2012 Softail Deluxe

by T
(Chicago)

I am a new rider and everyone kept telling me to start off small... Well I am 5' 3" and did not want a "baby" bike. I wanted something my heart could feel free on. I wanted a bike that I could do some riding on and not spend all my time at the gas station. When I walked into my local HD store to buy a friend some boots for a b-day My bike found me. (I was not even looking) I walked over sat on it and had the papers signed within minutes. Now please know I did not have a m license and had never road a big bike in my life. It was always just a dream that I thought I would never fulfill. Well went home told the hubby (glad I lived through that..LOL) and 3 weeks later I was on the road. I love my "lady" would not trade her in for nothing.. Have done a few small trips (under 200 miles) solo and have a few big rides planned for the summer.. (Sturgis is one of them) The ride is perfect and I was able to reach without making any mod.. I have added some extras like bags, windshield, radio, new pipes, and some chrome.
My HD salesman calls me all the time to talk to some of his lady customers that are on the fence about which size bike to go with. So I rush right over show them mine and tell them that they should get what they want, be happy and ride. If you can handle the smaller bikes you can handle the bigger ones too. Just make the changes that you need to fit you hop on and ride baby ride. This was one of my dreams for as long as I can remember (my mom says 4, I am 38 now) and I could not be happier that I get to live it from here on out. It is one of the most amazing things in the world, to be your own bike heading down the road with nowhere to go and no time limit on when you have to be there. The freedom is inspiring.....
To my fellow lady riders, keep doing you and for those that have the dream to do this amazing thing, JUST DO IT!!!!! You will be joining a new family that you have not even met yet, but when you do arms will open and stories will be told, one thing we all have in common is the love for the ride and that in its self with always keep us bonded!!!!