My wife and I headed over to a not so local Harley Davidson dealer and I put money down on an 09 HD Fat Boy. I got a fantastic price on the actual motorcycle, $1000 over invoice and then I amp'd up the cost with customization. Here's the actual motorcycle I purchased as seen on the showroom. If you don't know, with Harley you have zero options. The bike comes in as seen and then you "add on" any parts or customizing you wish for an extra cost. The dealer/salesman did give me 20% off all custom parts and 20% off all labor, free first service as well. It really makes up for alot of ching! The first thing I did was changed the wheels. I'm not a fan of the solid wheels on the Fat Boy. Next thing I did was changed the paint scheme. Those two items made up 75% of the extra bill. I had to buy extra parts and I get to bring home the solid wheels, black tank and fenders all which they call sheet metal. He said most people put them on Ebay to recoup some of the cost. Here's what she'll look like afterwards. And a very good comparison of the before and after: I'm due to pick her up sometime just after the first of April.
Wow Rob, I remember sitting in the blind with you 2 years ago telling you about my old car when you mentioned wanting a Harley. Congrats!
Congrats, Rob. Just don't become like your title says. Stay safe, it's the "other" guys you need to worry about. Is the wife going to ride with you?
Thanks bud, I do remember that conversation and it was then that I told people that I had a 2 year plan for a Harley. Guess it's time LOL. Thanks, and yup, thus the backrest for her. :d And she promised me a T shirt for when I ride solo, it reads, "If you can read this, the ***** fell off". :d And I know all about the others guys, I had a drunk driver take a bike out from under me alot of years ago. A woman no less. Edit, well now, you know the doggie is a fill in for another word. You know, a female dog. :d
I had one. Right after moving to Wisconsin I bought one. I rode it for a year, as a true hunter, I hit a deer at 45 mph. That sucked, but I came away with a scratch on the knee, a hip that bothers me if I stress it too much, and a fear that I could not shake. Sold the bike. Keep the shiny side up! Stay safe.
Congrats Rob on a fine ride buddy that means you can come out to Wisconsin this year for the harley party. Just ask GregH how well that party went, good times by all. I like the facts they have air holes around the inner part of the rim. Without those I was told by my brother it was a ***** on windy days. Those Tshirts are probably the #1 seller around Wisconsin. Those new rims though rock. Gosh I love FB bikes! T
Sweet ride!!! Make sure you ride safe so we have you around for years to come If anyone else is looking I have a neighbor that has a softail if I remember correctly that has the fatboy tires and chrome galore. He is looking to basically find someone to pay the loan off and is eating all the upgrades to free some cash flow.
Thanks guys, with the anticipation of spring gobblers and now waiting on this bike, it's going to be a LONG winter season.
Congrats on the bike Rob,but do us all one favor when u ride. WEAR A HELMET! Harley makes some good looking helmets, please invest in one. I know it's not the cool thing to wear when riding, but at least you may get to ride another day.
I'll have to look up what the hell a set of Vance & Hines Longshot is, I know we talked about the headlight and that's down the road, and the saddle bags are removable. New pipes are down the road too. :d
Are you going to add a shield? Highly recommended my friend. T http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=7B7EAD98-D2DE-4970-91FD-9BDF3461CEC5 Long shots
Thanks for the link Peak, Jeff they are sharp. We started a stock Harley Fat Boy, it wasn't "wimpy" but most do change the pipes immediately. I still think I'll wait til my 1000mi first service. I'm not a fan of windshields either.
Rob the reason I stated this is from experience of taking care of the people who didn't wear a helmet. As a paramedic I've seen people die needlessly or become vegs because of nothing more than smacking their noggins on the pavement. IT can make a difference of walking away or sitting in a chair permanently. A few yrs ago, I had a 32 y.o. mother of 4 that rode on the back of a bike, and the 2 bikes in the ride touched, then wrecked. Everyone else had a helmet, but her. She fell off the bike striking her head on the road. There was nothing wrong w/her body except she had a closed head injury, resulting in her brain swelling and killing her. That my friend is reason enough to wear em, and stay safe. Peace.
I understand the concern and frankly I appreciate it "in da woods". I don't know if you remember but late last year I had a friend that a car pulled out in front of. He wasn't wearing a helmet and spent weeks in intensive care. The claim is, had he been wearing a helmet, he would have walked away with a broken wrist. As is, his face needed reconstructed. If we live in fear, we stop living. I will wear a helmet but it won't be 100% of the time.
I did not wear one all the time either, but I happened to be the morning that I hit the deer. It may have saved my life. I did not wear one every time after that, for the reason you have stated about really living.
Was your helmet scratched/damaged? One thing I am adding is after market lights that mount up in the engine compartment. They will light the engine up with a warm blue/violet lighting. I saw it on a bike at a customers house and immediately knew I was adding them to my bike. Also, does anyone have a heat/engine guard on their bike for your legs. This guy with the lights recommended it and I forgot to talk to the parts/shop guy about it?
Yep, big chunk take out where it hit the pavement at 45mph. Also ground my boots right through the leather so that it was so thin I could poke a hole in it with my finger.
GMMAT is right, do something about the pipes. At least have them take the baffles out, it will sound OK til you get a new set of pipes. Ask around, those that ride will give advice on pipes
