To Harley Or Not To Harley, That Is The Question?

[paisleywookiee]

Whatever you do, man, for crissakes wear proper riding gear. Having a Harley doesn’t mean your head hits the ground any easier. I obviously can’t speak for every state, but the amount of jackass Harley riders in Illinois is extraordinary. They think they’re invincible.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Damnit @la szum you’ve got me going down the cruiser rabbit hole. Mrs. Wookiee is gonna be pissed.

 

[la szum]

I love it. It’s the PRS of cruisers. :)

But I don't have a McMansion with a 3 car garage to park it in.

 

[la szum]

Damnit @la szum you’ve got me going down the cruiser rabbit hole. Mrs. Wookiee is gonna be pissed.

Haha! I don't have a Mrs. Szum, but I do have a Mom that doesn't need to know about her eldest Son's immminent mid-life crisis.

 

[la szum]

Whatever you do, man, for crissakes wear proper riding gear. Having a Harley doesn’t mean your head hits the ground any easier. I obviously can’t speak for every state, but the amount of jackass Harley riders in Illinois is extraordinary. They think they’re invincible.

Heck, even taking bugs to the face at 60+ MPH is not my idea of a good time.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Heck, even taking bugs to the face at 60+ MPH is not my idea of a good time.

Actually, it’s more than just a nuisance, but dangerous as well. I’ve gotten hit with at least a dozen junebugs, which feel like a decent sized rock hitting your head at 60+, and a bird that cracked my shield.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Also, Indian looks awesome too.

 

[SwirlyMaple]

I completely respect those who like 'em, but personally I'm surprised people buy Harleys nowadays with so many better-engineered, better-priced, better-performing, and better-handling options out there.

HD used to be all about Americana, but they've over-leveraged that image so much that it's kinda become a caricature of itself. Many of the people I see on them nowadays have one of those useless skullcap helmets (if they are wearing one at all), spotless leathers that look like they just bought them, and ride like they're the coolest dude in their imagination who took up motorcycling last month HD is now a "lifestyle brand," where you're primarily paying for an image... but is it an image people still want?

Just my worthless snarky opinion, no offense meant to those who love them! I used to ride a lot on dirt bikes and sport bikes. I stopped riding on the street when I moved to the city I live in now because I saw waaaaay too many riders in ambulances every time I'd go out for a weekend ride. Sometimes it was their fault, but many times it was due to other cars on the road driving even more dangerously than the bikers.

 

[la szum]

I don't want no stinking Strandberg version of a Motorcycle. I want a Les Paul version of a Motorcycle.

Appreciate the alternate views, though.

 

[la szum]

I stopped riding on the street when I moved to the city I live in now because I saw waaaaay too many riders in ambulances every time I'd go out for a weekend ride. Sometimes it was their fault, but many times it was due to other cars on the road driving even more dangerously than the bikers.

I agree completely. Two more deaths on bikes around here this weekend.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I don't want no stinking Strandberg version of a Motorcycle. I want a Les Paul version of a Motorcycle.

Appreciate the alternate views, though.

What would be the Strandberg of motorcycles? Zero?

 

[SwirlyMaple]

I don't want no stinking Strandberg version of a Motorcycle. I want a Les Paul version of a Motorcycle.

Appreciate the alternate views, though.

Lol, I can certainly appreciate that! Really hope you enjoy it and most of all, stay safe out there!

P.S. SwirlyMaple in his younger but equally-stupid days on a Strandberg (feel free to mock relentlessly):

 

[Iron1]

I've wanted to buy a bike on three separate occasions in my life. Each time, I got really fired up, started doing the homework/saving the cash, then either witnessed or heard about an horrific bike accident that ends the GAS right there.

The third time, and last, a guy who worked for me had me talked into getting a bike to ride with him. He left work at 5pm and didn't make it home 20 minutes away before a Toyota Camry crossed the centerline, hit him head on and catapulted him off the Harley. He landed about 50 feet away, but his left leg stayed on the bike. Thankfully he lived, but he was a strong, able-bodied guy who is now wheel chair bound for life. It's not a matter of "if" you get in an accident, but a matter of "when".

No thanks.

Now, I'm gearing up to get a Polaris Slingshot instead. Same sort of experience, and radically safer. Not that "safer" is a tagline associated with motorcycling lifestyles...

I had a loaner one last year for about six weeks and had a blast with it. Highly recommend.

 

[la szum]

Lol, I can certainly appreciate that! Really hope you enjoy it and most of all, stay safe out there!

P.S. SwirlyMaple in his younger but equally-stupid days on a Strandberg (feel free to mock relentlessly):
View attachment 7846

Nice!

I have a friend who takes his old GX'er and goes to the track to put down some laps
a few times per year. I think he is a little cray-cray.

I just want to ride at 25-55mph and look/feel cool doing it.

 

[la szum]

I've wanted to buy a bike on three separate occasions in my life. Each time, I got really fired up, started doing the homework/saving the cash, then either witnessed or heard about an horrific bike accident that ends the GAS right there.

The third time, and last, a guy who worked for me had me talked into getting a bike to ride with him. He left work at 5pm and didn't make it home 20 minutes away before a Toyota Camry crossed the centerline, hit him head on and catapulted him off the Harley. He landed about 50 feet away, but his left leg stayed on the bike. Thankfully he lived, but he was a strong, able-bodied guy who is now wheel chair bound for life. It's not a matter of "if" you get in an accident, but a matter of "when".

No thanks.

Now, I'm gearing up to get a Polaris Slingshot instead. Same sort of experience, and radically safer. Not that "safer" is a tagline associated with motorcycling lifestyles...

I had a loaner one last year for about six weeks and had a blast with it. Highly recommend.

Man, glad your friend survived.


I know it can be super dangerous. Maybe I'll just use it to go get Milk.

Not sure I can do the traditional Tryke or the non-traditional Tryke. Just not
the same appeal, for me. Not to mention takes up a LOT more storage space in a
garage than a traditional Motorcycle.

Haven't pulled the trigger yet, and may not for a bit. Teenage son needs his 1st car
before I get any kind of Cycle.

 

[-BOOGIEMAN-]

@la szum
I may be putting my bike on the market down the road as I will be inheriting my dad’s Road King. Space will most likely be an issue. If you’re interested, perhaps we can talk. Pics, video, FaceTime can be done to show you more detail. This bike is also from an era when there was an actual Harley or Davidson running the company or on the board. I’m going to wager I could get you onto a one owner Harley that’s been well taken care of for lots less than what you will find local or elsewhere, I’m not even kidding…

 

[la szum]

 

[TSJMajesty]

 

[TSJMajesty]

And my buddy's former Duece. VERY fast!

 

[duzie]

View attachment 8191

Keep the shiny side up !
Enjoy that