What if I buy another brand bike am I still welcome?

[HH-60EngineTroop]

today I found out that i was selected to be promoted to TSgt and the wife says when I put it on in a couple of months I can buy what ever bike I want. Now the question is if I don't buy and LT even though I like them not sure if I can afford the up keep and the lack of dealers in the area and I buy a HD softail deluxe would I still be welcome to talk and maybe ride with a few of you sometime????

Gabe

[Morley]

Boy, things have changed since I was in the A.F., no way a Tech. could have afforded a high end bike back in those days. Especially a married one.
Your profile says you are an engine mech...Do your own maint. I was a Jet Mech. on several acft in my time in the A.F. And am an A&P now, I figure if I can fix 50 million dollar+ planes, everything else is a snap.
A Harley is going to be no cheaper to maintain than the BMW, and with the internet resources today there is pretty much no part you can't get and no problem that can't be solved.
BTW, you're no further from the only dealers in GA than I am and closer to the FLA. ones (I've never been to any of them).
So far I've done my fluid changes (twice) added farkles (aux lights on home made brackets) HID upgrade, auto switch, etc.., taken it down to naked, changed filters, fuel QD's.. All went without a hitch. This bike really is simple. The hardest part is getting to things (removing tupperware).
This weekend...new tires, with the help of the HF tire changer and Dynabeads. (yes everyone, I'm putting in metal tire valves)

[browad]

Of course you're welcome here. I understand your concern re LT v HD, I went through it myself. If you are comfortable doing work on the bike it makes things much easier and cheaper. However, having a dealer nearby makes warranty issues and last-minute part calls go easier. Of course, if you buy used and out of warranty that is a moot point.

For me, if I had to do it again I might stick with the HD. But that is me with my own experience with BMW. There are other threads on this topic elsewhere in this area that you may want to look at. Biggest thing: ride before you buy.

If you want to see more about maintaining an LT I'll be doing a Tech Session at my place in Gville, Fl. Linky. (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37295)

Enjoy your new ride, whatever it may be.

[HH-60EngineTroop]

Cool thanks everyone. Moley I used to work on the C-130's and now I am on the HH-60's I grew up in Savannah out on Tybee Island and my parents still live out there and I come to Savanah at least once a month for Huc-a-poos pizza and a weekend of drinking and fishing. You must work out at gulfstream if you are working on planes, my brother works out at the new hanger, a buddy of mine who just got out less then a year ago works out there, and a familly friend Bill Lewis works out there in the TMDE shop.

Gabe

[Morley]

Cool thanks everyone. Moley I used to work on the C-130's and now I am on the HH-60's I grew up in Savannah out on Tybee Island and my parents still live out there and I come to Savanah at least once a month for Huc-a-poos pizza and a weekend of drinking and fishing. You must work out at gulfstream if you are working on planes, my brother works out at the new hanger, a buddy of mine who just got out less then a year ago works out there, and a familly friend Bill Lewis works out there in the TMDE shop.

Gabe
Yep, work at G-stream, also in the "new" hangar on 2nds. Compared to what I do daily, this bike is child's play..and its got NOTHING on a B-52 :dance: Gotta love the BUFF. Never worked the 4 fan trashcan, just rode in them. My time dates back to the F-4, F-106 days.

[Lonewuff]

Gabe,

Check out my signature...they still let me tag along with em...course they make me ride in the back so they don't have to hear me. :rotf:

[DanMartin]

Gabe,

Check out my signature...they still let me tag along with em...course they make me ride in the back so they don't have to hear me. :rotf:
Is also a case of not having to look at him. :rotf:

dan

[ironbuttwannabe]

the wife says when I put it on in a couple of months I can buy what ever bike I want.
I need to find a wife like yours Gabe!!!

I never really understood the whole Harley thing, but won't insult anyone who rides one (as long as im in front of them). My first choice in bikes if money wasn't an option would be a GT.

[HH-60EngineTroop]

well you see lots of things from the rear of the pack. Moley my brothers name is Greg Bell he is the maintenance supper (Building guy) on the second shift in the new hanger.

Gabe

[Chockkicker]

today I found out that i was selected to be promoted to TSgt and the wife says when I put it on in a couple of months I can buy what ever bike I want. Now the question is if I don't buy and LT even though I like them not sure if I can afford the up keep and the lack of dealers in the area and I buy a HD softail deluxe would I still be welcome to talk and maybe ride with a few of you sometime????

Gabe


Gabe, congradulations on the promotion to T/Sgt, as an old retired M/Sgt who crew chiefed USAF airplanes for a good part of his life I tell you to buy what ever bike you want--sounds to me like you want a BMW. I left Harley Ds back in 1970 for BMWs and found that there is not much upkeep involved with riding BMWs. Kinda like driving a car, just get on it and go. I do a little inspection prior to riding my LT and have never found anything that required attention other than tire pressure about once a week. If you can work on a jet engine you can surely do what is required on a BMW.

[kevincook]

Gabe,

You are always welcome here, regardless of what kind of bike you ride. I don't know if you were planning to buy a new bike or a used one but I think a slightly used LT is one of the best values of any bike around. If you buy a new one be prepared for it to lose a lot of value in the first two years. A two year old bike with an extended warranty is a pretty good way to go.

Also, if you are planning a new bike there are rumors that a new LT will be arriving next year, probably in the Spring.

Good Luck,
Kevin

[HH-60EngineTroop]

I think I will be buying a used bike because I really don't want to spend a but load of money on one. A payment around 200 a month will make me happy. Chockkicker what did you work on back in the day? I got 8 years 355 more days to go until I pull chocks for good.

Gabe

[cfell]

Gabe, Welcome aboard! You're certainly welcome to be here... Thank you for your AND your FAMILY's service to OUR country...

Yeah, buy what you want, TSgt! You are always welcome in my home.

Semper Fidelis!

[HH-60EngineTroop]

Thanks cfell, when I joined the airforce they told us the army don't like us the navy hates us but the marines leave us alone becuase we never start crap with them and when they need something we bring it to them, and then there is the coasties and they are just like us but everyone hates them instead. (NOT MY OPINION JUST WHAT I WAS TOLD) I think we all do our part big or small, in the air, on the ground, or in/under water it all needs to work to be the bigger picture.

Gabe

I have been to paris island, and wow is that a place. We were in africa and the marines came over and got parts from us, and they were amazed at all the crap we brought with us (C-130parts). 9 conexs full of parts.

[sexem]

Just don't buy an ST!!!!

[HH-60EngineTroop]

no not a ST ever.

gabe

[rattler50]

Congrats on the promotion and be advised.........the Harley jokes will not cease just because you buy one.......... :histerica .........the best bike in the world is the one YOU are riding........... :rotf:

[Sereman]

God bless all of our Veterans...BMW ridin or not. Thanks for your service Gabe and all you other Veterans.

SEREs

[mwnahas]

What a Harley ride with us BMW riders? Would I do that?
Mine is the BLACK LT in the front. :D

[mwnahas]

God bless all of our Veterans...BMW ridin or not. Thanks for your service Gabe and all you other Veterans.

SEREs

Ya, what he said! :thumb:

[HH-60EngineTroop]

Thanks guys! SEREMAN my uncle in a retired CMSGt and my dad is a CMSGt(been in 38 years) and he will retire in 2 years, they were/are in the Georgia Air Gaurd. He (dad) just went through SERE school In march for the first time in 38 years and he said it sucked a**. He broke his collar bone on day 2 or 3 and went through the whole school with it broke becuase he said he wasn't going back. What made his mind up was te diffenrence between a booboo and and injury.

Gabe

[Chockkicker]

Chockkicker what did you work on back in the day? I got 8 years 355 more days to go until I pull chocks for good.

Gabe

T-33, RF-84, F-100, T-39 and 12 years on the F-4 ---from 1956 to 1977.

[HH-60EngineTroop]

Wow the only one of those that I remember seeing is the F-4 (held together with duct tape and saftey wire) AKA the flying brick. I almost got out at 10 years but we had a kid and the wife is getting her degree and told me that if I stayed in 20 she would work the next 20 so I could do what ever job I wanted.(I want to work on boats, restoring/rewiring/working on them) i am working on a 1972 19' mako right now, I have to finnish putting the transom and floor back in then paint and all should be good.

gabe

[Morley]

F-4 (held together with duct tape and saftey wire) AKA the flying brick.

Affectionately known as "The Pig" to those who worked them. Waddya know, pigs do fly!
Lets see, T-33, straight wing with "tanks" on the tips, RF-84m looks kinda like the T-33 with swept wigs (short lived plane), F-100 Super Sabre, swept wings, oval inlet in the nose (Thunderbirds flew them). T-39, ugly little thing made by Sabreliner, one of the planes we used to call "white tops" in the A.F.

Niice "portfolio" of planes. I worked F-4E's, F-106's, B-52's & F-16's Blocks 5-42. Started as a Load Toad and ended as a Jet Mech.