Harley Davidson Sportster Hugger - 2002 Motorcycle Review

Yeah. I always wanted a bike. My dad said I'd have to move out when I had a deal going in high school to get one. I didn't have the money to buy the bike and pay my own way. That was the end of that - for then. I did ride a lot of bikes over the years, but I was always riding B (for behind the driver).

I saved up my money and finally got a Harley. I took myself to the Harley shop, and I just bought a bike. Simple as that.

Well, it was a little more complicated.

I didn't know how to drive a motorcycle and didn't have a license when I bought my Harley Sportster Hugger. I told them I'd buy it if someone could drive it home for me. They said the mechanic could do that. Before I left the salesguy asked if I'd bring the mechanic back. Geez. That's just silly. Of course. How else would be get back to work? I hate when guys act like girls are stupid, so I smiled and said, "Gosh. I thought he came with the bike. I was gonna keep him." The mechanic got a kick out of that. He drove the bike home. I took him back to work. I'm responsible like that.

I didn't have a clue as to how to drive my Harley, so I got out the instruction booklet. I am a book person. Give me a book. I can figure it out. Most times.

I rolled right up the road and hit the gravels. Yikes. Gravels are not good for new bike riders.

Yes. I laid the Harley over first thing. I have a scar to prove it. I burned heck out of the inside of my leg. The first lesson I learned was - Do not wear shorts if you're driving a motorcycle.

I took it slowly after my first spill which was at about zero miles per hour. I drove circles around my yard on the grass. If you can drive in first gear that slow and around and around, then you really can do the road. It's much easier to go straight and faster.

I finally hit the road and was fine.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably do it just the way I did it.

But, it's probably a better idea to learn on a bike with less power. 

Other models are set wider than the Sportster. That means the center of gravity is kind of iffie. Lean a bit, and you are on the pavement with the Sportster.

On the plus side, most folks can lift a Sportster off the ground. Mine runs a little over 600 pounds I think. If I tilt the front wheel and give it some hip, I can tip it right back up.

The Sportster is called the Poor Man's Harley. It's the low end bike. I like the sporty look better than the bulkier look of some of the fully dressed models. The Sportster just looks more girly though it's fine for guys too especially if in less fem colors.

The Hugger is the lowest sitting of the Harleys. I'm 5'4", and I can sit proud and comfortable on the Hugger. It is built low for girls and also for men who are not so tall. It's just a scaled down size all round but still with a heck of a lot of power.

OK. I confess. This bike scared the heck out of me. You crank it up and give it a little gas, and you feel like you are going to Mars. I was not expecting that. I was quickly a believer when I burned my leg that first day. Do not understimate a bike. They are not toys.

I am glad I went for my dream and got a Harley. That was my dream bike. I got what I wanted. It was and is the bike of my dreams.

I can drive a Harley. Yep. Sure can. I did it the hard way. But I did it.

I'd say it's best to learn on a lower powered bike and that taking the community college safety classes would be a good idea. I wasn't really prepared for a Harley, but I'm a quick study and pretty careful. I also read a lot. I did fine.

My dad pretended like he didn't know I had a Harley. That's kind of hard when I pull up riding it. He just let that slide. I didn't make an issue of it. He died in a truck wreck last year. I think of that when I ride. I did think he was just trying to cramp my style when I was younger. I think, now, that he was concerned about safety. I'd probably have some issues if one of my boys wanted to ride a bike. One would never do that. The other - he is his momma's child. I would prefer he start off on a small bike and take classes. Really I'd rather he drive a truck. But, if he's got a lust for motorcycles, I really doubt anything I could do would change that. I know I had to have one. I can't say why. I just did, and the Harley Sportster was exactly what I wanted.