I have never felt so strongly about a machine in my life. It's staggering how I could go from not knowing this bike existed, to thinking it was mildly unattractive (how COULD I?!) and then reading some reviews and seeing it in person and realizing it's the single most excellent and beautiful machine ever made by the hand of mortals. There are tons of great bikes out there, but NOTHING that has inspired the kind of sustained obsession in me (pre and post purchase) that the Rocket has. So no, in answer to your question, I have never ridden the bike and climbed off without a grin on my face. It's a hell of a thing, and I am in love.