I'd already ridden for about an hour that morning.

I made a quick stop to check out the new Dillon Yamaha/Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership that opened up today right next to the Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson dealership.

Mileage Before Ride

I quickly realized a few things:

• Don't let your shirt hang open while you ride. Button it up. Sucks at highway speeds to have your shirt blowing around.
• Secure saddlebags before you go.
• I need the Detachable Solo Luggage Rack ASAP.
• If you have the Harley Profile Sunglasses/Goggles, don't forget to bring the case containing the clear lenses for the ride home at 11 at night.

Mileage After Ride

Great ride home. Lots of fun. I went the long way, via surface streets and took my time.

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Hong Kong Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Singapore Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: newly listed Price: lowest first Price: highest first Price + Shipping: lowest first Price + Shipping: highest first

Harley Luggage Rack for VRSC Models Chrome 51119 01A

US $97.71

1h 12m

Harley Luggage Rack VRSC Models Gloss Black 51142 04A

US $97.71

1h 12m

Stealth Detachable Luggage Rack Gloss Black 53566 09

US $254.96

1h 35m

Harley Luggage Rack Detach Passenger Upright 53011 98

US $169.96

1h 35m

So, it wasn't quite Christmas eve, but as the long hours stretched out it sure felt like it was.

I finally got some sleep, only to find myself waking up at dawn. I looked at the clock and immediately found myself thinking back to the past yearly ritual of enduring the last day of school and how it felt to watch the clock slowly mark out the passage of time. I told myself that I'd better find something to do or I'd drive myself nuts.

For a while I kept myself busy by working on a few projects and got a few things done.

I remembered that I needed to shop for some motorcycle insurance, so I looked on the Internet for some of the more-recommended motorcycle insurance companies. I called GEICO and after talking with the insurance agent for a while, signed up for motorcycle insurance through GEICO for $736 a year, which would drop to about $360 for renewal next year. I was told the amount would drop once I got a year of riding under my belt.

At the time, I didn't care about what anything cost. I just wanted to get everything done and make sure that I had no hitches when it came time to pick up the motorcycle. I was pretty much the perfect customer for anyone selling...anything.

Well, after wasting time doing this and that, the time finally came for me to head over to the dealership to finish everything. My wife dropped me off, and after making sure that I'd be OK, that the bike was OK, that everything was fine - she took the kids and headed home.

Jason Davis, using one of the 2009 Road King Classics on the floor, went over the entire bike with me, explaining each feature on the motorcycle and some general maintenance tips that'd come in handy. The guy knows his stuff and had an answer for every question I had.

Once I was in the finance office with Mark, everything went smoothly. Mark even managed to save me a bit of money. I mentioned what my insurance cost was and Mark let me know that I could save some money with a 15 minute phone call to their own insurance group. He dialed, I talked, and 15 minutes later I had a policy that was half the price as what I'd paid GEICO.

5 minutes later, I cancelled my GEICO coverage. They were nice about it, although it'll take 10-15 days to get that premium back onto my credit card.

I wrote my check, signed my name and shook everyone's hand as they handed me the keys to my new baby, who I will call, "Wheelface."

My 2009 Road King Classic Before Delivery

My 2009 Road King Classic Shot From Right Hand Side

My 2009 Road King Classic Shot From Left Rear

My 2009 Road King Shot From Left Front

After Jason loaded 3 huge boxes of parts into my parent's Highlander, I climbed onto my new ride and took off for a little ride before heading home and showing it off to everyone. My two boys both wanted a picture with the new motorcycle as well.

2009 Road King Classic and My Middle Child

2009 Road King Classic and My Oldest Child

Buying A Motorcycle In Omaha?

If you're in the market for a new or used Harley-Davidson or Buell, I highly recommend you give Jason Davis a call, or shoot him an e-mail. Jason kept me in the loop throughout the entire Harley-buying process, explained things to my satisfaction and helped get the ball rolling again when it had stopped briefly in the service department.

If you stop into Dillon Harley sometime, let whoever you talk to know you read about my experiences with Jason Davis and with Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson in general.

Let me know what they say.

I'm off to ride.

Other Road King Classics For Sale:

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Hong Kong Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Singapore Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: newly listed Price: lowest first Price: highest first Price + Shipping: lowest first Price + Shipping: highest first

Harley Davidson Touring ROAD KING CLASSIC 2009 FLHRC HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC

2 Bids

US $14,600.00

18h 31m

Harley Davidson Touring ROAD KING CLASSIC 2009 harley davidson flhrc road king classic

US $16,500.00

19h 18m

Harley Davidson Touring FLHRC 2007 ROAD KING CLASSIC

US $12,999.00

1d 14h 41m

Harley Davidson Touring FLHRC Road King Classic with FULL HD SERVICE HISTORY

US $13,500.00

1d 22h 45m

Everyone was a bit anxious, including me. From what I heard, some people didn't sleep much the night before, worrying about the written test that we were going to take today, or worrying about the riding skills test.

I wasn't really worried, but kind of a little...on edge. It was hot and I hadn't slept between 2 in the morning and 4 in the morning because I had some great idea that absolutely had to be worked on right then and there instead of waiting for the morning.

We'd all done the motorcycle scenarios, learned the techniques, ridden around a bit and gotten more or less comfortable with the bikes. Still, some people were still having problems with starting out and easing out on the clutch. They were stalling and having to restart the bikes, which threw some people off their game.

We did an exercise where we rode around in a circle, crossing 2x4's using the proper technique. Nobody had any problems. We did a few other exercises without any problems. Everyone was doing well.

The class started the organized practice run for the actual test after a short break. The test was going to consist of doing a figure 8 at low speed in a small box, then going up to 2nd gear and swerving to avoid an obstacle while coming to a stop and braking correctly. After that, we were going to do a braking test where you had to stop in the shortest distance possible after your front wheel passed two cones. After that, we were going to do a turning test where we had to stay in the lines of a wide turn while in 2nd gear and then coming to a stop on a line.

Not especially difficult stuff. We'd all done it before. The problem was that this time, it counted. You could lose points for putting your foot down, or missing a line, or not going fast enough, or anticipating the stop, or stopping late, or taking too long to stop. You'd automatically fail if you dropped the bike, or did something else that was unsafe.

I went first and evidently passed the first evaluation with flying colors. I thought I hit a line during the figure 8, but I guess the instructors didn't see it.

The second person went and passed, then the third, then the fourth.

Then, at some point, one of the girls taking the course used her front brake while turning through the figure 8 and went down hard.

Since she'd dropped the bike, she was done. And, since she was done, we were all left thinking about how easy it would be for us to screw up and end up having gone through these three days for nothing. So I think I speak for everyone else when I say that we were all biting our nails while we finished the rest of the tests.

Nobody else failed.

So we took a quick lunch break and came back to take the written test, which wasn't hard at all. Everyone passed that too, which was a relief to all of us.

Our Group Tour Of Dillon Brothers Harley Davidson

After we were notified that we'd passed, it was time for our tour.

Regularly, Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson General Manager Mike Bischof is the guy who gives the Rider's Edge classes their tours of the dealership. He was busy that day, however, and sent his substitute:

Jason Davis giving a tour of Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson

Jason walked us all around the dealership, answering question after question and being patient with new riders.

I've been around the dealership before, but this was a good little tour. We went into the service department where I saw...my bike, being brought out to be worked on.

Yes, I've finalized my deal with Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson and Jason Davis. We came to some numbers I could live with, added a whole slew of parts (that will probably be followed up with by a whole lot more) and set the delivery date.

I get my bike on Friday. At noon.

Sharp.

Yeah, I'm a little excited.

Jason Davis giving a tour of Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson Service Area

I learned that the bike that Dillon Harley sells the most of is the Ultra Classic, followed by the Heritage Softail Classic.

I learned about Buell bikes, which Jason happens to ride. He's a big proponent of Buell motorcycles, and after hearing his spiel on why they rock, I'm inclined to agree - Buell bikes are pretty damn well-thought-out. And their most expensive model is something like $10,000 or so. Not too expensive.

Jason showed us the VSRC - the V-Rod. I actually didn't like that bike before for some reason, but after Jason showed it to me and went over it somewhat, I started having second thoughts about it. Maybe as a second bike. Who knows?

Once the tour was done, we all went back upstairs to have cake, get our certificates and some other goodies. We each received a $25 gift certificate to Dillon Brothers, which will be gone very quickly in my case. We also received a bike coaster, to keep the kickstand on a motorcycle from sinking into hot asphalt.

That done, I left, drove over to the DMV and had them put the M in the endorsement section of my driver's license. That cost $5 and...I was done.

I am now an authorized rider of motorcycles in the state of Nebraska.

Just Starting The Work On My Motorcycle

My 2009 Road King Classic 1

My 2009 Road King Classic 2

My 2009 Road King Classic 3

My 2009 Road King Classic 4

Random Rider's Edge class

I was looking forward to today's class, because, according to the instructors, we were going to spend a lot more time on the motorcycles and less time in the classroom.

From 7:30 in the morning until about 1 in the afternoon, we were on the bikes and riding. The class went through about 10 exercises, some more difficult than the others. The little Buell Blasts made it all pretty easy, however. I'd hate to have to do some of the low-speed stuff on a full dresser.

One lady dropped her bike twice on her foot. Once after she came to a stop and (I guess) forgot to put her feet down, and once after she forgot to put her kickstand down. Some people learn the hard way.

All the little exercises were fun, and I could definitely tell that I was better at controlling the bike by the end of the day than I was at the beginning.

We had a bit of rain while we were riding, which was sometimes coming down pretty hard. I didn't experience any wheel slip, which was my biggest worry.

Tomorrow, we're going to be on the track the first thing again to practice a bit and take the final riding test. After that, we're going to head into the classroom on the top floor of Dillon Brothers Harley Davidson and take the final written exam. Presumably, after that's done, I can go pick up my motorcycle endorsement and shop for motorcycle insurance.

I pick up my new motorcycle on Friday at 9 in the morning. Can't wait.

Motorcycle Training Course

After waking up, I gathered all the equipment I'd need for the class - one of my helmets, my sunglasses and my gloves - and headed over to Dillon Harley, showing up there at 7:30 in the morning. It was already warm and muggy.

The door to the service entrance was open, and after walking in I was directed upstairs to where the class was going to be held.

A few other people who had signed up to take the class were already in the classroom, watching an introductory video. I was very surprised to see that there were 5 men, the oldest of which was 75, and 5 women, the youngest of which was 19 or so. Most of the other people in the class seemed very interested in buying and riding a Harley-Davidson bike of some kind.

It looks like Harley-Davidson's marketing to women might be paying off?

The instructors were great, they really made everyone feel at home and welcome. They did remind everyone that in order to get on a bike later on that day, we'd have to be fully equipped to ride. Helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, boots and gloves were all necessary. Because of the heat, I would have preferred to be able to wear some long shorts instead of jeans, but that idea was nixed during an earlier phone call I'd gotten from the safety course instructors.

Did I mention it was already hot at 7:30 in the morning? Did I mention that the temperature was supposed to get up to about 100 degrees? Did I mention how humid it was?

Still, I was excited that I was finally in the class that'd result in me getting my motorcycle license, so I figured I'd suck it up for a few days. The result would be worth it.

After a few "get-to-know-everyone" exercises, we started to go over the Motorcycle Safety Foundation manuals that we'd gotten mailed to us the weeks prior to the class. A lot of the information was review to me, but there were people there who obviously hadn't ridden a motorcycle before so they were getting some valuable info.

Breaks were frequent, but not excessive.

The information presented was useful, and refreshed a lot of what I had known previously but forgotten.

Lunch was at 11:30 and lasted for an hour. Since Dillon Harley is about 5 minutes from my house, I just went back home and ate lunch there. Other people who were taking the course and who didn't live so close to the Dillon Brothers Harley dealership had a good selection of places that they could pick up either fast-food or not-so-fast-food.

After lunch we did some quick review over the common controls of a motorcycle and then headed over to the range, which was right next to the new Dillon Brothers Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki dealership that was being built right next to the Dillon Brothers Harley dealership. One-stop shopping for just about every motorcycle brand that could interest you. Not bad.

It was about 1:30 or so when we stepped foot on the range, and it was hot - at least 100 degrees hot. And it was humid. I started sweating immediately. Fortunately, I had brought a cooler filled with 4 water bottles, some coke and ice - which I went back to whenever we had a break. By the time we were done, all my drinks were gone.

We each picked out a bike. The motorcycles we were going to learn on were Buell Blasts. A Buell Blast is a smaller sports bike - only 500cc. The bikes had seen better days, which I kind of expected. These are the motorcycles that people train on, after all. They're going to get dropped, and they're not going to be pristine.

The class ran through some directed exercises which looked like motorcycle aerobics. We got on, we got off, we turned the bikes on, we turned the bikes off. From there, we graduated to walking the motorcycles back and forth, learning how they felt. Then we moved to turning them on and finding the clutch friction zone, rocking back and forth.

Fun stuff.

It was a little slow for me, but I could tell that some people were having difficulty with it. Others just needed a little practice and picked it right up.

Eventually we got to go from one end of the course to the other, after which we'd go back to neutral, turn around and do it again. My group was slowed down by two of the people in it, but what are you going to do? Because I was being slowed down a bit, I kind of got a little frustrated with the speed of the class and started to "forget" to shift down to neutral while turning. It all came back to me and I did quite well. I would, at this point, have no problem hitting the street on this little bike.

One of the older gentlemen in the group seemed to have a very hard time controlling his motorcycle. He didn't drop it, but didn't manage to figure out how to get to the point where his feet were up. He also looked like he was having a very tough time turning the thing while he walked. I don't think we'll see him back tomorrow.

Another lady seemed to sort of grasp the concept of letting the bike do the work, but she also seemed to have problems controlling things. It was the whole "slowly let out the clutch and roll the throttle" concept which she struggled with - which is understandable if you've never driven a standard shift. She managed along while we were out there, but when it came time to finish up, she neglected to put the kickstand down while getting off the bike and it fell on her.

I'm not sure we'll see her tomorrow either. We'll see.

Tomorrow, we are going to be out on the course the first thing in the morning, which should help a bit with the heat. We'll have a whole slew of exercises to go through, so I'm hoping to learn something.

At this point, I'm chomping at the bit to get my own motorcycle.

Jason Davis at Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson is in the process of helping me out with that, and I'll give you more info on that later.

Part of Harley-Davidson's "Dark Custom" lineup, the 2009 Night Train is the least expensive model of Harley's Softails.

As you'd expect from something called a "Dark Custom," Harley's thrown out the chrome and shiny bits you normally see on a motorcycle and, on the 2009 Night Train, replaces them with blacked-out versions of those parts straight from their factory. The 2009 Night Train power train has been blacked-out, along with the air cleaner, the rear fender supports, the oil tank, the fuel tank console and the drive belt sprocket.

The engine covers have also been darkened, with wrinkle-black trim.

The front end on the 2009 Night Train is the standard FX, with a new low-profile fender that sits on top of the 21-inch laced front wheel. That big front wheel offsets the thick rear 200 mm tire that's covered by the Bobtail rear fender.

With a low seat height and clean lines, coupled with the powerful rigid-mounted and counter-balanced twin cam 96B powertrain, the 2009 Night Train isn't bad looking at all in it's stock configuration - and can be customized to look as sharp as any motorcycle as you can find on the road today.

In the base vivid black, the 2009 Night Train has an MSRP of $15,899. If you'd like your Night Train in one of the color options, the price moves up to $16,244.

A factory-installed security system will add $345 to the price, while selecting the wheel option will cost you another $550.

The 2009 Night Train is available in black pearl, black denim and red hot sunglo.

Pictures:

2009 Harley-Davidson Night Train Side View

Harley-Davidson Night Trains For Sale:

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Hong Kong Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Singapore Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: newly listed Price: lowest first Price: highest first Price + Shipping: lowest first Price + Shipping: highest first

Harley Davidson Softail night train blue fire

US $19,900.00

1h 8m

Harley Davidson Softail FXSTBI 06 Harley Davidson Softail Night Train BEAUTIFUL

0 Bid

US $10,400.00

1h 58m

Harley Davidson Softail FXSTB 2001 Harley Davidson Night Train 95 Nite Train Softail

US $11,500.00

2h 12m

Harley Davidson Softail 2004 Harley Davidson FXSTBI Night Train Loaded Video

US $13,488.00

16h 42m

Jay Eilts

That said, I've yet to find a dealership that's as devoted to customer service as Frontier Harley-Davidson in Lincoln.

Today I got an e-mail from Jay Eilts, the sales manager of Frontier Harley-Davidson. He's just one of the great people that I talked to on my visit to their dealership on the 11th of June.

Here's the e-mail:

Jeff,

Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back with you. I want to thank you for taking the time to visit our dealership. We are a proud group of Harley-Davidson professionals and always appreciate a strong referral from a customer.

Despite the fact we don’t have the exact model/color you were searching for in-stock we are more than anxious to earn your business. Still sold on the FLHRC in Antique/Turquoise? When you are ready to pull the trigger let me know and I’ll hunt one down for ya’! Or we can go to work on either the Pewter or Flame Blue I’ve got left in-stock.

Even if we are unable to secure a bike deal with you I hope that we set a good impression with our staff and dealership. If you know of anyone looking for a Harley and feel we could serve them well I will be grateful for the referral. We have a great selection of 2009s and are getting more and more aggressive in their pricing as we get closer to the 2010 model year.

Once again, thanks for visiting our store and we hope to see you soon.

Regards,

Jay Eilts
Sales Manager
Frontier Harley-Davidson/Buell
www.frontierhd.com

Like I said before, Frontier Harley-Davidson staff "gets it" when it comes to treating their customers like family. I'd say that if more Harley dealerships nationwide took this stance when dealing with people that walk into their stores, we'd be seeing a lot more Harley motorcycles on the road and a lot fewer imitations.

While I'm probably not going to buy my Harley from Frontier Harley-Davidson, it's not due to any deficiency on their part. Just a matter of logistics and the stock they had at the time.

The bottom line is, if you're looking for a new or used Harley-Davidson in the Midwest, within driving distance of Lincoln, Nebraska, you really owe it to yourself to check out what the guys at Frontier Harley-Davidson have in stock.

My life has been a constant struggle to find sunglasses that are able to look decent while they're sitting on the front of my massive, misshapen head. Fortunately, with the aid of my wife and Keri Pittenger over at Dillon Harley, we managed to find something that would work.

Harley Profile Performance Sunglasses Box

Keri was great, giving advice and pointing me out to the right sunglasses based on what my riding was going to be like. Once we got to these sunglasses, she pointed out that, "Just about everyone likes the fit of the Harley-Davidson Men's Profile Performance Eyewear."

And I did.

Priced at around $100, the Harley Profile sunglasses were securely packaged in their case, which was wrapped in plastic inside a box, which was inside another box, which was inside the stomach of a tapir that was inside yet another box.

Opening Harley Profile Performance Sunglasses Box

Harley Profile Sunglasses Protective Case

Harley Profile Sunglasses Protective Case Closer Look

Everything You Get In The Harley Profile Sunglasses Package

As you can see in the above pictures, you get a microfiber carrying bag, a hard chrome carrying case, goggle straps to keep the sunglasses from flying off your head should an albatross hit it, clear replacement lenses for nighttime riding and a label for your sales display.

According to my wife, who has never lied to me once in our 7 years of marriage and who is widely considered to be next in line for some kind of sainthood, tells me that these sunglasses look "OK" on me.

Can't ask for more than that.

If you'd like to save a little money on the Harley-Davidson Profile Goggles for yourself, Amazon has them on sale for a little less than $95 right now.

More Harley Sunglasses:

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Hong Kong Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Singapore Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: newly listed Price: lowest first Price: highest first Price + Shipping: lowest first Price + Shipping: highest first

Harley Davidson Sunglasses Alum CLEAR Lens Night Riders

1 Bid

US $14.95

3h 44m

HARLEY DAVIDSON LIMITED ISSUE V Rod SAFETY Sunglasses

0 Bid

US $14.95

3h 45m

Harley Davidson Sunglasses Black w Clr FatBoy Ltd Ed

0 Bid

US $12.95

3h 46m

Harley Davidson Sunglasses Alum Gray Lens HERITAGE Sty

0 Bid

US $14.95

3h 48m

Harley Davidson Sunglasses Black w Sil FatBoy Ltd Ed

0 Bid

US $13.99

3h 49m

NEW Harley Davidson FLAMES Sunglasses Silv Blue Lens

0 Bid

US $16.95

3h 51m

HARLEY DAVIDSON SUNGLASSES W REMOVABLE FOAM

1 Bid

US $49.99

14h 13m

HARLEY DAVIDSON® SKULL PERFORMANCE EYEWEAR 98361 09VW

US $224.95

15h 3m

Harley Davidson Safety Eyewear REDUCED

0 Bid

US $7.00

21h 3m

Harley Davidson Sun Glasses Italy HD 41 RARE NEW

0 Bid

US $29.00

22h 36m

Since the government has now decided not to withhold money, many of the helmet laws have been dropped down a few levels, or have been totally and completely repealed. For instance, some states require that the helmet be worn for only the first year of the new license. Other states require you to provide proof of health insurance when riding without a helmet.

As helmet laws have had the teeth removed from them, it is a statistical fact that motorcycle deaths have gone up. As we all know, motorcycles are in form, a more dangerous vehicle to drive. They are smaller than cars so they are hard to see. They are on two wheels, so require balance under any and all conditions. You're surrounded by oblivious idiots in cages. You have nothing to protect you from the dangers of the road except for the protective gear you decide to wear.

Here is where the ‘it can’t happen to me’ mentality that the human race is famous for takes a bad turn. The thing is, it can and very well might happen to you and if you haven’t taken the protection of your body seriously, it may never happen to you again.

One, we were going to meet up with my wife's friend, Brenda, and her 3-month-old baby - whose name I have already forgotten.

I will probably pay for that later.

The girls shopped up a storm at the Lincoln mall. From what I can tell, we looked at every single place in the mall where baby clothes could be hidden, and then some.

It took three hours.

I didn't complain once.

I might have been a little touchy towards the end of the visit to the mall. A nice elderly gentleman who happened to be stuck in the same elevator as myself, two women and two fussy babies was informed (by me) that; "There are still some baby clothes that we haven't seen yet in the world and they're on level three."

View from second floor inside Frontier Harley-Davidson

I was especially looking forward to this visit because Jay Eilts, the sales manager for Frontier Harley, had taken the time to respond to an e-mail that I'd sent him. In my experience, a business that will take the time to respond to a friendly e-mail is a business that'll take customer service seriously.

I wasn't disappointed.

After I had him paged, Jay came up and made me feel at home. I found him to be a really easy guy to talk to. We talked a little about what I was looking for and he walked me around the showroom a bit. After I told him I was interested in a Road King Classic, he told me to check out their "museum" upstairs and their custom Road King they had on display.

Not A Discount Dealership

After talking with Jay, it became apparent that, if you're looking for a discount on a Harley, Frontier Harley Davidson is not the place to go. If you're looking for a Harley dealership that has an absolute fetish for good customer service, however...Frontier Harley will fit the bill.

Jay gently explained that they're a strict MSRP dealership - they stick with the MSRP that Harley sets on their bikes. That's good for customers if Harley sales are good and there's a lot of people out there looking for bikes. There are a lot of dealerships out there who think nothing of adding a few thousand dollars worth of mark-up over a bike's MSRP.

That's not so good when sales for motorcycles in general - and Harley-Davidson in particular - are tanking. Like right now. From the word of things, Harley dealership sales are off about 30-35% from what they were a year ago. Sales are off so much, in fact, that Harley-Davidson is going to be making considerably fewer bikes in 2010 to maintain a good supply/demand ratio.

I have no problem paying MSRP. I'd be happy with a little bit off the top and some store credit. I've heard that some Harley dealerships are discounting around $1000 off MSRP and giving around $1500 in store credit. If I'd been offered something along that line, I would have jumped on it and signed right then and there...but I wasn't.

To be fair, the deep turquoise and antique white two-tone paint scheme that I was looking for wasn't available. It's the end of the 2009 model year for Harley-Davidson, they're not making any more 2009's, and Frontier Harley only had two 2009 Road Kings in stock - and only one was a RKC. If they had to do a dealer trade, they would have had to pay a premium to another dealership and that wasn't an especially appealing idea for them.

As the 2010 bikes show up on their sales floor, Frontier Harley might have a bit more leeway in their prices. For me and my situation, with what I want being something they don't have anyway, it wasn't an ideal situation to get a bargain. Your situation might differ.

I Get The Tour

View From Second Floor Into Frontier Harley Service Department

Well, yeah. Why not?

So with the wife kicking back with the baby in the lounge, Mike and I wandered around, with Mike showing me a few choice places to snap pictures with my iPhone, all while pointing out some features Frontier provides to their customers and generally explaining why his dealership was the best.

Some points that he made:

• Frontier Harley has their own Dyno and a lot of experience with it
• Frontier Harley has five Certified Masters of Technology working in their service department
• Frontier Harley services Omaha's police motorcycles
• Frontier Harley has a very nice H.O.G. chapter, complete with a huge clubhouse/meeting room

I enjoyed the tour, which ended with Mike showing me his own bike and making a few recommendations for accessories I could pick up for my own when I finally pulled the trigger and bought it.

Conclusion

I enjoyed my visit at Frontier. The guys were great, the service department was eye-catching and you could tell that the people who work there love their jobs. I'd definitely think about using their service department if I decided to have some engine upgrades done, like the 110 cubic inch upgrade.

I bought some shirts that were on sale up on the top floor. Check it out if you're looking for a bargain.

If you're looking for a deep discount on a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Frontier Harley isn't the place for you. If, however, you're looking for a dealership that'll treat you like a member of the family, I'd definitely recommend Frontier Harley.

Frontier Harley Pictures

Here's some pictures of two bikes that really caught my eye in Frontier Harley's upstairs museum:

Highly Customized 2003 FLHR at Frontier Harley

Here is what the sign on that 2003 Road King reads when you're up close

View from behind and to the left of the 2003 Road King

Another Awesome Custom Motorcycle At Frontier