It's got soul,an HD is like that girl you used to date who didn't have a super model body but she had a certain look in her eyes,a smile that pulled at your heart and wouldn't let go,whenever you were together all you wanted was to keep coming back for more...

 

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Like the one that worked at the fish and chips place that always said, "do me dirty daddy" ?

 

It's part of the supernatural hooey that justifies The First Church of HOG (and all other religions)

The reality is, your brain triggers a release of endorphines which makes you feel good.
I get the same feeling when I'm carving the twistys on my Honda.

 

Or a Mustang,another American icon.I'am also lucky,lol.

 

The huge secret is that if it has a soul, you can claim it as a dependent on your income taxes.

 

I agree with much of what is said, it is definitely a personality thing, if the vehicle doesn't have its own, it doesn't have soul. But there are plenty of bikes that are not Harley that do have it. The opposed twin BMW GS1200, The transverse V4 of Honda VFRs and STs, the V4 of Yamaha Royal Stars (I own an 07), the transverse V twin of Moto Guzzi Brevas, and the bizarre V twins of the Ducati Monsters, all have soul to me. In a way even the Suzuki Hybusas and the older (80s) Kawasaki Ninjas had it.

Of course being Americans it is enhanced for us in HDs because of the heritage involved with American Classics. Like with, as was said before, Corvettes and Mustangs.. Let me add Trans AMs (I have a 76) and Jeep CJ/Wranglers (I have an 08) to the list of American Classics.

 

I know people might say that other bikes don't have 'soul' .. but, personally, I don't agree.

There are a lot of people out there who ride other types of bikes, cars, trucks, even airplanes for that matter and experience the same level of 'spirituality'. For some it's more than just an interest .. It's a passion. That is not neccessarily a "Harley" trait .. It's as unique and individual as stones on a beach.

 

You answered your own question right there c50 !!!!!

 

I thought about this today when I was out riding. Do you remember when as a kid we put playing cards in the spokes of our bikes? I didn't "pretend" to be riding a HONDA, But a Harley!

I also thought about the Harleys I've owned. I will bet, if they haven't been crashed, someone still goes out in the garage on a cold Winter's night, and just "looks" at them. As well as they are most likely still being ridden. I can't say that about any of the other brands or bikes I've owned!

( I know for a fact my last "non-Harley" is still sitting at the dealer that took it as a trade! It's been there all SUMMER and Fall! I smile as I ride past on my Harley thinking I could still be trying to sell it! And not enjoying my Dyna!)

 

This bike has soul she has a name , moods & at times I believe actual feelings nothing else can explain some of the things this bike and I have been through together in the last 28 yrs .

I found her at a swap meet , a frame & motor sitting there with a bunch of boxes full of crap . Bike has saved my life at least 3 times , once before the she even ready to ride a bad gas explosion & the resulting fire . My hair was smoking when I threw it through the garage door trying to get out , lost everything but that bike . We have been inseparable since , been through 2 wives countless others , put on well over 500,000 mi , never left me stranded on a road trip and the list goes on . Been some places on that bike we had no business being , hell enduro bike guys choked at a few of them . Road it to a hill climb once and took 3 place on it .

Call it a twisted love affair but that's what it is and I know I'm not the only one like this . What gives a bike soul is YOU . If your really into it a bike is the reflection of the guy riding it , how can it not have soul when you've put that much into it ?