2005 Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe

By Kevin "Crash" Corrigan

Photos by Simon Burn

So you want a Harley Davidson? Of course you can have one. What model did you want, a Softail maybe? No problem, just come on down, we’ll be happy to give you one!

So I drove over to Deeley Harley Davidson Canada and they handed me the keys to a brand new 2005 Softail FLSTNI Deluxe.

After a moment or two to get used to the feet-forward riding position, I hit the road (no, not literally.) At the first traffic light everyone was looking at me. After a quick check that I hadn’t done something silly like leave a certain zipper undone, I realized that it was in fact the bike that was drawing all the attention. I must admit it really is a beautiful thing to behold, with its deep metallic maroon paintwork, the whitewall tires and all that chrome just glimmering in the sunshine. It was total wow!

So there I was, on this gorgeous mount. I felt like The King of the Road in fact I just cruised along and surveyed the countryside (that’s what us Harley guys do). I was really enjoying myself, riding a piece of history. On the back roads with no one else in sight and the thump, thump of the Harley in my ears, my mind conjured up visions of riding around in the 40s and 50s a free spirit, a rebel without a cause. I stopped at my favorite coffee shop, not in a desperate need of a double-double, but more to sit on the curb and admire my new machine. After the fifth or sixth person had told me how nice my bike was it was time to head out to give other people the pleasure of seeing it.

I was having some real fun riding it, too, with the 1450cm Twin Cam 88B motor there was plenty of power. And the sound well, it was pure music to my ears! The five-speed gearbox seemed a bit crunchy at first. I thought there was something wrong with my baby. I talked to some of my new-found Harley Brethren who reassured me that the Harley boxes were always like that until they bedded in. I felt better then. The belt drive system was a nice touch; it added to the overall smoothness of the ride. It had a good, solid feel to it and the seat was armchair comfortable. I took the scenic route back to Caledon and finally parked it in the garage next to my slightly used and abused Triumph which seemed to look a little disheartened with me.

The next morning I was up bright and early for my usual Sunday bacon and eggs breakfast at the Coffee Bean Cafe on Hwy. 10. As I sat there, motor-cycles invaded the place, in droves. Apparently it was the weekend of The B.A.D. Ride, which takes place every year and raises a lot of money for charity. I headed off through The Badlands and into the lovely quaint village of Belfountain. After chatting to a few other bikers, I went for a stroll around the village to take in some of the many wonderful little gift and antique shops that Belfountain boasts. Then the skies went dark and the heavens opened up. The Harley really glistened in the rain, but I was not looking forward to the ride home and having to clean all that chrome the next day.

Over the next day or two I rode that bike at every opportunity. Are you sure you don’t want anything from the shops, dear? I would ask my wife. I think that I rode to, and stopped at, more coffee shops over those few days than I had for ages. Oh, how I was enjoying Harley ownership.

But then the phone rang. My publisher. What, they want it back? But when I first asked them they said happy to give me one, not loan, not lend! Honest, they said give.

Now I had grown attached to My Harley. It was bordering on love and we made such a lovely couple. How could they even think about separating us?

THEY DID SAY “GIVE”.That, Your Honour, is my defence in the case of Deeley Harley Davidson Canada vs. Kevin “Crash” Corrigan

Harley Davidson Softail FLSTNI Deluxe. Price as tested: $23,399

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