Not a troll post, but something to think about

[crazydave]

I wanted to get other's here to give some thought about other riders. I had a invitation from a very good friend of mine to go on an organized ride with his local HD club. Being that I don't own a Harley this was only possible on an "open" ride which this was.

As a matter of fact this particular club's latest news letter had an article from their club director why he wouldn't acknowledge any "metric" bikers on the road and why the members shouldn't either.

I was prepared for what I expected to endure, why don't you get a "real" bike etc, and I wasn't disappointed. This is what I want others to think about. It doesn't matter what you ride, scooter to sportbike. We all have the same dangers and considerations to take when on the road.

I 've been riding for over 30 years and while I have never owned anything but Japanese, and now English made bikes I have ridden various HD's from a 1200 Sportster to a 1976 cafe racer that HD made. While I understand the "image" that people want to get from owning a HD, it's just not my aspiration.

If I see you out there you can be sure I will acknowledge you are there since we're sharing the road. Beside that my current bike weighs in at 360lbs and has 125 rear wheel HP, so it's likely I can "keep up".

Obviously there is the "bad boy" image that some want from owning an HD, and I say to each his own, but don't disrespect other riders if they don't decide on "your" brand. Just some food for thought. Keep the shiny side up.

[Motorcycle Forum]

[Clint]

This is the crux of most of the "Harley bashing" threads that come up on any motorcycle forum periodically. There are motorcyclists, and there are bikers, and there are posers who are neither. We can only deal with it in the most civil way available at the time.

I, too, learned my lesson about doing charity rides with the Hawg crowd. Seems most of them just participate for bragging rights and with little thought for the actual recipients. If that were not true, they'd be more welcoming of riders of other makes, who only enhance the charity of the day. Doesn't happen, though.

[trafficdan]

They're too embarassed to admit they overpaid for their HD at a status symbol so often feel the need to belittle those who spent wiser. I love my HD but know I could have gotten more for less in another manufacturer. My decision, I just enjoy riding and I don't care what others ride. I am dying to take my neighbors Triumph out sometime soon. Give him a chance to get back in the saddle he finally got his rear tire replaced after being without for a few weeks.

[koolbreeze25]

Funny story.
I was at a local resturant that had a bike night, and saw this guy with a t-shirt that said "If its a Harley you don't have to defend it". His attitude completed his shirt. Sooooo I asked him where his bike was, here is the funny part, he didn't own one. I just laughed a little and walked away.

[crazydave]

I had fun with a co-worker recently too. He had on a Harley shirt, so I asked him which model he had thinking he was a fellow biker. He said he didn't have one. I got him by telling him I knew people that were physically assaulted and even killed for wearing a Harley shirt when they didn't own one.

You should have seen the look on his face, OMG. Since I work with mega geeks it's very easy to get them since they are very linear in their thought processes. Shame on me, I know

[Fishpart]

I ride a HD but treat everyone the same, wave at all! I do thinks it's funny the ones belonging to Harley owners Group (HOG) collecting all their pins and pictures in front of post offices and HD dealerships. And only riding about 500-1000 miles a year! But acting like bad ass bikers! I just shake my head and laugh!

[drgibson]

What's a Harley?

[intimid8er]

As a matter of fact this particular club's latest news letter had an article from their club director why he wouldn't acknowledge any "metric" bikers on the road and why the members shouldn't either.

I've taken the bait a couple of times. Reel me in chief! I'm dying to know why someone wouldn't acknowledge a fellow biker, and why he encourages others not to also.

More curiouser is how Mr. High and Mighty determines the make and model of another cruiser coming straight at him at roughly the same speed?

Maybe he should just say "eff" wavin' at anybody!??

[hammersfan]

I belong to a club with about 100 members and quite a few have Harley's and there is a fair bit of friendly banter going back and forth between the Harley guys and the metric guys but it is all in fun.
Interestingly when the local HOG chapter has its charity run which everybody especially all other HOG chapters in the region are invited to our club has the biggest turnout to the event for which that HOG chapter is truly grateful to us for. My point though is where is the camaraderie from all the other HOG chapters ?

[drgibson]

I'll confess to being under the influence of Harley Rider rage. One day I was riding down highway 67 south of Dallas, when I was passed by a guy on a Harley, he gave me a thumbs down and a one finger salute. No reason, just wanted to express his opinion I guess. I really try to do the right thing but on this day I let "M" humble his high priced 883 Sportster. At least I used all my fingers as we blew past him.

Disclaimer: I in no way support the use of speed, raw power, and mechanical beauty to destroy the manhood of brand bigoted Neanderthals.

[Clint]

LOL. I do.

[palanon]

< sigh > Cruiser on cruiser crime...can't we all just get along ?



A buddy of mine has owned two 883's. I didn't even need to push it to blow him off with the 76 KZ 750. He finally gave up. He won't buy another one and he's presently riding my CB 900C . He appreciates the ability to cruise on the highway and climb hills without getting off to help push or grenading the transmission.

Clint, are you going out and eating HD's for lunch again. You know, an ego is a terrible thing to waste....It's just not right to take your 5 year old budget conscious UJM Bandit out and hurt our HD riding brothers and sisters feeling.

[Clint]

Shoot, I just wish I could ride. Time and a compressed rib cage from a softball incident have kept me off it for weeks. I did make the catch, though, and the team rejoiced.

[palanon]

OUCH !!! Sorry to hear that ( at least you made the catch ). So I guess you haven't tried commuting on the bike.

When you feel better, try it. It can be a PITA getting a truck dropped off at work but, you'll smile every time you pass your normal gas stops.

Believe it or not, the hardest thing for me was working out a plan for my morning coffee.

[Clint]

Right now, my schedule is... I don't have one. Our company is in such a state of transition that I'm doing one thing one day and another the next. I just need to commit to riding where I can.