The Bulldog was very impressed, last Sunday, by the display of cubic inches, unrestricted by
mufflers. And it has nothing to do with the Big Blue Machine's lack of a proper exhaust system.
The Bulldog was also very impressed by all that chrome, shining in the afternoon sun, by those
$20,000 machines on two wheels and their distinctive sound.
And by the owners of these beasts, and their distinctive black leather, black square-tipped boots,
and standard black helmets.
The Bulldog was not alone, as a few hundred Rocklanders, Rocklandites, Rocklandians,
Rochelanders or whatever were gawking as well at all those bikes with the Harley-Davidson
emblem on the gas tank.
But from where does this fascination come?
One cannot say it's from the classic movie "The Wild One" (1953), since Marlon Brando, as
Johnny, leader of the good guys, rode a Triumph. In that movie, the bad gang was all on Harleys.
One cannot say either it's from the popularity of those colour-clad bikers who play with really
big firecrakers.
Maybe it's from the sound of that V-twin 80 cubic-inch engine, that idles so low it almost sounds
like a continuous belch.
If any two-wheeled self propelled machine can give you life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
why is it that the attraction is only towards the only American-made motorcycle, and not those
Japanese "plastic bikes"?
It has to do with the image, the Bulldog comes to think.
One could not find the rebel in him on a moped.
One would rather see himself in leather chaps than in tight leather racing pants with knee-pads
and embroided with the name of an oriental warrior.
One would not want to see himself walking into a bar with a full face helmet under his arm. No.
Better leave the standard-issue Harley-Davidson helmet on the bike.
That fascination with the "Live to ride, Ride to live" anthem also has to do with a dream which is
for most unatainable.
Anyone can buy a 1982 Yamaha Seca for under a grand.
Those Harleys, second-hand, can be bought for 15, 20 or even 25 grand.
That makes a little difference in the monthly payments.
The limited supply of Harley-Davidsons and the ever growing demand for those machines makes
an ideal condition to drive the prices up.
On the other hand, last Sunday in Rockland, over 500 afficionados demonstrated that they were
willing to part with that kind of money.
And many more were wondering how it would feel to own one...
