My bike had lots of motorcycle upgrades including chrome accessories, lowered progressive suspension, fat handlebars, a chin fairing, and other items. My Suzuki was a great looking bobber.

The one thing that I did not upgrade was the exhaust. I contemplated doing it but decided against it because I felt my bike ran strong and sounded pretty good.

My Harley buddies disagreed and frequently teased me about how quiet my bike was. They were right. Compared to some of their Harleys, my bike sounded like a scooter.

I now have a 2007 Harley Street Glide and even the stock exhaust on this bike is relatively quiet. There has been much debate over whether loud pipes are a safety feature or a public nuisance. As aftermarket exhaust continued to get louder and motorcycle manufacturers like Harley Davidson received more public backlash, they decided to outfit their bikes with pipes that are quieter and socially acceptable.

Recently, I replaced my stock pipes with a set of Rinehart Slip-on Mufflers and all I can say is wow. Now, my bike sounds like a Harley should. It also feels that the bike has a bit more throttle response but that might be the placebo effect of the increased noise.

The best way I can explain the sound is to compare it to the sound of a fat guy snoring on a couch after eating a full rack of ribs and drinking a six pack of beer. This is not the best visual image but, the sound is accurate; low, deep, and nasty! The increased sound gives the bike the type of attitude that a Harley deserves. While the bike is much louder, it is not so loud that my bike is annoying to my neighbors. It’s perfect.

I should have gotten slip on exhaust with my Suzuki and now that I have them for my Harley, I strongly suggest this upgrade. The sound, style, and maybe even the performance are all worth the cost.

This year, I made my dream come true. A few weeks ago, I picked up a great deal on a 2007 Harley Street Glide from my friends at Eaglerider Harley Davidson in Orlando, FL. It is everything I wanted in a motorcycle and much more.

This bike has tons of power, handles very well, has great features, and looks awesome. The bike I selected is denim blue and always draws a few extra looks when I park or ride down the street. I should have bought one of these things years ago.

Buying a Harley was a lot easier than I thought it would be

Eaglerider, like many Harley dealers, is offering a variety of finance plans for people with less than perfect credit. Don’t think you have to have an 800 or higher credit score to buy a Harley. Believe me, my credit score is not that high.

Harley also continues to make some of their motorcycles affordable for those looking to ride the American legend. Harley dealers across the country are having a very hard time keeping the Sportster Iron 883 or 1200 models in stock. These bikes look great, ride like a dream, and can be purchased for well under $10,000 brand new.

The Sportster Iron is a perfect choice for typical bikers who only use their bikes for pleasure riding around town, an occasional commute to work, or a couple hundred mile rides across the state.

For those looking to hit the open road with more frequency, the 2010 Road Glide is a great choice. Starting at around $19,000, the Road Glide is not cheap but it is a great option for those looking to get into a premium bagger. Likewise, used Road Glides can be found at Eaglerider and other deals at great prices.

If 2010 is your year to start riding, stop by your local Eaglerider or Harley dealer and check out their inventory. You might be surprised on how easy owning a Harley can be.

This Christmas, I’ve been a pretty good guy and I’m expecting a decent haul of gifts. All of my friends and family know I’m an avid biker so I’m assuming biker gear will be what they get for me.

With that in mind, I thought I’d remake one of my favorite Christmas songs with a biker theme. Yes, it’s corny but maybe it will help you get a few more biker related gifts this year.

Here’s my remake of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Enjoy!

On the 12^th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

12 Leather Jackets

11 Biker t-shirts

10 Shoei Helmets

9 Pairs of Gloves

8 V-rods Racing

7 Honda Furys

6 Pairs of Goggles

5 Hayabusas

4 Pairs of Boots

3 Biker Bars

2 Chrome Rims

AND A BRAND NEW HARLEY STREET GLIDE

Happy Holiday and ride safely into 2010!