The spirit of riding Harley Davidson

Manama : From the inception of Harley Davidson motorcycles, 1903, every fan felt that they have to be the first to sit on it to understand, and feel the rev and the pure pounding sound of the machine.  It is almost like experiencing the legacy, tradition and the history of Harley Davidson motorcyles.

Jerry Rahm is an ardent fan of Harley Davidson bikes. An ex-serviceman, magician and entrepreneur, Jerry moved from United States to Bahrain in 1996. Right from the beginning of the Bahrain Chapter of HOG, Jerry was a member of the club. Speaking to this magician, we could get everything about Harley Davidson’s history.

“I have been riding bikes since I was in my mid-20s. I got a Harley Davidson as a prize in a raffle draw which was held at the Naval Base.Later on I sold it to one of my friends even though it was in my dreams to have a Harley. All I can do is to invite for ride, hardly can I explain why I love Harley,” says Jerry. 

“Irrespective of the weather, I try using my bike every day.  I use it for work, and even for casual rides. People driving their cars look at me with surprise, when I am on the bike.  They might be thinking that they could one day enjoy the wind, the sun and the pleasure of riding in open air,” he adds.

The HOG Bahrain chapter has changed a lot and has improved and brought in more desirable values to its members. Though, the basic need for a membership is to own a Harley, the group strictly adhere to safety of the bikers. The members are from varied culture and the unity lies in the diversity as they share one passion – riding on a Harley. 

Speaking about the health hazards regarding long drives, Jerry explains: “If you are going to travel any long distance, it is highly recommended that you use a kidney belt. When I travelled  to Jordon from Bahrain via Saudi Arabia on bike along with my three friends, I had prepped myself with safety gears. We also took breaks to fuel us and for the machine.”

Jerry, with his 50 years of experience, also raised his concerns about insecure riding behaviour of bikers, especially the delivery boys.  

According to him, there is a 50pc more possibility of getting hurt by them without riding on a bike with safety gears. “Here, especially with more than three lanes, motorcyclist must be aware of the traffic.” 

“There is good and bad in everything. We as a group share true legacy and invest our whole in the passion and the enthusiasm that we live upon. Whenever we are on trips, each and every member is responsible,” he says. 

“There is always a ‘road captain,’ who drives in the front. Besides, we have sweepers and security guys, who stay at the back so that if anybody breaks down or does not feel good, there is help for them,”Jerry signs off.