Craig Anderton's Sound, Studio, and Stage

[Beck]

I keep getting these impulses to go out and buy a Harley. Don't know why. :eek: But they're not going away. Last week I was thinking of a Harley and the week before that even. I never wanted one or rode one before, so WTF? Can't seem to get it out of my head. Well, I did ride a minibike once when I was 9 or 10, but it wasn't much fun, so what's going on here?

What are the pros and cons of trading in my 4 wheels for 2?

I've got the leather, guns, knives, swords, boots, and that sort of thing, so I've got a lot of things, but no Harley.

Anybody here ride or have ever ridden?

[Ernest Buckley]

Ever since I read "Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", I have wanted a Harley too. Go buy one.

[John Sayers]

I hate Harleys !! They are rude and loud - most break normal sound level standards but for some reason they are allowed to get away with it. They disturb every neighbourhood they exists in. They stand for the FUCK YOU! society and they cruise though my quiet country town every weekend with fat/obese 60+'s with their fat wives all dressed in black leather behind them! I thought your were smarter than that Beck.

[MikeRivers]

Rent one for a couple of weeks. It's possible to do. See how it gets you around in the snow. Can you carry all the gear you need for a gig on it?

I think a bike can be a good way to have fun, but there's going to be a big adjustment from a lifetime of driving a car.

[Rudolf von Hag…]

I hate Harleys !!

i have no idea if I like Harley or not, but the girls who drive such motorized bicycles where I live are somewhat interesting

[YOUTUBE]ai2As4XFZDY[/YOUTUBE]

[rjt]

I believe (please check, this was presented in a training I recently went to) you are 35 times more likely to be injured or killed on a motorcycle than in a vehicle with 4 wheels (when going an equal number of miles.) Not to mention, the motorcycle riders sure look a) miserable and b) stupid, when riding in bad weather.

[Ernest Buckley]

I hate Harleys !!

They are rude and loud - most break normal sound level standards but for some reason they are allowed to get away with it.

They disturb every neighbourhood they exists in. They stand for the FUCK YOU! society and they cruise though my quiet country town every weekend with fat/obese 60+'s with their fat wives all dressed in black leather behind them!

I thought your were smarter than that Beck.

Wow, thats some "observation". :bor:

When I think of riding, I think of riding on a winding country road or in the middle of the desert. Hair in the wind, just you and nature. Piece of rubber between you and the earth. Try it, its a lot more romantic.

[techristian]

It's a fever or form of insanity. It is like when I bought my vette 2 years ago. That was all I could think of until I bought it. Dan

[tremolounge]

I've been a motorcyclist for 40 years. Not a Harley fan, but that's just my personal taste -- I've always ridden older Japanese bikes -- "standards", with an upright seating position, footpegs directly under the rider (not way out front like a Lay-Z-Boy Recliner), moderate steering geometry. Triumph Bonneville is a good example of the kind of bike I prefer. The reason I like these bikes is because they're much more nimble than a cruiser, yet more comfortable than a full-on sportbike.

Anyway, that's just background. What I'm seeing in your post is that you're a beginner who wants to get a bike based totally on image. I think a big, heavy bike like a Harley is a terrible bike to learn on -- I firmly believe in the "start small and work your way up" school of thought -- and I fully realize that's not what many (most) new riders want to hear. They want the bike of their dreams NOW, whether it's a big cruiser or a Ducati "GP bike with a headlight". Lots of crashes result. And yes, it is possible to use your head and learn on whatever bike you choose -- but the advice you'll get from most seasoned riders is to start with a midrange, maneuverable bike (something around 500cc is a great choice), ride it for a year or two, then get the bike you really want (which probably won't be the one you thought you wanted in the beginning, with no experience).

There are many threads at this forum which discuss this topic, especially in the "Beginner's Garage" section:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php?action=forum

Good luck!

[Lukenskywalker]

I hate Harleys !!

They are rude and loud - most break normal sound level standards but for some reason they are allowed to get away with it.

They disturb every neighbourhood they exists in. They stand for the FUCK YOU! society and they cruise though my quiet country town every weekend with fat/obese 60+'s with their fat wives all dressed in black leather behind them!

I thought your were smarter than that Beck.

wow, someone needs a 'Time Out'

I never had a Harley, I had a cantankerous Triumph in 1969.

My wife's sister (who is tall, thin, and lovely) and her husband, who looks like a younger David Bowie, both have Harleys, They both look smashing in their leathers BTW.
They are in a Harley group that does a lot of Charity work, food banks, rides to raise money for kids with cancer etc.
I say go for it Beck, you seem to have all the Biker accoutrements, so wrap it up with a 'Steel Horse'.
You should also keep your car though if it's affordable and feasible to do so.

[Richard King]

Me in 1972 (between beards) on the way from Minneapolis to Alexandria Virginia on my Honda CB-350. Bad timing. I got caught up in Hurricane Agnes and took 8 hours to do the last 120 miles. This is one of about 6 motorcycles that I owned over a few years. The "biggest" was a 550-4 Honda which I drove from Minneapolis to the Black Hills (a few years after doing the same trip on a 1968 Honda 125 twin). I say go for it and enjoy.

[Gomer Pyle]

I've had my 72 Norton Commando for over 30 years and my 70 Triumph Tiger almost 25, these are keepers. All of my Harley and Jap bikes have come and gone. The only thing I think I'm missing is a BMW. If you're looking for an image, get the Harley. If you want to enjoy riding, get a nice Jap Harley or a BMW, Paul.

[Philter]

I've been a motorcyclist for 40 years. Not a Harley fan, but that's just my personal taste -- I've always ridden older Japanese bikes -- "standards", with an upright seating position, footpegs directly under the rider (not way out front like a Lay-Z-Boy Recliner), moderate steering geometry. Triumph Bonneville is a good example of the kind of bike I prefer. The reason I like these bikes is because they're much more nimble than a cruiser, yet more comfortable than a full-on sportbike. Anyway, that's just background. What I'm seeing in your post is that you're a beginner who wants to get a bike based totally on image. I think a big, heavy bike like a Harley is a terrible bike to learn on -- I firmly believe in the "start small and work your way up" school of thought -- and I fully realize that's not what many (most) new riders want to hear. They want the bike of their dreams NOW, whether it's a big cruiser or a Ducati "GP bike with a headlight". Lots of crashes result. And yes, it is possible to use your head and learn on whatever bike you choose -- but the advice you'll get from most seasoned riders is to start with a midrange, maneuverable bike (something around 500cc is a great choice), ride it for a year or two, then get the bike you really want (which probably won't be the one you thought you wanted in the beginning, with no experience). There are many threads at this forum which discuss this topic, especially in the "Beginner's Garage" section: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php?action=forum Good luck!

Smart post here Beck. You can think with your willie for music but on a motorcycle that kind of attitude will get you killed.

[boosh]

Do it! 'm an MC member and vice-presdent and I say RIDE!

[tremolounge]

Me in 1972 (between beards) on the way from Minneapolis to Alexandria Virginia on my Honda CB-350.

Nostalgia! I learned on the "scrambler" version of that bike.

Re: "Zen and the Art..." I always though Pirsig and his son did that long trip on a fairly good-sized bike. Turns out it was a little Honda (I think it's either a 250 or a 305):

[tremolounge]

My current bike, a 1981 Honda CB900F:

[Richard King]

Nostalgia! I learned on the "scrambler" version of that bike.

That would have been the CL-350. The 125 twin that I had was the CL version. I also had a CB-175 that I blew a hole in one of the pistons. I rebuilt the engine in the middle of the living room and it worked after the reassembly process. I could never do that with a car. I still think about buying another bike even though it's been over 30 years since I owned one.

[Kendrix]

The few friends of mine that were riders in college all now have some metal holding bones together. So, Ive avoided joining that club. Id re-consider under the right circumstances (low traffic environment, prevalence of good weather,..) T

he "green" and parking advantages can be a positive factor.

I'd never get on one without a helmut. No matter how good you are there are a alot if idiots out there that don't give bikers their necessary space on the road.

[Richard King]

Crap! Talk Me Out of It!

I suspect we aren't helping much are we???

[Mr. Botch]

I bought my first-ever MC two years ago, at age 47 (an inexpensive Japanese bike, not a Harley). 22,000 miles later, I'm hooked bad (note: you will NOT save gas money). Before going with Harley, however, check the company's financial health; they are NOT doing well right now...