A Great Day in the Saddle - or Superman the Matchmaker

[Jeff Higgins]

Nothing like a day in the saddle with good friends. My buddies John, Big Denny, and I spent a day together riding up Mt. Baker in our northern Cascade range. Denny took this photo up on top:



I introduced you guys to Big Denny some time ago. He is a cancer survivor, a guy we all thought we were going lose several years back. We litterally walked through the front door of the Boeing Company together, 30 years ago, and have been great friends ever since. His bike is the Street Glide in the middle.

Now on to the "Superman the matchmaker" part of the story. Seems Supe was riding his newly fixed up CB750 one day, and stopped in the town of Leavenworth for a cold one. Being the friendly, outgoing guy he is, he struck up a conversation with another rider. To make a long story short, this other rider was the very man who, along with his big brother, had gotten me into the whole street bike thing back when we were 16 years old. We rode together constantly until we were in our 30's, then somehow careers, families, and a couple of moves saw us lose touch with one another. Anyway, somewhere in the course of their conversation, it became apparent they both knew me. So Supe gave John my number.

So, here we are, friendship renewed and riding together once again. That's John's Road King on the left, and mine on the right. Life is good.

[911boost]

Looks like a good ride Jeff.

Your Road King looks like the same color as my Electra.

[pete3799]

Cool story.
Once again, Superman saves the day.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by BSiple

Looks like a good ride Jeff.

Your Road King looks like the same color as my Electra.

They called it "luxury rich red" back when I bought it new in 2000.

It just rolled over 95,000 miles and runs like a clock. Nothing but tires, brakes pads, and fluids - still even has the original clutch and drive belt. The most reliable machine on two, or even four wheels, that I have ever owned.

All of you Harley detractors - show me a bike that you own, or have personally owned, that has that kind of record for durability and reliability. Betcha can't...

[tcar]

Didn't think you guys were allowed to talk to Honda riders...

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by tcar

Didn't think you guys were allowed to talk to Honda riders...

It's hard to think of one that hasn't had a recall in the last decade or so.

Hell, I've never even heard of one of their cars going that far with no issues.

Do you actually own a motorcycle? I don't see one in your toy list.

[Superman]

Normally I match females up with males, not males with other males. Not that there's anything wrong with that.......

[jyl]

Superman rides after drinking a cold one?

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by jyl

Superman rides after drinking a cold one?

Maybe you forgot who you're talking about.

Tall buildings and all that, dude.

Just sayin.'

[911boost]

Yeah, that isn't the same name they used for it in 2006. I think it was cranberry red or something or other. I wasn't looking for a specific color, but actually a good deal, since the 07's had come out with the 6 speed and 95 ci engine, they were letting the left over 06's go for pretty cheap.

I just turned over 11,000 on mine, with nothing but oil changes done in my garage as well.

I've got two little kids, so finding the time to ride isn't as easy as it used to be.

Bill

[Jeff Higgins]

My buddy John's is an '06, too (the one one the left, the darker of the two "red" ones). I think it's "black cherry" or something like that. That's exactly how he scored on his as well. The big boom years behind them, H-D dealers were desperate to move last year's bikes so they got a decent allocation for the next year.

Mine was a different story. It was literally the only one immediately available in the entire northwest at the time. Some poor guy had come in to sign on it, and his financing wasn't approved. He was walking out all dejected, after having waited for over a year for it, as I was walking in to buy some oil for my Sportster. Paperwork in hand, he was standing over the bike on his way out, bemoaning the fact he couldn't have it. I asked what was wrong, and the salesman told me. I asked him what happens next, and he said it goes up for sale. "It'll be sold in less than ten minutes - watch." I told him it's "already sold", we walked over to his desk, did the paperwork, and I cut him a check (for well over MSRP, the greedy bastards).

I got a ride over to the dealer the next day to pick it up. I stopped by the house and told my wife to hop on for a "test ride". We put over 100 miles on it that evening, and when we got home, she went on and on about how nice and comfortable it was for her, how quiet and smooth it was, how there were no oily or greasy parts to look out for, etc. etc. Then she asked if we could keep it (she knew what a long wait it was for a new one). "Uh... we kinda already have... Can you get the garage door for me? Thanks..."

[VINMAN]

Nice Jeff! My next Harley is definately going to be a bagger. My buddy just picked up a new Street Glide. I rode it and immediately fell in love with it.

[911boost]

I wasn't real happy with my GS on the interstate, where a lot of my riding was being done on my commute, so I was kind of looking. When BMW called and said they had a customer looking for a used GS, I sold it to them and went straight to the local Harley dealer, and walked out with my Electra Glide Classic for right at $16K which I thought was a good deal. Everyone wanted the newest HD offerings, except me. I wanted a comfortable bagger.

Here's an older picture of mine. Its the red one in the middle.

[crustychief]

I think it was "deep rich red" in '02

I am down to one now. Pic taken on the day I picked it up. Now it has over 60K, fluids, rubber and brakes is the only thing besides gas it has needed.