My six week old Harley Superglide is sitting in the shop at Roanoke Valley Harley-Davison for installation of some accessories while I sit in the dealership’s customer service lounge. Bored by what’s on CNN, I start to blog…on a Blackberry Storm.
RVHD has not yet discovered the concept of providing wi-fi so customers can bring a laptop and get real work done while waiting on their bikes so I’m typing with my thumbs on the Blackberry’s touch screen: Not an ideal situation but one that works in a pinch.
As I type away, I realize how tethered we are to technology. On the road, I look for restaurants with wi-fi so I can work while eating. I cuss at my cell phone when a signal is not available. I carry a Blackberry because I’m addicted to instant access to email. When someone sends me an email, a tingling sensation on my hip tells me it has arrived immediately. I can reply instantly. Too often, I stop what I’m doing to do so.
Down time appears to be a relic of ther past in our fast-paced, do-more-with-less lifestyles — even here in the country where things are supposed to be laid back. On any given day there can be four or five laptops using Cafe del Sol’s free wi-fi service in Floyd while others chat on cell phones.
Most people don’t even think of trying my office or home phone numbers. I get more calls in both places on the cell.
Which is why I’m typing away on a Blackberry in the customer service lounge of a motorcycle shop instead of leaning back on their soft leather couch, drinking their free coffee and watching CNN. So much for relaxation.
But soon, my bike will be ready, my Blackberry will go into a saddlebag where I can’t hear it or feel the vibration and I will be on the road and — for a while at least — out of touch with the rest of the world.
Now that’s nirvana.
Bob:
As you said, to each his own but why the need to trasn the rides of others?
Some people like metrics, some do not. Some prefer Harleys, others do not. Some like Euro bikes, others don’t care for them. Like most modes of transportation, the bike one rides is a matter of personal preference. I’ve ridden most models of bikes, from Honda dirt bikes to Goldwing tourers. I’ve owned Hondas, Kawasakis, Triumphs, Suzukis and Harleys. At my age, I prefer Harleys because the riding position is comfortable.
My Superglide weighs in at 650 pounds — heaver than some, lighter than others. A Goldwing tips the scales at 900 lbs. plus. A Victory Vison at 850 pounds plus. A BMW R 1200GS is about a hundred pounds lighter but cost $2,750 more off the showroom floor. Both bikes have fuel injection (all new Harleys are fuel injected). Harley offers ABS. I don’t like ABS on a bike so I opt out.
Most Harley owners I know don’t look down their noses at those who ride other makes. We welcome all bikes on HOG rides and one of our chapter offcers rides a Suzuki trike conversion.
We don’t make fun of other people’s rides. I’ve never understood why others feel the need to do so.
As a BMW rider who also has friends who ride Harley-Davidsons, I’m happy to see a hog rider speak out in favor of civility among bikers. I’m tired of listening to some of my BMW-riding compatriots trash other makes (particularly Harleys) with claims of superiority of the Bavarian brand.
All bikes have their good points and bad. I ride for the pure joy of riding and I don’t care what others ride.
Only thing I see wrong with your story Doug is this…..get rid of the toys (phone..pc..etc) these bikes are for stress relief and enjoyment…
And Bob…I like my pipe’s and it’s a rice burner not a Harley….89 decibels…just right for Cruisin the Coast 09
You would think that we live in a world where performance , cost, and ride-ability would matter most… Not some over sold ideology…such as Harley.. but then again, this is America where you can sell anyone on anything at anytime…