And they wonder why I dis 'em.

[Toecutter]

So, I sent out an email at work about the Blackbird for sale here. Anyway, one of the guys replied something to the effect of "What a joke".

[rant]Yeah, I could've bought a Harley when I decided to get the FJR. I don't happen to think modern Japanese sportbikes, especially the CBR1100X, are much of a joke. I used to own a Harley, but only because it was given to me. I wouldn't have another one in my garage for my eleventh bike, but I respect your choice of whatever bike you plan to put 2000 miles on this year.

I'm so inferior....Why don't you go out and run 10,500 miles in a week on your Hardley and then we'll talk about how shiny your chrome is....[/rant]

As a point for comparison, last time one of my co-workers emailed an ad to sell his Harley, I offered to help him list it on eBay.

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

Just their way of justifying the wearing of Nancy-pants! :yahoo:

 

[Geezer]

Toe,

It is too bad that some folks have to put down other people, for whatever reason, to make themselves feel like they made the right choices. I would bet that you would not want that guy as a friend even if neither of you ever owned a bike.

So, did I pull that off without any Harley bashing?

 

[Wicked Webby]

Toe,

Come'on,,,

They don't know no better...

Remember how superior the AMC Eagle was..

Compared to the crappy little "throw away" Honda's and Toyota's....

Don't forget the superior sound quality of the 8 track tapes and the BETA vision....

Please... A fuel injected 1950's motorcyle... In comparison to the modern motorcycle.... Ignorance is bliss....

As long as you don't know no better,

WW

(I have had plenty of HD's in my life to be able to say this)

 

[hardluk1]

I own a fjr and just sold my e-glide and am look'n for a older hd and personally i find a hd rider bashing another brand just as stupid as someone bashing a hd rider just because they ride something else. Someone that does is no better than the other. An it doesn't matter if you ride 100,000 miles a damd year or 5,000 it's lack of respect bothways. The small minded will always be small minded.

 

[Wolfhound]

Seems most of us know or see these Marlon Brando wannabees(The attitude obtained from watching older biker movies). Some seem to think they live in another time & act accordingly. Being in an HD only bike club & riding HD for 20+ years never gave me the thought of being superior because of the bike I rode, just a choice I made after the war. Acknowledging or helping another Man has been a priority in life & has nothing to do with what He chose as transportation.

 

[v65]

I own a fjr and just sold my e-glide and am look'n for a older hd and personally i find a hd rider bashing another brand just as stupid as someone bashing a hd rider just because they ride something else. Someone that does is no better than the other. An it doesn't matter if you ride 100,000 miles a damd year or 5,000 it's lack of respect bothways. The small minded will always be small minded.

I mostly agree with you. The rest of my family all own HD's, and I find them to be an agreeable lot. I also have a serious jones for Duece. BUT, as riders of Japanese motorcycles we take a lot of **** from some HD owners, the ignorant ones. So although I appreciate the brand, nothing attracts an ignorant *** quite like the loud pipes and persona associated with that make.

 

[Bull]

The small minded will always be small minded.

too true and well said Hardluk1

Toe - keep to the high path man - the company is always better there!

 

[kenporider]

I just got the "you should've bought a real bike" comment again yesterday. Truth be told, I'm really not a sport bike guy. I love the look of cruisers and would really like to have a Heritage Classic, but the cruisers just don't compare for comfort and performance for my riding style and I've come to have a greater appreciation for all types of motorcycles.

When I hear the "real bike" comments it tells me that the person's perspective comes from one of two types of individual:

1) Someone who doesn't ride

2) Someone who has limited experience with or understanding of different types of motorcycles and what they're designed for.

Next time anybody gives you crap, tell them you'll trade in your FJR for a Harley TODAY if they can justify one way in which a cruiser out performs your FJR.

I guess what really pisses me off about it is that it insinuates that we're stupid for making an informed decision that's different from their uninformed opinoin. :angry2:

 

[otrfjr]

The HD snobs do tempt us to call them assless chaphats, but they are not all snobs. This morning I saw one other bike on the road (34 degrees and heavy frost). It was a HD: I waved expecting to get the cold shoulder/turn the head in the opposite direction/a fluttering of tassels, but I got an enthusiastic wave in return. It was nice--kind of old school two-wheel solidarity.

Hopefully your co-worker will at the very least stop broadcasting his/her ignorance and prejudice.

 

[James Burleigh]

I own a fjr and just sold my e-glide and am look'n for a older hd and personally i find a hd rider bashing another brand just as stupid as someone bashing a hd rider just because they ride something else. Someone that does is no better than the other. An it doesn't matter if you ride 100,000 miles a damd year or 5,000 it's lack of respect bothways. The small minded will always be small minded.

Spelling is optional on the Forum, thank goodness....

 

[James Burleigh]

I just got the "you should've bought a real bike" comment again yesterday.

What's a real rider vs. a poseur? I have an idea, but I could be wrong. (Ha ha :lol2: .)

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I wonder where they (H-D snobs) will be if/when this happens?

From a friend: "An internet stock advisor is speculating HD bikes are headed cheaper, and stock price downward. Tough times ... A (local) Harley dealer is advertising, in the paper, prices below MSRP on all models."

 

[James Burleigh]

I wonder where they (H-D snobs) will be if/when this happens?From a friend: "An internet stock advisor is speculating HD bikes are headed cheaper, and stock price downward. Tough times ... A (local) Harley dealer is advertising, in the paper, prices below MSRP on all models."

My good friend and Harley rider (I would NEVER call this guy a poseur--rides to work rain or shine, wears a 'stitch, has taken every safety class you can, etc.)--anyway, he was assistant manager of the local Harley dealer's service dept., and was laid off right before Christmas because sales were way down. Tough times. Think about how much inventory (at $18K a pop) you have to turn to pay your overhead? Tough business.

Jb

 

[madmike2]

Soooo....the citizenry is choosing a different (note:I didn't say "alternate") lifestyle?

[SIZE=8pt]Referring to the often quoted,"Its not a motorcycle, its a lifestyle".[/SIZE]

I'd reason that the economy has modified some buyers perceptions of expendable income or perhaps a particular manufacturer is approaching market saturation for those who can afford their motorcycles. Like the possible closing of Honda's Maryville plant where they make their top-of-the-line cruisers and Goldwings.

........personally i find a hd rider bashing another brand just as stupid as someone bashing a hd rider just because they ride something else.

Yes, but its soooo much easier to categorize and pre-judge, and its much more fun!
Attitudes may never change. I used to get the same line from co-workers, HD owners and non-riders who "buy into" that mindset. One-on-one, "riders" are riders, its the group-mentality stimulus that we are all sometimes guilty of.

Funny story: One of my co-workers is looking at HD's and came to me asking my opinion of the Harley line (as opposed to the model the saleman was talking to him about). THAT is a conversation for motorcyclists, regardless of brand. I asked him his intended destinations for a ride (all day, weekends, etc.) and how much would be two up with his wife. He went back to the dealer and looked at the RoadGlide I suggested and came to work Monday saying that even his wife liked that bike and was excited. That's what "real bikers" do to help friends.

 

[Taff]

So, I sent out an email at work about the Blackbird for sale here. Anyway, one of the guys replied something to the effect of "What a joke".
[rant]Yeah, I could've bought a Harley when I decided to get the FJR. I don't happen to think modern Japanese sportbikes, especially the CBR1100X, are much of a joke. I used to own a Harley, but only because it was given to me. I wouldn't have another one in my garage for my eleventh bike, but I respect your choice of whatever bike you plan to put 2000 miles on this year.

I'm so inferior....Why don't you go out and run 10,500 miles in a week on your Hardley and then we'll talk about how shiny your chrome is....[/rant]

As a point for comparison, last time one of my co-workers emailed an ad to sell his Harley, I offered to help him list it on eBay.

Hi Toe,

The difference between the person who sent you the e mail and you Sir is that you are "street levels" way above his class in riding and at a personal level.

To each his/her own, but for me that comment with regard to the Blackbird really pushes the boundaries of sense and sensibility.

You are way too kind for comments like that.

Just shows you how informed that person really is!!!!

Take care,

 

[hardluk1]

Back in 00 i had a then new to the market big jap cruiser,( i'll leave name out) And you think some hd ride are snoobs.You should have heard them pump them selfs up about how much better there bike was than the other bikes. I had problems with it and couldn't get the dealer to fix anything with someone that was called an RTA to come in for repair or replacement. I live in the nc mountains now and you can't beleave how many people own crotch rockets that don't own a piece of rideing gear except a helmet and cocky as hell about how good a rider they are and how slow Brand X is. Dumd *** riders. I have listend to more **** through the years from newbes young or old no matter what they ride, there brand is the type is the greatest ever. All of the riders better learn how to ride together and injoy the fact that we can,ride. This is for the people that allways expect a wave. Don't, to darn manny people have been riden for 20, 30, or 40 years and just not give a crap about being polite on the road, they will more than likely stop to help just not wave, that gets old after a few years of ride'n. Now if the salt is washed off the roads i will go for a ride on my fjr and go look at a old hd to buy. Maybe I won't run in to any metric bike snobs flap'n there gums ether.

 

[daddysbike]

I used to ride sportbikes now the FJR after CBR,VFR etc. Once or twice/yr I see my wife's cousin at famiy functions. He rides a Road King fully chromed out. He and his wife are both 250lbs + and everytime he see's me he starts a conversation that goes like this. " the other day we were riding in the mtns and I could here them rockets come screaming up behind me, I got on the gas real good and they couldn't get around me. She aint' no crotch rocket but my Harley can keep up with any of 'em.

Yeah right! If that story had any truth to it, it would be that they wait until its safe to get past his rolling speed block in the mtns.

I do like the way Harleys look (Ultra Classic, Road Glide) but don't like the ride, lack of power/handling or the $$$$$.

Mostly a group of poseurs.

Steve

 

[Ari Rankum]

Anyone who spends an inordinate amount of time trying to convince you of anything probably doesn't believe it, either.