While automatic transmission can do wonders for a four-wheel drive, don’t ever think that riding a motorcycle is just as easy. Getting from point A to B  requires more than just firing up the engine and setting it to drive. When riding a motorcycle, you have to embrace the adventure that goes with maneuvering a two-wheel drive. Remember that a motorcycle actually weighs just a few more pounds than you, and in able to control it, you have to be “one with it.” Any shift in movement and body weight would result in instant swerves and turns.

Perhaps for a lot of people, riding a motorcycle is most appealing because of its thrill, with wind blowing past your face and your feet mere inches from the ground. Add to that the benefits of fuel efficiency as well as speed and power that only a motorcycle can offer. For a real motorcycle rider, however, it’s also about accepting all the risks that comes with balancing a two-wheel drive and taking on the responsibility for a safe journey.

Much has been said about motorcycle riders and what it takes to be a good one, but little do some people know that behind a good motorcycle rider is a high-performance vehicle such as a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Investing on a Harley

Harley Davidson motorcycles have been around for more than a hundred years. Apparently, what started out as a dream for creating the first ever motorized bicycle has become one of the most influential names in the world of two-wheel drives. Thanks to Arthur Davidson and William Harley, the world has come to know a motorcycle brand that etched its legacy based on engine performance, handling, speed and power, and its classic look. It also doesn’t hurt that Harleys are seen in many films that involve fearless riders and crazy stunts. Another good reason for keeping a Harley Davidson motorcycle is that it is one of the only two motorcycle manufacturers in America to have survived the Great Depression.
Top reasons for investing on a Harley could also be one of these:

*Flying high with a classic ride

The name itself is recognized as a seal of quality and high performance. Though modern brands have lured many motorcycle riders to pick their own style and performance-driven two-wheel vehicles, you could say that Harleys are bound to stay. There are BMWs that are built for high performance for almost any road condition. The same may be true for Japanese brands such as Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Honda. But surely, owners of any Harley Davidson would say that nothing beats the original and the leader in motorcycle engine evolution for more than a hundred years. When you say Harley Davidson, what comes to mind is versatility, quality, and speed.

* Picking a Harley that suits your style

For any type of road condition, may it be a rough road or smooth pavement, on terrains or highways, you surely can find one that matches your riding style and capacity. Currently, there are CVOs (custom vehicle operations), Dynas, Softails, and VRSC models to choose from. Owners of Harley Davidson motorcycles would also have to say that it this brand is best for touring and roughing it out on the road.

Not just any motorcycle rider

Buying a Harley Davidson could spell a world of difference for the type of rider that your are. The model and make of your Harley Davidson could tell much about your preference for speed, comfort, style, and flexibility. The engine is also a prime consideration for many Harley Davidson motorcycle riders and owners. For such as classic ride, you surely have to know much about tuning, building, and maintenance to properly care for your Harley Davidson.

Whether for street or race riding, any motorcycle rider have to be mentally alert and physically prepared for what could be an intense ride. As they say, riding a motorcycle is 90% mental preparation. This means that much thought is given to every swerve and turn you take. Many Harley Davidson riders are also known for their classic sense of style that goes with their choice of jackets, helmets, and other original Harley Davidson accessories and merchandises to accentuate their riding style.

for buying a used Harley Davidson motorcycle

Ride to be free but pay expect to pay a bit more for that special Harley Hog

Things To Consider When Buying A Used Harley Davidson Motorcycle by : Low Jeremy

Buying a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle is fairly easy. All you have to do is pick a model, visit local dealers, test drive the Harley, and pay in financing or in full. However, buying a used Harley-Davidson motorcycle is a different story. Since it is already used, you should be more extra careful in closing your deal immediately. Here are the things you should consider if you want to buy used Harley-Davidson motorcycle:

Motorcycle history

Since you are not aware of things that have happened while you are yet the owner of the motorcycle, you need to know its history. Here you will learn if it was involved on accidents or have been submerged under water. These information are vital since you want to buy a good used Harley.
Price

One of the reasons why you buy used Harley-Davidson motorcycle is because you want to save. If you are not aware of the current market value of the model you are buying, then it is time for you to make some research.

Overall Condition

Whether you are buying a 1978 or a 2005 model, you have to consider the overall condition of the motorcycle. Never disregard this since you will be the one who will take the whole responsibility of your purchase in case you have bought an ill-maintained motorcycle.

Exterior

Check the exterior or the motorcycle as well as its performance. Like buying used cars, you should check everything and test-drive the vehicle. Check the sound and the engine. Check for rusts, dents, and other things that may affect the price of the Harley.

Mileage

Since the mileage reading is the main basis of the price of the any type of used vehicle including the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, you must check it and base it on the price being offered.

Proximity

This may not be very important for some. But for those who want to get to see the used Harley motorcycle being sold, location is very important. If a Harley-Davidson seller happens to be near you, you can easily visit and have the deals made fast.

Owner’s background

This does not mean you have to investigate thoroughly the owner by hiring an investigator and make a report for you. All you have to do is to ask the seller questions related on how does he take care of the motorcycle while in his possession. Or, if you happen you have a chance to meet the owner, be observant on the things around him. Surely, you will get clear idea on how well he is as a motorcycle

27/08/2008  http://harleyds.com

With the company that has built its name to become one of the most respected manufacturers of top quality motorcycles around the world, there is no doubt that each Harley-Davidson part is assured to fit in the category: superior.

Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 and had rolled-off thousands of motorcycles since then. For more than one century of motorcycle manufacturing, the company had gone through several times where its toughness is challenged. It is seemed obvious that Harley-Davidson has gone through all. But the real test is not within the company. The real test is outside- on the road where each Harley-Davidson motorcycle is being tested everyday several thousand times over- by Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners around the globe.

What makes each Harley-Davidson motorcycle a living legacy? The answer can be found in the motorcycle itself. From the overall look of the motorcycle, to the tinniest moving part inside the engine, Harley-Davidson is superb.

Of course, every Harley-Davidson part contributes on how the motorcycle performs. The suspension parts provide the smooth ride to the Harley. The seat gives the rider comfort while cruising down the road. The infamous v-engine gives each Harley-Davidson motorcycle the power to conquer roads. The handlebars give the motorcycle the stability that each rider needs. The paint provides the exterior look of the Harley.

The different decals make each Harley unique from another Harley. The wheels roll the motorcycle to any place of any terrain. The transmission parts give better run to the motorcycle. And every Harley-Davidson part contributes to how Harley behaves on the road.

It is not surprising that each Harley-Davidson owner would want to infuse a little something out of their personality to their motorcycle. This the reason why there are several Harley-Davidson parts available just to provide better performance to the motorcycle. There are also several Harley-Davidson parts that are made to transform the stunning Harley into a more interesting motorcycle on the road.

Some Harley-Davidson parts act as an accessory. Some of these are the fender trims and instrument trims that highlights the fender and the gauges to become more attractive; the exhaust system that makes each Harley look more sporty, saddlebag and sissy bar bag that act as an accessory and provide additional storage room, backrest pad that gives extra comfort while you ride, windshield that creates a tougher look on the motorcycle, and more.

With Harley-Davidson parts, your motorcycle can posses the best look possible.

In the event where you need a replacement part for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle, you either find a brand new part or a used one to replace the defective part. Both can be done of course but let us focus our attention on the used Harley-Davidson part.

When we say used Harley-Davidson part, we mean part that has been installed and has served some time on other Harley-Davidson. Now, here’s the question: “Is it okay to use used Harley-Davidson parts?”

To lay the answers clearly, here are the pros and cons of buying used Harley-Davidson parts.

Pros

Cheap – It is always certain that when we buy anything that is used, the price is always cheaper than the brand new one. The case of used Harley-Davidson part is no different. They are a lot cheaper than buying brand new parts. And considering that new Harley-Davidson parts are expensive, used ones are best buys.

Warranty – No store that aims to maintain long business would sell defective parts without providing warranty. Since used Harley-Davidson parts can have malfunction or would not work at all, these store would tend to give their costumers the assurance that they would get their money’s worth through the said warranty.

Sites - There are numerous online and offline stores that offer used Harley-Davidson parts. All you have to do is to visit one of them and see what you are looking for.

Inventory - There are sites that offer thousands of available used Harley-Davidson part. All you have to do is to search for a particular part you need and you will certainly get at least one.

Availability of rare parts - If you will going to check on the different sites that offer used Harley-Davidson parts, you would notice that you can get some parts that are no longer manufactured. This means, if you have a 1956 Harley and are looking for a particular part of that same year and model, used Harley-Davidson part store is the best place to go.

Cons

Questionable quality - Since used parts have already run on other Harley-Davidson, deterioration on the part especially the moving parts have occurred. As a result, the quality of the parts can be questionable. But, this would not go for all. Most parts are still in great condition. As was said, no store that aims to maintain long business would sell defective parts without providing warranty. So, if you want to make sure that you can use the money you spend, ask for warranties.

So, you are thinking of getting your first Harley-Davidson motorcycle? Well, there are a few things that you’ll want to become knowledgeable about if you want to have any hope of fitting in with the custom Harley Davidson crowd.

Owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle brings you into a tight knit brotherhood with a culture all its own. But getting a Harley doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be included into this self-proclaimed elite group of America loving, free spirited souls. The Harley culture is a proud one and, like any organization, they have traditions, expectations, and unwritten rules that each biker is expected to follow.

Right off the bat, you should know that your Harley isn’t really a Harley unless it’s a custom Harley Davidson. In other words, you don’t want to pull up to the local biker bar in an “off the shelf” Harley bike. A man’s (or woman’s) bike should be a reflection of themselves, and therefore no two Harleys should be alike.

Your bike tells others who you are, what you are like, and may very well be the thing that other bikers judge you by.

Secondly, make sure all your custom parts are made by American companies. You bought a Harley because of the pride, sophistication, and attention to detail that went into its creation. By customizing your bike with non-American parts, you go counter to the made-in-America attitudes of the Harley culture. If your bike has parts that aren’t made in America, then the bike itself is no longer a work of American art.

And when it comes to the helmet that you wear, forget the face mask. Those are for wimps!

Sure you can buy a Harley motorcycle and not follow any of the brotherhood’s rules, but you can expect to be shunned by every other Harley biker on the road. Think I’m joking? Maybe the following story will change your mind.

One part of the Harley culture, as mentioned earlier, is to buy American. Harley-Davidson is an American company and owners of these American-made bikes are very proud to be riding on a machine put together by American hands. That means your bike should be running parts from American manufacturers right down to the spark plugs.

A biker entered a parts store one day and complained about the rough running of his V-twin engine. The parts manager recommended replacing his spark plugs with the NGK (a Japanese company) brand. The biker did so reluctantly. Turns out he liked the NGK spark plugs much better and chose to run them instead of the OEM plugs that his bike came with originally.

Only problem was that he knew he would be shunned by his fellow bikers for running a Japanese part on his bike, so he manually painted the HD logo onto his NGK spark plugs to prevent any suspicion.

When working with your custom Harley Davidson, remember where your “hog” came from and be sure to honor the culture that you have joined.