After a lifetime of wanting a big Harley Touring bike, I finally bought one in April of 2013. Ive been riding motorcycles continuously since I was 12 years old, but never a Harley. Many factors some practical, some financial, and some cultural played into the decision. I grew up around Harleys and BMW's. The cultures that embrace those machines are like oil and water. I am no wanna be bad ass, nor have I done a Ewan McGregor and ridden my GS around the world, although I'd like to.
I bought a Road King because it is HD's nicest, classic motorcycle. It has a removable windshield, a chill, laid back riding position, and I love the look and feel of it. It was an easy decision to say I want one. Reliability and cost issues were an easy no, Im not going to throw big money at one, when I can get a better motorcycle, cheaper. Turning 40 made me realize that I had always wanted one, and if I did not like it, I could sell it, but if I did not get one, I'd always feel like I let social pressure to not ride a Harley get to me. Its a really nice brand new antique motorcycle. And its fun to ride.
I rode the bike 17,900 miles from April to October. Aside from a minor leak, it performed flawlessly. I bought the Classic, which came with spoke wheels, leather bags, and nice pinstripe. After a year the pinstripe had been beaten to death by rocks, the tank had a big chip in it, and the white walls just always looked grungy. Other than that, I love the bike. Ive ridden it to Canada several times, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and all over Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine. Its just goes and goes and goes..
Convinced that I'm going to keep it, I did a silly thing, I traded it in for a new one with mag wheels and hard locking luggage. The new Rushmore bikes have a lot of small incremental improvements not worth taking the depreciation hit over, but the wheels, tires, hard bags, and bigger cam would have cost 2/3 what I paid to trade it in. And, I rolled the miles back to zero..
For the past month the bike has been sitting in storage at the dealer while we get the most snowfall we've had on record. Another storm is predicted for Saturday.
I have been elected president of the Yankee Beemers Motorcycle club.. the epitome of "Born to Be Mild" old guys on touring rigs that ride and ride and ride.. I have had to learn to just smile when they say things like "you are still gonna wear a helmet, right?"
Be yourself, ride your own ride.
For reference, here is a document I found on the Cam Profile of the new 103 HO cam. And a pic of my 2013 Road King Classic the day I picked it up. I'll post a pic of my new, 2014 Road King when it stops snowing.
