mybikemybikemybikemybikemybikemybikemybikemybikemybikemybikemybikemybikemybikemy Neilʼs Road King:
Neil Liversidge is the longest ever serving Chairman of MAG 1989–2002
I wanted a Harley-Davidson from the time I was on holiday in Italy with my parents in 1976 and I saw an Electra Glide in the street. I decided right there and then, “I’m going to have one of those some day.”
I finally got one last year after a lot of looking and it totally meets my expectations. Among other bikes, I’ve had an old GS 850 Suzuki for over 20 years and while this is not as quick, it’s fast enough and delivers its performance in a totally different but very satisfying way. Mates of mine tell me I’m the only Harley rider they know who rides a Harley like it’s a Jap bike. It’s a 2005 Road King on the market by a private seller for £11K. I got him down to a more realistic £9K at which I reckon it was a pretty good deal as it’s immaculate and sports a few extras that don’t come cheap when you have to reach into your wallet for them. Certainly it handles differently to other bikes that I’ve had but it’s predictable, steady as a rock and once you get used to it, it’s fine. As a head turner it takes some beating, you could just drown in that deep burgundy paint and the first time I took it out, a woman demanded to be photographed on it. I gave in eventually and without an ounce of encouragement she sat her- self on it and dropped into a beachwear mindset. People like to knock these bikes but there’s just no getting away from the spontaneous
appeal they seem to hold for people who wouldn’t normally look twice at a motorcycle, it’s not even that dear to run. I’ve had it almost a year and haven’t spent a penny on it, even the fuel consumption really isn’t bad, particularly considering the size of the engine (1450cc). On a run I reckon I get in the mid forties and I
motor along at a fair pace, probably a tad quicker than the editor of that ROAD magazine I get mailed. Some people think I just got this to out-do him but that’s not fair. Nope, I got it to show off my obscene wealth. Beautiful plumage eh?
The ROAD 67
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