For more than a century, Harley-Davidson has been the first choice, and for some, the only choice when purchasing a motorcycle. The American legacy of Harley-Davidson brings a culture all to its own as Harley riders develop a love and passion for their bikes. Since its early beginning, the company has now achieved worldwide recognition. Harley-Davidson has not only created perhaps the most identifiable motorcycle on the road, but also its own community.
“Times are changing,” says Roger Courtright, owner / operator of a Western Star 4964 hauling a tanker. Like his father, he is a trucker and a Harley-Davidson rider. He’s owned a Harley for 32 years, since he was 14 and spent a lot of time riding with an organization. His family took him to buy a new Harley for a recent birthday, but he prefers his 1966 FLH motorcycle.
“Like truckers, there are Harley riders from the old breed and the new breed,” Courtright says. “Years ago Harley bikers did their own work and customizing. Today people are buying customized bikes and don’t know how to change a spark plug.”
When he sees truckers he wonders what they did to become a trucker. “Many are in second careers driving a truck,” he says. “Now when you see a broke-down truck along the roadside, most truckers don’t come to the aid of their fellow truckers. Many do not have the knowledge of what to do to help.”
Courtright believes many truckers want to experience the life of a biker. “They are wannabes who think it’s cool to act tough. They trade their suits for dirty jeans and escape into the Harley culture for a while.”
Rick West and his partner, Maria Sarsfield, haul produce from Florida to New Jersey with their 379 Peterbilt. During the growing season, while the produce is at the highest rates, they run the East Coast, but when the rates drop, they jump on one of West’s three Dyna low-riders and vacation across the country, logging as many miles from South Carolina to California on their bike as in their truck.
Similar to many hardcore Harley riders, West raises an eyebrow and says, “If you need to ask why I ride a Harley, you won’t get an answer.” He says he’s easygoing and the only thing sure to get his temper flaring is a problem with his bike. He does his own mechanical work, knowing every inch of the bike and spending time polishing it.
Sarsfield says, “You see it every day on the road and we had a personal friend die, just as he was ready to retire to the good life. So we try to enjoy life where we can. Everyone needs something to enjoy and for us it’s riding the Harley.” They ride along, with friends and the worldwide chapter, the Outlaws. They are planning an 11,000-mile Harley tour touching the four corners of the United States.
Rick Halverson of Missouri hauls a 48-foot reefer with his Kenworth W900, but he, too, treasures the Harley experience he and his sons enjoy. Halverson’s six-speed Screamin’ Eagle is second only to his wife, Caroline, and just ahead of his truck in the ranking of prized possessions. He made a dog carrier from two bags and cut a visor for a windshield for his schnauzer.
All of these riders say Harleys are made for large riders, but Harley-Davidson is expanding its line to accommodate riders of all sizes. It also is targeting the female-rider market with custom motorcycles for women.
Courtright indicates that his wife understands his time on the road and his children have grown up knowing nothing else. “I enjoy the quiet time on the road by myself. I often turn the CB off, listen to my satellite radio and enjoy the drive. For this reason I also like getting out of the truck and riding for a few days, until I need to go home to the family.” He encourages his children and others to feel the peace and pleasure of a Harley riding experience.
It can be more expensive to own a Harley than to own other bikes. Once targeted toward more affluent professionals, Harley-Davidsons now are available in a range of prices. Owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is considered an investment for the riders. Harley owners are known to sacrifice other things to keep their bikes. During a trucker conversation about Harleys, one driver said, “Twenty years ago I had to sell my Harley to pay my divorce lawyer.” Laughing, he continued, “I rode it up and down the East Coast; I still miss that bike.”
As the weather gets warmer, truckers, like all riders, want to be out riding. The die-hard Harley riders ride in all sorts of weather.
Mike Keator builds trailers for the trucking industry and rides mostly with truckers with Harleys. Although he has ridden for years and gotten along with his co-riders, it wasn’t until he purchased his first Harley, a Nightster, that Keator understood firsthand the Harley experience. Keator says he always felt like he was on the outside looking in. “I still ride the same roads, with the same riders, but my riding pleasure has increased on a Harley. It goes beyond the image; it’s a feeling.” He now rides an Ultra Glide Classic, which Harley riders refer to as a “life bike” – one that would suit him for the duration of his riding time.
No one questions the authenticity of a Harley-Davidson rider. Although the different styles of truckers and Harley riders separate some drivers and riders, the feel of the ride and rumble of pipes unites them. “I rode with people I grew up with and we all remain close, although they now live across the county,” Courtright says. The Harley Owners Group has more than 500,000 riders, making it the largest factory-sponsored group in the world.
In the earliest days of Harley-Davidson riders, the image of rough-and-tough biker was formed, mainly due to the actions of the biker gangs. Today, the pleasure of owning and riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is experienced by a variety of enthusiasts.
Harley-Davidson has scheduled an event leading to the opening of the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. The festival, scheduled for Aug. 28-31, will include local tours, rides, 15 musical acts and street parties. It will culminate with the opening of the museum, showcasing a massive collection of motorcycles and memorabilia. As a teaser, the Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum will be visiting Harley-Davidson dealers across the country. This 53-foot tractor-trailer is packed to the axles with the company’s 105-year history and artifacts.
