Street Glide versus a Night Train

I've owned probably 20 different motorcycles over the course of my lifetime so the various quirks and anomalies that are associated with different motorcycles is no stranger to me.  A few years ago I decided to enter the Harley Davidson world and leave the Metric cruiser world behind me.  I purchased a motorcycle known as a Harley Davidson Night Train.

That's a cool name right?  Night Train.  It inspires thoughts of dark and sinister and evil and all kinds of good stuff.  Harley Davidson designed and named this bike in pursuit of that very image.  One of the things that sets a Night Train apart from others in the Harley Davidson lineup is that rather than being chromed to the hilt, like many in the HD lineup, the Night Train is black.  Black almost all over.  Black where the others are chrome.  A blacked out engine, transmission, primary cover, you name it and it's black.

It's so black that some people, including me, call it a Darth Vader bike.  Yes it's that black.  And it's that cool.  A cool looking, black and sinister Harley Davidson motorcycle....how cool is that.

As you can tell, I had a love affair with the Night Train.  It's exactly what I wanted in a Harley Davidson.  I modified it to my tastes and punched out the engine, put big cams in it, ported the heads and turned it into a rocket ship.  Well, a rocket ship for a Harley Davidson anyway.  I also slammed it into the weeds with an Arlen Ness lowering kit in the front and the rear and basically turned it into an ultra cool, slammed and bad ass fast Harley Davidson.

The price of all this sex appeal is that the bike became not so much fun to ride.  It's hot looking, no question about that.  It turns heads and is the envy of many an HD rider once they have a chance to ride it.  The problem is that the lowered ride might look hot, but it's back breaking on my spine.  The fast engine is a blast in the straightaways, but the heavy duty clutch gives me tendonitis.  It's sexy and good looking, but my wife of 10 years could care less.

Somewhere along the line the Night Train turned from sinister sexy to back breaking and tiresome.  Now I know the bike didn't change in the 3 years that I have owned it, but rather I think I might have changed.  Where I once yearned for dark and evil, sexy and fast; I now yearned for comfort and convenience.  I wanted a cushy ride that I could carry stuff with me if I wanted to.  I don't really care how fast it is, just that it's fun to ride.

Ok...I feel like I am coming out of the closet.  Why?  Well for years a Bagger was an old man's bike.  I not so affectionately referred to it as a "Geezer Glide" or a "Rolling Couch."   To ride a Bagger was to give in to Father Time, it was admitting growing old and that was something I wasn't willing to do.

Until now.  Suddenly that "Geezer Glide" looked pretty damn attractive.  I had the opportunity to ride one at a demo day at Myrtle Beach Bike Rally and that sealed the deal.  The Street Glide offers an air suspension, comfortable upright seating, a relaxed bar position and a silky smooth ride.  A nice fairing breaks the wind on the rider and keeps all the bad stuff away.  I had to have this bike....but I really didn't want this bike.  It was still capitulating to Father Time, something I wasn't ready to do just yet.  I am only 39 for crying out loud.  I shouldn't be on a Geezer Glide yet!!

But I really, really wanted one and I am not one to sit idly  by when I really want something.  So I went out and bought one.  I bought a super sexy 2009 Sunset Glow Red that is everything that I don't want it to be.  It's comfortable.  It's got a radio.  It's got a cushy seat that isn't hard on my back and the air ride suspension is very comfortable on these old bones.  Ok middle aged bones.

I've only owned the Street Glide for a few weeks and I am still getting used to it but so far I must say I love it.  I still have the Night Train but I haven't been on it since I bought the Street Glide.  Whenever the choice is there to be made, I find myself on the Street Glide.  It's just more fun and much less painful to ride.

Now that I am officially a member of the Geezer Glide motorcycle club, an old familiar feeling is starting to come over me.  Can a Geezer Glide be Sexy?  That depends on what sexy is to you.  To me, a slammed, fast, evil looking Street Glide sounds kind of sexy right? 

Why would I want to do this to another bike you might ask?  Why haven't I learned from history?  Pfft learning is for sissies.  To quote Rodney Dangerfield...I am going to Rage against the Dying of the Light.  I will not go gently into that good night.  While I might not be able to stomach the Night Train for long rides anymore, I can still handle the Street Glide and I will not go down without a fight.

In all seriousness, yes a Geezer Glide can be damned sexy and I intend to have my cake and eat it too.  I will have a rolling couch that looks hot, is badass fast and is STILL extremely comfortable.  It even has a place to keep my cane.

So you've seen both of my Harley Davidson motorcycles.  Granted one is heavily modified and the other is as stock as it was when it came off the showroom floor.  Is it possible for a Geezer Glide to be sexy?  Is it the equivalent of a bald, fat 50 year old guy buying a Corvette to try and catch the cheerleaders eye?

Do you even care?  Did you even read this far into the hub before I put you to sleep?  Well in my opinion, each bike has it's place.  The Night Train when you want to be just a bit naughty, ride around thumping the throttle and beating your chest.  The Street Glide might be a rolling couch for now, but it's drinking milk and someday soon, it will emerge as a super sexy Rolling Couch with some attitude!