H.O.G.® LOVE STORIES

H.O.G.® Benelux

Eduward Post

Eduward Post is 28 years old and a member of the H.O.G. Lakes Chapter in the north of the Netherlands.

What's your current H-D model?

"The Low Rider S, the older type before it became the Softail."

When did you buy your Harley...

"My first, the Shovelhead, over ten years ago, even before I had my license! I have had this Low Rider S since 2016."

I discovered Harley-Davidson when I…

"Through my parents, they both ride H-D. My dad has been riding motorcycles for as long as I can remember, his first Harley was a Wide Glide, and he now has a Street Glide. Before I was old enough for a driver's license, I always joined him to the H-D dealership and discovered the accompanying lifestyle at a young age. H-D is not just the motorcycle, but everything that goes with it."

What is your role in the H. O. G. Chapter?

"I am a member and participate in the activities. Maybe I can do more in the future, like organizing activities. Now there is no time for that, I’m busy with work and other things."

How long have you been riding Harley?

"Since the day I got my license, I had bought my Harley before I had my license, that was ten years ago. That was a 1979 H-D Electra Glide, a Shovelhead. That one had been rebuilt with a Springer fork and leather saddlebags, all the panniers and covers and stuff had been taken off."

Why H-D?

"It grew into it through my mom and dad. When I went to buy my first bike, I came across this one. Never looked at anything else. After that, I never wanted anything else. I'm not into fast riding, highways and racing are not my thing. Small roads are much more fun. One of the first trips I made was to the Superrally in England. Once you've ridden a Harley, you can't go back! My sister also rides a Harley, and so do both my parents. I love going on rides with my family."

What is your most enjoyable experience with your H-D?

"That was on the Shovelhead, one of my first big rides. We had our tents on the back and rode through England on our way to the Superrally. We then stopped in a small farming village somewhere near Newcastle; the streets looked like the set of a Steven King horror movie! We had no idea what was going on. We were allowed to camp at a farmer’s; the man was very grumpy. Then we drank a beer in the pub, which was also very strange, unsociable and we were stared at. But to our surprise, the next day there was a party in the village, everyone was suddenly very friendly, open and welcoming! Really a 180-degree turnaround. It turned out that once every few years, hikers or people who visit that village, spontaneously seem to die. And that would have been that day! That's why all those scary dolls with slit throats and such were everywhere, to scare them off. The woman where we slept had posted on Facebook, 'The guys with the Harleys scared the Beasts away!'. The party following it was really something special!"

What is the most beautiful trip or route you have driven?

"The trip through England, but also once through Germany, the country roads near Winterberg. Also the trip to Prague of course, but that was more the destination than the trip, because it was pretty boring, only motorway. But in the city itself, it was great, riding through Prague with thousands of motorcycles!"

What's the trip or route you'd like to experience someday?

"Riding my own bike down a stretch of Route 66, or at least, what's left of it. That really is the Holy Grail for Harley-Davidson riders.”

Do you ever wrench yourself?

"Yes more and more, like changing the oil and stuff. I do more and more myself, although there is never anything wrong with the bike. My mom recently bought another bike, we put forward controls and a Daymaker headlight on it.”

What's been customized on your bike?

"There's a chin fairing, Jekyll & Hyde exhaust system. I had a luggage rack made, bought a docking set myself, and adapted the luggage rack to it. Now I can take a tent and bag on the back. I also got a Daymaker headlight, and I had the engine tuned. It was tuned on the Dynobank at Technomotion in Breezand, that was a great experience."

What would you still like to do?

"I think it's absolutely perfect, it sounds and rides great, and looks great too. The seating position is good with mid-controls and if I want to stretch my legs, I have Highway pegs."

What model is on your wish list?

"I've always been a fan of the Dyna, but it would probably be a touring model because the most fun with the H-D is long rides anyway. So, I think a Road Glide."

Do you ever delve into the history of H-D? "Yes, I watched the documentary Harley and the Davidsons. It's a fascinating history for a brand. I also find the origins of the motorcycle clubs and such interesting."

H-D is a real cult icon, do you carry that out?

"I don't have a lot of H-D memorabilia in my house. I do have some Harley T-shirts. I don't always wear H-D clothing, but I certainly make no secret of the fact that I ride H-D."

What plans and dreams do you still have?

"I hope I will have many great rides and adventures, lots of fun events we can go to, like Harley-Davidson's 120th Anniversary next year in Budapest. We're already looking at how we can go there!"

(Interview by Onno Wieringa – madnessphotography.nl)

I chose this model because…

"I wanted something sporty. I saw this one at the dealer and immediately fell in love with it, also because of the special colors. Some people don't like it, some do, I thought it was fantastic with that bronze and black color scheme. This bike was it. So I emptied my wallet and rode off!

Approximately how many kilometers do you ride in a year? "Too little. Only a few thousand, unfortunately. I don't like riding alone; I prefer to go out with more people. But that opportunity is not always there, unfortunately.”

I'm a fan of my Harley because…

"It sounds very nice, looks great, and rides even better, also through corners and stuff. I test-rode several H-D models during Open Days, but none rode as nice as mine. I wouldn't want another model!"

I love riding my Harley because…

"Everywhere I go, it brings something extra. I’m always welcome, everyone likes it, and wants to look at it… You don't see that with other motorcycle brands."

Becoming a member of H.O.G. enabled me to… "I am a member of the Lakes Chapter. Besides of course the ride-outs that they organize, I also enjoy the regular socializing and the informational evenings.”

How long have you been a H.O.G. member?

"Since 2016. I got my H.O.G. membership when I bought my new bike, when the first year of membership ended, I became a Life Member right away."

My best H.O.G. experience was...

"I hesitate between the evening when we took apart and engine with the H.O.G. and reassembled it, but also the Elfstedentocht that we rode, a nice long ride with beautiful locations. Someone who disassembles an engine and explains everything he does during disassembly and reassembly and explains everything about the working of the parts, you don't see that very often! So that's a difficult choice to make. And of course, I loved the H.O.G. trip to Prague for the 115th anniversary of Harley-Davidson. Everything was fantastic, as far as H.O.G. is concerned that was one of the best things I experienced!"

H.O.G. is to me…

"An organization that helps people find each other, organizes things, and makes it possible to get the most out of your Harley."

As a younger person, how do you like H.O.G.?

"Sometimes there is quite an age difference, but I don't experience that as a negative thing. Older and younger people mingle, everyone is very friendly and learns from each other. Things run very smoothly at the H.O.G., to me H.O.G. is an example of how things should be at other clubs and associations!"

What do you personally do to encourage young people to ride?

"I am always vocally very enthusiastic, I tell the story about my Harley, and I also like to tell the story of H-D. If someone considers riding on two wheels, I encourage them to do so and try to take them to an Open Day at the Harley Dealer. And, of course, I try to make them enthusiastic about Harley-Davidson!"