My Own Harley

It's a secret that I'm no longer afraid to tell. I've spent too many years on the back of a motorcycle and I want to be in control. Is there anything wrong with that? Obviously not or why would I see all of these women on the road and loving it? It's been 3 years since my husband Jake purchased his Screamin' Eagle® Electra Glide® motorcycle. I love to gear up and go riding with him. We've been everywhere. We ventured out west last summer and it was amazing. I made up my mind to learn to ride and get my own bike while we were on the trip out west.

I got up my courage to tell Jake about my plans. "Jake, I really want to get my own bike and become a rider!"

"Oh, you do, do you," Jake said with a half grin. "When did you come to this decision?"

"Remember when we pulled over at the Grand Canyon last summer and that group of "Ladies of Harley" rode in and started taking off their helmets. I remember watching them with such envy and thinking I'm gonna do it. Remember when I went to that Ladies Garage Party at Adventure Harley-Davidson this winter?"

"Yep, I'm the one who told you that Adventure Harley-Davidson was having a Ladies Garage Party," Jake crooned.

"Well that experience was fantastic. I took Lil and Jess with me. We got to sit on the bikes, rev them and get our picture taken on a Harley. All those great folks at Adventure told us about proper gear and showed us how to pick up a bike. When I stopped at the bike customizing session I was blown away. I couldn't believe all the chrome and accessories I could dress my bike in, to make it truly mine. I told Jim, from Adventure, that I wanted to sign up for the Rider's Edge® New Rider Course this summer. Lil and Jess are signing up also."

"So you girls are going to learn to ride at the same time?"

"Yes, Jake. What do you think?"

"Well, I'm thinking that Ted, Bill and I are about to go Harley shopping with our three excited wives. Let's call them up and see if they are busy on Saturday. I heard Adventure was having a huge party on Saturday."

"Jake, you know Adventure always has something happening on Saturday." Saturday couldn't get here fast enough. Our friends Lil and Ted beat us there. My sister in-law Jess and her husband Bill pulled in right behind us. The three of us ladies practically ran for Adventure's front door. There was a ton going on at Adventure that Saturday. They had a charity BBQ cook-off. People were everywhere. All I wanted to do was pick out my bike. Lil and Jess had already started asking questions of Nate and Lori (a couple of the great sales team) at Adventure. Gary came walking over towards Jake and I.

"How are you folks, today?" Gary asked with a grin.

"We're great. We're trying to find the right bike for me," I blurted with excitement.

"So your looking for a bike that will fit you right and feel great. I've got some suggestions," Gary said.

"I'm short as you can see. I have ridden on my husband's bike and am signed up to take the Rider's Edge® New Rider Course."

"Great, I was just about to tell you that a 883 Low is a great bike to start out on. It is the lightest of the Harley-Davidson line-up. A lot of people start out on an 883 Low and then trade up as they gain their confidence.

"I like the looks of the Sportster® 883 Low. I love all of these Harley-Davidson motorcycles," I spouted so excited I could hardly catch my breath.

"Since you are used to riding with your husband, being on a bike and are taking our Rider's Edge® New Riders Course you may feel confident enough to start out on a Softail® Deluxe or a V-Rod®! Both of these motorcycles have a low center of gravity and would fit you perfectly. Why don't you sit on all three and see what you think."

"I love this Softail® Deluxe. What is this color? It is gorgeous!"

"That color is White Gold Pearl and Black Pearl. You would love a Softail® Deluxe. The 09 feature a rigid-mounted Twin Cam 96B Engine. It has chrome, over/under shotgun exhaust. Look at the oil tank. It is the chrome "Horseshoe" style. This style Softail® Deluxe has the full front fender.

"Nice," blared Jake with a huge grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

I didn't know exactly what a Twin Cam 96B Engine meant but I knew Jake was impressed and would explain it to me later. "I like the chrome, laced wheels. How many miles per gallon does this get?"

"This sweet ride gets ESPFI 54 highway and 35 city mpg," Gary said as Jake and I circled the Softail® Deluxe absorbing every shiny feature.

"Let us sleep on this and get back with you tomorrow. She takes Riders Edge® in two weeks. I think we want to have her ride waiting on her when she finishes the course," Jake told Gary.

"Well, that's great, folks. I think you are making a fine choice here. I do want you to get this bike if it is your choice. I can hold it for you if you want to leave a hundred dollar deposit. The deposite would be completely refundable if you change your mind. It would assure that we did not sell the bike if someone comes in after you and wants this bike," informed Gary.

"OK, I'm glad that you care enough about us as your customer to offer to hold the bike," I said, impressed.

"Can we talk with someone about financing," Jake asked.

"We have a great financing team. Tammy and Tori are both free to speak with you. Here let me introduce you!"

Well, I could go on all day with this story but I'll wind it up by saying that after talking with Tammy and Tori we purchased my motorcycle that day. In fact our whole group purchased a motorcycle that Saturday. All of us girls had our dream of riding to come true. Our husbands drove the bikes home that day but by the end of the month Lil, Jess and I had our endorsements. Riders Edge® went great and was a blast. We learned so much about motorcycle safety. We joined the H.O.G.® Chapter and made so many cool riding friends.

"You ready, Lil," I yelled as our Harley® motorcycles rumbled.

"Yes, Ready," Lil, replied with a wide smile.

"Are you ready, Jess," I screamed.

"Yep," replied Jess with a grin of satisfaction.

"Let's Go!"

Here we go. Our first all girls ride. We did it. We didn't let fear hold us back. We believed in ourselves and we are in control and loving it.