Campaign Spits in Face of Fears; 'So Screw It, Let's Ride' (Harley-Davidson)

JSOnline ^ | May 2, 2008 | Rick Barrett

[kickonly88]

I couldn’t bring myself to ride a bike called a softtail. As a matter of fact, my Shovelhead stroker doesn’t have rear suspension or that new fangled electric start either. I have a buddy who’s into the older beemer’s and I keep bugging him to let me “customize” one of his bikes.

[Just another Joe]

I just bought a used Harley a couple of months ago because I think that gas prices will not come back down and will continue to go up, to a certain point.
I rode a bike, a little Honda 360, as a teen for three years, year round.

I learned the tricks and still remember quite a few of them.

[dayglored]

> I just bought a used Harley a couple of months ago because I think that gas prices will not come back down and will continue to go up, to a certain point. I rode a bike, a little Honda 360, as a teen for three years, year round. I learned the tricks and still remember quite a few of them.

Gas has hit $4/gal here (Upstate NY) and we'll see $5 before the summer's out, I bet. Might drop in October for the elections, but who knows... and I bet we see $6 or $7 in 2009.

Thing is, you have to buy a LOT of gas before the difference in gas mileage pays for the Harley. ;-)

That said, I'd do exactly the same thing.

[HiramQuick]

The best looking bike Harley makes is a sprnger softail. But alas this boy is toooooo large .... this 6’5” frame has never set well in that saddle. The old heritage softail has ben relgated to my child bride. 5’4” and she is comfortable for a 600 mile day ride.

My new (last year)) Screaming Eagle Road King has the extra torque and height/length ratio to let this 300 lb boy ride in comfrort and style. 600 miles and never fatiqued. Live to ride!!

[Just another Joe]

With 300 miles to work and back every week, if I can ride it 3/5s of the year it takes three years to pay for itself.
If gas goes up it pays for itself faster, if gas goes down I get the fun of riding a Harlry.
It's a win/win situation.

[Squawk 8888]

Hooligan ping.

[dayglored]

> My new (last year)) Screaming Eagle Road King has the extra torque and height/length ratio to let this 300 lb boy ride in comfrort and style. 600 miles and never fatiqued. Live to ride!!

That's a gorgeous bike, and yes it packs the extra punch for making those long miles a pleasure! I'm envious... it'll be a while before I graduate to that class of machine...

[dayglored]

> With 300 miles to work and back every week, if I can ride it 3/5s of the year it takes three years to pay for itself. If gas goes up it pays for itself faster, if gas goes down I get the fun of riding a Harlry. It's a win/win situation.

You're absolutely right. I hadn't figured on that many miles each day just to work and back.

OTOH, I'm moving farther out into the country this summer, and I'll have a 22mi-each-way commute, meaning 220 miles per week, so I'll be in that league as well. Huzzah! A good excuse  REASON to get a new higher-MPG bike!

[Biblebelter]

I know of two people, one that was killed, and another very very seriously injured on bikes in accidents which were not their fault, accidents in which they had no chance to avoid their fate. The roads are full of drunks, illegal aliens, and distracted drivers and if I have to encounter them, I like to be surrounded by some airbags and a metal frame.

[Just another Joe]

I know of two people, one that was killed, and another very very seriously injured on bikes in accidents which were not their fault, accidents in which they had no chance to avoid their fate.

I can only say two things.
#1 is - Head on a swivel.
You're right that there are a lot of people on the road that a motorcycle rider needs to beware of.

#2 is - If it's your time and G*d calls you home it doesn't matter if you have 2 feet of metal with airbags all the way around.
You will go if the good Lord calls you home.

[Bobarian]

We call that an "Uncle Fred" story. Spare us.

My biggest fear is dying on the sofa, watching TV.
Look, I'm all for managing risks, but you gotta get out and do some stuff.
If the good Lord sees fit to call you home, at least you did some stuff.

[zeugma]

Keep your bikes! Besides, we NEED Patriot Riders, when I see a Harley, that’s AMERICAN PRIDE rollin’ there. You bet, keep on through the fog Harley, it’ll clear up after a bit.

Amen! North Texas PGR here. Riding rocks! Wish I had more time for it. 

[HiramQuick]

Funny thing ... we almost sold the Heritage Softail with the idea I would buy the “geezer” Screamin Eagle Ultra Classic. That way the two of us could ride in “geezer” comfort.

But alas ... at age 54 I still have issues ...in my mind the Ultra is an old fart’s scooter. (pass the viagra,Vern. Or is it metamucil?... I get the two mixed up .... can’t tell if I’m coming or going)

But I digress. The dealer convinced us to let child bride ride the softail (11,00 miles), and I could push the old man image aside and take the Road King instead and we would live in happily married HOG bliss for the rest of our life. Very Very Very Smart Dealer.

She now wants the new Screaming Eagle Springer.

[dayglored]

> ...“geezer” comfort... But alas ... at age 54 I still have issues ...in my mind the Ultra is an old fart’s scooter.

Oh dear, I'm 56... but nowhere near reaching "geezer" status yet. I played rock-n-roll guitar with my bar band Sat night for 3 hours (and loaded/unloaded/setup/drove without help), stacked cordwood during the day before and day after, and still got in a half-hour ride at the end. A little stiff and sore, though, to be sure... ain't 25 any more. But "geezer" is still held off for a few more years.

> (pass the viagra,Vern. Or is it metamucil?... I get the two mixed up .... can’t tell if I’m coming or going)

Yeah, I do hear that. ;-)

Enjoy the rides -- sounds like you and child bride are doing just fine! Now if I could just convince my better half to keep riding... but our daughter loves to go riding, so it'll all work out okay.

[martin_fierro]

the company also is moving ahead with marketing that reminds people that tough times don't last forever.

[blackie]

You can have guns, lotsa ammo and a motorcycle - I do. ;)

[blackie]

Are you still riding as much these days?

[JoeSixPack1]

Saddle up, Screw it after we ride. ~{|:->~~~

[uglybiker]

Not nearly as much as I want. Although I'm riding to visit the folks in E. Texas for the 4th of July.

[blackie]

That’s what I like to hear ~ East Texas is quite a ride.