Shut up an ride is the simplistic version and short cut.

The long version and upon further investigation it has been determined that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Not this old dog anyways. I been riding near 40 years. Doesn't make me better, makes me set in my ways. And you too Tourist.

While I understand its a new generation of riders and rider technology, I refuse to be a part of or support in any way this Harley Rider new world order epidemic and plague of playing and pretending be Billy Badass on the weekends and towing ones bike there instead of riding it(I've actually met some who tow it,park and debark 20 miles from destination than ly about riding it all the way,true story). Or buying a used Ultra with many miles and lying that the rider/owner put all of them on. I see it a hundred times.

I have stringently participated and attempted to come to terms with this cyber biker phenomenon for 3 years and its a abort mission, no go.

Happy to have this medium outlet to stay i n touch with you Chico but will be heading your way next year. Want to check out the house on a rock deal in dodgeville,WI and get Scott Walkers autograph,lol..

Well, if the kids claim to like 'real bikers,' then one of them has to get out onto the highway.

The best argument and example you can make to cyber bikers is to show how the bikers of 1960s really turned out. We haven't been hiding out in cheap saloons, letting our hair grow, brawling and building Easy Rider choppers out of old pan parts. We grew up, some went to Vietnam, had families, bathed, got jobs and now ride bikes of a modern age.

If we go to the doctor now it's more apt for a prostate examination than to have stitches for a switchblade wound.

As for coming to my area, cannot wait to see you. Since you're a real biker, I'll make sure we have enough Ben-Gay, a list of healthy low sodium restaurants, and be assured that no one will even notice you repeating yourself from dementia. As for coming to my area, cannot wait to see you.

And it would be one thing if the new riders of today were interested in learning about "a way of life" rather than the shallow status symbol owning an HD has become for many, a signature of their abscent manliness and wearing the mandatory cliche outfit of fingerless gloves,do rag and azzless chaps.

How else could one purchase a 1998 Ultra in 2008 and it only had 2172 miles on it,lol.

Today owning a Harley is not for the economically impaired as you have mentioned. And consequently brings the word poser to a new level. Use to a poser just walked up and down main street in his home made cut,chain wallet,fingerless gloves BUT didn't have abike. Todays posers have bikes. On one hand its no big deal on the other hand...wow...disapointing in most cases. Everything seems to have become a Brotherhood of convenience. Words and no action.

Also and while the industry seems to point to these spaceship looking 2 wheeled Arlen Ness type customs.... the popular look and bike of the people is the old school bobber and bare bones rigid. Wonder why that is?

Me a real biker...again you kill me. I am about 7 years younger than you. I did not go to Vietnam but am a Vietnam era veteran. And I'm happy I didn't go to Vietnam. I have ridden non stop since 13-14-15 years old and not always Harleys for the first couple years anyways. While I ride as often and as far as possible whenever possible I yearn for more road time. And other than occasional weekends here and there I have avoided major penitentiary time. I don't consider myself a "Biker" real or otherwise. I am however a survivor of my many indescressions and bad judgements involving a motorcycle related life style.

I sat outside at the local HD shop yesterday while getting a new rear tire and an oil change watching all the different folks who came and went. I was there for about 2 hours and was fortunate to have struck up a conversation with a 72 yo tattoed from face to ankle old timer riding a tricked out and flamed V Rod. He was easy to spot as he was the one the yuppies who dominated the day at the shop avoided at all costs and sitting by himself on the bench. I walked up to him and introduced myself and complimented him on his unique VROD. He was a fountain of 2 wheeled experienced information and I enjoyed his stories.

Disclaimer: My opinion is no better or worse that anyone elses, its just my opinion.

I consider you a biker in the same regard as I consider a Wing Dinger a real biker. Granted, your era might be different from mine, and even our machines are different. But a biker is, duh, a guy who rides a bike.

But an old school biker threw a leg o'er for the same reason you did. I think bikers are born, not made, and at the end of the day a 'real biker' is secure in his own skin, he wears what he wants, he modifies his bike to suit his riding style and he goes out onto the highway!

BTW, little Spinner might have starter problems, so she went into winter storage a bit early this week. I talked to my wrench, and he wants to pull the primary off and check the electrical system while he has the time. He might as well put the oil cooler on, slip on the new cover and tuck her in for a long winter's nap.

Betty and I hit the highway today--and to paraphrase Meat Loaf--much like "a battering ram." I put on +100 miles before I even got comfortable on the seat. Yikes, the miles flew by. I think I passed my 'lost road' but I could not find the turn off, the road just crossed over the slab seemingly as I remembered.

Oh, BI63, I think I might be able to give your observation some perspective. Let's say you came here on a Greyhound Bus. I took out Spinner, and you drove Betty. It might not be your perfect bike, but you would understand that her modifications were made for solid reasons, not just the passing style of a craze. That's the difference.

For now anyways and as long as I am safely able, I will be riding my motorcycle out to Madison,WI, a 1000 mile one way destination. I'll take my time averaging 400 maybe 500 miles a day depending on weather and how I feel, sometimes less,sometimes more. Ultimately my objective is the Rock house in Dodgeville but will stay over night in Madison at some Holiday Inn, Best Western or Comfort Suite to meet with you and yours for beverages of our choice and maybe even dinner at some prefered bistro that you are aware of? I'm looking forward to it. Nothing like a little ride with a worthy objective,eh. It'll be fun.

Well, I'm always home. Thirty year mortgage and the knives don't sharpen themselves.

Stay in a hotel? Yikes, man. I got a house. You can stay in the garage, it's dry there...

As we get closer I'll get you the traveling itinerary.

And no offense I'll pass on the garage and I know you're joshing. At my age hotels allow for rejuvenation for next days ride. Cushy bed, hot shower, A/C,TV and with any luck a bar/restaurant inhouse..woo hoo!

...joshing...?

It's a really nice garage.

I appreciate the offer and I'm sure its nice enough Tourist but you know how it is being on the road.....we have a drill where we are up at the crack of dawn loading up,packing down and getting breakfast. We will make it a point to definately get to Madison and call you when we get there. Looking forward to it.

This is what I look like these days:

Who's the big guy with the beard next to you?