I've still got my Aspencade, Bird, although it's getting a bit long in the tooth ... an original '82 (first year). Like your comment about the tractor, I started bikes late in life ... and was helped out by the husband of one of the gals who worked for me ... rode with me until I had the experience to get my license. He had an '81 Interstate which is what sold me on the 'cade ... but he was a little short for it and really wanted a Harley anyway ... so when they came out with the new Evolution engine ... he traded in the Wing.
3 Funny stories. First - the first day we drove to work (they always led, I trailed) he mentioned to his wife that I must really dislike Harley's (true) 'cause I was 1/2 mile back ... I told her ... "nope, I was just trying to listen to my stereo".
Second ... the "New Evolution" engine that he was so proud of ... well, after a month of owning the bike, he went out to garage to start it and there was a large pool of oil under the bike. Not as much vibration ... but still very maintenance intensive.
Last one ... friend in the Wing Riders chapter back in Alberta had been a Harley rider for many years and he decided that he wanted a more comfortable ride as he got on in years (40) so sold his H-D and bought a new Aspencade. Rode with his "former" group to Vancouver - 800 miles ... and it was the standard ride. Ride an hour, stop, fix one of the harley's, ride an hour, stop, fix another .. and so on all the way there and back. Of course, the Wing had no problems, got double the gas mileage, used no oil ... and was quite comfortable. After that trip, he had to join the GWRRA 'cause his former Harley group would no longer invite him along.
Ages? wahhhhlll ... <whisper> 51 </whisper>
PaulB ... did you know that the H-D doesn't actually stand for Willy G's and partner's names? Nope ... actuallu H-D stands for Hardly Driveable.
Hey ... just kidding and I hope you enjoy it ... and that your better half does too. Makes all the diff. I got my Wing 'cause my wife thought it would be neat ... and she always did love to ride until she passed away. However, current wife is not interested (somewhat scared of being out in the open) and therefore the Brown Beast hardly ever leaves the garage.
too bad that common sense ain't