Topic: Is Harley-Davidson a hobby or a lifestyle (Read 7220 times)

Cannibus_Man · « **on:** February 18, 2005, 01:19:24 AM »

a friend of mine that recently

M.White · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2005, 01:27:40 AM »

Quote

a friend of mine that recently

Dirt Bagger · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2005, 07:44:16 AM »

The wife said it could be a hobby. I made it a lifestyle! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

mfgreen · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2005, 08:15:49 AM »

Life has choices, opportunities, and circumstances. It is a combination of all those things that flourish our thoughts, then lavish ourselves with the unique feelings and sensory awareness that riding brings to us. When shared with others, multiplies our joys and frustrations of life imparting an independence and loyalty to it and those that support it.
Mike

hd2003-se2005 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2005, 09:18:28 AM »

YES it is a hobby,, if you want it to be

YES it's a lifestyle,, if you want it to be

I have had a Harley since 1977

Does owning a Harley define the kind of man I am? HELL NO!

Does being the kind of man I am, mean that I will always own a Harley? HELL YES!

So for Chip, owning a Harley is all the above and more, but only a small part of the man that twist that throttle.

Chip [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

hd-dude · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2005, 09:52:53 AM »

Its Both; Its in the blood. I have only ever owned Harley's and have had no desire to ride anything else. But it does not rule me or define me. I do that, In life balance is everything.

Live To Ride...Ride to Live!! [smiley=beerchug.gif]

SE-Dave · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2005, 09:58:41 AM »

Bought my first one in 1971. I had Poor mans Harleys (triumph/BSA)before that. If I think back at when it started for me

JCZ · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2005, 11:09:42 AM »

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Bought my first one in 1971. I had Poor mans Harleys (triumph/BSA)before that. If I think back at when it started for me

the O`Fender · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2005, 11:28:17 AM »

Then Came Bronson, now that was a great show, bring that back and get rid of those posers on the discovery channel "American Butchers" "hey vinny it doesn't fit, get me a bigger hammer" LOL!!!!
Life Style or Hobby? it's a choice for some, not for me, it's in my blood...

mr_magoo · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2005, 02:22:52 PM »

Its a life style that the wife and I have found to be fun and exciting and have meet some of the most imteresting people.

JCZ · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2005, 04:58:38 PM »

Don't know that I ever thought of it as a "hobby". But I can tell you one thing, after my accident and the way I got busted up and still have two more surgeries to go thru, and the fact that I'm already back on my bike tells me that for me it's beyond a lifestyle......it's in the blood.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2005, 09:43:47 PM »

It's an interesting question.

Tonys · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2005, 08:58:21 AM »

I was impressed by the thoughts and comments I just read...very eloquent..very well said. For me it is much more than a hobby, but it doesn't rule my life. Riding and tinkering on my Harley is a large part of it. Like JC, its in my blood. Sometimes I find myself going out to the garage just to look at it. The other part is the people you meet. I have never met such a friendly, helpful group at any other type of event. You can talk to someone you just met for hours about Harleys, rides, etc. If your stopped on the side of the road, somebody on a Harley will stop to see if you need help, guaranteed. Harley riders wave at other HD riders on the road. People in a cage don't do that. [smiley=beerchug.gif]

naitram · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2005, 09:11:05 AM »

i think it starts out as a hobby, then after it gets in your blood its more of a lifestyle. when i found my self buying heated gear so that i could extend my riding season deep into november or even into december and get back out by late february....... some would call that crazy. as for the guys with bottom rockers. the have a lifestlye all to themselves. when i was living in my last house i used to frequntley hang around with some of those guys. and what surprised me the most was when one of them said he envied me, i could go ride whenever i wanted, he always had a commitment to his brothers that from time to time included getting out and riding

Cannibus_Man · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2005, 01:55:42 AM »

i havent hit that "in the blood" stage yet,but the way i dress is different, black leather has been added. i never wore a beard before till now , so my phsical appearance has changed..so i'm sure it's a lifestyle change. i never encountered so many nice people tho
while doing the old car restoration "hobby"..personally i don't think i'll go back to old cars. these bikes are fun to tinker with. workin on em without letting the wrench fall outta your hands or slipping and smacking something on the bike is nerve racking lol
too much fun!! lifestyle & hobby 4 me [smiley=laugh.gif]

Daddyschog · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2005, 05:25:15 AM »

It is a hobby when I'm out for a ride by myself or with my wife on the back. It falls ito lifestyle when the freinds you make, and the prople you find that you would rather hang out with, are the ones you ride with. I ride to my vacation destination. Spend a week with out getting in my car. I love that. I live for the time when my hobby becomes my lifestyle. [smiley=laugh.gif] Thank God my wife loves this stuff as much as I do.

hd2003-se2005 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2005, 08:57:08 PM »

Twolane

YES you are hardcore!
I have read enough of your post to know that you are.
Being hardcore is what makes you the man that you are.
Your bike compliments your life, not the other way around.

I had someone ask me one time if I was a biker. After some pondering I responded
NOPE not a biker, I'm a rider and proud of it.
I have been blessed enough to sample almost every aspect of motorcycling and just tend to lean to the Harleys.

Just got back in town. Went and picked up my second GAS GAS 250EXC.
It's the most awesome dirtbike I have ever ridden.
Like JCZ said, I guess this riding stuff is in my blood

kng103 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2005, 09:23:30 AM »

i would have to say both.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2005, 12:59:41 PM »

The poll at the top of this thread is missing one option that really shoudl be there:

1) Hobby
2) Lifestyle
3) Gawdaful freaking money extractor
4) Other

BadAss2 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2005, 01:10:58 PM »

I vote for all of the above, double on twolaneriders' #3...

naitram · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2005, 01:11:44 PM »

Quote

The poll at the top of this thread is missing one option that really shoudl be there:

1) Hobby
2) Lifestyle
3) Gawdaful freaking money extractor
4) Other

i'll vote for that, i updated the poll options for ya

BLM777 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2005, 03:11:30 PM »

Quote

i'll vote for that, i updated the poll options for ya

I'm with you on that choice...looking for a way to change my vote! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

ccr · « **Reply #22 on:** February 24, 2005, 09:19:43 PM »

MMM Such a thought provoking question.

Cannibus_Man · « **Reply #23 on:** February 24, 2005, 11:24:41 PM »

Mrs.WeCVO,,,

hd-dude · « **Reply #24 on:** February 24, 2005, 11:30:58 PM »

Quote

Mrs.WeCVO,,,

ccr · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2005, 01:03:31 AM »

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I think she's there...just hasn't come out of the closet yet ...lol

You might be right. Someone said somewhere here that there was a 12 step program for this affliction? Is that right? [smiley=huepfenjump3.gif] [smiley=nixweiss.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]

110tHunDer · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2005, 07:17:48 AM »

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I'm with you on that choice...looking for a way to change my vote! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

BLM, remove your vote, then re-vote.

I vote both, plus money sponge.

sailordb · « **Reply #27 on:** February 25, 2005, 02:14:40 PM »

"...he always had a commitment to his brothers that from time to time included getting out and riding..."

I am a retired "bottom rocker," But not in the sense that the above quote implies. When I started riiding it was all about motorcycles, living, eating, sleeping, breathing motorcycles. A few of you guys might go back to the Rockers and Mods in Enlgand, HooDads and Surfers on the left Coast or the Greasers and Preppies, but it wasn't two social classes it was two distinct societies. "They" didn't know anything about us and we didn't give a damn about them. It was more than a lifestyle, it was our life, it was all we did. We worked to buy bikes and bike parts. We hung out in bike shops or drive ins. When we went to the movies we went to drive's and sat on the grass next to our bikes. And, our girls were just as immersed as we were. We knew people that didn't have bikes, but all our freinds had bikes.

Motorcycle clubs were about motorcycles., and it didn't much matter what you rode, just that you were and intense as the other people in the club about motorcycles. I had to wait until I got a driver's license before I could be a 'member.' I was proud. And, we rode, every day.

Fast forward 35 years and the 'club' wanted to go into 'business' I didn't. I retired. The bottom rocker had changed its meaning from proud of your chapter to some thing sinster. Cut down S-200 Zundapps, bobbed harleys, chopped Indians and stone stock Jawas had become $30-40,000 custom builts. Speeding tickets and loud pipes had become murder indictments and trafficing convictions. Honest boss, I didn't do it.

Hobby, perhaps for some, but I have to say that for me, it is more than a 'life style.' 48 years up and on the road come April.

HUBBARD · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2005, 04:43:39 PM »

Year: 1957--I was 6 years old. My cousin Buddy picked me up and put me in front of him straddling the gas tank on new 1957 Pan, and took me for a ride. That made an indelible impression on me.
Year: 1969--I was 18 years old. Watched "EASY RIDER" at the Drive-In theater. Changed my point of view. Bought a 1967 XLH Purple & White Sporster for $800.00. It had saddle bags, big white seat and a winshield. See, I even had a baby BAGGER, then. I've owned only Harleys. 9 of them. I've run the whole gamut. Wore the Rocker, chased the women, drank the liquor and did the dope, fought in the Bars and left my hide on the asphalt. That Lifestyle was not fulfilling for me, just Tuition. Now, I still think it a Lifestyle and a Hobby. I, too, get a sense of purpose from just going out to the garage and looking at that Black Dresser. I'm sure the world would not end if I didn't own a Harley, but I'd surely be restless, irritable, and discontent. Later--HUBBARD

Jock · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2005, 10:33:59 PM »

Quote

Bought my first one in 1971. I had Poor mans Harleys (triumph/BSA)before that. If I think back at when it started for me

spydglide · « **Reply #30 on:** March 02, 2005, 01:34:47 AM »

Well, you guys are all correct and state it so elegantly too. For me it's a diagnoses....a illness of sorts. It got in my blood, under my skin at 15 years of age and I never could 'shake' it. I'm old and gray and still orient my life around it. Not just the bike, but the good people that enjoy bikes and riding them as much as I do. When you actually care about a machine as if it's special and not just a 'tool', then you've made the transition to the other side of this illness. I can't wait to meet some of you guys at Maggie Valley. We'll surely continue these musings at the end of the ridin' day. spyd [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

nidan · « **Reply #31 on:** March 04, 2005, 11:11:48 AM »

There are some who may think of it as a hobby , but for me it's a lifestyle

Author Topic: Is Harley-Davidson a hobby or a lifestyle (Read 7220 times)

mfgreen

hd2003-se2005

hd2003-se2005