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There's Harleys and then there's motorcycles
Harley-Davidson does not make just motorcycles. They make Harleys.
Harleys are not meant to be comfortable. They are mobile pieces of art, complete with the embedded compromises.
The main duty is to be looked at, and to make sure they are looked at by as many people as possible, because you paid a ton
for it and the Harley accessories you added have caused you to take your date to Burger King instead of La Shapiro Restaurant.
Harley could make "just motorcycles" if they wanted to, but they do not want to. If they did, it just wouldn't be the same;
thats the reason an ole married dude in a SUV with a wife and 4 kids is lusting over your bike.
Jap bikes are on every corner and try their best to copy the Harley, but that's the ultimate form of flattery.
"Whats so special about owning a Harley? "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand".
"Your motorcycle is very loud!" "Its a Harley, if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand".
"Your motorcycle is very expensive!" "Its a Harley, if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand".
"Your motorcycle is not very comfortable!" "Its a Harley, if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand".
Once we recognize Harleys for what they are, we can appreciate them for what they are.
Theres Harley Riders and theres Motorcyclists; Harley riders recognize Harleys for what they are. Rolling Retro influenced
art, not just motorcycles.
These people appreciate the admiring glances they get when they ride their bikes; some secretly think of themselves as stars
from "Easy Rider", and they like to look at and improve the appearance of their Harley.
It is a work in progress, and this piece of art becomes their canvas upon which to express themselves.
Some new owners of Harleys use them as a personality; these people have little to no motorcycling experience, and are attracted
to flashy thing in the same manner as crows. Sometimes an avid motorcyclist becomes a Harley Rider; friends and family can
usually identify the warning signs in hindsight only.
Perhaps the biggest transgression these people make is to "Talk Motorcycles" when they have no experience with them.
Why do Harley Riders wave at other Harley Riders? The Harley Riders are of a family, brotherhood, sisterhood; its a kinship
that we feel. We're out on this highway looking for adventure and we face danger at every street corner. It takes a special
breed of person to brave the elements and the bozos out there in their cars.
We see someone on a motorcycle and immediately recognize them as being of superior intellect; if they are on a Harley, they
are of the "in crowd" and are undoubtably good people to know; after all, they probably sacrificed a lot to own a Harley.
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