Having wanted a HD since I was a teen my itch continued to grow but there just never seemed to be a right time or enough $$$. With college, marriage, life, metrics, etc. getting in the way I realized I was over 40 and still did not have my dream machine. I devised a plan by opening a specific HD savings account. Whenever I could accumulate $200 or more that was not earmarked for something else it went into my HD account. Ten years later I am over 50 and had a bit over $10K saved. I realized that I had a lot more days behind me than ahead of me so I found and purchased my first HD, a one owner beautiful blue FXSTS. I learned the hard way to not let a non HD owner ride your bike. He crashed it less than a mile from my house. After settling with the insurance co. I had to go shopping again. Turned 53 in Dec. 2012 and moved up to a bagger. I was fortunate to find a one owner '02 FLHR. My balance in my HD account is low but I had already started adding $$ again. It will grow over time and when the itch to buy another HD comes I will be ready.
I have always had to work for a living. I do not believe in financing toys (bikes, boats, atv, etc.) I do without and save until I can purchase outright. Everyone is different and each situation is unique. It would be interesting to read how others came about acquiring their bikes.
I wish everyone safe travels and tons of FUN !

 

I am right there with ya. Don't believe in financing toys.

 

Sounds similar to my story, I had a couple of sportys but always wanted a big twin, married, kids, house, well I turned 50 last year, and bought a nice used V-Star Silverado 1100, I had it 3 months and went back to where I bought it, Classic Iron Motorcycles, well I walked in just to look around and then I saw it, a beautiful 99 EG Standard, was beautiful, was $8k, I put together everything I could including trading back my V-Star. Well I am very happy and love the bike having it for 8 months now and transforming it into what I like, is my last bike.

 

congrats and welcome , post a picture when you can

 

I realized that I had a lot more days behind me than ahead of me

Capt. Jean Luc Picard; Star Trek "Generations"


My first Harley? It was 1978. I was riding a ratty old '72 Triumph Tiger & like you, was obsessed with owning a Harley. There was nothing I wanted more in the world, and was willing to beg,borrow,steal, & do whatever it took to get one. Hell, I woulda sold a kidney for a new Superglide. I was delivering pizza at the time & living at home, so I was able to save a little, but it never seemed enough. One day, I saw an ad in a local paper, don't remember exactly, but it went something like "Hardtail Harley for sale, or swap for bike with rear shocks due to bad back". On a whim, I called the guy & said I had a '72 Triumph Tiger, would he be interested in a trade? He said yes, so I rode my Triumph up to the Bronx, & saw the bike. It was a '41 UL 80 CI Flattie, black, of course with a stock Springer, peanut tank with tank shift & suicide clutch, & a blood red cobra seat. MAN; I thought that bike was IT! We made the deal, loaded the Harley in his van, and he drove me home.

MY FIRST HARLEY was home! Man, I was never so happy in my life. I remember I hadda work that night, but I was so excited about my new bike I could hardly stand being at work. Since all my riding friends worked for the same pizza place, I called one of 'em up & said "You gotta work for me tonight; I wanna ride my new sled". he did, & I went cruisin' the boulevard that night on my righteous UL. I was 10 feet tall!

 

Nice Waltz. Welcome to the Forum

 

I went down to the dealer and bought mine. I would rather be riding than saving.

 

Now here is a great story of how I got my first Harley. I have had several bikes when I was in high school, but went a stretch with no bikes due to college, marriage, kids, etc.

A couple years after getting re-married and being empty nesters, my wife says you need a toy. I am like oh boy, why yes I do. She goes you should look at some convertibles. I test drove a few, but didn't make any decisions. A few months goes by, my wife says why haven't you decided on your toy. I said ,well is this really about me or us? She said it about me. I replied well if that is the case then I would like a motorcycle. She said that is great. I let some some time pass just to see.

One day she called me at work and said what are you doing tomorrow afternoon. I looked at my calendar and said I am open at 4pm. She said I will pick you up at work at 4. The next day comes, she picks me up, and starts driving off. I inquire about where we are going and she says be patient. We drive by the "Old town" district where there are a lot of hotels, restaurants, etc. I was thinking we might be having a couples night. Nope she keeps going.

Finally she pulls into the Harley dealership and says pick one.

She has always been supportive of me going on rides whether they are 3-4 days or a month long (the ride of a lifetime).

How is that for a wife and the greatest gift ever!!

 

me too. sure i financed all my harleys. i've had 6 of them. but, i've always gotten decent interest rates, and always paid more than the minimum so paid them off early.

you had a dream to own a harley, but waited until you were 50 to actually get it. thats a lot of riding time that you've missed and will never get to make up for. not downing on you, it was important for you to 'not finance a toy' and i respect that. but i consider the amount that i paid in interest, a 'early riding fee' and it was worth it to me to pay it to be riding now

 

Good on you. Glad you finally got her.