HOG Spotlight: Jody Fulton

A Southern Ontario rider carves her own path

Story & photos by Dustin A. Woods

Jody Fulton’s life hasn’t been predictable in any way. Much like the best motorcycle trips, she hasn’t exactly followed a straight line.

When she was 18 years old, Jody was in search of a new hobby. She didn’t know anyone with a motorcycle. She had never even been on one. But she wanted to ride, and she didn’t let the fact that none of her friends or family members rode stop her from pursuing something that interested her.

When Jody decides to do something, she commits to it. She started off with a small, old enduro that she wouldn’t be afraid to scratch or drop, then made the choice to purchase a different street bike before upgrading to a used 2007 Harley-Davidson^® Sportster^® 883R. She wasn’t sure if she fit the H-D^® mould, but she was excited by the prospect of joining the community and personalizing the bike to make it her own.

Living a very rural lifestyle, Jody has spent time working various jobs on a dairy farm. She currently makes a living by detailing tractors and other heavy agricultural equipment. She enjoys commuting on the motorcycle; it clears her mind and helps her relax from the stress of the day. She also revels in the deep, throaty rumble of the Screamin’ Eagle^® aftermarket pipes as she takes the long way home.

Whether her curiosity draws her to welding and metal fabrication or furniture construction, Jody pursues what interests her and learns how to do it as she goes. She’s always been interested in fashion and personalization, so when she couldn’t find the kind of western hat she envisioned, she made one herself. Recognizing that she was not alone in her taste, she created Jody’s Junction Co. By handcrafting custom hats that she says combine country and couture, she’s able to express herself in a way that makes her customers happy. And fashionable.

This creative interest in fabrication and the pursuit of individualization has also led her to modify her motorcycle, adding new lighting, handlebars and a custom sissy bar. Her partner doesn’t ride, but his aunt and uncle do. She has started joining them on their rides, including one this summer to attend her first Friday the 13^th in Port Dover.

Witnessing the spectacle for herself and experiencing the full breadth of the motorcycle culture in Southern Ontario strengthened Jody’s resolve to join more rides and attend events more frequently. She also decided to join the Harley Owners Group^™, which will no doubt introduce her to even more likeminded riders and enthusiasts next season.

Jody has her eye out for her next Harley-Davidson motorcycle, already imagining how she will set to work to create a custom bobber just the way she wants it. She may not know exactly where the road will lead her, but she’ll figure it out.