Royal Purple

Jake,

I completely agree. I started in investment banking, my first paycheck (and thus signing bonus) were immediately transferred to a dealership to purchase my 2006 HD Dyna Street Bob. I left banking last week to join a dealership in Fort Lauderdale as a business analyst (they had been our clients when I was in banking). At 24, I am very much one of the younger guys that loves this lifestyle. Harley has also started a campaign to attract our age group--it's called the Dark Custom line and ranges from the $8,000 Sportster Nighster to the newly introduced Softail Cross Bones.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me. I'm always up for talking Harleys.

Andrew
amrvette@yahoo.com

I was 24 when I got my Harley. I put an order in at my local dealership and waited patiently for three months for it to be built and delivered. In the mean-time I went to York, PA and saw how they are built, Bought my helmet, some t-shirts, boots, jacket. It was pure torture.

The day it arrived I walked into the dealership and saw my beauty sitting in the middle of the floor with a sold sign on it, walking right past. I noticed the dealership owners looking at me for my reaction. I played it straight until they got a surprised look on their faces. Bursting out laughing, I turned around and hugged my bike.

I love my Harley!!!

Interesting article Jake; I have some thoughts for you.

Last year, I finally bought my first H-D, an '04 XL 1200C. I got it used for 8 grand & have added about 2 grand in extras. I love it and wish I had bought one years ago. I'll tell you why I didn't, and why I think most other young people don't.

I'd say money is the #1 thing. For myself and almost every other H-D owner I know (I know quite a few) the bike is a SECONDARY form of transportation. In effect, it's a luxury - a toy. 8 to 20 grand is a lot for a toy. When I was 22, I was lucky to scrape together 600 bucks for a used Honda 650. I also had a car, and I'm sure you'll agree, you need a car sometimes to get to work due to bad weather.

Here are the other factors: Insurance. Big $$ here in Tax-achusetts. Full coverage and high limits for bodily injury must be maintained unless you're a fool - that runs about 9 large a year. Storage is next. You really think someone wants to leave a nice new Harley in the parking lot at the dorm? I don't think so. Owning a Harley and not garaging it is like taking a brand new Mustang GT offroad through the sand pits. When I had my Honda, it was outside my apartment building ALL the time and it SHOWED. One day I even went out to find it knocked over by some asshole. If it had of been a new Harley...well I'm sure you get my meaning.

Bottom line: I'm glad you are talking up H-D to the younger crowd, but the reason it won't work is exactly why the Buell's exist. Younger people want inexpensive, cool-looking, and of course, FAST sport bikes. Most young guys don't want a chromed out cruiser any more than I want an Ultra Classic at 42 years old. That's something that I feel is unlikely to ever change, in my humble opinion.

Any motorcyclist young or old, male or female, needs to pick a motorcycle that's right for them. Be mature in this decision as picking the wrong bike could be dangerous if it doesn't fit you. Having too big or too small a motor will not be safe. having too light or too heavy a bike will not be safe. Your first bike has a high likelyhood of being an expensive mistake as you will probably find out what you really like only after you get your feet wet on your first bike. A Harley Davidson motorcycle carries alot of tradition, history, character and pride for most mature Americans. These values are not prevalent among younger adults who will gravitate to faster, sportier, flashier and cheaper motorcycles.