My first ride on the 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic was one of those dreaded, droning highway runs on I-95/85 - from the H-D factory in York, Pennsylvania, to the RoadRUNNER offices in North Carolina - and although the plush seat and excellent sound system certainly eased the boredom of Mr. Eisenhower's "broader ribbons," testing the bike's back-road touring prowess would have to wait. Fortunately, breaking free of the office confines around here doesn't require a note from your doctor; it's part of the job description.

The whispers began almost immediately. No sooner had the motojournalists finished wiping their lips after their first taste of the V-Rod at its introduction in 2001, than they began licking their chops at the prospect of a Revolution-powered, pure performance bike.

Without a doubt, the exciting new Harley-Davidson V-Rod was the attraction at last year's European Harley Bike Week in Faak, Austria. The wait in the long line of "test riders" seemed interminable, but eventually I saw what the buzz was all about and took a V-Rod ride for RoadRUNNER. The friendly and very professional working press team made it all possible.