I agree. But again, we have to separate ourselves from the MoCo "advertising model" and the average HRF member.

I don't care what MoCo builds--or even thinks. They lost me in 1971 with a spooky looking Sportster advertisement entitled, "Pull the trigger." They both denigrate the 'outlaw' lifestyle, but then sell black leather and conchos. Like my Dad used to say, "Just because you can talk out of both sides of your mouth you're bilingual."

(And to be fair here, I think all advertising is hype, not just ours.)

I've had to modify every Harley I've owned. I expect HRF members to be riders, otherwise I don't even know why they come here. And for average riders like me, there should be a motorcycle grounded in reality, and based on the simple premise that a human body has to sit upon it, make it stop and go while finding its performance enhances his life.

Hard to experience or see America the beautifull on 10 miles.

Going to a dealership back in the day 60's-70's-early 80's you experienced a close knit community feeling. Oil soaked wood floors and the smell of burning gas/oil in the air. Cool sh*t all over the place. When the MOCO came in with the fusion and chrome look back in the mid to late '80's you either complied or folded and there went everything that was cool about that..in my opinion. The harley shops of old were lined with decades old memorabilia throughout. It was informal and it was the coolest.

It was obvious the company was trying to get away from the cops and robbers that kept them in business all those lean years and catered hard to the yuppy scum and which they did with good and bad results.

I prefer the company of most HD riders to any other brand for many reasons. I do ride frequently with a Kawasaki Voyager owner but limitedly because he cannot get permission from his wife to go more often or further. Generally speaking when push comes to shove metric riders blow and suck. Yes of course there are exceptions to every rule.

Odometer miliage is a casualty of what happens when you ride far,a lot and often. HArd to live in NH and experience the Rocky Mts if'n all you do is 10 miles a year,lol.

With the advent of the EVO the MOCO has been selling HD's on the outlaw platform ever since. And I'm okay with that as it was cops and robbers(outlaws) that kept them in business in the lean years when everyone was following the leader...he's on a Honda,lol.

On another note....even Sonny Barger upgraded from a Sportser to a Road Glide at one point, not sure what he's riding now. Even he had the good sense to realize he was older and the creature comforts of a bagger was the way to go.

Once you go bagger you never go back.