CanadianBiker
Well-known member
I'm on my second Harley now (after many, many other bikes) and can't imagine riding anything else. It just plain fits me and I can ride for 9-10 hours and feel better than doing the same in a car. And I've never had a mechanical problem with either bike.
If you can, try out several models; Sportster, Dyna, Softail, Touring. Each offers its own take on H-D and you may find the perfect bike in a model you hadn't previously considered.
Harley has a program called Fit Shop, where you can customize your bike to fit you exactly (for a price, of course). There are also endless possibilities when it comes to adding accessories.
There are some drawbacks to having a Harley, though.
It ain't cheap. Harley builds a quality product and its accessories are top-notch but they sure do like to charge for them. You can offset this a bit by doing your own basic maintenance, very easy to do on a Harley.
You will get a lot of negativity from (some) non-Harley riders. For a sport that's supposed to be all about rugged individualism, there sure are a lot of people who get bent out of shape if you don't think or act exactly like they do. Kind of reminds me of those nattering old women I used to see at church, pretending to be pious but bad-mouthing everyone. No big loss, really, who would want to hang out with people like that anyway?
On the plus side, there are lots of H-D groups and forums and rallies, not to mention H.O.G., if you like socializing with other riders. And many multi-brand gatherings where the level of maturity is sufficient to tolerate different brands.
Nobody will ever have to wonder what to get you for birthday/Christmas/whatever gifts.
Most importantly, you will enjoy your bike for many years to come.
Have fun shopping!
If you can, try out several models; Sportster, Dyna, Softail, Touring. Each offers its own take on H-D and you may find the perfect bike in a model you hadn't previously considered.
Harley has a program called Fit Shop, where you can customize your bike to fit you exactly (for a price, of course). There are also endless possibilities when it comes to adding accessories.
There are some drawbacks to having a Harley, though.
It ain't cheap. Harley builds a quality product and its accessories are top-notch but they sure do like to charge for them. You can offset this a bit by doing your own basic maintenance, very easy to do on a Harley.
You will get a lot of negativity from (some) non-Harley riders. For a sport that's supposed to be all about rugged individualism, there sure are a lot of people who get bent out of shape if you don't think or act exactly like they do. Kind of reminds me of those nattering old women I used to see at church, pretending to be pious but bad-mouthing everyone. No big loss, really, who would want to hang out with people like that anyway?
On the plus side, there are lots of H-D groups and forums and rallies, not to mention H.O.G., if you like socializing with other riders. And many multi-brand gatherings where the level of maturity is sufficient to tolerate different brands.
Nobody will ever have to wonder what to get you for birthday/Christmas/whatever gifts.
Most importantly, you will enjoy your bike for many years to come.
Have fun shopping!