never had #4, always paid cash for all three harleys

 

So I have nothing to look forward to now? Rats.

 

My Milestones
1. Getting the bike right for you. Being done with seats, handlebars, tuners, pipes, etc. For most, the bike is close or what we wanted, but there is that point where everything fits and runs as it should.
2. Parking it in downtown Sturgis, walking around all day and instantly recognizing "YOUR" bike among 50,000 parked next to it.
3. Finding a riding friend or couple that you are still happy to see each morning after 3 weeks on the road together.
4. Being able to laugh when things don't go right. Fixing a problem on the road. Not letting a issue become an problem. I mean things like breaking down in the middle or no where, having a rider injured, being able to help someone because the one tool or part you have fixed the issue.
5. Stopping in a one horse town and being surrounded by new friends.
6. Riding for two days alone to meet up with someone, take a ride together, then ride two days home with a big smile.
7. Being hundreds, even thousands of miles from home and seeing a buddy riding past you the other way or pulling into a gas stop or diner and their bike is parked in front. "What the Fv@k are you doing here?". I have had this happen to me 3 times. Two of the times I was 7-800 miles from home, one about 300.
8. Finding the right girlfriend/wife to share the ride. As good as having the right bike. I always have said that life's 3 hardest choices are: The right woman, the right bike, the right hunting partner. If you choose wisely, your life is full of grace, pleasure and fun. If you do not, you have to make do.

Added: Getting heated gear. In 2005 after freezing my hands so bad I could not get back into my house as my hands were claws, I got heated gear. Now I ride all day comfortable well down into the low 20Fs.

Bugs, bats, birds, are just part of the deal, but I guess we remember the first one before it just becomes routine. Swerving to miss your first deer, elk, turkey, bear or dog could possibly make someones list.

 

Milestones? Routine stuff, I was expecting more like swallowing your first bug or breaking 100mph the first time.

 

was riding down the road once ad a bug hit me on my top lip then crawled up my nose, tried to huff it out but instead i snorted it up and spit it out. it was still alive

 

Done it twice on the same motorcycle.

 

After owning 26 different bikes, mostly H-D and BMW, I know about Parting Ways.

 

Isn't getting laid missing from the list?

 

kinda like playing in a band

 

Or how about first time caught in adverse weather?


Mine was riding to work at 6 in the morning, fog so thick I could only see about ten feet in front of me. Silent Hill right there.