My name is Wes and am 70 years old. A Harley-Davidson was on my bucket list.
I have wanted a dresser since I was about 10 or 12. I had a couple of uncles who were Harley-Davidson and Indian riders back in the 40's and early 50's.
As a kid I had a Cushman Super Eagle and a Triumph Tiger Cub. These were fun and I thought that they taught me to ride. In my mid-30's I owned a Honda Gold Wing. Thought I knew how to ride. Never was in love with any of these machines.
My two brothers were Harley-Davidson men. Between them, they have owned dozens of classic and vintage bikes over the past 50 years; flatheads, knuckleheads, pans, shovels.
I was busy getting an education, raising a family, getting ahead and never had time to get a Harley-Davidson bagger. Over the years I went to the dealers and looked a couple of times. Took a couple of test rides. Never pulled the trigger.
Last summer my wife (for 53 years) and I were driving to our home high in the Rocky Mountains whenever we passed a Harley-Davidson rider waiting at an intersection to turn onto the road. I made the remark to her that I guess I will go to the grave never having owned a Harley. To my surprise, she said if I wanted one, go buy one.
I immediately started searching the Colorado Front Range from Colorado Springs to Cheyenne, Wy. We looked at quite a few touring models. I ranted and raved at a couple of salesmen at dealerships. We looked at new ones and used ones. I finally found a bike in Cololrado Springs that I dearly love. It is a 1998 FLHTCUI 95th Anniversary Ultra Classic in perfect condition. Slapped down my cash and rode it home.
The 120 mile ride home into the mountains disproved what I thought was true: I knew how to ride a motorcycle. This bike is almost 800 lbs. (My previous experience was at most with a 500-600 pound motorcycle. And I loved the front brake.) At about the 100 mile mark on the way home I was at a traffic signal about to make a left turn whenever I had to stop to let an oncoming SUV turn to his left in front of me. At the great speed of about 3 mph, with my front wheel pointing left, I grabbed the front brake. The bike immediately wanted to lay down on its right side. I planted my right foot on the pavement, and with all of my might I righted the bike. The extreme pressure of my exertion broke my big toe, right then and there.
I have searched the internet, taken riding courses, and practiced much slow speed riding since making that trip. (One of my brothers off-hand told me "Yep, straighten the front wheel before applying the front brake.")
I am now the proud owner of a couple of thousand dollars of Harley-Davidson books. Have built an additional garage in which to house the bike. Purchased a new Kendon Single Ride-up SRL stand-up motorcycle trailer.
This motorcycle is wonderful and my wife and I enjoy it quite a bit by touring the beautiful mountains of Colorado.
I have wanted a dresser since I was about 10 or 12. I had a couple of uncles who were Harley-Davidson and Indian riders back in the 40's and early 50's.
As a kid I had a Cushman Super Eagle and a Triumph Tiger Cub. These were fun and I thought that they taught me to ride. In my mid-30's I owned a Honda Gold Wing. Thought I knew how to ride. Never was in love with any of these machines.
My two brothers were Harley-Davidson men. Between them, they have owned dozens of classic and vintage bikes over the past 50 years; flatheads, knuckleheads, pans, shovels.
I was busy getting an education, raising a family, getting ahead and never had time to get a Harley-Davidson bagger. Over the years I went to the dealers and looked a couple of times. Took a couple of test rides. Never pulled the trigger.
Last summer my wife (for 53 years) and I were driving to our home high in the Rocky Mountains whenever we passed a Harley-Davidson rider waiting at an intersection to turn onto the road. I made the remark to her that I guess I will go to the grave never having owned a Harley. To my surprise, she said if I wanted one, go buy one.
I immediately started searching the Colorado Front Range from Colorado Springs to Cheyenne, Wy. We looked at quite a few touring models. I ranted and raved at a couple of salesmen at dealerships. We looked at new ones and used ones. I finally found a bike in Cololrado Springs that I dearly love. It is a 1998 FLHTCUI 95th Anniversary Ultra Classic in perfect condition. Slapped down my cash and rode it home.
The 120 mile ride home into the mountains disproved what I thought was true: I knew how to ride a motorcycle. This bike is almost 800 lbs. (My previous experience was at most with a 500-600 pound motorcycle. And I loved the front brake.) At about the 100 mile mark on the way home I was at a traffic signal about to make a left turn whenever I had to stop to let an oncoming SUV turn to his left in front of me. At the great speed of about 3 mph, with my front wheel pointing left, I grabbed the front brake. The bike immediately wanted to lay down on its right side. I planted my right foot on the pavement, and with all of my might I righted the bike. The extreme pressure of my exertion broke my big toe, right then and there.
I have searched the internet, taken riding courses, and practiced much slow speed riding since making that trip. (One of my brothers off-hand told me "Yep, straighten the front wheel before applying the front brake.")
I am now the proud owner of a couple of thousand dollars of Harley-Davidson books. Have built an additional garage in which to house the bike. Purchased a new Kendon Single Ride-up SRL stand-up motorcycle trailer.
This motorcycle is wonderful and my wife and I enjoy it quite a bit by touring the beautiful mountains of Colorado.