I'm 24 and Single... Is buying a Harley a terrible idea?

The short answer is: No. No it's not a bad idea to buy a Harley, no matter what age you are (IMHO of course).

Over the years working for FX Caprara Harley-Davidson (and other H-D Dealerships) I've heard the term "geezer glide" when younger generations refer to Harley motorcycles.

Or how they can't even think of owning a Harley because they're sssooo expensive.

Put yourself here....

Still, they stare at our bikes with that dreamy look in their eyes. 

I tell them they can through a leg over and sit on the bike they're drooling over, and when they do, I hear "Oh, this is nice!"

Growing up in Northern California, Harley-Davidson motorcycles were everywhere. Relatives, friends and then co-workers all had them and I thought to myself that they must have been rich. 

But once I graduated college I realized that all my "Harley Relations" had just made the feeling of being free (the feeling we all get from riding) a priority in their lives.

Let me see if I can elaborate on what it's like to ride:
When I'm riding my motorcycle, and it sounds cliche to say this, but I really am FREE... 

I am at one with my universe and everything else (stress, troubles & worries) just melt away. 

I am flying without having to grow wings. 

We believe you can fly too....

I am alive with every fiber of my being. 

So, how do you know if owning a Harley is your priority? Two questions to help you decide:

1. First, there's the cold math of if you've got the money. But luckily you can often find "Previously Enjoyed" Harley-Davidson Motorcycles for under $10K. And sometimes dealers have "No Money Down, No Payments for 90 Days" finance deals (like this one).
2. Then there's the emotional side: You should want to travel and have fun.

Ready to go on? 

Now that you realize you want to live life on two wheels, there are some things to consider:

• Motorcycling is a sport that requires focus, mental dexterity and agility. If you're wanting to ride to impress others or race the other guy to the next stop light, then you're in it for the wrong reasons. As long as you keep your ego in check and understand how and where a motorcycle operates, you will lower the chance of being "young & dumb."
• The best way to get the "M" endorsement on your license is to take the Basic Riders Course through a MSF Certified School. You'll learn things you didn't even know you needed to know, you'll be better behind the wheel of your car, you'll lower your insurance rates, and (as long as you pass) you won't have to re-test at the DMV.
• Gear to Stay: Having the proper riding gear can make or break

  

  Full Gear, not Fool's Gear

  you -literally. DOT Helmet, over-the-ankle boots, jeans and a nylon jacket are all highly recommended. If you don't have the gear already, factor this in on Step 1 above.

Next comes finding the right first bike. 

If you know anyone who rides, you can  ask them to help you..... as long as they're not a snob about it, you'll be fine.

And of course, there's always Google...

When it comes to your first love on two wheels, I suggest remembering:

• Size matters: you should be able to pick the bike up off its kick stand and sit comfortably with both feet flat on the ground. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are great in this regard because they can be made to fit you: change the seat and lowering the shocks can get you closer to the ground; or if you need to stretch out, extended controls and changing out the seat will allow that to happen.
• No PDQ about it: Motorcycles will give you the most bang for

  

  V-Rod Muscle

  your buck performance wise- but your first bike doesn't necessarily need to have 125 hp right out of the box (like the V-Rod Muscle). Start with a Street 750 until you get a couple thousand miles under your belt, then upgrade. If your riding friends quip about how bored you're going to be with a smaller motor, ignore them. This is about you. (Remember what I said about ego?)
• Money is no object: So you've got Step 1 covered and wish to buy the bike of your dreams before that "M" is dry on your license. You do realize that your first bike is going to be  dropped & stalled more times than you'll admit to anyone, right? Learn to ride first, decide the type of riding you prefer (long distance, around town, all the above), put those miles on, then get the bike of your reality.
• Feeling the Age: Your clothes -vintage. You frequent antique
  
  shops and estate sales. And your friends frequently describe you as being an "old soul." So you might be thinking of going kickstart shovelhead for your first Harley. I implore you to think again. Yes, old school is great, but older motorcycles are prone to mechanical failure, parts are hard to find, and you're not a mechanic by trade. You want to be riding, not wrenching. Then see how much motorcycle technology has advanced in the past 10 years alone: electric start, fuel injection, ABS, rider aids are all there for a fun and safer ride than your grand-dad had. You'll want to get a modern, reliable bike from a trusted H-D Dealership. 

So to recap: it is a great idea to own a Harley. Sure ownership comes with responsibility- you should be able to afford it and take care of your motorcycle with routine maintenance. 

Just remember the rewards that also come along with Harley ownership are sssoooo worth every penny. 

Among which are a life worth living, 

liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

3 Things Every Harley Owner Should Be Doing For Their Bike

"Being an owner means being responsible," is one of the things my Dad used to say, and it makes sense. As an owner you should be vigilant and watch for early warning signs to help prevent major disasters later on.

This is true if you are responsible for an animal - you have your dog/cat vaccinated to prevent him or her from getting sick. If you own a house and ignored that the furnace was going out or the roof leaked, you know you'll be into spending some serious money to get them fixed.

I asked Chad, our Service Manager at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson, what are the 3 things he wished Harley owners would do for their bikes, and here's what he said:

Battery Tender

Sure you need it during the winter when your bike is hibernating and the snow is falling. But even in the warmest summer months, if you're not riding for even a week or two, it's a good idea to plug your bike in. 

Brake Service

Everybody loves to go fast, but forget that it's just as important to be able to stop when you need to. If you have your bike routinely maintained (like your owners manual says in the back), you'll be fine. (Are you maintaining your ABS?) The very worn brake pads above are mine, off my bike, while she was getting her 50K mile service.

Tire Pressure

We had a customer bring his bike in for service, swearing up & down that the wheel bearings were gone in his front tire. What was the actual problem? His tire pressure was about 12 pounds under what it should be. If he had just bothered to check he could've saved himself a bit of money.

Doing these three things is not a guarantee that your bike won't need service or repair later on. But it will help you to get to know your bike better and possibly prevent major damage down the road.

Are you maintaining your ABS?

No matter what your summer beach body looks like, you  
should know that ABS (aka Anti-Lock Braking System) - if you have it - is important. (I apologize if you were hoping this blog was going to talk about abdominal muscles!)

Do you know if your bike has ABS? The technology has been around since 2005 in Harley-Davidson Touring & Police models, V-Rod models got it in 2008, and today ABS is an option (if not standard) for every 2-wheeled motorcycle Harley makes. 

Look for the ABS module in the space in front of the motor, between the down tubes of your bike's frame, just behind the front wheel.

Or check out your front brake caliper - there will be a wire running alongside the brake line.

Still not sure if your bike has ABS? Just type your bike's VIN into FXCHD's "Contact Us" webpage and I'll look it up for you.

Ok, so back to maintenance: the memories made while riding your motorcycle will last a lifetime! The brake fluid.... not so much!! It is right in the H-D owner's manual that you should have your brake fluid changed every two years - no matter what your riding style is.

Regardless of who made your motorcycle, your bike will take care of you as much as you take care of it. Changing your brake fluid is part of the cost of properly maintaining your bike - just like oil & filter changes, brake pads, tires, etc.

That's because the "brake fluid ages and absorbs water over time. This reduces its performance and ability to protect the internal components of the brake system. If left unaddressed, it may eventually lead to a loss of brake function." <directly from Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. (it don't get more official than that!!)

And, unless you're a certified mechanic with the necessary 
tools, specifically Digital Tech II, and knowledge to replace your brake fluid as recommended, I urge you to take your bike to your local authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. 

This is where that old saying comes in: If you think it's expensive to hire an expert, try hiring an amateur. Going fast is fun, but being able to stop when you want is necessary for motorcycle riding. Hire the expert and have us service your bike.