New to the forum, glad to be here

Welcome. They ought to change the state logo from the lone star state to the hard scrabble state,lol. All joking aside you sure had a hot one this year. Its probably perfect riding weather now for you Texas doggies,long horns etc..

Yes it was the hottest ever as far as most days over 100. Got hotter in 1980 but I was on the road then so didn't have to experience all of it. We usually get quite a few riding days in the winter and Big Bend is always a good Feb or March run. I am riding my first HD, have always ridden metric bikes, had an 02 Kaw Vulcan that I put 84K miles on and replaced it with an 07 Softail Custom. Love It! Knew my Vulcan inside and out but have a lot to learn about the hd. It was really nice to put the metric wrenches away, never have cared for the mm stuff.
Thanks for the welcome.

Welcome to the darkside. I haven't always rode HD but from like 20ish till now at 55 I have. A motorcycle isn't simply just a motorcycle....

Ten years ago I might have agreed.

A few days ago my wife and I went to the coffee bar and I saw a new motorcycle magazine. There was an article showcasing the new line of Honda motorcycles that not only look like Harleys, but look like stretched out 'chopper Harleys.' The industry isn't even trying to hide the issue anymore.

Just as 20-somethings claim they are 'bikers,' and in their own minds they feel the past does not influence them in any serious way, it follows that the bikes manufactured for sale change in the same fashion.

You're right, a motorcycle isn't just a motorcycle. For some people, it's now just an "accessory."

Thanks for the welcome I will testify to that quote. My metric looked good but comparing the center of gravity, tracking, handling on slow turns (Uee's), and fuel consumption there is no comparison to the softail custom.

For some including me, my harley is a life style and defines who I am. I been riding since 13-14 and Harleys since 20ish. My father raced on the gypsy tour circuit in the 40's and 50's. Doesn't make me better but it makes me wishing for the 2 wheeled company of others of said same ilk. I have foolishly made concessions in this persuit and at my expense. Its okay, its probablky better just being me and my wife but I sure long for that solid got your back brotherhood of years gone by....where the word brotherhood was a word that really meant something and not just a word you said to sound cool like they do today.

This is the only forum I vaguely stay on and mainly because I have come to know Tourist as a been there done that harley rider. Over the years many posters on many forums have laughed,poked fun at and banned him because he spoke the lanquage of a seasoned and experienced life time 2 wheeled veteran and being they were what the majority of riders are today...thought he was talking crazy talk. Many of those on todays cyber cafe's spend too much time on the key board and not enough time on the road gaining experience. I guess its safer to be the tough guy on a key board....

In between I have come to have the realization from experience that today, not everyone who rides a harley is a good person or a stand up dude/dudette, mark that down in your head some where. Contrary most who ride today I have found are a higher level of poser, a sidewalk commando with the money for a big twin and apparently that income buys them an unwarranted and undeserved street cred. Mid life crisis,first bike,late 30's, 40-50 something,yuppy know it all (lets face it they don't give HD's away). They stick out like a sore thumb....fingerless gloves,doo rag, brand new with perfectly placed patched vest(HOG) and every freaken bell and whistle chrome do dad enthusiastically displayed in all its glimmering glory riding a 5 year old bike with 28-3500 miles on it,lol!!

I understand you have always owned metric and this is your first harley. I hope you eventually come to the realization after having your harley for awhile that a bike isn't just a bike when it concerns the Harley-Davidson. I hope your transition goes beyond the do ragged,fingerless glove,lets do lunch, just add water and stir politically correct crowd. You wouldn't have really gotten the full monty experience if thats as far as your get.

One of the main reasons that I haven't gotten a Harley before is because I am not a poser and am not defined by which brand of motorcycle I ride. I never pass a brother on the side of the road, much less because of what kind of bike he rides or which patch he is wearing. When I was a teenager, Harleys and Indians were about it except for the scooters and motor bikes. If I walked up to you in person, you would not be able to tell what kind of bike I ride, no HD's sticking out, no shiny belt buckle or pins, although I do have American and Texas flags on my vest (about 3x5") . I do love my HD, but that is just my own relationship with my bike and I really don't care what anyone besides family and closest friends think. My doo rag has no logo and has faded from black to a dark brown from being in the sun. My leathers are worn and the brass on the shoulders is not polished, my bike is, because that is how I inspect it and care for it, not to impress anyone but myself. I am old school from when you shook hands on an agreement, you kept your end, no matter what. The word of some of these wussies today means nothing.
Speaking of life style, I drove a big fast long nose Peterbuilt with a big Caterpiller engine and 5x4 tranny pulling a 44' Wilson triple deck stock trailer for a few years and Bull haulers have a special brotherhood ,unlike other truckers, that is very similar to real bikers, we like big fast shiny 'cars' and never leave a brother in need of assistance. Bikers didn't care much for my bull wagon when loaded (always seem to be a spray coming from the trailer). I tried to help them around when possible. I agree 100% about the posers which is why, if a stranger ask, I tell them I ride a motorcycle and do not mention brand name unless I am asked. As long as I rode metrics, I got pretty good at spotting posers. If you are not riding a Harley, you get that 'down the nose' look like you are somehow below them as a rider and I wouldn't trust riding with one of those types for a mile. I rode a Kaw vulcan 1500 for nine years with family that mostly rides Harleys and did not hear a negative word about my bike, if fact, on family rides they always ask me to lead, not because of what brand of bike I ride, rather because I do everything within my power to keep us all safe, together, and out of dangerous situations
Next time you meet a 'bull wagon' wave or give him the 'all clear' sign, he will appreciate it because he is in a hurry, and give him room, there is some serious wind being pushed out from the 'pot' of the trailer and he is probably moving at a high rate of speed.
Life is Good, ride safe

Welcome to the forum.

I use to work for Allied Van Lines in my late teens early 20's. I realized real quick it wasn't for me. Takes a special breed of man to be on the road and away from home for so long, not to mention a good dependable woman to keep the home fires burning and being true.

As far as anonimity as a rider....same here. I have no stickers on my cars,shiny belt buckles etc.. While I do prefer the company of a seasoned Harley rider more importantly a person who is a man of there word. Like you, a mans word is his bond. Someone who can get from point A to point B safely. Someone who is economically stable ands takes care of his ride. I been on the road with too many riders who because of there lack of PM make you the victim of there negligence. My current riding partner besides my wife rides a 1992 Kawasaki Voyager and we tear up the road. We'll go to Lake Placid,NY for lunch...250+ miles one way. Or East Providence,RI... another 200 miles one way. Unfortunately he is 8 years into his 2nd marriage and is on a short leash.

As far as not getting a Harley because of some real or imagined stigma...well you can thank the posers for that. The riders who think because they are on a Harley they are supose to act like they believe HA do and of course they only know the TV version of HA,lol. A co worker who loves and rides motorcles wants a Harley but won't get one for the reasons you mentioned. His loss.

I'm glad you over came your mental block about a Harley but look how many years you wasted not owning the best bike in the world. You know..Apple Pie, Chevrolet/Ford/Mopar/GM and Harley by God Davidson,lol.