On Thu, 3 Aug 2006 18:49:46 -0400, "Scotty"
wrote:


"Frank Boettcher" wrote

Well, not a matter of image for me and I don't want it for
touring.
basic local transportation with a little fun thrown in.

Okay, just stay out of the biker bars.

I'm OK here. Most of the Harley owners are bankers, lawyers,
insurance salesment and doctors.


Every morning I get in my truck and ride about 5 miles one
way to a
trail head and then I run 5-8 miles. Ten miles with truck
mileage.
The bike would be more fun and less gas.


Good for you. Why not ride a bicycle?

I would except that the 5 miles is on a four lane, high traffic,
rush hour road. Not that brave.


Besides, most of those so called " tough guys" that I know
that have
big Harleys put them on trailers or trucks and haul them
to "ride ins"
Now that's really macho. And they couldn't run 80 yards
much less 8
miles.


So true. Most Harley owners keep them in the garage, but
make damn sure everbody knows they own one.


And it's a matter of perspective. When I was a kid a
300CC bike was
considered a "big" bike. Pushing 60, I want something
that is fun
without busting the bank.


I know two guys that own them, the 883. It was a cheap (
relatively ) way to own a Harley. You get to wear the
T-shirt then. IMO they are junk, especially compared to
other ( foreign) , smaller, lighter, faster, cheaper bikes.
But, to each his own.

Not interested in the T-shirt, but, truthfully I haven't done a lot of
research into the subject, don't know good from bad. Thought after HD
came back from their spiral down in the seventies, all the bikes were
good. Maybe not?

When I was a kid and had an interest, Honda's were the rage. No
Harley dealers any where close but the local motorcycle shop was a
Triumph and Cushman dealer. Then Honda's were first imported and they
took on the line. I bought a fifty when I was 13 to throw a paper
route. Quality beat anything sold in the US at that time. Maybe still
does.

So when you're stepping up from a 50, an 883 is a big enough step :~)

Frank