I am fresh off the freeway, and that piece of HD sh*t I have been trying to ride for the past four years has run out of last chances. Several weeks ago, it stranded me (again!) this time apparently because the vacuum valve in my fuel cock decided to stop working. Tonight for the first time in a long time, it went gutless on me *again* for most of my ride home.... Barely holding 50 MPH at full throttle, and this time with my girlfriend on the back.... How cool is that? How many of you would put up with this from whatever it is you commute to work with every day?

In February, I took the Sportster-aka-JUNK in to Vic's Custom Cycle of Tarzana, CA (not a dealer) for the 10,000 mile service, and to plug the now-enormous oil leak in the front cylinder. They seemed to think the leak was from the head gasket, which was $70 alone. Thus, a nominally $300ish major service (already outrageously expensive by the standards of my old Toyota Corolla) becomes a kick in the gut exceeding $700. Worse then my worst case expectations. But then hasn't that always been the case with this bike?

Me and my Hawg. My first Harley-Davidson.

I love the look and the feel of this bike, which this poor-quality picture doesn't really do justice to. This Sportster turns heads on the street and in parking lots, and it is stock right off of Bartel's[1] showroom floor. Not only does it drive like a rocket, but it sounds and feels like one too, with the trademark vibrating rumbling Harley roar. There is no question that Harley has figured out the aesthetics of selling motorcycles.