Inspirational Stories

Laura Byrd rode through a tough stretch of life in 2003. “I felt a huge void until I fulfilled a
lifelong dream and bought my first Harley-Davidson,® a Sportster® 883,” she says. She loved the
bike but wanted something a bit more comfortable on the freeway. One year later she bought
a Softail® Deluxe and then shed a tear of joy as she sold her Sportster to a 50-year-old high
school teacher in New Mexico. It was her first Harley,® too.
– Laura Byrd, Walla Walla, WA


I rode on the back of my dad’s motorcycles when I was young. Unfortunately, he sold all his bikes when I was 16, and then I had to ask
for rides from family and friends. About a year ago I met Terry, a man with a Harley-Davidson,® who got me interested in riding again.
He gave me rides on the back and took me to the local Harley® shop to look at all the bikes. He knew I was interested in riding, and he
encouraged me to someday check out their new rider course. I loved hearing about his road trips,
but that just was not enough; I wanted this adventure for me.
I took the Rider’s Edge® New Rider Course, passed and got my license. I had been saving money
for something I really wanted, so I purchased a 2003 Softail® Standard. I will never forget that
first ride home. There is such an adventure and feeling of freedom each time I get on my bike.
– Maria Watts, Monroe, MI
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Getting Into The Right Gear

Many veteran riders stress how important it is for new riders to buy the right protective gear to wear. Every motorcyclist should at least wear the basics:
• Long pants help to provide protection from the elements, road debris and motorcycle exhaust pipes that might be hot.
• Boots that cover the ankles and have a quality non-slip sole
are important protection, and provide secure footing during stops
and starts.
•A helmet is important not only for safety but also to help shield your face from the elements.
• A jacket made for riding is important for protection and comfort in all types of weather.
• Gloves give you a better grip on the handlebar and help protect your hands, as well.
• Performance eyewear provides the best defense to keep wind and rain out of your eyes.

Look for These Key Feature s When Buying Riding Gear

COMFORT : The item should fit properly and feel comfortable in a riding position. Sit on a bike and reach for the handlebar when
trying on a jacket. Some jackets have pre-curved arms for more comfort while riding.
FUNCTIONALITY: The quality, weight and fabric of the apparel are important to consider. Think about where and for how long
you’ll be riding.
VERSATILITY: Jackets with zip-out liners and venting help keep you warm or cool, depending on the weather.
VISIBI LITY: Riding gear is available in a variety of colors, so make sure you’re visible to other riders and drivers on the road.
PREPARATION: Don’t forget to buy a good rain suit. You may say you’ll never ride in the rain, but you’ll realize the value of a
quality rain suit after that first unexpected shower.
Discuss your personal riding needs and style with employees in the MotorClothes® Apparel & Accessories department at your local
Harley-Davidson® dealership. They can help you select gear that fits properly and comfortably.
Harley-Davidson offers a variety of MotorClothes® riding gear, from the basics like the Whirlwind Perforated Leather jacket
with unbeatable value and excellent quality, to the FXRG® line of performance riding gear. Many styles have extended sizes
(big and small) to fit most riders.
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Fitting A Helmet

Proper fit is vital to the performance and effectiveness of any helmet. Remember: All helmets fit differently, so always try on a helmet before you purchase it. Ask a MotorClothes® specialist to help you choose the helmet that’s right for you.
Find the Proper Fit
Using the steps below, try on various sizes of helmets until you find your perfect fit. Proper fit is vital to the performance and
effectiveness of your helmet.
Step One:
Put the helmet on and fasten the chin strap comfortably snug. It should not be easy to slide a finger between your chin and strap. And if there is space between your brow-line and the inner lining, or you’re able to roll the helmet forward and off your head, try on the next smaller size.
Step Two:
Move the helmet from side-to-side and front-to-back. You should feel your skin and scalp move as the helmet moves. The helmet
should fit as tightly as you can comfortably wear it, because the helmet’s inner liner will compress with use.
Step Three:
Wear the helmet for at least fifteen minutes prior to purchase to ensure there are no uncomfortable pressure points. If you do
experience discomfort, try on a helmet that is a larger size or another style.
Step four:
If you typically wear eyeglasses or sunglasses, bring them along to ensure they will fit inside the helmet without irritating your ears or the bridge of your nose.
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Choose Your Bike

Each motorcycle tells a different story to the rider. These stories are translated into your experience on the road and are told through Style, Fit, Function, and Performance. When you dream of what your motorcycle should look like, that is style. Fit combines riding position with reach; how you sit on the bike and how you fit in the bike. Function is comfort and capacity with things like wind protection, bags, and tunes. Finally, performance. Twist the throttle and feel the primordial power pulses unique to Harley‑Davidson’s® V-Twin® engine reverberate between your legs – then drop it into gear and let the low-end torque sweep you off to your next destination. Like a story where you choose your own adventure, you have to sit on the motorcycles, sit in them, and as you narrow down to the story you’d like to tell, take it for a ride. When you know you’ve got the right story to tell, you just need to make it your own … your Harley-Davidson® dealership has Chrome Consultants equipped with about 800 pages of options.
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Motorcycle Families Overview

SPORTSTER
The Sportster® family of motorcycles was introduced in 1957.
• Stock Sportster® models can easily be identified by the shape of their air cleaner cover.
Sportster® engines feature an oval shaped air cleaner cover. Big Twins feature a more
football shaped air cleaner cover.
• Another way to identify Sportster® models is by the placement of the belt drive. The
Sportster® belt drive is on the right side. The rest of Harley-Davidson® models have the belt
drive on the left side.
• Sportster® models are agile and nimble bikes. Sportster® models are smaller and lighter than most other Harley® models. They offer plenty of power and performance.

DYNA
• The Dyna® family grew out of the custom chopper scene in the 1970s.
• A Dyna® model can be distinguished from other Harley-Davidson® models by the battery box and unique air cleaner cover.
• The Dyna® Street Bob® is often a favorite among women riders. The Street Bob® features a 25.8 inch seat height, and comes stock with mid-mounted foot controls.

SOFTAIL
The Softail® family takes its name and style cues from the “hard tail” bikes of the 30s and 40s.
• The “hard tail” style was to mount the bike’s swingarm directly to the rear wheel’s axle. This made for a “hard ride” on a rider’s “tail.”
• Softail® models have their suspension hidden underneath the bike. So a Softail® model can be easily identified by the lack of
external coil shocks.
• The Softail® family is a benchmark worldwide for combining custom styling with modern technology.
• The Softail® Deluxe features the lowest seat height of all H-D® motorcycles at 24.5 inches, and has a low center of gravity.

TOURING
Harley-Davidson® motorcycles have been used for touring purposes almost from the very beginning.
• The Touring family is made up of the “Kings” and the “Glides:” Road King® models look like vintage era bikes, and the Glides are
distinguished by their fairings and bags.
• The Touring family provides all the comforts needed for the long haul.

VRSC
The VRSCTM family was introduced in 2002 and is the newest family of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles.
• VRSCTM models are easy to spot, with their unique styling that differentiates the VRSCTM family from the other Harley-Davidson® bikes, such as the exposed frame and radiator.
• Also, the VRSCTM family features the Revolution® engine, a 60-degree liquid cooled engine, so it has a radiator like a car. The “V” shape is wider than the other Harley-Davidson® engines. The rest of the H-D® family has 45-degree air-cooled engines.
• The V-Rod® models are very light to lift off the side stand because of their aluminum body work. The fuel tank is below the seat, which also lowers the center of gravity.
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