Take a guess at my menu.
It's been a busy weekend. We've spent the last two days hanging with the Harley crowd. I felt like a child lost in a cavern. Visited two different Harley dealerships. So many models from which to choose. Big and small and medium and just plain little bikes. All I know for sure is I do not want a monster bike. Think I'll stick with the middle sized monsters.
Yes, I have enrolled in the Basic Riders Course. My first class is Thursday. Then the next weekend will be spent astride a bike. I will not make a purchase until I have my bike endorsement and am legal to ride.
I like what my friend, Duke, said to me last week - motorcycles are the modern day horse. I agree.
I did buy a new Boss helmet, and gloves. These are items, along with a few other things, I'll need for the class. I goofed and made my purchase at the dealership. I'm telling ya, those folks are awful proud of their merchandise. Expensive. I went with a half-helmet...it's hot enough down here and I'm darn sure not wearing a whole head helmet.
At the first Harley dealership we visited, Sweet Wife said she wanted a tee shirt. Said fine, grab one. She walks away and moves over to check out the helmets. A wee bit later she returns and whispers, "No way." I asked why and she takes me by the arm and walks over to the chick section and hands me a shirt. Its thin, wimpy even, and priced at forty-one dollars. The shirt is about what you'd expect to find at your local wally-world. A cheap and very poorly made Chinese garment priced as if it were holding space at Macy's New York birthplace.
I thought about it a moment and told her if she really wanted the shirt to ignore the price. Later, she walked back over and chose another shirt with the wings and logo of Harley. With my discount and registration in their class they gave her a coupon and she 'stole' the shirt for thirty bucks.
At least they were kind enough to grease their poles....
Excuse me. I need to again flip my fish. I see smoke.
Stephen
I'm looking forward to your report on the riding school; have been considering the one up here, maybe for next spring. My wife announced that she thinks we need a three-wheeler, and I haven't caught my breath yet.
ReplyDeleteWhen finished I write a report...but don't expect much from me. I'll be too dazed to think. Hey, buy the three wheeler. Life is short. Thanks, Bubba.
Deletedude....you are gonna learn that H-D means hunnert dollars...(just to walk in the door).
ReplyDeleteOk...first consider what you really wanna do with the bike.
Traveling? Road trips?.....Street-glide...
Not such long distance?....Road king....
do not start out with a Sportster. It gets real small real fast.
I myself have a Road king, FXRS (Superglide) and a Sportster. The first two, I do a lot of traveling on, and the Sportster....oh hell no.
In time, a collection of helmets will adorn your house. A half shell is nice....cool....until rocks fall from the sky in liquid form. A grasshopper can almost knock yer ass off a bike too, at the right speed. A full face helmet on a cloudy day is worth its weight in gold.
Great advice...and thanks. I'm leaning towards the (fill in the blank) model.
DeleteI will use it to commute, and weekend ride. I've already dismissed the Sportster.
Most here in Florida don't even wear a helmet..it's legal. So, even for me to wear a half-helmet and eat bugs puts me in the minority. I will get a full face shield for my noggin protector.
Please, any further tips are greatly appreciated...thanks my good friend.
I ride down in Florida a few times a year...down to Cocoa Beach, Orlando, Melbourne.....and I tend to always wear a helmet because....well uh....the people in cars scare the crap outta me.
DeleteFLHTC the only way to ride - Sweet wife will just love it! We had three of 'em. Warlock is right - the Sportster is just too small.
ReplyDeleteHalf helmet is good for fine weather during the day - just remember to keep your mouth closed and carry toothpicks.
Oh, and don't forget the Harley decal for the back of your truck.
So...what does the 'FLHTC' mean? I always carry toothpicks...thanks, my dear lady.
DeleteIt's the Electra Glide Touring Classic - One beautiful bike! And oh, the sound!
DeleteComfy, big seats, easy to handle and a smoooooth ride. How I miss it!
Did you catch those fish yourself Stephen?
ReplyDeleteThe fish look delicious!
My husband like bikes too. I've been trying to convince him to buy a trike.
Yes, I did...I reached into the case and grabbed those suckers with my bare hands...slippery little suckers.
DeleteThanks, Dear Sandy. And hey, tell the husband, like I mentioned to Rev. Paul, life is short. Go for it.
;-)
DeleteWill do!!!
Harley shirts made in China? They oughta be ashamed of themselves for selling non-AMERICAN made accessories.
ReplyDeleteMore than likely with as few textile manufactures left in America they can find a shop capable of filling their orders...it is a shame. Thanks, Erin.
DeleteDid Sweet Wife get a helmet? Fish look good.
ReplyDeleteNo, she's not yet sure she'll ride with me...give it time. Thanks, Mamma Bear.
DeleteAre we having a post mid-life crisis? Where will you mount the Critter-Gitter?
ReplyDeleteBubba, if I were in a mid-life crisis I'd be twenty years younger...the Critter will ride in a saddle bag.
DeleteFish for dinner sounds good. We are getting Late Summer Asparagus here now since we starting getting rain again. Never seen that before but I bet they would go with fish real nice.
ReplyDeletePP, asparagus goes very well with fish and I often serve it as a side dish. I like it fresh and roasted with a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper with a dash of vinegar...give it a try.
DeleteAround here the Sportsters are refered to a scooters. Darn uncomfortable ride.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of the Road King, but there are so many good bikes to choose from.
Now if they would only come in a diesel . . .
Seems to be the same here on the Sportsters. I may try the Heritage. Thanks, SB.
DeleteJust wondering if other Harley Davidson dealers fly the Stars and Stripes as large as the one in Gladstone, Oregon. Latus Motors Harley Davidson. On the corner of War Veterans Memorial Hwy (I-205) and 82nd.Dr.
ReplyDeleteI usually fill up at the Cheveron that shares the parking lot and when the wind is blowing, that flag is whipping and just huge. I sit there waiting and usually tear up. It is also so sad when they fly a equally huge POW/MIA black flag. It's just across the river from me and when I see it, it always just kinda hits me. I love this company for flying this flag. Back when WWII ended, my dad was stationed in Georgia. When he go out, he bought a brand new Harley and rode it from the base to home in S. Calif. He sold it about 5 years ago.
As a matter of fact they do fly the flag...shame you couldn't keep your father's bike...thank you very much for the nice comment....God bless.
DeleteStephen, good luck with your search. I happened on this sweepstakes offer while websurfing and thought of you - tailor-made, I think!
ReplyDeletehttp://sweepstakeshunter.blogspot.com/2012/09/sons-of-anarchy-harley-davidson-gift.html
Thanks, Kris...I went and tried my luck.
DeleteYou hit my peeve button. The difference between a good tee shirt and a China thin rag is the difference between a Hydra-glide and a Whizzer.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Jim...thanks.
DeleteI have been staying out of the whole "I want a bike" thing.... but I just have to say:
ReplyDeleteStephen, be careful.
Don't go get yourself killed because you want to look cool. Little Bit needs her Grandpa around.
Thanks, Bubba. I don't give a flip about looking cool or being cool or cool in general. Too old for that crap. I just want to scratch an itch I've had for years. Again, thanks for the concern and I'll try and be safe. God bless.
DeleteI never wanted to mention that I take my laptop into the kitchen with me. Flour on the keyboard is a regular at my house, but don't get Frosted Flake crumbs between the keys. I'm just warning you.
ReplyDeleteI use mine in the kitchen all the time. Great way to pull up recipes for those never before tried dishes. Thanks, Sweet Lady.
DeleteHey..Good for you..
ReplyDeleteHave owned bikes up until 2008 when I sold my last one, took the funds, purchased more guns to add to my 'collection'(Handguns specifically) and took my Permit to Carry course so I was legal...
Have pined and whined for another bike since then. What would I buy? What I can afford....which ain't much right now!!!
Bikes, like guns, can be very addictive....thanks, my friend.
DeleteSometimes we are overwhelmed with all the choices we have. Last summer I fell in love with a white Heritage Softail. An absolutely beautiful bike. Found one at the dealer and took a test ride. It didn't even come close to the comfort of the air suspension on my Electra Glide. Since I prefer really long trips I need the "cushion" under my butt. Not near as young as I used to be! For short trips I'd go with the Heritage. You can also go with the Road King which has the same air suspension and dress it up to look more like the Heritage. Whatever you choose enjoy the hell out of it!
ReplyDeleteSteve