Four Inane Questions with Gail Harleychick from Gail’s Motorcycles 

Photo Courtesy of Gail

Similar to the celebrities Cher and Charo, Gail from Gail’s Motorcycles goes by a singular moniker. And after 25 years, the one-named-wonder recently announced she’s retiring and closing up her Grandview shop. “I finally get to enjoy the lifestyle I’ve been selling for over a quarter century,” she says. “It cracks me up when people say, ‘You will be so bored.’ Seriously, I’ve never been bored a moment in my life!”

When asked if she was hanging up her helmet, she laughed. “No, I am going to ride my Harley,” she says. “I’m also going to learn to play golf better, ride my horse, and feed my birds. Does that show my age?”

Given that KC’s ultimate motorcycle mama is poised to turn 60 this fall, it seems Gail is excited for her next chapter. Her dealership is set to close on June 29—That is unless they run out of inventory beforehand. “Kansas City, thank you for your support and friendship throughout the years. The memories we’ve made will live on,” she says. “I’m not going far. I’ll stay active supporting our great city—And my other dealership Shawnee Cycle remains open and vibrant. I’ll be popping in there a couple of times a month.”

For years, Gail’s tagline has been, “Where every day is an excuse to have fun.” Looks like she’s about to practice what she’s been preaching. Yes, Harleychick is indeed her legal last name.

We caught up with Gail as she was wheeling and dealing on her monstrous showroom floor to ping her with our moronic questionnaire. We left with a sassy new pair of leather chaps to add to our collection. Bless.

Photo Courtesy of Gail

The Pitch: Let’s start with an easy one—If you were a motorcycle, which motorcycle would you be?

Photo Courtesy of Gail

Gail: I’d be a bright-red, low-to-the-ground Harley-Davidson Sportster 48. It’s lightweight compared to other Harleys, easy to handle, sleek, and incredibly agile. The Sportster is popular because of its style and smooth cornering. The 48 Sportster is timeless.  

It reminds me of me because people so often discount the abilities of a sportster. They call it a beginner bike—Mostly because it appears to be smaller than the other Harleys. However, the 48 Sportster is a complete badass. I’d put its style and ability up against any other bike out there.

In your humble opinion, what’s the best motorcycle scene in the history of cinema? Yes, you can only pick one. 

The one that immediately comes to mind is the final scene in Wild Hogs where the group is riding along Rodeo Boulevard and Dudley gets smacked in the head by a surfboard. Hilarious!

Also, it may not be the best, but one of my favorite motorcycle scenes is in Terminator 2 when Arnold Schwarzenegger rides his 1991 Fat Boy as he chases down the cyborg trucker. And then rescues John Connor—who is riding a dirt bike—while he’s trying to escape.

Describe, in detail, the worst hairstyle you’ve ever sported. 

The hairstyle I’m about to describe is worn by me at least twice a year. Last summer, I rode home non-stop from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on my Road Glide Special in 95-degree sunshine.  

When I got home, I pulled off my full-faced helmet, started to make a selfie video of the trip home, and I couldn’t help but laugh at what I saw on the screen—Sweaty hair was clinging to every inch of skin on my head, face, and neck.  I don’t know how detailed I can get with this one—Just picture damp, drippy, salty hair clinging to my face. It was gross!  

I laughed as I realized what I looked like at every gas stop along the way home. Needless to say, I had to completely deep-clean the inside of my helmet after that trip. Yuk!

Now that you’re retiring, which card game are you most apt to learn? 

I honestly don’t remember ever playing a card game in my life. If I were to learn to play a new one, it would have to be strip poker, as I’ll be spending lots more time with my man, Gale.