Hi all, first off thanks Bill for the list.
My main reason for the post is, I've just been talking to Frank and for those who don't know he has bought himself a Harley.
Yeah I know, what the
, and all the rest of it.
The fact of the matter is, the type of riding Frank does is two up with his lovely missus Jo. They are retired and it's an excellent way for them both to see the country cheaply together the way they like to, i.e. riding.
Well from what I can gather Frank had been thinking about getting a bigger bike cos with his missus and luggage he found with the long haul riding he does in this big country of ours was just a bit tough for the 865cc power plant cos it didn't have that extra oomph he needed when required.
Well being an ex pom we know he loves Triumphs but just like Goldilocks
, he found the Rocket was just too big. Then he tried the T-Bird and because Frank is just a tad short in the leg department, he just couldn't quite reach the ground properly. Then he hears there's this Harley (can't remember which model - sorry) which has 2,500klm's on it and is selling for $10K less than new and more importantly, has a saddle height a full 2" shorter than the T-Bird. The Harley dealer even put it on a truck for him and had it shipped down from a town 150Klm away so he could have a ride.
Mmm, What's a bloke meant to do?
He takes the hog for a big ride with Jo on the back and guess what, it's " Just Right".
So regardless of what you think about Harley's, No one can in the same situation I believe think any different to how Frank did. He needed a bike to suit his needs and found one at a bargain price and even with a fair few after market parts.
Well let's face it, you do what suits you for the type of riding you want to do and it just so happens the hog offered it. Simple.
Hey, I'm lucky I've got legs that are "perfect" (sorry Frank) so I can even buy a BMW GS if I want, but what would I do if I had those little legs. Who knows and who cares. I'm not Frank but we do know we all do what suits ourselves. That's life.
To those who don't like Harley's, may I suggest it's not exactly the bike but some of the rider's of em that's the issue here, and we know Frank is a top bloke.
Anyway, I wanted to clear that part up cos it's like it's been the unsaid given the contentiousness so to speak. Me, I'm happy for him and Jo. I'm sure he would have liked to have stayed with Triumph but given the various factors he's needed to manage, it wasn't possible. Hey, maybe he just prefer's it anyway for his own reasons. Fair enough I say. It's just the way of the world.
So there you go guys. Yes he's gone to the dark side but he's still a riding buddy in my books which is the main thing.
I suppose the only issue now is whether Frank would be classified as a honorary attendee at Ozbam. The way I see it and I know we've talked about other bikes going and whatever but how important is it in the big picture. Are we going to be a bunch of elitist Triumph riders or just riders who prefer Triumphs.
I'm starting to think the latter now and I'm sure the group of us who thought of Ozbam to start with will probably be thinking the same.
I'd be interested to hear what the views are on this one. Particular those from Kent, Richard and Benny but of course being a democratic mob, everyone's opinion will be respected.
stacka
