added bonus.

 

This is why I traded in my Goldwing after 28k miles on her, for an RG. Ergonomics beats any other reason in the end.

 

Harleys do have their issues. Not gonna try to pretend that they don't. But they also have soul and personality. And huge aftermarket support.

I used to sit out on my front steps on the weekends when I was a kid and watch the Hells Angels ride by all day heading to a clubhouse about 5 miles from me. Swore I would someday be riding one of those.

 

I'm 43 years old and have been riding since I was seven. Honda 50, if you were wondering. I've had a ton of motorcycles over the years but they were all lacking something. They had no soul. The others were just machines. My Road Glide has a soul, that's my reason. When you ride a Harley you become one with the bike. It feels right to be there in that moment when I ride it.


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As a kid, I was always fascinated with motorcycles in general. I learned to ride when I was 12, and it was all downhill from there. I've ridden lots of different brands, but only owned Harleys. Sure, I got into cars and trucks as well, but the bike thing always stuck...

 

For the longest Time I always wanted a bike and when I turned 30 I decided I was at a point I could afford to get one. I found a Yamaha for an insane price at the local harley dealer. Figured it'd be good cause if I didn't like riding I wouldn't be out much. Well the floor manager convinced me to get a sportster and my loan rate was too good to pass so why not. Ended up falling in love with riding I bought a fat bob after that and now have a new road glide. I've ridden a few different makes and models but there is just something about harley. I even contemplated about a victory cross country; to me they are a fun bike but the little woman said it best. She said we are a harley family, they've been good to us so we stay with them. Hopefully I don't want to buy another bike for a long time but when I do I'm sure it'll be a harley

 

Because even after the purchase price, the cost of all the mods, and maintenance, Its still cheaper than riding the Ol' Lady High maintenance well she is expensive Plus the Harley does not have a mouth to talk back, only the soothing notes out the CFR's.

 

Weather got you a little bored? Living dangerously?

 

In my teens I rode my uncle's Honds 400 4cyl supersport and his '49 Pan/Shovel....the Harley won my heart and I never looked back. We would take the Panhead appart every winter and make some changes for the next riding season....sure wish we still had it.

 

..... why do i ride a Harley Davidson ?
... i s'pose, when you get right down to it,
.... it's something where, if'n i have to explain, the listener wouldn't likely understand anyway.
...... at least a non-Harley rider wouldn't

 

My grandfather rode, my dad rode and I've been riding motorcycles since I was a kid. I have had all kinds of bikes but always wanted a Harley Davidson and got one as soon as I could afford one. It's cheaper then therapy

 

I'm with groupw

I wanted a bike , ma said no , then they divorced and I stayed with dad a couple years before moving back in with ma . First thing he did was buy me a bike , to spite her ..

This is my 44th year on a Harley , I started with a 69 SS350 Sprint , the following year I got a 71 Sporty , then a 71 FX . Then a 77 FLH and a 52 FL . I discovered the sharks in 1984 , with a late model EVO FLTC , the early 84 EVO had the shovel bottom with EVO top .. Since 1984 my daily riders have all been sharks ..

I ride because that's what I do

JtB

 

I've always been crazy about motorcycles and have owned many different brands, I almost bought a Harley when I was 28, but the only thing I could've afforded was a Sportster, and it had a waiting list. Well about 10 years ago I was finally in a position where I could afford what I wanted, and there wasn't a waiting list. Or maybe its because pretty girls love to take a picture on a Harley.

 

I've always loved Harleys....I guess David Mann was my biggest influence, and the lifestyle.......and then....after working on and getting to fly DC-3's for nearly five years (ck vid below ).....what was I gonna go to.....a Goldwing....? BMW.....? HONDA......? Nah.....I don't think so.....( actually I owned three Hondas two Kawis, a Suzuki and a Briggs and Stratton...but that's for another thread! )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvGBQvczUnQ

PS....I don't know what the start up issue was with #2, but it's typical Pratt & Whitney.....!

PPS David, I forgot to add that reason! LOL!!! Pretty girls like airplanes too! LOL!

 

I have owned many different brands, rode just about all too. Not to say I didn't like any of them, most of them I did like and they all gave me the freedom feeling I needed. But the jap bikes lacked something, maybe character, whatever. The German bikes felt quirky, maybe they have changed. The Italian bikes had what I wanted, but lacked reliability and ease of ownership.
Anyway, I have been on Harley's since 1995 and I expect to continue on them, unless the quality issues I have complained about in other posts continue on that downward trend.
Then again, time is catching up with me and I don't think I'll be on two wheels much longer.

 

I'm old, slow, and comfortable now.

 

Honest answer is because I can. I have owned many other bikes over the years, Harleys, Hondas, Yamahas, BMWs and as a matter of fact still do but they all different and each one does something the others won't. My 15 RGS takes me places in comfort just short of a cage and it is best for when I just want to enjoy the ride. I consider myself lucky to have options these day, years ago an 883 was only transportation rain or shine and looking back those days just weren't all that bad.

Thank God we live in a country where its all possible.

 

+1 because I can, and I'm very grateful for that!

 

I got my Honda 50 at 9 years old, then Yamaha dirt bikes, then Kawasaki street bikes because they were fast and the Shovelheads in '78 weren't very dependable, but when you get your first Harley you get the whole HD family. I've rode all over the country making friends and been invited to stay at their houses over and over, then there's the bike weeks and the girls will take their shirts off and give an old man a thrill, so there is really no better ride as they have the look, the sound, and the family.

Every time it's down I do think about that Honda F6B, but you can't put beer in those saddlebags?

 

Oh the Shovels were dependable , we just had to work on them more ..

One hour ride , two hours maintenance

JtB

 

I started cause all my friends had them and it was a way to hang out and do stuff. After my second ride it was all about feeling the freedom and the open air. I ride by myself 70% a the time and go on 200-409 mile ride alone on my days off work. Best therapy and relaxing thing I've ever done.


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Why? Because:

1. Then Came Bronson
2. Easy Rider

 

For me it was a motorcop who went by me as a kid growing up in Hawaii...the sound of the bike before I saw it, the full picture of the cop on a Harley cruising by a slack-jawed 9 year-old so effortlessly, like in slow-motion...then when I was 14, came Bronson ...I wanted to be like him lol...so cool...so free, yet caged in by his own thoughts...a good guy vagabond helping his fellow man...great fictional role model of sorts for a 14 year-old seeking the meaning of life before taking another bite out of his spam musubi staring at yet another gorgeous Hawaiian sunset...last sets in the surf before total darkness, brah!!!l....lol

 

Because Im a badass and badasses ride Harleys.

'Nuff said

 

Because Im a badass and badasses ride Harleys.



'Nuff said

^^^This.

Well said Tracy. ??????


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I was being honest. But it's really cause i can and that's how i roll.


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I ride Harley's cause I do. My last non-Harley was a 198? Honda 750 Four. Since then I've gotten comfortable with Harley's. I'm used to the feel and performance of the bikes. I know the dealership owners and their families. My friends work at the dealership as mechanics and parts guys. As much as I hate to admit it, I've gotten sucked into the Harley Davidson culture.... And There's No Way Out!

Oh yea, .... and 'cause Tracy's a bad ass. It doesn't hurt to have associations in the motorcycle world.

 

When I was about 13 (that was in 1960) my dad bought me a rebuilt Harley 125, think it was a 1948. Used to mix the gas and oil and ride all day around the neighborhoods & new expressway they were building. Had the bike bug. Over the following years I bought a used Honda 305 Superhawk, then a 650 Triumph Bonnieville, then a CB 750F Honda. But by age 30 I no longer had a bike and didn't really have the time, money or interest for a bike anymore. Fast forward to 2009, I am 62, mostly retired, and in warm weather I constantly see, hear and admire the bikes, mostly Harleys, that cut through on our street going from a main road to a road that runs along the river. Never seriously considered buying one. But, then, I really was somewhat envious watching Eric, a new neighbor, come and go on his Triumph. Finally I snapped. Went to a HD dealer to look around. Said "I'll take that one" and bought a 1200 Sportster. Man, why did I wait so long? Sportster traded for a Fat Bob, then got a '13 RGC and I'm still loving every minute on it!

 

Why HD ?

I caught the Harley fever years ago and still have a built Dyna. That being said, it is a great bike for around town and short 3-4 trips. Any longer rides and I just is too hard on my old body. Got the Roadie last summer after many test rides and lots of looking. I have to say it is the most comfortable bike I have ever owned and I have been riding since I was 15, in one form or another.
I hope to have and ride it for years to come.