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WEARING OFF

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  • boxa
    boxa
    5 years ago
    Can't help but think is the mystique of owning a harley wearing off  has  the popularity started to wane , what makes me think this  is the fact i know about 5-6 people who  are looking to sell there harleys ,  and more who just don't ride them much , some of these guys never rode much anyway  , but there was always the at least once a month meet up at the pub , mass ride to another pub    taking 4 hrs to do a 100 klm ride ,   ,  they just don't do it anymore , .

    I know myself   to be honest don't ride any where near what i did , i used to do around 30-40 thou a year , now  i look at my bikes and think don't really need you 3   maybee 2 should go  , one i've has for around 18 months now and only put 4000 klm ,  . I myself if i only had one bike it would defo be the Harley , because it just seems to have enough power , handling , ect ect for me , where the other bikes get 10 out of 10 for something and 0 out of 10 for others , the harley just scores a constant 6 for everything .. But i can't help but notice especielly young ens just don't seem has interested in the harleys , i think they consider harleys and there riders old dinosaurs , .

    Theres a local in my pub , over the last couple of years 5-6 years or so , e got himself a harley , and slowly but surely  the tats , and the pirate suit    have happenned ,  he does drive past the pub in his car ,  to go home , get his  harley gear on and come back for two beers , , arriving with the loudest pipes being revved , , and leaving with even more noise , the young ens just augh and say fucking harley dickhead ,   is  the harley rage fasing out  are attitudes changing ,,

    Personally i'm thinking about buying a bergman 650 , 
  • steelo
    steelo
    5 years ago
    Na. Just people change and have different priorities. I fell in love with them during a mlc at 50 and I expect one day, that’ll end. 
  • keith
    keith
    5 years ago
    I have been in the mining industry long term, and have been on a Harley since 1991, I have a bike shot 'Harley' as a screen saver on my work computer, a young guy [26] who comes in and out of my office asked about the photo ? had a short conversation on the HDs in general he was surprised I was a Harley rider, as I was with him when he told me he had been on a Breakout for 2 yrs and having the best time ever riding and enjoying the new circle of friends. Having a FIFO/ roster lifestyle makes an overnighter ride easier to plan also. Great to get out with a mixed age ride.
    I think doors close for some or open up for others, as Steelo says priority's change. Where to go next is the way I think, always a road out there I haven't travelled ? 
  • JFE
    JFE
    5 years ago
    I agree with the priorities change point of a couple above.
    Otherwise, less ppl riding HD's doesn't bother me. Probably a good thing in some ways, but yes, there's always a pirate with loud pipes.

    I'm still happy with my Dyna. Always something to be done to make it better but she still makes me smile. 

    I'm also for the first time in a while interested in what HD has coming down the pipeline for new bikes. Not saying I want one however a few years into the M8, some new tech coming online, EV bikes included, all interesting times!


  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    After the death of my life long mate and riding buddy it certainly has reduced my enjoyment of the bike and it does not get used like i used to. If i could get a decent $ for it i would move it on.
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    5 years ago
    I have been riding my FXR for 32 years and while the frequency is dropping off as I commute on a Sporty I'll never tire of Harleys (I do not even own a car...lol).  
    I was there before the yuppies and I'm still here.
    Must admit the volume of modern Harley's I see for sale that are 5-10 years old and have 5,000km on the clock just makes me shake my head - bloody posers!  .
  • imoo6170
    imoo6170
    5 years ago
    Great topic Boxa. 
    Reading a the posts I can relate to a lot of the comments - friend had a bad accident (didn't pass away thankfully) but certainly resulted in my riding diminishing. Also a bit of a change of priorities as I get older. 

    And loved your Pub story - I often go to a cafe on a Sat morning at the local Harley shop. It is interesting (to say the least) to hear the wannabe bikies come in talking about loud pipes, burnouts, how much power they are going to get out of their Harley (I am sure they are all straight line Charlies) - I just sit back and enjoy my coffee and listen to the experts.        
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    5 years ago
    Takes all kinds I guess, loved Harley's from a kid, Easyrider etc, I was young and impressionable aye, my older cousin's and their mates road British and or anything with an engine, I made choppers out of pushbikes, mix of dragster bits and all sorts, took me till 30 to actually own a Harley, owned and rode dirt and jappas mostly with the odd borrowed hog ride chucked in, was always gunna happen, when the Harley goes I'll be done riding, as for posers, they ride everything, it's all good, keeps the numbers of bikes on the road up and gives you something to pass if you feel like it :)
  • Wholehog
    Wholehog
    5 years ago
    I think in this day and age we are all so god damm “time poor”....With lawns to mow...Bits and pieces to do here and there...Other hobbies like fishing , camping ,etc etc etc
    Or is it a lot of our riding buddies have moved away or don’t ride anymore and our new friends don’t ride bikes.
    Personally, if I  get to jump on once a fortnight for a few hours I’m happy...sure I would like more ,but better to have a little than none at all.
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    5 years ago
    Bought my first Harley in 1974.
    Got ragged a lot over it, of some 50 guys in the club only 3 had Harleys.
    Then they got common and had some tough "Bikie"allure to them which is wank because the Aust Bikie culture that emerged in the 60's and 70's was built on Triumphs, BSAs, Nortons, Yam 650s, CB750's, Z900s and even Suzuki T500s. Harleys were rare.
    I loath the HOG club jacket/badge shit, I just don't get it and I’m sure it puts a lot of people off Harleys. 

    So nowadays us 60s/70s guys are ageing/fading, that's life.
    Bike sales are fading too, it's not just a Harley thing.

    None of the 20 to 30 year olds I know have any interest in motorcycles or even cars, surprisingly most don't even have a licence, they use Uber.


  • brash
    brash
    5 years ago
    A year ago my father crashed due to a medical episode (low blood pressure resulting in passing out at 100kph) and was in a coma for 5 weeks, he now has some brain damage and requires lifetime round the clock care. That was the clincher for me. 
    For the first 6 months I couldn’t even look at my dyna without wanting to throw up (literally made me feel sick) as the ptsd was just too much. I got out on it a couple of times but the love I had for riding was filled with a sense of fear and trepidation. I ended up selling the bike to a close mate and now Just stick to tuning bikes. 

    I might get back on another HD. But there is bigger priorities in life at the moment. 
  • steelo
    steelo
    5 years ago
    Sorry to hear of your story Brash. Hard to recover from something like that. All the best to your dad.
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    5 years ago
    Quoting steelo on 02 Oct 2019 11:10 AM

    Sorry to hear of your story Brash. Hard to recover from something like that. All the best to your dad.

    +1
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    5 years ago
    Shit that's a hard one brash, very sorry to hear about your dad. Hopefully you will get back in the saddle one of these days.
    All the best.
  • brash
    brash
    5 years ago
    Cheers boys. They say time heals old wounds. The flame hasn’t gone out yet, but now isn’t the right time. 
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    5 years ago
    Hey brash, sorry to hear your story of your dad. A hard knock for you but you will bounce back. 
    A dad wishes his son to continue contentment & enjoyment in his life. I'd say he is proud that you are a rider just like him, so continue riding in his honour if you want - only if & when you're ready.
    It's ok to allow yourself enjoyment. 
  • WideglidingNZ
    WideglidingNZ
    5 years ago
    Quoting brash on 02 Oct 2019 11:26 AM

    Cheers boys. They say time heals old wounds. The flame hasn’t gone out yet, but now isn’t the right time. 

    Yes time certainly heals old wounds, personally I witnessed my mate fall off in front of me on his bike into a crash barrier and lose his leg (above his knee), then my best friend was killed in a head-on down the south island back in 2002, It took 20years before I got another bike (my current bike '15 wideglide soon to be traded), The main reason to get back into it was because a few mates have passed and a couple with cancer, so thought fuck it, the strange thing was my 1st ride felt like my dead bro's were riding with me, I definitely feel for you brash 
  • JFE
    JFE
    5 years ago
    Brash, best wishes to you, your dad and family. Time helps with all things.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting brash on 02 Oct 2019 11:26 AM

    Cheers boys. They say time heals old wounds. The flame hasn’t gone out yet, but now isn’t the right time. 

    Quoting WideglidingNZ on 02 Oct 2019 06:22 PM

    Yes time certainly heals old wounds, personally I witnessed my mate fall off in front of me on his bike into a crash barrier and lose his leg (above his knee), then my best friend was killed in a head-on down the south island back in 2002, It took 20years before I got another bike (my current bike '15 wideglide soon to be traded), The main reason to get back into it was because a few mates have passed and a couple with cancer, so thought fuck it, the strange thing was my 1st ride felt like my dead bro's were riding with me, I definitely feel for you brash 

    My best mate who died rides with me every klm so fully understand.
  • Humbug
    Humbug
    5 years ago
    Quoting JFE on 02 Oct 2019 08:49 PM

    Brash, best wishes to you, your dad and family. Time helps with all things.

    +1
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