I have been riding 2 wheeled motorcycles since I was 6. Started riding dirt bikes. Got my drivers license but was always nervous about getting a road bike. I was afraid I would try to ride it like I rode dirt bikes...all throttle and learn the hard way. At 24 I had an offer on a 1981 Kawasaki Kz 550. Traded it for a lap top and other miscellaneous electronics I hadn't touched since my deployment to Iraq. The bike had 16,000 on the odometer!! Finally decided it was time to ride the road. As soon as I got on the road all my fears of riding it like a dirt bike were instantly diminished. Hell of a difference..... Bonus money from the Army popped into the bank account and decided it was time to get a bigger bike. Bought a 2003 Sportster. Sold it last summer because again here I am on a deployment, Afghanistan. However, funds have allowed me to purchase my first brand new Harley. Im only 5'8" so I decided to stay with the sporty frame but upgrade to a 2013 Sportster 48....

Im from Cleveland Ohio.

First and foremost - Thank You For Your Service!!

That said - Welcome to the forum from sunny CA!!

Hey Echo_48,
Good to have you aboard! Thank you for your service to our country. Glad to see that you like the road. It is lots of fun. Like your choice of bike too. That 48 is a great lookin bike. Hope you have many years of pleasure riding it and enjoy the forum it is a great place to spend time.

Welcome aboard. Army/Navy/Marines/Air Force/Coast Guard?


At 5'8 you'll be cranking for a dyno or a street glide before you know it!! I'm only 5'7 and I ride an Ultra....its a bit more bike then I am tall but I get by okay.

Army. I don't know man, I really like the smaller bikes. Ill have to ride one and find out I guess..

Same here...Army.

Always liked those 48's. Stylish machines. I've owned a 1981 XLS Roadster Sportster and a 1996 Buell S2T.