Gonna get another bike!

[Lloyd Smale]

always good for a chuckle by the way i dont recall mentioning your name lmao. you can have this one now. im sure richard is getting a bike even though he had to wade through all the posters peeing themselves. by the way in case you dont know that was what this thread was about. he didnt ask for lectures on endangering his familys well being or cheap shots FROM THE CHEAP SEATS!

Yep 95 percent of your posts are pure B.S. and I didn't mention your name. You must have a guilty complex along with your other wondrous b.s. for what you stand for.

[Goldie]

Uh maybe if you could retain something in your thick skull he specifically asked
For criticism, per his own words.  Maybe you should read his first post!

[Dee]

I don't think one single poster tried to discourage Richard from buying a motorcycle, but a pleasant thread was sure turned into a less than enjoyable sh!+ show. 

[Casull]

gosh my feelings are hurt! another thing i live in fear of   nobodys trying to force anyone to ride but to try to say im a worse parent or spouse because i do is ridiculous. to say im rolling the dice with death or being maimed every time i ride is comical. I BELITTLED NO ONE if you took offense to MY OPINON then you might want to look in the mirror. As to me taking care of my family ill bet a dime to a 100 bucks my family will be left in as good of shape or better if i die than anyone here. i worked hard at dangerous jobs that most of you wouldnt or couldnt do, you think hanging off a 100 foot pole working 365000 volts (sorry if this bothers you)at the end of a stick is any safer than driving my bike down a 2 lane road LMAO!! I gave my family a great life and invested to make sure they would be comfortable if i died (sorry if this bothers you). id bet a good many here wont leave their wife anything but social security, so which of us is really concerned about the welfare of our family if we were to die? Ill continue to ride until I FEEL i cant. when i die at my funeral they will say i lived. God gave me a second chance back in the 70s and i could have coasted on disability for the rest of my life eating chips and watching tv (sorry if this bothers you)! but i swore right there that i WOULDNT BE A DRAG on my family and i would try to live every minute the best i could. if a boring life in a bubble is your choice than have at it. but dont come here telling me that im being selfish for enjoying my life!! if i made a personal attack in this thread bill would have removed it. now your post is nothing but a personal attack and not one thing i posted in this thread was even in reply to you. But Bill doesnt need to delete it because i can sure defend myself and dont loose a minute of sleep because you dont like me maybe lighten up a bit id hate to see anyone here have a heart attack and leave their wives in line for snap cards!

i chuckle at some who think a motorcycle is a trip to sure death or being crippled for life. its those that dont and never rode that preach that so it is unfounded fear. at least 3 of us here are long time hard core riders, richard. dee and myself. none of us are dead or maimed from it. myself ? im messed up from my time in the service. does that mean every young adult should avoid the service. hell no! id do it all again even knowing the outcome!

people killed every day in their cars.  hundreds if not thousands of times more than on bikes. myself? ive been injured twice by car wrecks that had me overnight in the hospitaldid you park that to protect your family? so where do you draw the line between living and living in fear. if you dont like riding, fine , just dont. but dont lecture me on endangering my familys welfare because i do. look around next time your out and about. probably 75% of the people you see riding motorcycles are gray haired old coots like us. most of them even have both legs dont know what some of you would do up here if you had to drive to work in a snow storm or drive the roads up here that are ice covered at least 2 months a year, MUCH more dangerous to drive your car on than riding your motorcycle on the same road in the summer. yet 80 year old women do that every day.

only family financially tied to me anymore is my wife. shed be better off for money if i died. taking care of someone injured? shes been doing that for 40 years and through 13 of my 21 surgerys. she knew that when she signed up. here it is. i MIGHT have 10 more years. maybe a few more than that not capable of really living. 10 years as we all know is a blink of an eye, do you really think im going to give up something i love for the last bit of time on earth because im afraid that 10 years might be cut to 8. my dad died at 89. he was overweight but strong. he laughed at me for working out 3 times a week but understood it was needed to overcome my injuries so i could actually live. he had high blood pressure and high cholesteral. doc put him on a diet once, it lasted 3 days! he said if eat rabbit food instead of steak and potato gave him 3 extra years in a nursing home he didnt want it. he ate what he wanted and even had a couple beers a day at the VFW till 2 days before he died.

 Are you overweight? Do you eat toffu for supper or steak? if your not eating totally healthy, working out 3 times a week, walking 2 miles a day dont have perfect blood pressure and cholesterol arent you rolling the dice that you might leave your wife a widow or taking care of a stroke or heart attack victim? tell me how that risk is justified but riding a (censored word) motorcycle to the hardware store is gambling with my familys security??? lets compare deaths in this country from heart attacks and strokes and diabetes and other health problems self inflicted by people to those who die in bike accidents. you still have the samw waist size as you did in your 20's? I do. So who is putting their family in danger?  make you a deal i wont lecture you on that steak or buger your throwing on the grill today if you dont lecture me on riding my bike to town to see the parade before i throw steaks on the grill. heck im lucky if i see tommarow after this risky 4th .

cant hide from death. you were dying the day you were born and God knew the exact date before your ma even got pregnant. you cant change it or stop it by changing your life. So ill live ths blink of the eye God gave me on earth. id much rather die hit by a semi on my bike than by a heart attack eating lays in a recliner watching flipping tv. or sitting in some campground staring at a fire bored out of my mind. but how you do its up to you. Me? i never have and never will that fear control my life.

Being responsible about those that rely on you is not letting fear control your life.  I've been prone to that "bullet proof" thinking over the years, but sometimes you need to think about others.

Lloyd, you are the master of everything and the king of hyperbole.  I've owned a motorcycle, but don't anymore.  Of course you jump into the hyperbole and try to claim that it's just as, or more dangerous to drive a car than to ride a bike.  Bullsh*t!!!!  No one attacked you over your thoughts, but you felt it necessary to try and belittle someone else because their ideas didn't align with yours.  That seems to be your normal MO.  I've listened to your blather for a long time.  Sometimes I agree with you and other times I just find you to be a self righteous blowhard.  I know, I know.  You've shot more deer, had more injuries, made more money, shot more guns, loaded more ammo, lifted more weight, served your country more than anybody else.  I never said anyone shouldn't ride if they want to, but NO, you shouldn't belittle someone else for choosing to do otherwise.  Just get off your high horse and shut up once in a while.  I'm done.

My mistake.  I also forgot to list that you were the bravest, hardest working man in the world as well.   

[Lloyd Smale]

thought you were out of this one and only big and little dee were left

[Casull]

thought you were out of this one and only big and little dee were left

You're right.  But, it's kind of hard to stay out when you post a book about how little it bothers you and then continue to brag as usual.

[AtlLaw]

All right boys here's a pic and the latest. 

Went to HD of Atlanta today to look at bikes.  The fact that they were serving free BBQ and beer was a bonus!    And to make it even better, just about my whole chapter showed up to be there in support!   

At my Brothers' urgings I signed up to take the rider's course again.  I took one in '03 but as you know I haven't ridden in a long time.  It couldn't hurt... 

The Atlanta store is now owned by corporate and get this, the salesman couldn't tell me what they wanted for the bike pictured until after I filled out the purchase paperwork!    Upon hearing that, even if I was going to buy today I'd have changed my mind!  So I'll keep looking for a private sale or try a privately owned dealership.  I've located a couple of ST Slims that are private sales and they are newer then the 2015 pictured, with a lot less miles, and a lot less then the ballpark "low teens" estimate I got!

And Dee, that Slim model is perfect for me!  Notice my feet are flat on the ground even with my short little legs!   

[Dee]

All right boys here's a pic and the latest. 

Went to HD of Atlanta today to look at bikes.  The fact that they were serving free BBQ and beer was a bonus!    And to make it even better, just about my whole chapter showed up to be there in support!   

At my Brothers' urgings I signed up to take the rider's course again.  I took one in '03 but as you know I haven't ridden in a long time.  It couldn't hurt... 

The Atlanta store is now owned by corporate and get this, the salesman couldn't tell me what they wanted for the bike pictured until after I filled out the purchase paperwork!    Upon hearing that, even if I was going to buy today I'd have changed my mind!  So I'll keep looking for a private sale or try a privately owned dealership.  I've located a couple of ST Slims that are private sales and they are newer then the 2015 pictured, with a lot less miles, and a lot less then the ballpark "low teens" estimate I got!

And Dee, that Slim model is perfect for me!  Notice my feet are flat on the ground even with my short little legs!   

I know what you're talking about concerning sales. Every year they'd change everything up, and I'd quit. They'd call after about 3 weeks and tell me if I'd come back, I could sell'em my way. I quit 4 times, but the last time was when I turned 70.

You can get cruise control on the 2016s and newer.

This is my last bike. A 2015 Heritage. Changed everything butt the windshield. "Boss Bags", and changed all lighting to LED. I ordered the exhaust, but don't remember what they were. Did everything myself. 
The other photo was on Talihina Drive Oklahoma. Linda still fusses at me occasionally for selling that bike.

[Goldie]

Why I had to pass on Harley Davidsons antics and went Indian. Bought my chief in 2001 and was the best bike I ever had. Sure miss the old girl.

[Lloyd Smale]

always a bunch on craigs list locally and you can talk to the real owner. you can find under 20k mile bikes for 6-8k all day long on there. its one reason i decided to forget about the new trike i wanted. 33k and my 20k fatboy would only get me  6k. best prices seem to be on heritages. Son in law picked up  a 2005 with 42k on it in real nice shape a couple years back for 3200 bucks. it has 69k on it now and his only problem was last month he had to replace the primary gasket. heritage tend to go a bit lower probably because so many were sold. If i had to pick the favorite that i owned it would be my road king. that bike did it all without the bulk of a full dresser. should have never sold that one but like you thought i was done, that didnt last that summer!

if you want smaller harley has a deal going. you can buy a new nightster for  $175 bucks a month for 4 years than either pay a balloon payment then or give it back like a lease. realistically 4 years might bring me to the end on riding anyway. dont know if they will do it on the bigger bikes but if your looking at 4 more years it might get you into a new bike affordably. that said if i was shopping for a harley today id stick 8k max in my pocket and shop for a privately owned bike. heck check with the bunch you used to ride with. they might know someone selling one.

[AtlLaw]

This is my last bike. A 2015 Heritage

I always liked The heritage. And Linda looks happy!  BTW, I still have that picture of you two framed with the 50 cent piece! 

I had to pass on Harley Davidsons antics and went Indian. Bought my chief in 2001 and was the best bike I ever had. Sure miss the old girl.

I like Indians, Hi-ebber, and day is always a Hi-ebber, I worry about the number of times they have come and gone...    But my chapter President just bought a new one after his HD fell apart on him. 

always a bunch on craigs list locally and you can talk to the real owner. you can find under 20k mile bikes for 6-8k all day long on there. ... if i was shopping for a harley today id stick 8k max in my pocket and shop for a privately owned bike.

I forgot all about Craig's list Lloyd. But I've reviewed Facebook Marketplace and the Cycle Trader closely.  After that I decided I have two ways to go... wait, uh,  that doesn't mean I go both ways!!! 
Let me rephrase that, I have two options!.  I have a list of nice older bikes with respectable mileage for under $5,000.  Then I have another list of HD Softail Slims with low miles in the $8K range.  So you are exactly right on shopping.  With $8K in my pocket I can take my pick of bikes.
That settled I just have to decide which one I want.  I was so impressed with that Slim I'm going to shop them first.  In the unlikely event I don't have any luck there, I've still got all those 'under $5k' bikes to choose from.  Hell I can get a Heritage for comparatively little and, if I want to, strip it down put it back together the way i want it. All for less then half of what that dealer wanted for their Slim!

[Dee]

Nuthin rides,  or handles better than a Softail if you know how to set up the frame shocks.

[AtlLaw]

Well, I'm gonna start calling today on the 2 Slims I've picked out.  A 2020 with 13K miles for $8500, and a 2018 with 9K miles for $8000. Naturally private sales.

[Lloyd Smale]

good prices. amazing how cheap you can get into a used one compared to new, you probably remember the days of 2 year old bikes selling at or above new sticker price

Well, I'm gonna start calling today on the 2 Slims I've picked out.  A 2020 with 13K miles for $8500, and a 2018 with 9K miles for $8000. Naturally private sales.

[AtlLaw]

you probably remember the days of 2 year old bikes selling at or above new sticker price

I sure do!  I was amazed at the prices when I started lookin. 

The 2020 sold two weeks ago. Not suppressed, it was a hellova deal!  The owner should have deleted the add though.  The '18 model w/9K miles is available and I'm going to see it Saturday.  I told the owner I'd take it unless he committed the sin of omission about a material fact or outright lied to me.

The '18 model has the 107 engine which I wanted. 

 

[Lloyd Smale]

nice!!

[Bob Riebe]

     Here are three good choices:

     
      Schwinn Stingray

     
     Columbia Mach

     
      Murry Eliminator

[AtlLaw]

Bob, you and IG just tickle the hell out youselfs doncha!   

You guys are as bad as my Club brothers!  You should have seen some of their suggestions... 

But I guess that just means you love me. 

[gypsyman]

Just got back a short time ago, on the scooter for a little over an hour. Started warming up, stopped and seen an old friend, relaxing. Shade gets just right, pull it out of the barn and give 'er a wash up. You wont regret getting one!!

[ironglowz]

Bob, you and IG just tickle the hell out youselfs doncha!   

You guys are as bad as my Club brothers!  You should have seen some of their suggestions... 

But I guess that just means you love me. 

  Yes , we appreciate you Richard..and from me, add a helping of respect for your military service..

  Perhaps I just don't understand brand loyalty, but I change brands of any car, truck, knife ,rifle or anything that doesn't answer my needs/desires any longer

  At one time in the past, I was a huge Marlin fan..but changed to Savage when Marlin was sold to the "bean counters"..

  I guess if I were a Harley fan, I would have second thoughts over the below bit of snafu..  ..But Harley survived AMF; so perhaps they are good to go, once this mess is straightened out !

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvtfMYtpxh8

[ironglowz]

  An example jhow a corporation can go off all wonky !We have seen gun companies, farm equipment and other standbys do the same thing.

  I wonder just what causes a great firm to suddenly wobble on long held principles..

[Lloyd Smale]

profit or being steered by wet behind the ear exects that grew up sucking mas tittys that mistakenly think it will bring profit or have visions of grandeur believing they can change the world. not one bit different than in DC. matter of fact those politicians are their super heros.   

[Dee]

  An example jhow a corporation can go off all wonky !We have seen gun companies, farm equipment and other standbys do the same thing.

  I wonder just what causes a great firm to suddenly wobble on long held principles..

Having worked in sales for 2 big dealerships one of the problems Harley Davidson is having is the motorcycle market has changed dramatically over the years. Most of my sales were to older buyers. The younger group doesn't really care for the chrome and biker look. Plus, most don't have the credit having spent their credit on junk.
You can see this in their choice of blacked out cars and pickups, where there isn't any chrome at all. Also, most older Harley Davidson riders like to work on their own bikes, and personalize them.
Todays bikers don't know the difference between a Phillips head screwdriver, and a box in wrench. They can walk into a Honda, or Yamaha dealership and buy a 160mph bike for half the price of a Harley Davidson.
Harley Davidson is all over the map trying to satisfy both markets, and are failing miserably at it. Personally, I don't think it can be done. Look at the classic car owners. Don't see many 25 year olds rumbling around in a 66 GTO, when they can walk out of a Japanese dealership and get into a170 mph Toyota that handles better than a Shelby, and once again, for half the price.
Harley Davidson is trying to play both ends against the middle, and satisfy both markets. The older Harley Davidson riders aren't happy, and the younger crowd for the most part, aren't really interested.

[ironglowz]

  An example jhow a corporation can go off all wonky !We have seen gun companies, farm equipment and other standbys do the same thing.

  I wonder just what causes a great firm to suddenly wobble on long held principles..

Having worked in sales for 2 big dealerships one of the problems Harley Davidson is having is the motorcycle market has changed dramatically over the years. Most of my sales were to older buyers. The younger group doesn't really care for the chrome and biker look. Plus, most don't have the credit having spent their credit on junk.
You can see this in their choice of blacked out cars and pickups, where there isn't any chrome at all. Also, most older Harley Davidson riders like to work on their own bikes, and personalize them.
Todays bikers don't know the difference between a Phillips head screwdriver, and a box in wrench. They can walk into a Honda, or Yamaha dealership and buy a 160mph bike for half the price of a Harley Davidson.
Harley Davidson is all over the map trying to satisfy both markets, and are failing miserably at it. Personally, I don't think it can be done. Look at the classic car owners. Don't see many 25 year olds rumbling around in a 66 GTO, when they can walk out of a Japanese dealership and get into a170 mph Toyota that handles better than a Shelby, and once again, for half the price.
Harley Davidson is trying to play both ends against the middle, and satisfy both markets. The older Harley Davidson riders aren't happy, and the younger crowd for the most part, aren't really interested.

  It looks like you have it nailed, Dee..  I notice the long time riders are looking for very nice, low mileage, vintage models. 

   As a teenager, I occasionally worked for a neighborhood farmer who had a big, beautiful Indian 80 Chief;  a maroon beauty with "fender skirts"..kept pristine and rode only on special occasions..a 1940s model.

  He also had a smaller Indian..I think it was called a "Scout".. and a Harley that he said was a 1911 model.  I guess any of them would be worth plenty these days.

[AtlLaw]

Well I bought the '18 Slim pictured in a previous post.  I was really surprised how comfortably placed the original handlebars felt, but I'm still gonna put some apes on it! 

[Dee]

Well I bought the '18 Slim pictured in a previous post.  I was really surprised how comfortably placed the original handlebars felt, but I'm still gonna put some apes on it! 

Congrats Richard. That 107 is beyond awesome on a 740 pound bike. Be careful playing in the traffic.

[ironglowz]

Well I bought the '18 Slim pictured in a previous post.  I was really surprised how comfortably placed the original handlebars felt, but I'm still gonna put some apes on it! 

  Glad for you, Richard..glad you found "the one" !   

[Lloyd Smale]

thats the only thing i miss on my 96in fatboy. the 107 makes that bike. my 96 6 speed is about useless in 6th even with stage one upgrades. only thing 6th is good for is the freeway and im to old for riding there anymore. my 107 stock had enough torque to actually pass a car or go up a small hill without down shifting to 5th. 117 and 121's have to be amazing. been YEARS since i drove an old 74 in. id bet thats a real eye opener. i know even my son in laws 88 feals like its pulling around a boat anchor compared to even mine when we swap bikes

[nw_hunter]

I posted this over on the new Graybeard site I should have posted it here.  Sorry for the cross posting boys. 

I've decided to get another motorcycle; almost 80 trips around the sun notwithstanding. 

After 5 years of siting around doing little except waiting to die, I'm making changes in my life. As most of the old timers here know, after Kathie passed I stopped doing anything. Including visiting with y'all here at GBO! So, now I'm working on my attitude toward what I'm going to do with whatever time I have left. I started by posting here and taking better care of myself. Doing that and feeling much better, mentally and physically, I've decided I'm going to do more! More of anything and everything that strikes my fancy! That includes riding!


You made a believer out of me Richard! I just may get off my 80 plus year old arse, and take up riding again. Do they still make a 26 inch Schwinn Bicycle? "BAD JOKE" my balance is so bad now, I need at least four  wheels to keep upright.

I stopped riding years ago for a number of reasons. Now some of those reasons are gone and I don't much care about the ones that remain... soooo

I still won't be able to ride with the pack, nevertheless I'll be able to ride any other time I want! Like going to Club meetings/get togethers, out for a beer or just because I want to ride!

I won't be riding at night or doing any long trips or Iron Butts so I don't need a dresser like the one I had. I've decided on getting what we used to call a "bar hopper;" maybe something in the Indian Larry style.

I used to tell my Troopers, "death is not an excuse for failure." But in this case it's more like "at my age the possibility of a life sentence is not the deterrent it used to be."
With that in mind and as always, constructive criticism is welcome. 

[nw_hunter]

I posted this over on the new Graybeard site I should have posted it here.  Sorry for the cross posting boys. 

I've decided to get another motorcycle; almost 80 trips around the sun notwithstanding. 

After 5 years of siting around doing little except waiting to die, I'm making changes in my life. As most of the old timers here know, after Kathie passed I stopped doing anything. Including visiting with y'all here at GBO! So, now I'm working on my attitude toward what I'm going to do with whatever time I have left. I started by posting here and taking better care of myself. Doing that and feeling much better, mentally and physically, I've decided I'm going to do more! More of anything and everything that strikes my fancy! That includes riding!


You made a believer out of me Richard! I just may get off my 80 plus year old arse, and take up riding again. Do they still make a 26 inch Schwinn Bicycle? "BAD JOKE" my balance is so bad now, I need at least four  wheels to keep upright.

I stopped riding years ago for a number of reasons. Now some of those reasons are gone and I don't much care about the ones that remain... soooo

I still won't be able to ride with the pack, nevertheless I'll be able to ride any other time I want! Like going to Club meetings/get togethers, out for a beer or just because I want to ride!

I won't be riding at night or doing any long trips or Iron Butts so I don't need a dresser like the one I had. I've decided on getting what we used to call a "bar hopper;" maybe something in the Indian Larry style.

I used to tell my Troopers, "death is not an excuse for failure." But in this case it's more like "at my age the possibility of a life sentence is not the deterrent it used to be."
With that in mind and as always, constructive criticism is welcome. 

I thought I had posted some destructive criticism, but it didn't show up! Oh well! I'll try again someday lol!