Nice story.
Reminds me of my brother in law. He finds out I am riding again, after hanging up the spurs for a little bit after the R1. He sold his bike a few years ago. Having 3 kids and getting tied down, he missed it. It probably didn't help that he has to have everything anyone else has. And I have mine.
Here's the irony. He has a mortgage bigger than the house is worth. He has over 50K in credit card debt. He drives an old Honda Civic that they've had for 13 years or so. She drives an Expedition. And no motorcycle in the garage. So, much like Mr. Harley, he goes out and decides to "get away".
His ride of choice, a Big Dog motorcycle, costs 3x as much as my FJR. $38,000 for a motorcycle.
Makes me wonder how long he will be able to keep it. Because, when he sells it, he will be like most of us when we've ridden and don't have a ride anymore. He will look wistfully at those on the road on great days and wonder why it's not him.
For me, I look at the bikes I want to add to my stable. And when I am in the cage, my eyes follow those on two wheels. Because, there's a little "Mr. Harley" in all of us. (And don't take that the wrong way!)