About Us
Welcome to Steel Horse Stories. More than just a blog, this website is dedicated to documenting the adventures of me and my long-term girlfriend on our steel horse: a 2023 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited.
Our story begins in 2013. After reconnecting with my childhood best friend—following a long hiatus during which I served several years in the U.S. Air Force, both overseas and stateside—I was inspired to finally pursue my lifelong passion for motorcycling. The allure had always been there: the freedom, the speed, the open road. But life had a way of putting it on hold. Military obligations, deployments, base assignments, and strict safety regulations consistently got in the way. And as life moved forward, so did my responsibilities—first with the arrival of my daughter, then my son not long after.
My first motorcycle was a 2004 Honda CBR 600 F4i. Considering my limited experience at the time, I decided—against the advice of my best friend, who rode a Suzuki Hayabusa—to start “small”. “You’ll be tired of it in a month,” he warned. He was right.
Riding motorcycles became increasingly difficult with three young children (two of my own and one inherited via my long-term girlfriend). Time was scarce—filled with ball games, school events, and the everyday joys of watching them grow. On top of that, my CBR that never quite fit my frame, felt more like a compromise than a thrill. So, in 2016, I decided to let it go.
Nearly four years passed before the itch to ride returned—stronger than ever and impossible to ignore. As the kids grew older and free time slowly reappeared, the timing felt right. In 2020, we brought home a brand-new Suzuki Hayabusa—gunmetal gray, with just one mile on the odometer. My first reaction: “Wow.” This machine was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Once crowned the King of Speed, the Hayabusa—named after the Peregrine falcon—dominated the late 1990s. It topped the speed charts until an informal agreement among leading Japanese and European manufacturers imposed a limit, aiming to prevent import restrictions tied to safety concerns, injuries, and fatalities.
While our Hayabusa delivered unmatched thrills with its blistering speed, razor-sharp handling, and surprising comfort, it still was not ideal for two-up riding—no more than our old CBR had been, despite our best efforts to make it work. Eventually, old(er) age and its accompanying aches caught up with us. The adrenaline rush gave way to quieter evenings at home, as the thought of suiting up and taming that powerful machine became less appealing than simply enjoying a peaceful night.
We knew we were not ready to give up riding—it was too much a part of who we were. But this time, we needed a better fit. Two-up comfort and practicality became the top priority, replacing the old obsession with speed and adrenaline. I dove into weeks—maybe even months—of research, combing through countless articles and blogs, watching endless YouTube motorcycle reviews, and exploring the world of aftermarket parts and accessories. Every detail mattered. Most importantly, we had to strike the right balance between our budget and our desire to keep the journey alive.
By mid-June 2023, I had narrowed my search to two contenders: the Indian Roadmaster and the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited. Brand loyalty wasn’t a factor—especially coming from a background in foreign sport bikes. What mattered most was comfort, something that would support our desire to travel and spend more quality time together as our kids grew older and more independent. Then, on June 21, 2023, I walked into Harley-Davidson of Xenia—and rode out with a brand-new 2023 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited in stunning Redline Red.
This is where our steel horse stories truly begin…