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17467.1
This will probably be the longest thing I ever type on a computer, so at least give me a break for some brevity on my part...
I have to say, it really makes me laugh when we kinda go at each other
over what model of Harley we ride..Let me say folks, that the MoCo doesn't
give a rat's ass about any of us after our dollars are in their pockets.
All of you agree on that. Or most of you anyway or you wouldn't be here
asking how to fix their mistakes and save money on maintenance. It seems
to me that their two basic agendas are getting you to buy their product
and then having to use their dealer network to keep your scoot running.
Along the line they make improvements to their product while ever increasing
your dependancy on them to diagnose and repair the thing. Not all of
this is their fault due to government regulations and a few thoughts
to your safety. Exactly how safe we can be legislated while still being
"allowed" to ride motorcycles is still going on now.
Their biggest concern is getting out a product for you to buy for their
bottom line. And in the mean time, let you do a lot of their R&D
for them. Nothing new in that concept. Every company in the world does
it to some degree. In almost every new model they have put out in the
last ten years, most are newer versions of what they did 40 and 50 years
ago as far as the styling goes. There really isn't a lot they can do
to re-style (is that a word?) a dresser or a road bike from what they
looked like in the 40's. The Heritage line is a great example. Doesn't
matter if it's a Twink or Evo. Styling is all the same.
The biker culture isn't based on how new or improved your bike is over
the last model. At least it isn't where I'm at. Harley has done what
it needed to do to survive. Sell Bikes!!
If I was concerned over how fast I could get from point A to point B
on a motorcyle, I wouldn't be on a Harley. Same thing goes for me as
far as working on my scoot. Folks post that they have 40k on their bike
and it's never been in the shop. I've had my shovel for 27 years come
September and it hasn't ever been in an HD shop. Only once to an Indy
to help pull a bearing. This doesn't mean I'm right and you're wrong.
It means we have separate ideas on our lifestyles. For me, sitting in
the garage with some tunes on (I listen to classical while I wrench.
Got a problem with that?)and smoking a little of Mexican import while
I wrench on what is truly the love of my life isn't work for me. It's
pure joy. Frustrating at times? Sure. So are your kids and families.
But you still love them. Same with me and Roxie. She is the force that
fuels my desires in life. This is why I consider myself to be biker.
Because my bike is my love and my life.
We all could own the newest and latest if we really had to. But why?
Who would we be doing it for? If all you want is a bike that never needs
repair or that you never have to work on, that's ok with me. Doesn't
mean yours is better than mine. Only different. With a different mental
outlook, I might be the same. But then, I wouldn't be the biker that
I am.
I don't care how many miles you ride a year. Hell, half the time I've
had Roxie I haven't even had a speedo on her. Mileage doesn't make you
a biker. Your attitude about your bike does. How it affects your decisions
in life. What you'll trade for being able to own what you perceive to
place you where you'll never really be. That is life's secret. Tradeoffs.
I don't believe I am better or worse than anyone else because I don't
care what your status is in your world. I only care and am concerned
about my life and the things and people in my world. And for me, Roxie
comes first. Trying to find someone in your life to understand this
is very hard. But like I've always said, I had Roxie before I had my
first wife and will have her after the last. She alone is my life. She
alone is my true love. I'm a biker....
Griz