할리를 소유해야 할 101가지의 이유

[프랭크]

다 세보면 202가지나 됩니다. 환갑넘어서 타려고 했는데 갑자기 인생의 전환점이 생겨서 과감하게 결단을 내리고 할리를 타기 시작한지 한 달이 조금 넘었습니다. 아내도 동의를 해주고 기꺼이 텐덤을 한다고 하길래 아예 울트라로 가기로 했습니다. 계약해놓고 잔금 치르고 가져올 날만 기다리고 있습니다. 비록 연식이 좀 된 바이크이긴 하지만 할리는 할리인지라 가격이 만만치 않았습니다. 남들처럼 샵에가서 새제품 골르고 집에오는 박스를 까볼정도로 여유가 있지는 않은지라 차를 바꾸느니 할리를 하기로 하고 시작했습니다. 약간의 두려움도 있습니다. 혹시라도 사고가 나면 어떡할까? 나야 최선을 다해 조심하겠지만 정신나간 놈들이 있으면 어떡하나?

 23년전 시티100타고 가다가 앞타이어가 터지는 바람에 길도랑으로 굴러 무릎을 다친기억도 있습니다. 그 뒤로 바이크는 로망과 두려움이 공존하는 가까이 할 수 없는 그대였습니다. 할리도 혹시 앞타이어 터지거나 하나요? 튜브리스 타이어쓰면 갑자기 터져서 바이크가 중심을 잃고 옆차선으로 미끄러지다 넘어지는 일은 없겠죠? 

또 적지않은 금액을 이렇게 쉽게 질러본적도 평생 없어서 두려움도 조금 있습니다. 내가 정말 잘하는 것일까? 

그러다가도 이내 할리 생각을 하면 또 아내와 더불어 시원한 국도를 달리며 만끽할 자유를 그려보면 이내 희망이 생깁니다. 

전 미국을 그다지 좋아하지도 애플을 좋아하지도 않지만 할리 만큼은 미국이기에 만들어낼 수 있는 걸작이라고 인정합니다. 혹 우리나라 바이크 업체들이 이정도퀄리티 또는 이 이상의 바이크를 만들어내면 전 그걸 타겠습니다. 다만 아직까지 이 수준으로 아날로그적 감성을 자극하는 바이크는 조금 과장인지 모르지만 지구상에 없는 것 같습니다. 

40중반을 넘어서 시작된 제 할리 라이프 축하해주시면 감사하겠습니다. 좀 더 준비되면 그룹 라이딩에도 참가해볼 생각입니다. 

심심할 때 아래의 글 읽으면서 웃을 수 있는 기회가 되시기를....  

"101 reasons to own (and ride) a Harley-Davidson"

1.   They're made in North America. Most of their components, anyway.
2.   They're made in North America. Most of their components, anyway.
3.  They're loud (or they can be with a little help).
4.  They're beautiful.
5.  Everyone wants to own one.
6.  There are thousands of accessories available, so you can make your Harley uniquely yours.
7.  They can be painted outrageous colours, with strange murals, and no one thinks they look terrible or silly. They just look like Harleys.
8.  There are more Harley mechanics around than for any other bike.
9.  Even an old, beaten up one looks good.
10.  They have a long, rich history and heritage.
11. Anyone can ride one.
12. Everyone recognizes a Harley.
13. You can get a Harley tattoo.
14. You can get a Harley bumper sticker.
15. They hold their value, most of it, even years later.
16. There are songs about riding Harleys. There are even collections of Harley music on CD.
17. You can find more Harley parts at swap meets and flea markets than for any other bike.
18. You can get a loan to buy a Harley easier than most other motorcycles.
19. You can buy a fully-dressed Harley with a radio; comfy seats with armrests; a big, useful windshield; solid saddle bags and a trunk, and no one thinks you're an old fart when you ride it.
20. You never have to wonder how to spend your extra money.
21. You always know there's something appropriate you can give as a gift to a Harley rider.
22. You can join a HOG chapter, wear a patch and pretend you're a one-percenter on weekend rides, then go back to your real life on week days without getting into serious trouble.
23. An old Harley rusting in a barn is probably still worth something to someone.
24. When your Harley is stored away for the winter, you never feel ridiculous when you go to the garage to sit on it or polish a little chrome.
25. When you say you're going to clean the bike, your spouse will always know what you're up to for the next few hours and not have to worry.
26. It can make you smile on a bad day.
27. It gives the local police a way to earn their salaries and keeps them wondering if you're a badass biker or maybe really an influential judge or lawyer under those leathers.
28. It gives you the opportunity to try out every metal polish and auto cleaner in the hardware store.
29. Every man's second childhood is more fun on a Harley.
30. Even a small Harley is a big bike.
31. You don't have to wear a lime-green and purple leather body suit to ride a Harley.
32. You're more willing to go out and pick up milk and the newspaper if you can ride to the store on your Harley.
33. You can wear a Harley cap and not look as silly as 99 per cent of people who wear baseball caps (except of course backwards, which immediately identifies you as a dweeb regardless of the brand name... Remember: people who can't figure out which way a hat goes on are also poor prospects for mates.).
34. Unlike sport bikes, you don't need to visit your chiropractor after riding a Harley for more than 15 minutes.
35. You never have to explain or apologize for your choice or ride.
36. No one ever asks you to race them.
37. There's something infinitely satisfying about that big-twin rumble.
38. You always have something to talk about with other Harley riders.
39. You can always find an after-market part for any Harley, no matter how old it is.
40. The chrome is on all the right parts, but you can always add more or take some off and it still looks good.
41. If you own two Harleys, people get even more jealous than if you have just one.
42. They have only one carburetor to adjust.
43. They're always in style.
44. If you ride another motorcycle at 40, people think you're either crazy or haven't grown up. If you ride a Harley at 40, people think you're young at heart and have style.
45. Harley riders always have something to talk about at parties.
46. Sure you can ride other motorcycles to Daytona and Sturgis, but why?
47. Women riding Harleys look sexy, confident and independent.
48. Cleaning your bike becomes an act of love and respect - almost worship - with a Harley.
49. Harley riders have a better sex life. Honest!
50. Harley riders are recognized worldwide. Wear a Harley cap or T-shirt anywhere in the world and someone will walk up and talk to you about your bike.
51. People can argue endlessly about the technical advantages and ergonomics of other motorcycles, but when it's all been said, Harley riders get on their bikes and ride away with a smile.
52. Harley riders always have a wrench handy to loan someone.
53. Harley riders never have to worry about their Harley-riding friends asking to borrow money.
54. Harley riders learn to say 'No' early to people who ask to borrow their bike. This skill is useful when dealing with sales people, Jehovah's Witnesses and children.
55. Harley riders always turn heads going through the center of town.
56. Harley owners can (almost) always get a loan (although they may not be eligible for a Harley Davidson credit card simply because they own a Harley!... or a house, a computer, another motorcycle and a car... or have a steady job and no significant debt... maybe you have to be Bill Gates to qualify, because I have all the rest and I still didn't qualify).
57. Harley riders don't have to worry about their bikes being outdated by new technology.
58. Long-term marriages are safer with a Harley because the husband will be too preoccupied with the bike to bother meeting other women. And the wife always knows where hubby is when he's not in the house... he's in the garage, polishing something or out riding around town showing off.
59. When someone asks "What do you ride," everyone understands "Harley." They don't care what the model is. If you tell them a GSX... or a CBR... or an Intruder... or an ST100... or any of these makes, you have to explain who makes it and what kind of bike it is. Note the eyes of your audience glazing over...
60. You meet more people at bike shows and rallies who ride Harleys.
61. Speed doesn't matter on a Harley.
62. Harleys even make good rat bikes.
63. You can ride a Harley in rodeo and field day competitions at bike rallies (try riding a sport bike in the barrel push... or the weenie bite).
64. If you want speed and power, you can buy a Buell and still have a Harley. And when people ask you what it is and you tell them, they get a wonderful look of amazement and say things like "Gee, I didn't know they made one like that..."
65. There are more Harley riders at any gathering than any other bike rider.
66. Harley still offers demos and test rides.
67. No matter that he rode a 1953 Triumph Thunderbird in his role, everyone still believes Marlon Brando rode a Harley in the movie The Wild One. Harley makes its own mythology.
68. When you do the wave to another Harley on the highway they wave back.
69. Every other issue aside, Harley takes pride in its people, and its people take pride in Harley. Harley Davidsons aren't built on a faceless assembly line that cranks out motorcycles by the ton, it isn't just a product pumped out for consumption. It's made by people who care, for people who believe in it.
70. You get more grins per mile, even in the rain!
71. You dont need to understand "double overhead cam's" to maintain them.
72. Harley riders understand that if you have 2 Harley's you are not rich, if you have 2 harleys you have no money at all!
73. Non-Harley riders will never borrow your tools...no metric!
74. Harley Davidsons feel better than any other bike. You can feel the rumble pulse through you as you ride.
75. You don't have to drop the engine out to work on it.
76. You can find any style of seat for every year.
77. You can build one from the ground-up, and everyone thinks its cool.
78. If you have to ask or have it explained, you wouldn't understand.
79. They can get you laid!
80. The older you are the better; the idle helps keep your pacemaker synchronized...
81. Simply put, "They're big, they're bad, and they look good!!!!!
82. So you can have nice, wide, soft seat to fit your old, wide, soft butt.
83. When people ask "Isn't there a waiting list?", you can tell them "Yeah, I waited 33 years and 9 Jap bikes"
84. Harley salescritters gotta eat to
85. Help keep your neighbors from sleeping away their whole weekend!
86. You can do your part to keep the highways properly lubricated.
87. Lots of extra protein from those bug hits while rollin' on and smilin' wide!
88. Remember those old-time vibrating excercise belt machines? Think of all the flab you can shake off just going to the grocery store!
89. Let's just think of them as the Winnebago of motorcycles -- room for everything you ever wanted to bring along... and then some.
90. It's a piece of physical fitness equipment -- you have to make sure that you are in shape, just in case you ever have to stand it back up.
91. You don't have to explain your mid-life crisis in detail -- "got a Harley" will suffice nicely.
92. If someone cuts in front of you in traffic, then sees you in the mirror, you have the "Biker on a Harley" intimidation factor on your side.
93. If you get stuck in boring business meetings, you can always think about that stretch of back road with the big sweeping turns.
94. "Honey, it's economical -- gets GREAT gas mileage!"
95. You can putz along at 20MPH, and still look dangerous.
96. If things got bad, you could melt it down and have enough iron to build a locomotive.
97. Think of it as "dry cleaning" for your brain -- hop on and do a few miles, and it's amazing how much clearer things are.
98. You have a great excuse to wear really old jeans - "He rides a Harley" explains it all.
99. You get to hear that neat "plop" sound that comes as their jaws hit the pavement.
100. Relieve eye strain and muscle tension -- crank it up and shake 'em around for a while.
101. When someone asks what color it is, you can answer "mostly chrome"!
102. Because you've wanted one since you were 11 years old, and that was a very long time ago!
103. They're loud (or they can be with a little help).
104.  They're beautiful.
105.  Everyone wants to own one.
106.  There are thousands of accessories available, so you can make your Harley uniquely yours.
107.  They can be painted outrageous colours, with strange murals, and no one thinks they look terrible or silly. They just look like Harleys.
108.  There are more Harley mechanics around than for any other bike.
109.  Even an old, beaten up one looks good.
110.  They have a long, rich history and heritage.
111. Anyone can ride one.
112. Everyone recognizes a Harley.
113. You can get a Harley tattoo.
114. You can get a Harley bumper sticker.
115. They hold their value, most of it, even years later.
116. There are songs about riding Harleys. There are even collections of Harley music on CD.
117. You can find more Harley parts at swap meets and flea markets than for any other bike.
118. You can get a loan to buy a Harley easier than most other motorcycles.
119. You can buy a fully-dressed Harley with a radio; comfy seats with armrests; a big, useful windshield; solid saddle bags and a trunk, and no one thinks you're an old fart when you ride it.
120. You never have to wonder how to spend your extra money.
121. You always know there's something appropriate you can give as a gift to a Harley rider.
122. You can join a HOG chapter, wear a patch and pretend you're a one-percenter on weekend rides, then go back to your real life on week days without getting into serious trouble.
123. An old Harley rusting in a barn is probably still worth something to someone.
124. When your Harley is stored away for the winter, you never feel ridiculous when you go to the garage to sit on it or polish a little chrome.
125. When you say you're going to clean the bike, your spouse will always know what you're up to for the next few hours and not have to worry.
126. It can make you smile on a bad day.
127. It gives the local police a way to earn their salaries and keeps them wondering if you're a badass biker or maybe really an influential judge or lawyer under those leathers.
128. It gives you the opportunity to try out every metal polish and auto cleaner in the hardware store.
129. Every man's second childhood is more fun on a Harley.
130. Even a small Harley is a big bike.
131. You don't have to wear a lime-green and purple leather body suit to ride a Harley.
132. You're more willing to go out and pick up milk and the newspaper if you can ride to the store on your Harley.
133. You can wear a Harley cap and not look as silly as 99 per cent of people who wear baseball caps (except of course backwards, which immediately identifies you as a dweeb regardless of the brand name... Remember: people who can't figure out which way a hat goes on are also poor prospects for mates.).
134. Unlike sport bikes, you don't need to visit your chiropractor after riding a Harley for more than 15 minutes.
135. You never have to explain or apologize for your choice or ride.
136. No one ever asks you to race them.
137. There's something infinitely satisfying about that big-twin rumble.
138. You always have something to talk about with other Harley riders.
139. You can always find an after-market part for any Harley, no matter how old it is.
140. The chrome is on all the right parts, but you can always add more or take some off and it still looks good.
141. If you own two Harleys, people get even more jealous than if you have just one.
142. They have only one carburetor to adjust.
143. They're always in style.
144. If you ride another motorcycle at 40, people think you're either crazy or haven't grown up. If you ride a Harley at 40, people think you're young at heart and have style.
145. Harley riders always have something to talk about at parties.
146. Sure you can ride other motorcycles to Daytona and Sturgis, but why?
147. Women riding Harleys look sexy, confident and independent.
148. Cleaning your bike becomes an act of love and respect - almost worship - with a Harley.
149. Harley riders have a better sex life. Honest!
150. Harley riders are recognized worldwide. Wear a Harley cap or T-shirt anywhere in the world and someone will walk up and talk to you about your bike.
151. People can argue endlessly about the technical advantages and ergonomics of other motorcycles, but when it's all been said, Harley riders get on their bikes and ride away with a smile.
152. Harley riders always have a wrench handy to loan someone.
153. Harley riders never have to worry about their Harley-riding friends asking to borrow money.
154. Harley riders learn to say 'No' early to people who ask to borrow their bike. This skill is useful when dealing with sales people, Jehovah's Witnesses and children.
155. Harley riders always turn heads going through the center of town.
156. Harley owners can (almost) always get a loan (although they may not be eligible for a Harley Davidson credit card simply because they own a Harley!... or a house, a computer, another motorcycle and a car... or have a steady job and no significant debt... maybe you have to be Bill Gates to qualify, because I have all the rest and I still didn't qualify).
157. Harley riders don't have to worry about their bikes being outdated by new technology.
158. Long-term marriages are safer with a Harley because the husband will be too preoccupied with the bike to bother meeting other women. And the wife always knows where hubby is when he's not in the house... he's in the garage, polishing something or out riding around town showing off.
159. When someone asks "What do you ride," everyone understands "Harley." They don't care what the model is. If you tell them a GSX... or a CBR... or an Intruder... or an ST100... or any of these makes, you have to explain who makes it and what kind of bike it is. Note the eyes of your audience glazing over...
160. You meet more people at bike shows and rallies who ride Harleys.
161. Speed doesn't matter on a Harley.
162. Harleys even make good rat bikes.
163. You can ride a Harley in rodeo and field day competitions at bike rallies (try riding a sport bike in the barrel push... or the weenie bite).
164. If you want speed and power, you can buy a Buell and still have a Harley. And when people ask you what it is and you tell them, they get a wonderful look of amazement and say things like "Gee, I didn't know they made one like that..."
165. There are more Harley riders at any gathering than any other bike rider.
166. Harley still offers demos and test rides.
167. No matter that he rode a 1953 Triumph Thunderbird in his role, everyone still believes Marlon Brando rode a Harley in the movie The Wild One. Harley makes its own mythology.
168. When you do the wave to another Harley on the highway they wave back.
169. Every other issue aside, Harley takes pride in its people, and its people take pride in Harley. Harley Davidsons aren't built on a faceless assembly line that cranks out motorcycles by the ton, it isn't just a product pumped out for consumption. It's made by people who care, for people who believe in it.
170. You get more grins per mile, even in the rain!
171. You dont need to understand "double overhead cam's" to maintain them.
172. Harley riders understand that if you have 2 Harley's you are not rich, if you have 2 harleys you have no money at all!
173. Non-Harley riders will never borrow your tools...no metric!
174. Harley Davidsons feel better than any other bike. You can feel the rumble pulse through you as you ride.
175. You don't have to drop the engine out to work on it.
176. You can find any style of seat for every year.
177. You can build one from the ground-up, and everyone thinks its cool.
178. If you have to ask or have it explained, you wouldn't understand.
179. They can get you laid!
180. The older you are the better; the idle helps keep your pacemaker synchronized...
181. Simply put, "They're big, they're bad, and they look good!!!!!
182. So you can have nice, wide, soft seat to fit your old, wide, soft butt.
183. When people ask "Isn't there a waiting list?", you can tell them "Yeah, I waited 33 years and 9 Jap bikes"
184. Harley salescritters gotta eat to
185. Help keep your neighbors from sleeping away their whole weekend!
186. You can do your part to keep the highways properly lubricated.
187. Lots of extra protein from those bug hits while rollin' on and smilin' wide!
188. Remember those old-time vibrating excercise belt machines? Think of all the flab you can shake off just going to the grocery store!
189. Let's just think of them as the Winnebago of motorcycles -- room for everything you ever wanted to bring along... and then some.
190. It's a piece of physical fitness equipment -- you have to make sure that you are in shape, just in case you ever have to stand it back up.
191. You don't have to explain your mid-life crisis in detail -- "got a Harley" will suffice nicely.
192. If someone cuts in front of you in traffic, then sees you in the mirror, you have the "Biker on a Harley" intimidation factor on your side.
193. If you get stuck in boring business meetings, you can always think about that stretch of back road with the big sweeping turns.
194. "Honey, it's economical -- gets GREAT gas mileage!"
195. You can putz along at 20MPH, and still look dangerous.
196. If things got bad, you could melt it down and have enough iron to build a locomotive.
197. Think of it as "dry cleaning" for your brain -- hop on and do a few miles, and it's amazing how much clearer things are.
198. You have a great excuse to wear really old jeans - "He rides a Harley" explains it all.
199. You get to hear that neat "plop" sound that comes as their jaws hit the pavement.
200. Relieve eye strain and muscle tension -- crank it up and shake 'em around for a while.
201. When someone asks what color it is, you can answer "mostly chrome"!
202. Because you've wanted one since you were 11 years old, and that was a very long time ago!

[★할리라예★]

헐리를 소유해도 글을읽지못해 동감못하는 1인 입니다ㅠ

[프랭크]

헉, 죄송합니다. 짬날때번역해서 올릴께요.거듭죄송..

[롯데]

멋지십니다.. 안운하시고... 한글만 읽어보고 갑니다 ㅎ

[할리와 캠핑맨]

영어만아니였어도 크게 공감했을텐데.. 2번까지 읽다 포기합니다 ㅠㅠ

[와인강]

프랭크님~ 일단 이해할거라 굳게 믿고 공감해봅니다.
이슬양 퇴청하면 한번 도전해보겠습니다~ *^^*

[Doug]

수고 많으셧습니다. 색다른 내용이군요.
그러나 솔직히 말하자면 이정도로 할리데이비슨 이라는 특정한 바이크에 대하여 프라우드 하진
않고 이것저것 타다보니 할리도 소유해본 나로썬 좀 지나치게 미화한다는 느낌이 듭니다.
과거의 영광 일뿐이 아닐까요...

[60팻보이]

결정 잘하셨네요,60넘어시작하는사람도많슴니다.사고생각하면 아무것도못하죠.한줄한줄토를달아줬으면 더 좋았을텐데,

[응큼너부리R™]

남자로 태어나..할리도 못타바고 죽으면 아쉽죠..
저도 빨리 기변해서 와이프 태우고 댕겨야 하는데..쉽지가 않네여..

[부뚜막]

뭔 이유까지야~^^*
좋고 타보고 싶고 달리면 좋으니 그게 이유라면 이유지요.

[바람이나 될까]

저는 10년째 집사람 설득중입니다.(장롱면허입니다)
처음에는 무조건 반대하더니 이제는 한남동 할리매장까지 같이 가봐주기도 하고,
컴퓨터 바탕화면으로 깔아놓아도 뭐라하지 않네요.
올리신 글들을 제가 읽을 수 있다면 설득하는데 엄청난 도움이 되겠는데...
진작에 공부를 했어야...

[megawoong]

200가지 타야할 이유보다...사모님의 허락이 젤 부럽네요..
1년째 안들키고 무사히 타고 있는 중 입니다...^^

[찰리정(정성찬)]

전40대후반인데 2달 단식투쟁 거실에서 독수궁방 3달...먼 옛날 이야기같습니다.6년째 할리 잘타고 댕깁니다.
따뜻한 남쪽나라(전남여수)벌써 꽃향기 몸에 가득 묻이고 댕깁니다.
세상에서 가장 고마운게 집사람이고 가장 상대하기 힘든게 집사람인데 함께 하실수있어 행복 하시겠습니다.
저도 이젠 간간이 함께 합니다^^늘 안전 운전 하시고 행복한 시간 많이 누리십시요^^

[뽀빠이]

다 읽진 못했지만 암튼 공감되는 이야기는 충분할것 같네요.

[프랭크]

격려와 공감의 말씀감사합니다.커플텐덤성공하시길..