An Engineer Buys a New Harley

It's been a long way getting here but I finally made it. I am 53 years old and I have just become the owner of a New Harley-Davidson Sportster.

To many this doesn't sound like a big deal. You're saying to yourself "Big deal! He bought the little (baby) Harley-Davidson. So what?"

First you have to get to know me. I'm an engineer. For the readers that are engineers (or are related to engineers), enough said. For the rest of you I'll have to lay some ground work. Engineers are trained to do what is needed and no more. We're often given some resources, told what the result is to be and to use only some of the provided resources and no more.

Here is how an engineer decides what bike to buy:

1) Requirements: List the necessary requirements.

A. Is a motorcycle necessary? Yes. They're fuel efficient and I like them. Also, as Confucius said "Any motorcycle is better than no motorcycle."
B. Is dependability a requirement? Yes. This is one of the "Most Important Requirements". Being broke down sucks. That's why I'm looking at getting another one now.
C. Is an infrastructure important? Yes. I may get transferred to a different state and I'll need to get to a service center.
D. Is the brand name important? Marginally. If all other requirements are equal, buy the bike with the most status.
E. Is a sales room important? No. I only buy a motorcycle every 12 years because the one I own meets my requirements.
F. Is on bike storage space important? Yes. Sometimes I need to carry stuff.
G. Is color important? No. Color doesn't impact utility.
H. Is chrome important? No. Chrome doesn't impact utility.
I. Is New better than Used? Dependability is the issue. If it's dependable buy the lowest cost bike. If it's not dependable then don't buy it.
J. Is cost important? Yes. This is one of the "Most Important Requirements". Engineers look for the most bang for the buck.
K. What loan interest rate is acceptable? Zero. Engineers don't buy toys on time unless there is no penalty (make sure the price isn't inflated to compensate for zero interest).
L. Is it necessary to carry passengers? Yes. Since this can be a primary transportation vehicle, the need will arise.
M. How much speed is needed? Enough to go on the highways. Nothing excessive.

2) Select a bike style:
Determine how the bike is to be used 90 percent of the time and select the smallest model that meets this need. As far as I am concerned there are 3 styles. Note that I don't consider croch rockets to meet any of these configurations. I eliminated croch rockets because they look unstable and uncomfortable. I'm sure that croch rocket owners would dispute these perceptions but it doesn't matter. They aren't a consideration.

A. Off Road
B. Cruiser
C. Touring

My wife doesn't ride anymore so touring is out. I could go touring by myself but I like to be with Beverly so I don't go touring by myself. However, I do go for an occasional day ride with some friends. All my riding is in the city or on paved roads so there is no need for Off Road. Therefore, my selection is for the Cruiser.

3) My Motorcycle History:
Now that you understand how I decide what bike to own and have achieved a level of appreciation for Beverly who has put up with me for 33 years, I'll review my motorcycle ownership history.

A. 1970 - Montgomery Ward Riverside - 125cc. It looked like a magneto fired lawnmower engine on wheels but it was a motorcycle. I rode it 2 weeks till a car pulled out in front of me. I also destroyed 1 helmet.
B. 1970 - Yamaha - 125cc. I rode it 2 years till a car pulled out in front of me. Beverly was riding with me and our parents met for the first time at the hospital's ER. I also destroyed 2 helmets.
C. I had a large pause without a motorcycle (the dark years) as my family grew up and only cars would meet my transportation needs.
D. 1989 - Honda - 175cc. I owned it for 3 years till I moved so that I had to be on the highway more of the time. It was too small for daily use on the highway.
E. 1992 - Honda - 750cc. I owned it for 12 years till it became unreliable (after all it was 22 years old).
F. 2004 - Harley-Davidson - 883cc. Probably my last bike unless it becomes wrecked.

This is how I got to the Harley-Davidson Sportster. Now you can understand my excitement. This is the coolest bike I've ever owned. Also, Confucius once said "Any Harley is better than no Harley."

One attribute that I didn't previously cover, I look good on this bike.

Wayne