Back in 1987, I was in the market for a motorcycle. I was 24 years old, worked 60 hours a week, was in a union… I wanted a Harley. So I went looking; after talking to a couple of ‘sales people’ that acted as though they were doing me a favor by letting me sit on a couple of bikes- I made my choice. Was told I’d have to go on a waiting list and I needed to put down $1000 for the ‘privilege’. I asked how long and the guy said ;maybe’ by the middle of August- It was May of 1987.
Thankfully; something didn’t sit right with me and I decided to hold off. I wanted a bike in a week, not 16 weeks; and I don’t even know how much it’s going to cost yet. Never got that far in the convo.
I then went to a Suzuki dealer in my own town; I liked the Intruder but the sales guy was a jerk. But sitting on and seeing that Intruder 1400, got me. I ended up going to another Suzuki dealer about 20 miles away 2 towns over. This time; I dealt with a very motivated salesGIRL. I even remember her name - “Jessica”. She was actually the owner’s daughter I found out later. Well Jessica made me feel like, you know, a customer. She answered my questions, knew what she was talking about and then we talked numbers, financing and drive away date. She helped me fill out the paperwork for the loan- ZERO DOLLARS DOWN, and she told me the bike could be picked up “tonight before closing” - not 120 tonights - but TONIGHT. I told her I can wait until the next morning. BTW; I paid $5800 OUT THE DOOR; for a bike with over 70HP. No waiting list- no games with MSRP. Compare that with a 58HP Harley Softail at over $9000 MSRP and who knows what the real price would have been and what the real delivery date would have been.
So between 1987 - 2012 I put over 88,000 miles on the bike. Never had the top end off. The bike never stranded me other than a rear tire flat. Been cross country, back and forth to Florida a couple of times and across Canada. The bike always got me home. Went through 2 stators, 2 clutch packs and I replaced swingarm bearings at about 45,000 miles. Everything else was normal wear and tear; brake pads, tires, oil changes and 2 sets of fork seals. I do all my own wrenching; even do my own tires including static balance. And yes, of course I use Designer Springs
I did have to rebuild the carbs but that was only because it sat dormant for over 4 years. BTW- This forum was a great help getting it running again… very grateful. So 2012 arrives and I decide to buy a Harley; I bought a used 2000 FXST and I loved it. Within 2 weeks, needed a stator- ok, I fixed it. Then the bike was fine until I got rear ended while at a stop light. The frame got bent; bike totaled, insurance company treated me fairly. While waiting for settlement; bought a used 1996 FXSTC. Beautiful bike. Insurance money from 1st Harley came in, decided to be the owner of 2 Harleys; saw a great deal on a 2006 Nightrain so I bought it. Both Harleys were private sale purchases.
So for the next 10 years; yes I put a lot of miles on those Harleys but I also put a lot of money into them that shouldn’t have had to. I could go on and on with a list of repairs; including 2 flywheel rebuilds (connecting rod bearings & races), broken piston skirt, head gaskets, stators, hydraulic lifers, can tensioners, etc. Oh, and the ‘special’ tools you need to do even the simple stuff like replacing clutch plates… eye opening— and wallet draining.
I realize I’m preaching to the choir but truth be told, the Intruder is the better bike. I’d like to think it’s probably the most underrated cruiser of all time. Think about it- 70+ HP off the showroom floor 35 years ago for a little over half the price of a Harley. Do you know how much money you have to spend on a Harley in ‘upgrades’ to get to 70HP? The Intruder is more responsive and MUCH more reliable, I thankfully held on to my 1987, got it running again and it is NOW my daily once again. In fact - in the last 12 days- I put 2000 miles on it just to get ‘reacquainted’. Great way to spend a vacation.
I’m currently selling my 1996 Harley FXSTC and my 2006 FXSTBi (Nightrain). They are now running great- I will never sell anybody a bad anything. I also built a custom Harley that I’m keeping. The bike has more Made In USA parts on it than anything coming out of Harley’s showrooms today.
Regardless of what you ride, Ride safe.
Thanks for The Reading. I enjoyed your Stories told.
MORS TYRANNIS 
.....ITALY! 