My wife likes the clothes......

 

Let's be honest here. A Harley is the only way to achieve that "cards in the spokes" sound that was so cherished as a kid!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krPQ1PMM00Y

 

Started riding at 8 years old, Kawasaki dirt bike. Followed by a bigger Yammie. Dad always found us kids some good used bikes to learn on. 3 wheelers and snowmobiles. Those were the days. After high school I had a Honda street bike. Then I took some years off, coinciding with getting a wife and 2 kids. I bought an old Yamaha street bike off a guy for 200 bucks and kicked around on it for about a month and the old feelings came back. I passed the old Yamaha on to another guy and bought a new Yamaha bike to pass the time until I could get my Road Glide. I knew that I would have a Road Glide someday, and when that time came, I walked into the dealer picked out my color, did some haggling, and wrote them the check. I never even test road one. I knew that one was it, and within 1 mile on the road, I knew the long wait was worth it......

 

The status symbol, comfort, bragging rights, customization factors, to keep the tradition alive well past 100 years so the generation behind me knows what it feels like to say they own and ride a Historic American Motorcycle Co. that's lasted thru time. I don't wear much HD branded clothes, I'm a believer that money should be put into the bike, not your wardrobe, and lets face it I've met many men with a sportster and 5 grand in harley gear and wonder why they only talk about dreaming of owning something bigger lol. I own my bike for me, it's my dream, my vision of what I want to own. I've had many other brands in the past, but I LOVE my Harleys!

 

Bought my first Harley, an 04 V rod, not because it was a Harley,but because it was a V rod. She just spoke to me. 45,000 miles later,she still whispers in my ear "Spank Me!" I've ridden her to KC, Outer Banks, and just last year, New England. Had a blast riding around New England and wasn't really uncomfortable, but could have been more so. Decided to look for a touring bike. I try to buy American whenever possible, looked at The Vision and the Road Glide. I like fixed fairings so those were really the only 2 choices. Simply can't live with the back end of the Vic, so the Road glide it was. Picked up a 2013 RG in Midnight Pearl to park alongside the V rod and just waiting for the salt to wash away so I can ride.

 

My dad got me into motorcycles and he told me to get my MC license when I got my drivers license then he gave me his 73 CB 350.

He never had a Harley but he said if he was to get a big road bike, that it would be a Harley. That stuck with me, even though at the time Harleys were getting a bad rap. (AMF)

Through the yrs of various makes and types of bikes I was in a position to buy one back in the day when they were hard to find a used one and a new one had a 2 yr waiting list. I finally came across one and let my Dad know it was happening. He was excited about that, sadly he died the next day and never got to see that happen for me. I still have my 1st Harley and would have a hard time parting with it.

 

I've ridden all kinds of bikes for many years and my tastes have changed with age. I never had a desire to ride an HD because I didn't want to be one of "those guys." I always convinced myself that other bikes would provide just as much rush. The ONLY HD I ever considered was a RG. No interest in any other model. My most recent Triumph (Scrambler) was a blast to ride around town but travel more than 20-30 miles and it was windy, bumpy, underpowered for me much less my wife and I never had the confidence or desire to just take off on the open road. Rode a Rocket III and thought $&*! there's gotta be something more comfortable and better looking than this!

I could never afford a used RG until last summer. My 08 came up for sale, 10k+ miles and was very reasonably priced. It had local records and just a few mods. Took it for a 45 minute ride and man, it fit like a glove and sounded like a symphony. Sold. A few minor upgrades like a MadStad, better slip-ons and a few tweaks of the handlebars and seat…. well, you know 'cause you ride one too.

 

Just started riding in 2011. Had saved for a few years and started with a salvaged BMW 1150RT so I could pay cash. Wanted ABS and Fuel injection. Figured I would love it or hate it. By June 2012 I had ridden 16,000 miles. I was interested in the BMW 1600 GTL, but needed service on my 1150RT. Only dealer in CT was 60 miles away, and I could not get service for 4 to 6 weeks. That was just unacceptable. With so many Harley dealers most wait times was no more then a 2 days. Had always wanted a Harley, and a friend on the forum had recommended a RG. Already like the fixed fairing. So on June 23,2012 I test road my 2012 RGU. It was so comfortable, and even stopped better despite a 300pound difference. I was hooked. She now has 34,000 on her and ride about 9 months of the year. Riding 2 up around 50% of the time find it much more comfortable. I cannot see myself on any other bike.

 

After many other bikes in my life I remember the AMF days. Seeing the problems some of my friends had back then swayed me away from HD's. Years later on a trip with some friends I got to ride a RG. Couldn't afford one right then but DID stop on the way back home and bought a used cop bike. 2000 RK. Handled great and rode better than anything I had been on except that RG. 2 years later I traded for a 105 Anny. RG. and now I own an 2011 FLTRX. To me nothing compares to the feel, ride, sound or handling all combined into one package....There's no ride like a Road Glide!

 

Why do I ride a Harley? Well for one thing it's too frigg'n heavy to push very far.

Like another post said, "Then came Bronson". Dare I say Evil Knievel. My dad always talked about Harleys and Indians when I was growing up, he didn't know what he was starting.

I do like there seems to be a lot more stores than other brands, especially while touring, that there seems to be no end to customization, (also a reason not to like 'em). I like the sound, the connection with other riders, I like that it's a recognized brand internationally. I work for a global company and no matter which country my co-workers are from, once they know I ride, their first question is, oh, is it a Harley-Davidson? Yep, shore is, got any pictures, yep shore do.

 

I ride a Harley because i always wanted one. After watching Arnold as the Terminator riding around on that FatBoy i immediately knew i wanted a Harley. I never wanted a bike before then. So back in 1999 i bought my first Harley, an aztec orange dyna super glide sport. Withing 3 months i traded up for a 1999 Road king. I sold it a few years later and went a few years without a bike. I bought a 1967 GTO but that was no replacement for riding so i bough my second Road King in 2007. BTW i always hated the look of the RG's. Eventually they started to grow on me. My buddy bought a 2011 RG and i really started to dig it. I wanted a bike with a fairing and stereo so i traded my 2007 RoadKing for a 2009 Street Glide. After having the Street Glide a few years i was convinced my next bike would be a RG. Earlier this year i bought a 2015 RGS in vivid black and i love it. The great thing about owning a Harley is that you can personalize it any way you want and never see another bike just like yours. When you are out and about or attending bike events and someone compliments you about your bike, you take the same pride as if they were complimenting you on your beautiful wife or wonderful kids. The bike fits me like a glove, and its an expression of who i am.

 

Because the wife likes the clothes

 

First motorcycle was a 2006 Yamaha Warrior, it was a pretty badass bike. But, my truck got totaled in Sept. 2013, and 2 days after that I had to go on emergency leave in Texas. While there my uncle let me ride his SG while he rode his other motorcycle and I definitely enjoyed listening to music while riding.

Got my insurance money for my truck, and bought my RG. Wife wasn't to pleased as I already had a motorcycle and needed a vehicle. I justified it by living in Miami it's always a good day to ride.

So I guess I got a Harley just so I can listen to music while riding, and I love the RG look.

 

I've been riding since '74. Always Jap bikes. Kawi triples, KZ's and, most recently, my well-loved CBR954. Last month, on a whim, I test rode a SG and RG with my Harley-devotee son in Laconia. Hooked. That slow turning engine and all that torque...plus a nice perch so my wife can come along on rides too long for her Vulcan 650 had me hooked. BTW - H/D got my youngest son too. He traded in his BMW R1000SS on a 2012 SG. With a bad back, he was only able to do a few hours on the sport bike. Now, you have to pry him off the Harley.

My only problem now? Need more garage space! Four bikes in a one car garage...it's getting' crowded in here!

 

Chit!!!! Cause it's a Harley-Davidson baby!!!!

 

Because I can, because I want to, because I earned it

 

My coming to Harley was kind of a surprise. I had a friend who had gotten a Harley, loved it, and kept after me to try it since he knew I had ridden growing up a good bit. I finally told him I just didn't want to ride it. I'd always had mostly hondas & said in really just don't like Harley's - they are too noisy and vibratey - I just don't like them.

Finally took his for a short ride. Told him I knew it was noisy & vibrated like crazy .......... & I loved it! When I finally got a bike of my own again it was definitely a HD. In love ever since!

 

I have zero tolerance for bulksh@# and have had anger/violence issues. My bike is actually cheaper, and better therapy, then my shrink.

 

Was not allowed to have a bike growing up. Rode dirt bikes after I turned 18 and moved out of my parents house. Wanted a street bike but could never commit, took a 20 year break from a short 2 years of dirt riding.

Decided once the last child went off to college to get a bike. First bike was a big dog mastiff, traded a truck for it. Did not really know what it was, just that it was black and looked good. Found out later it was a high definition softball with a limited dealer network. Well 15 k miles later, walked into a Harley dealer looking for a new 06 street glide. Thought they looked cool. Limited selection and dealer told me in clear terms, street glide premium since it was first year or a better deal on used 04 road glide.

Fast forward to today. Still got the 04 and a 10 and a 12 cvo skunk. Would not ride anything else.

Why you ask, the 04 and I have been through more together than most deeply personal relationships.

Its a mechanical piece of gear.

But its there when I need it and understands and does not question my motives. If I want to go, we go. Be it fast, slow, reckless or under control. Not many people can bond that closely with your needs.

My roadglide does!

:wink:

 

I have owned many bikes but this my first Harley. I had some bad dealings from the dealer in my old home town but recently moved to MT. The difference was what made me go test one out. I was riding a Honda F6B at the time and it was a fine bike in all regards, the biggest problem is it had no soul. Honda strives to remove vibration, wind and everything else that make riding not driving. I have to also say that Harley has them beat hands down on ergonomics, i don't have to move my hands from the bars to do anything with the Honda its down to the left on the faring or up in the middle. You also feel like you just joined a family, I was taken around to all the different sections of the dealership, got a free one year membership to HOG, a letter from the VP of Harley welcoming me to the Family, none of this happened when I purchased any other bike. It also makes me happy that I'm riding an American product, a little long winded but that's why i ride a Harley, and never will ride anything else!!!

 

I've been on 2 wheels since I was 11. A 3.5 hp Cheetah mini bike with a ridgid frame. Nobody else in my family rides a Harley or even a bike for that matter. I fell in love with them when I was a kid driving up Route 106 in Loudon during bike week and seeing all of the bikers camped out along the road. Anyone else remember those days?
Today when asked, why do I ride a Harley? My answer is...
If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand.

 

It's a very long story,but I wanted one so long I forgot I wanted one.Spent much of my life trying to be what I thought someone else wanted me to be,I forgot who I was.Finally one night,alone,I heard the roar of several bikes in a confined area,and the rumble I felt in my heart made me remember.2 weeks later I was on a Harley,and it resonated in my soul.My entire life has been a great ride since.

There is no other bike for me,ever.

 

I was 20 or 21 and I wanted one. I picked up a 1995 883 and learned how to ride it. I will always have one.

 

My story is much the same, I'm a lifetime car guy that transitioned to bikes. I was always interested in bikes, but suffered from the not under my roof syndrome while living with parents. Moved out after college and got into classic cars, but the cages didn't satisfy. So after I got my endorsement I rented HD's to decide what I wanted to buy, but couldn't afford one. Soon after I bought a Shadow ACE and rode it for about a year. I decided I NEEDED to have a Harley so I busted my butt to get finances in order and I bought a used '03 Road King Classic in 2008. Total game changer! I knew about the Harley tradition, but not the brotherhood and culture that came with it! I am hooked for life, so when the opportunity to get a new bike presented it was an easy call! I had ridden batwings and planned to buy one until the Road Glide riding salesman at my LBS talked me into test riding one of those "fugly" bikes. Needless to say, my '15 shark is the first in a long line of sharks to come! I ride Harley, because it fits my personality and riding style 100%.

 

When I was around 15 my mother was dating a guy that owned a Road King. Chuck Green, I'll never forget him. Vietnam vet and all around great guy. He had a big influence on me.