![DSC_1499](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3607131128_15d35118ab.jpg)
Nothing says America like a big fat dude on a big fat Harley Davidson motorcycle. This brand actually has a pretty big following in Japan. Out on the road I've come across quite a few rider's, American muscle the only thing between them and the road. It's a dream thing. Harley has been embedded in our minds as the ultimate freedom machine. Modern advertising pushes this to the limit, but I think it goes back to Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, and those sweet, sweet machines.
![DSC_1503](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3607133200_ccda399922.jpg)
I'll admit it, I've never ridden a Harley, but have this secret desire to drop a huge sum of cash on one and ride from California to New York, hitting all 48 states in the process.
![DSC_1515](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/3607134154_4bba1dcec9.jpg)
But, Harley's have a bad reputation. You pay a lot more for that Harley charm, and they have a tendency to be fickle machines. Hardly Able-sons is a common moniker.
![DSC_1516](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3607135290_4c2871f3d9.jpg)
Really damn expensive. The whole process of buying a Harley involves buying the bike, which is a 20 to 30 (or 40 in the above shot) thousand dollar ordeal. Then comes the customization. Chrome ain't cheap. Performance parts ain't cheap.
![DSC_1517](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3607136240_773ed6d569.jpg)
$2000 for some shocks. Yeah, every brand is pricey to customize, but somehow Harley comes out on top... way on top.
![DSC_1518](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3606317799_a77813876d.jpg)
Anyways, I heard about this Harley event and had to go. Selling points:
- Free entrance and gifts
- Only about 15km from my door
- Test ride some bikes
- Country line dancing
![DSC_1526](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/3606320203_2c37a2384b.jpg)
The free present was these sweet rain ponchos. Rock on... in style.
![DSC_1519](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3606318691_0422c2b7c5.jpg)
As for the test rides, I went straight for the V-ROD. I've been in love with this bike since they introduced it back around 2003. It's all kinds of cool, and I think the styling is so bad ass. I sat down, wiped the childish grin off my face, and started the engine.
![DSC_1532](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3606321453_aef7eba1b2.jpg)
We all know a simple fact in life. Harley's are seriously loud. Like deafening loudness. So when I started the V-ROD and my first comment was, "Is it on?"... that's not good.
That's the reaction you want from a Toyota Prius.
Revving the engine elicited similar ennui. The test drive as well. Oh well. I think all the bikes here were severely limited. There can't be any other explanation.
![DSC_1546](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3607142588_280ee03834.jpg)
The food was more hard core than the bikes. That's rice with taco meat loaded on top... and a hot dog. The word メガ, mega... makes it good.
![DSC_1549](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3607143560_82aa3872a1.jpg)
There were some games to play. In this one, you have to shoot the 酔っぱライダー. A play on words meaning drunk riders. バンバン! Bang Bang!
![DSC_1552](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/3607144670_0fffe70ca6.jpg)
The "gun" is the exhaust from the back of a bike. It's like you're in front of the bar, doing a burnout, and shit is flying out of the exhaust and killing all the drunk bastards inside.
I won some stickers for my murderous efforts.
![DSC_1559](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/3606326493_042a90b369.jpg)
License in Japan... you're doing it wrong!
![DSC_1568](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3607147328_a17dd6e2e8.jpg)
Mild mannered English teacher at a girl's High School by day, bad ass who wears clothes like this at night.
![DSC_1580](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3606329699_28150d13cf.jpg)
This was the first time in my life that I have heard live country music. In Japan. And for someone who has only listened to this genre when driving in the countryside of California, I seemed to know all the words to the songs. (Achey Breaky Heart, Country Road, Rodeo)
![DSC_1577](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3606328519_55a856a04c.jpg)
![DSC_1590](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3607151632_095d97bc54.jpg)
Kid's Heaven? Isn't that were little boys and girls go when they die?
![DSC_1585](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3606330721_764c1a8969.jpg)
![DSC_1597](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3606333807_3793b966ec.jpg)
Ladies Beauty Square? Isn't there where perverted Japanese business men who like groping girls on the train go when they die?
![DSC_1592](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3606332761_88181d4ba1.jpg)
![DSC_1598](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3607154714_9290a55e7d.jpg)
![DSC_1599](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3607155690_48e206e7d3.jpg)
![DSC_1600](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3606337935_b3ae049861.jpg)
I should also mention that I test drove a Buell Lightning. Buell is an offshoot of Harley. Pretty much a sport bike built with a Harley engine. I was Kick Ass. I capitalize to make a point. The bike almost made me numb from the shaking. No way I could handle a long haul, but I really really want.
![DSC_1501](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3606312551_d57475d969.jpg)
This event changed my life. I had dreams of driving a Yamaha R1 sports bike, but this has been replaced with a Buell Lightning sports bike. I also had dreams of driving a Harley cruiser, but this has been replaced with a "anything not Harley" cruiser.
But Harley will always hold a special place... on funny Youtube clips!
1 comment:
Harleys in Japan need to have adjustments on the exausts because of noise regulations... that's why the sound.. or the lack of it anyway...
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