Intro..Went for my first ride this year, And I don't really care for harleys...

 Never thought I'd be writing on this NG, I've been a riceburner rider on and
off for my entire life. I love the insane pull of a 4 cylinder engine
winding up to 10,000 rpms, hitting 70 mph in first gear. My brother had a
rice burner in the 90's but bought a 94 Fatboy back when he was stationed in
Germany in the 90's. When we both retired, him in 2000, me in 2001, I got my
current bike a Kawasaki ZX-11 and we did several good rides together. But
jobs and wife's keep me away from the roads, and I kept suggesting to my
brother that we do a ironbutt ride together, but he never seemed interested.
In some ways my brother was searching to belong, to be the coolest. Buying
the Harley, he did the entire wardrobe when riding. He only wore Harley
shirts; mostly, that was all he owned. He had a guy in Germany air brush his
custom tanks, Everyone agrees it looks a bit amateurish, but you would tell
him how great it looked. Dad and I agree the stock paint (turquoise) looked
real nice. He has LOUD pipes, I prefer the quiet ones.  I like a full face
helmet, he wore the half shell when with the abate club, but the fullface
when with me.
We were opposites, but we were brothers.

February 11th I found my big brother deceased at his home, and now I own his
94 Fatboy.

I took it out for a 50 mile ride yesterday, As I hit the first set of light
corners on a familiar road between his house and mine, I called out loud to
him, "Lets ride Rick, lets ride".

I wore his 1/2 shell. Found a nice leather jacket in his closet, that
probably hasn't fit him in a while. The roar of the bike is addicting; and
not so bad when you are ahead of the pipes. My feet vibrate numb and the
speed-o jumps in its mounts. The seat very comfortable. I'm not used to the
floorboards and the modified pedals, not the left side and right side turn
signal controls, but  I manage a nice ride on one of the nicest days of the
year so far. The low center of gravity, weight and suspension design mane
this a real stable bike on the road, easy to control. This is the type of
bike I really didn't care about and yet I'm having fun. the low seat makes
it great to get on and off, and easy to back out of a parking spot.
Suddenly, other bikers who wouldn't wave in the past are waving.... hmmm,
I'm the same person.....

If things were different and I needed a bike, I wouldn't go searching for a
Harley for myself, there are others that I do like better. And for all the
things on this bike I didn't care  for, the paint, the pipes, it all stays
as he left it. The original tanks and pipes are in his garage still. I've
worked on Aircraft and an a auto mechanic by trade, but know so little about
this bike. I gotta learn now.
There is something magical about this bike; some may say its because it is a
Harley, but I think it's because "This is my big brothers bike"
I'm gonna miss you bro...



In Memory of:
Richard A. Hansen
SSgt USAF 1980-2000
October 4 1961- February 11 2008



I will see you all on the road, and I will wave at all on 2 wheels.
Stephen (Steve) Hansen

PS: he also left us a "under construction" Chopper, with every part coming
directly from a catalog. about 13 grand so far. A Niece will get it to
complete when she and her boyfriend finally marry. (I have a 1950 F-1 truck
to complete still, I do not need another project......

 
snip;

<clink>.  Ride the hell out of it, sorry for your loss.

--
Tony D AH# 129
Philly Hoodlum©#37

 <Snip a nice tribute to posters brother>

Sorry for you loss. I'll tip one for your brother. Thanks for your and
his service.

Few people will argue that a Harley will outperform a rice bike. For
flat out performance junkies, a sport bike is the correct choice. But
I think that you have found out first hand that there's something
inherently fun about riding a Harley that other bikes just don't have
for some reason.

Have fun with it.

Mark B

 

Sorry for your loss. As to the Harley, it is what it is. Don't be too
surprised if the passage of time (actually miles) makes you a lot more
comfortable with both it and what your brother liked about that twin. In any
case, keeping it and actually riding it is the right thing to do.

--

              Wayne
               AH52
The road goes on forever

 


    My condolences for the loss of your brother.


    Might be a little of both.  It took me a long time to make the move from
metrics to Harley, & there's nothing to say that you can't enjoy both.  Several
of the regulars here do, & I did until last year.  In fact, my reason for
becoming "all Harley" again is more space related than brand preference.

    Hangin' on to your "big brothers bike" is a wonderful thing to do, & you
may find with time that he's still doin' something nice for you.
-

Jinks ('86FXRS, '07 FLTR)
#64
Remember, "No good deed goes unpunished"