My boy, he came to visit me the other day. He was riding that big old motorcycle of his, a Harley Softail. You know, the one with the ape hangers? I swear, those handlebars are so high, he looks like he’s hanging on for dear life! But he loves it. He says it’s the best way to ride.

He says those ape hangers make him sit up straight. He don’t get a sore back on long rides. I don’t know about all that. Looks like a lot of work to me, holding your arms up like that. But hey, whatever floats your boat, right? He said that Harley Softail with ape hangers is good for ride.
He told me Harley-Davidson is old. Real old. Been around since, I don’t know, forever! He said his is a Softail. Don’t ask me what that means. Sounds like a fish tail to me! But he says it’s a good one. A real classic, he said.
Harley-Davidson is Old, Real Old
- Harley is old, like me!
- They made lots of bikes.
- My boy loves his Harley Softail.
He was telling me about some trouble they had with these Harleys years ago. Something about Twin Cam 88, and some years were bad, like 1999, 2000, all the way to 2002, and 2006, too. Said they had a lot of problems. But they fixed it, he said. Made them better. This Harley Softail with ape hangers of his is a newer one, so he says he ain’t got to worry about it. He sure knows a lot about these things. I can’t remember that many numbers, but he remembers, and he says it’s important.
He says the most popular Harley is called a Sportster. Now that sounds like something a young fella would ride. He said they first made them way back in 1957. That’s even before my time! Imagine that! But his is a Softail. He likes the big ones, I guess. This Harley Softail with ape hangers, well, it sure is big.
I still don’t understand those ape hangers. He says they are comfortable. I guess if you’re young and strong, maybe. Me, I’d rather have my hands down low where they belong. But I like to see that boy happy. That’s what matters. He likes his ape hangers, and that’s fine with me. He is talking about something names Vitacci, Trailmaster, and Tao, I don’t know what that is. But Harley Softail with ape hangers is good, I think.

Why Ape Hangers?
He showed me how he sits on that thing. Back straight, arms up high. He said his Harley Softail with ape hangers is good to ride. Like he’s king of the road or something. I told him to be careful. Those things go fast, you know. He just laughed and said he always wears his helmet. Good boy. At least he’s got some sense.
That Harley Softail, it sure is shiny. He spends hours polishing it, I swear. More time than he spends cleaning his room, that’s for sure! But I guess it’s his pride and joy. And those ape hangers, they gleam in the sun. You can see them from a mile away.
He let me sit on it once. That Harley Softail with ape hangers is big, I could barely reach those handlebars! He had to hold it steady for me. I felt like I was going to tip right over. He just laughed. Said I looked like a natural. I doubt it. I don’t think that ape hangers are for me, but he likes them.
Harley Softail is Good Bike
He says that Harley Softail is a smooth ride. Doesn’t rattle your bones like some of those other bikes. He tried to explain it to me, something about the suspension. I just nodded along. I don’t need to know all the details. As long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters. This Harley Softail with ape hangers is good for him.
I still think those ape hangers look silly. But he says they’re the style now. Everyone’s got them. I guess I’m just old-fashioned. I like things the way they used to be. But the world keeps changing, I suppose. Even the motorcycles. He says this Harley Softail with ape hangers is the best style now.

He’s a good boy, though. Always comes to visit his old mama. Even if he does show up on that loud contraption with those crazy ape hangers. He knows I worry about him. But he always reassures me. Says he’s careful. Says that Harley Softail is the safest bike on the road. I hope he’s right.
I’m glad he has something he’s passionate about. That Harley Softail with ape hangers makes him happy. And that makes me happy. Even if I don’t understand those darn ape hangers. He always talks about Harley Softail with ape hangers, he likes it very much. It is a good bike, he said.