"Harley-Davidson is much more than a motorcycle. It is a declaration of independence." – Willie G. Davidson
I've said it many times and I'll say it again: for me, a motorcycle means Harley Davidson. Not because it's the fastest, the most powerful, or because other brands don't deserve respect. Not at all. But in my mind, when I first told myself I wanted a motorcycle, I knew without hesitation – it would be a Harley. No scholarly explanations. No statistics. No comparative PowerPoints. It just was.
I think Harley actually stuck in my mind as a symbol of freedom. A brand that managed to become history and stay alive, without losing its soul on the road. It's not just a motorcycle. It's a story on wheels. And the best part is that every Harley owner is free to write their own chapter.
The first Harley – the beginning of a complicated (but beautiful) relationship
My first Harley was, let's say, a "comfort" motorcycle. I wanted something more forgiving for a beginner, something I could get my hands on and, in some places, my nerves. After some time and many roads, I moved on to the next one – the motorcycle that has been with me for 4 years and over 75,000 kilometers. And with every kilometer, I understood something essential: the goal is not to always run after the newest model. The goal is to build, shape, maintain and improve, until the motorcycle is no longer just a motorcycle, but becomes an extension of your personality.
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy a Harley – and that's pretty much the same thing."
The 2024 Project – When a Harley becomes your personal story
In June 2024, I started to draw in my mind the motorcycle that was to be. Not just a Harley, but my Harley. The search was long – from parts to people. I was lucky to find craftsmen who I would rather call artists: Stefan, the maniac painter in the best sense of the word, the man who makes no concessions, not even to strict adherence to the instructions from the paint manufacturer. Then came Andreea , the visual architect of my ideas – we pulled together dozens of simulations, drew, erased, started over, until the Harley in my imagination became the Harley in reality.
Why customize your Harley?
Some would say it's a midlife crisis. Others that I want to go big. Maybe a little bit of both. But, in fact, it's much more than that. Harley is a motorcycle with a story, but it's not my story. To make it truly mine, I had to transform it. To put my personal stamp on it, to give it my soul. I started in 2020, with the first kilometer. From there, every road taught us something – what I like, what I don't like, what works and what needs to be changed. By November 2024, I was ready. Not for a complete change, but for that refinement that transforms it from a motorcycle into a life partner.
"It doesn't matter what you drive. It matters how you feel when you drive."
The motorcycle that teaches you who you are
My Harley today is exactly what I wanted. It handles the way I expect it to, rides the way I like it, and most importantly, it represents me. It's a mirror on two wheels—with good and bad, with scars and victories. It may be easy to buy a new motorcycle and replace it every few years. But to keep one, grow it, and transform it throughout your life… that's when you start to tell a story.
"Harley-Davidson doesn't build motorcycles. It builds dreams."
And my dream continues, kilometer by kilometer, on two wheels, with the engine revving and my heart full.
Comentários