H.O.G.® LOVE STORIES

H.O.G.® Benelux

Yannick Vermander

Yannick Vermander is 30, lives in Belgium and is a member of H.O.G. Zenne-Dyle Chapter of RMC Classics, Vilvoorde.

What is your current H-D model?

"A 2020 Road King Special."

When did you buy this Harley?

"About a year and a half ago."

I discovered Harley-Davidson when I…

"I always liked the whole motorcycle culture, but I always thought H-D was too expensive. So I started on a moped and 125cc. Then I got a Yamaha. I rode that for seven years. Two years ago my father-in-law turned sixty and we bought a Harley as a present. I then noticed that Harley was more affordable than I had thought, and bought myself my first Harley, a Sportster, after a test ride."

I love my Harley because...

"I’m a huge fan of the looks, as well as the comfort. my love of motorcycling blossomed all over again, I rode more kilometers on the H-D in the first year than in all the seven years I rode that Yamaha!"

I chose this model because...

"I went to have maintenance done on my Sportster. The Road King sat in the showroom. I saw it and fell in love! I couldn't stop looking at it!"

I'm a fan of my Harley because...

"The comfort, when you ride Harleys together, that group feeling, I've really missed that in the past."

Becoming a member of the H.O.G. enabled me to…

"I almost always rode alone. I didn't know H.O.G., but I attended an Open Door Day. I was very well received there, it's much more than just a Chapter. It is a nice club, it has ensured that the rides I made here in the neighborhood, have extended to far trips. Ride-outs are more enjoyable now, they are people with experience and passion."

My best H.O.G. experience was…

"I participated in the Benelux Rally in Vielsalm, that was phenomenal."

H.O.G. is for me…

"Expanding my circle of friends. You can't compare it to a motorcycle club, it's a club of friends with a shared passion. I recently became a dad and got a lot of love and support from everyone. It really feels like a group of friends, they are always there for you. I haven't experienced that for a long time.”

How do you like H.O.G. as a younger person?

"For me it's not that bad, you meet all kinds of people at H.O.G. Also members who are in military service just like me, so that creates a bond. I don't really notice the age difference; everybody shares the same passion. That makes you forget about the age difference, it's the passion that counts."

What do you do to encourage young people to ride?

"My wife has a disabled nephew and I pick him up regularly, he's a huge fan of all things H-D. What works best for me is the Harley test days, I try to take a lot of people there, especially young people. Then they also see right away that H-D is more affordable than most people think."

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

"I’m just a member, but I always try to volunteer at Open Door Days and events."

How long have you been riding Harley?

"Two years; first six months the Sportster and then this one."

Why H-D?

"For me it was actually the chopper culture, that has always intrigued me. I watched series like Sons of Anarchy, and I really noticed that passion for motorcycles. But when I went to buy the bike for my father-in-law, only then I noticed that H-D is very affordable! The comfort is unbeatable, the look, the sound, everything just clicks. Riding the Yamaha felt like an obligation, with the Harley it's fun!"

I like driving in my region because...

"I live on the green side of Brussels, where there’s usually little traffic. I can do very nice rides there between 50 and 100 kms. Regularly, when it's nice and quiet, I can open up my Jekhyll & Hydes for a while and enjoy the nice sound."

Most enjoyable experience with your H-D...

"The first time I joined the Chapter on a guided ride, that was the first time I came to a place where hundreds of Harleys were ready to ride together. My first real H.O.G. experience. I thought: this is not real, this is absurd!"

Most beautiful trip or route you've ridden?

"The one in Vielsalm. There were those two days of guided routes with lots of cornering, really phenomenal."

What is the trip or route you would like to experience someday?

"I would love to ride from Belgium to Sweden. "

What's been customized on your bike?

"Jekyll & Hyde exhausts, different footpegs, grips, mirrors, and some other little things."

What would you still like to do?

"I would like to 'wrap' the bike. I'm a big fan of Lamborghini green, a bit decadent maybe, but it seems to look really nice."

What model is on your wish list?

"The Street Glide ST."

Do you ever delve into H-D history?

"No, I'm more into looking forward to the future. I keep an eye on what new models are coming out, I find that fun and interesting to follow."

Which model from the past do you like best and why?

"Heritage, the one you always see on every book."

H-D is a true cult icon, do you carry that out to the outside world?

"I have a TwinCam necklace, Chapter/HOG gear, and a leather H-D jacket."

There are many movies starring an H-D, which one is your favorite?

"The Sons of Anarchy series does something for me. I find it very intriguing. Some of the bikes are so beautifully customized! But I don't go looking for movies specifically because there's a Harley in them."

What do you hope for in the future for yourself / Harley / H.O.G?

"I really hope that H.O.G. and H-D will continue to exist like this, with internal combustion engines! And that they won't be too strict with the periodic inspection that is now coming in Belgium."

What plans and dreams do you still have?

"Celebrating the 120th Anniversary next year. And other than that, somewhere in the future a nice trip to the far north. Maybe Route 66, well, what's left of it..."

Yannick ends the conversation with:

"What I really appreciate with H-D is the marketing; how more and more young people are getting involved, also a lot of young artists. But also the new models, The Pan America and the new Sportster, it's all become a bit younger. I think that's really a very positive thing!"

(Interview by Onno Wieringa – madnessphotography.nl)

Lid worden van de H.O.G. stelde mij in staat om?

“Ik reed bijna altijd alleen. Ik kende H.O.G. niet, ik ben bij een Open Deur Dag geweest, ik ben daar heel goed ontvangen geweest, het is veel meer dan alleen maar een Chapter. Het is een mooie club, het heeft ervoor gezorgd dat mijn ritjes die ik hier in de buurt deed, zijn uitgebreid naar verre tochten, met veel mooie bochten vooral. Ritten rijden is nu plezanter, het zijn mensen met ervaring en passie.”

Hoe lang ben je H.O.G. lid?

“Een goede vijftien maanden.”

Mijn beste H.O.G. ervaring was?

“Ik heb deelgenomen aan de Benelux Rally in Vielsalm, fenomenaal.”

H.O.G. is voor mij?

“Uitbreiding van mijn vriendenkring. Ge kunt het niet vergelijken met een motorclub, het is een vriendenclub van mensen met een gedeelde passie. Ik ben recent papa geworden en kreeg enorm veel liefde en steun van iedereen. Het voelt echt aan als een vriendengroep, ze staan ze altijd voor je klaar. Dat heb ik heel lang niet meer ervaren. Zelfs wanneer ik door het jonge vaderschap een tijdje niet kan langsgaan, voelt het alsof ik er elke keer bij was.”