Riding his Harley on the open road is how Dr Nimesh Patel of Timeless Smiles in Pennant Hills, NSW, lets loose.
“I own a Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider with a 1690cc engine. It’s a heavy bike but comfortable and fun to ride. I’m a relatively short man so a low-rider allows my feet to touch the ground when I pull up. Before I purchased it, I test-rode a Ducati but felt more comfortable on a cruiser where you sit upright.
“I always had some type of two-wheeler motorbike when I was at college and university in India. I rode a Royal Enfield in India that I considered when I arrived in Australia 20 years ago. It simply didn’t have the power to handle Australian roads and highways. I’ve always liked the Harley brand and the passion that goes with it. There’s also a brotherhood of riders. If you see another rider on a Harley, you always acknowledge each other. Riding a Harley makes you part of a bigger community.
“The Dyna Low Rider was my first bike in Australia. I was so happy when I purchased it. I remember thinking, ‘Go Harley or go home’. I have a couple of dentist mates who also own Harleys. When we ride together, we call ourselves the Fang Gang. I live in the Hills district of Sydney and the ride to Wisemans Ferry is one of my favourites. I also enjoy riding down to the South Coast and along the Northern Beaches. Whenever I go for a ride and feel that fresh air on my face, I’m happy.
“When I was considering buying the Harley, one of the first questions I was asked was, ‘What does your wife think about it?’ She’s happy for me to go riding but despite me buying a jacket and helmet for her, she has chosen not to sit behind me. My nine-year-old daughter has put up her hand though. She likes the idea of being dropped off at school on the back of the bike. Maybe, one day.
“The world is fast-paced and frantic, and while I enjoy dentistry, I need something else. The Harley is my thrill after the drill. I love being out in nature, cruising on my bike with the faceplate of my helmet open and really enjoying the moment. Some people feel like a rebel when riding a Harley but not me. I’m still the same person. I have noticed, though, that people on the road behave very well when a Harley is driving nearby. They just don’t realise it’s only their local dentist cruising past them.”
