Meet the New Ride

What happens when you try to hold a Mystery Post Theater, and none of your readers participate?

You throw in an email that demands at least one participate.

So lets go back in time, just Saturday, in this post, I had a picture that some people might question when put in context with the third paragraph (we packed up my bike).

Before that, I had this post, where I asked for readers to identify my bike, out of a group of bikes at work - for which there were no takers.

Previous to that, I had a post about how the Suzuki was waiting for it's parts to come from Japan - and would be in the shop until at least May 20th (making it strange that I would have ridden in to work in the next post).

And, finally, previous to that I had outright stated that I had gotten a new bike in this post. Yes, it might have been cheating if I hadn't explained every other thing on the list was true (except for a technicality on a picture of snow). but I never offered a true or false for the bike statement.

So, out of desperation I emailed Cop Car, who was sharp enough to figure out what I had been hinting at right after I emailed her. I must admit, I didn't expect some of my readers to know the difference between what a Harley looks like and what a Suzuki looks like, but really - a fairing versus a small windshield was something that I thought was obvious (especially on a frontal picture). However, the biggest hint was that I said that the Suzuki was in the shop until 5/20, and in the next post indicated that I had ridden to work and provided pictures.

Yes, I bought a Harley back in late December. I wanted to make so many changes to the Suzuki (tunes, handlebar risers - neccesitating new cables, fairing etc.) that I thought maybe it would just be easier to get a bike that fit my new requirements instead of trying to make the Suzuki into something it isn't. Additionally, I was always reaching for another gear, that it didn't have, and I don't even ride highway most of the time. Sure, I could have upgraded the motor, but I was fast approaching spending a whole lot of dough and not knowing if I would like the results. And, I love Harleys, and figured maybe it was time for me to step up to one.

I also figured that this was the time that I could afford a Harley, what with the economy and all, and I would have to strike while the timeing was good. It was even better that I was looking at the end of the riding season instead of the beginning, as people are more willing to deal. However, I wasn't willing just to take anything, I laid out my requirements (changing the bikes I would be looking at several times), and sat on countless bikes at different dealers in the state. Several of the dealers were visited multiple times and one was visited every week since it was close to work.

I thought seriously about several of the bikes, but none of them "spoke" to me. I figured I already had a perfectly good bike (rationally) and I wasn't going to get one, just to say I had a Harley; I wanted one that although practical, as far as my requirements went, I also loved from the beginning. I was hoping to get a Street Glide, but they are immensly popular and have only been out since 2006, so I didn't figure I would be able to touch one within my price range.

I had been looking for several months and finally finagled a great deal on a 2006 Street Glide (WS was laughing the whole time I was haggling - he enjoys watching the dance). It started way out of my price range, I almost didn't make an offer because of the asking price, but was able to talk them into the deal I wanted. Part of the deal that I struck was that they would store it for the winter free of charge. That is the object we went to pick up on that Saturday, which didn't get delivered until Monday. Meet the Street Glide:

The weather has not cooperated, so I have only gotten to ride it 3 times so far; twice to work and then on Saturday. This week looks like I should get to ride several times, so I'm looking forward to getting more aquainted with my new (to me) bike.

Comments

[Cop Car]

Bogie--You just have to pick us up and shake us until our teeth rattle to get us to pick up on your mystery, don't you? You finally got us there, though, and congratulations to you on your new ride. Your Grandmother H would have approved of your choice - she would have loved the black! (I like it, too.)

P.S. You're a really rotten "kid" to make your mama look so bad, know that? *grinning ear-to-ear*

[Wichi Dude]

Nice ride. And I will admit being baffled about the "ride" thing. I was sure I read you wrong, as I "do" remember you saying the Suzzi would be in the shop long AFTER you said you went riding.

Either way, enjoy.