3.1
H.O.G.® LOVE STORIES
H.O.G.® Benelux
Laura de Vos
Belgian Laura de Vos is 21 years young and a member of the H.O.G. Chapter Zenne-Dyle, RMC Classics, Vilvoorde.
When did you buy your Harley?
"On the 1st of July I bought a Softail Standard 2022, which I customized with my dad. Before this one, I had a Street Rod."
I discovered Harley-Davidson when I…
"My dad rode motorcycles. As a kid I used to sit on the back of dad's bike, he had an H-D Low Rider at the time."
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I love my Harley because…
"It gives me freedom. I can ride where and when I want, it gives me light, and power. "
I chose this model because…
"I liked it. I searched the internet and discovered all the customization options. It is a very suitable model to customize."
I'm a fan of my Harley because…
"First and foremost because it's a great bike, and I've given it my own touch."
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I love riding my Harley because…
"I went through a very difficult time in my life. I enjoyed riding with dad, on the back. Now that I ride by myself it gives me strength. But it also gives a lot of pleasure.”
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Becoming a member of the H.O.G. enabled me to…
"It's basically the family feel, there are lots of events and everyone helps you."
My best H.O.G. experience was...
"One of my best experiences was with our own Chapter. We got our Ladies club up and running in a short period of time. And then when we got to do our first ride with the Ladies, that felt really good."
H.O.G. is for me…
"Everyone helping each other, that brotherhood. When you arrive on location and you see all those Harleys together, fantastic. You also see so many charities we support, everyone within H.O.G. participates. That's just really nice to see."
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How do you like H.O.G. as a younger person?
"It’s funny. When we go out riding, everyone expects me to ride pillion. But then I hop onto on my own Harley, and see all those looks like 'Oh Amai, she rides herself!'
What do you personally do to encourage young people to ride?
"I haven’t invited a passenger on my bike yet, but I have had a few people who were interested to sit on my bike and hear the sound. I hope I warmed them up with that and hope they'll start riding themselves."
What is your role in the H.O.G. Chapter?
"For now it's riding along as much as possible and helping out with events. We founded Ladies of Harley and go out a lot with this group. I’m hoping to do that a lot in the future."
Why H-D?
"I love the machine, the sound. I can do my own thing with it, like customize it to my liking. And the freedom, it feels really good."
I love riding in my region because?
"I definitely love riding in my own region and discovering beautiful places, but I'm also really looking forward to going to Faak and exploring that area. And then next year I want to go to Budapest, which is also a really big prospect."
What is the best trip or route you have ridden? "Recently, with the Chapter, we had a weekend in Wielen. That was also my first major trip abroad."
Do you ever wrench yourself?
"Yes, at home with dad in the garage."
What's been customized on your bike?
"I put different handlebars, blinkers, and covers on it. And a separate decal on the bike to personalize it even more. I recently bought special paint with mom and dad and tried to create White Wall tires with that paint. And I got the tank and fenders wrapped."
What would you still like to do?
"The exhaust, I want a Jekyll & Hyde."
What model is on your wish list?
"My big dream is still to ride a Road King. And I think the Street Glide is impressive as well."
H-D is a real cult icon, do you wear that too? "I usually wear Harley clothing on a daily basis, as I ride the Harley almost every day."
Your parents also ride H-D, what models?
"Dad ride a Street Glide, mom a Sport Glide."
What do you hope for in the future for yourself, Harley and H.O.G?
"I hope there will be a very big event specifically for the Ladies, to show that there are women with balls. And apart from that: a lot of mileage."
What plans and dreams do you still have?
"Riding a Harley Road King."
Final remarks?
"I really like that Harley is doing something to bring awareness to young people. I am very proud to be able to participate in this!"
instagram account softailcustom_rider
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(Interview by Onno Wieringa – madnessphotography.nl)