Confessions of Motorcycle Bigot

[ionbeam]

You know, I just thought of something.
BikerGeek rides a Harley. If that doesn't say something, nothing does.

Go ahead and ax the Geek what motivated him to own that Hardley.

 

[Fred W]

I have no difficulty with the leather clad people that ride those cruzer bikes. I can recognize them easily from us Power Rangers in our full ATGATT GoreTex Kevlar spacesuits. Diversity is a great thing. If everyone was like me, well they'd all be ********, right? And how boring would that be? (note: This is a totally rhetorical question and I really do not want to hear the answer to it.)

But when I can't tell one cruiser from another... I mean I can't tell a high bux Hardley Fat Boy Low Rider Dyna Wide Glide from a Star XS1200 Custom Classic Tourer, doesn't that mean I'm a bike biggot?

They all look the same to me!

I think Rusty (FJReady) is gonna set me straight tomorrow night with copious amounts of liquid libation, and I'll probably come out OK after that cleansing experience.

That and it won't be Friday tomorrow so I won't have to pull your chains anymore.

 

[bluesdog]

Reminded me of this:

I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community - a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan. Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassel handlebars and the studded luggage and the half helmets - God, they drive me crazy.You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, do I hate those guys. I don't wave at them either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180 degree German engines. God, I hate them. They're almost as bad as those old *******s on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they have all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grandpa, and while you're at it, I'm not waving to you.

Ducati guys - I don't wave at them either. Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color as long as it is red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a Desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys.

Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on the top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should ever wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me, and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my ***. I never wave at Kawasaki guys.

I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way. Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me. And by the way, neither will the guys in two piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at - those guys with the helmets with loud paint jobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet - like I'm going to wave back at that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots.

To me, motorcycling is like a family, a close knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special.

 

[dcarver]

Those of you 'bashing' the Harleys are doing so based on stereotypes. There are many Harley, Victory, and metric cruiser riders that don't fit in those categories at all.
BTW, I put bashing in quotes because it was only a convenient word to use, not pointing fingers or anything.

Like others, I love motorcycles. They just make me want to ride them. I have friends with HDs and some are dorks, a few are pretty hard core riders. My favorite ridding buddy rides sans helmet. Wears jeans, HD stuff and head bands. BUT, he'll ride anywhere in any conditions. He racks up miles and doesn't wash his bike because he's busy riding it.

There are ****** bags in every genre, including ours. I ignore them and focus on the ones I like. Frankly, I like the v-twin sound. I even like them a little loud. My truck has a nice rumble to it too...Reminds me of my dad's cars I guess. I don't like window shattering racket, but those seem to be less prevalent.

I have another buddy with a very new loaded up Electra Glide.... I think. Like others, I can't keep track of their names either. That bike is crazy comfortable and us built for riding down the road. It is not built for twisties, but the buyer should know that. Above idle, it is very smooth, it has good power and it is like riding a Cadillac.

To each his own. I have ridden three different cruisers. I liked them all and LOVED my VTX1800R. It had Vance&Hines BigShot pipes and sounded great. Will I ever buy another? Prolly not, but I've moved beyond that riding style.

Crap. Really? I have to agree with this one? The 'Zilla?

I have to agree with Fred. That Carver is a

...
I have several friends that have both Harley's and FJR's and are pretty damn fast on both. Jeff is still riding the Harley he bought 26 years ago is damn quick until he runs out of motor.

To me, it's much more about the rider than the bike.

And, yes, I admit that I also was a pirate. I owned a 1983 XR1000 and a 1997 Buell S3 Thunderbolt.

Guilty as charged, Pops! I LOVE my 1991 'POS' HD FLHTCU for what it is. Sure, it can't top speed an FJR. Sure, it can't out-corner an FJR. But it sure is a chick magnet and nothing provides a more relaxed ride on country back-road than a HD. It's a different pace, a different sound, a collective soul experience to steam engines, low rpm high torque motors. If you're a buzzy high rpm aficionado, like the FJR, you'll never get it. Your loss. Diversity is good!

I confess, I'm not a HD bigot who hates anything other than a 'true red-blooded Amurican built ride'. The FJR has itches not scratched, as does the HD Ultra. Now then, to get them damn Eye-Tailian etches scratched is another matter..

I have no difficulty with the leather clad people that ride those cruzer bikes. I can recognize them easily from us Power Rangers in our full ATGATT GoreTex Kevlar spacesuits. Diversity is a great thing. If everyone was like me, well they'd all be ********, right? And how boring would that be? (note: This is a totally rhetorical question and I really do not want to hear the answer to it.)
But when I can't tell one cruiser from another... I mean I can't tell a high bux Hardley Fat Boy Low Rider Dyna Wide Glide from a Star XS1200 Custom Classic Tourer, doesn't that mean I'm a bike biggot?

They all look the same to me!

I think Rusty (FJReady) is gonna set me straight tomorrow night with copious amounts of liquid libation, and I'll probably come out OK after that cleansing experience.

That and it won't be Friday anymore so I won't have to pull your chains anymore.

You wanna try something fun?

Ride yer HD to a 'Hog Owners Group' ride with full Power Ranger attire and Dirt Bike helmet!

The resultant looks are priceless...

Especially as you leave the 'group' behind and break all the 'Rules' that state full-on customs ride at the head of pack, baggers at the rear.

**** that -

Passed them all on the bagger and never rode with the 'Hog' group again.

Does that make me a rebel within the Rebel group?

Fred - Exlnt post!

 

[FJRBluesman]

i hate motorcycles, all motorcycles. Ride one, and you'll surely die. That is all.

You are correct.

Anyone that even breathes will surely die. Some day we will all die.

 

[timk]

I like all motorcycles.

 

[hppants]

I've ridden with a lot of H/D riders. We often exchange the playful ribbing, but again - I will certainly ride with them, and even look forward to it if I'm thinking about a slower paced ride.

My buddy Brodie's H/D switchback is a nice bike. I've ridden it a good distance and I really like a lot about that bike. What I couldn't understand was the lack of counterbalance in the motor. When I told Brodie that I could never own a bike that shakes that much, his very candidly and respectful replied:

"Put your wifey on the back of it and go for a very slow 25 mile ride. Then get back with me on that."

Ooooohhhhhhhhh - I see says the blind man.

 

[majicmaker]

Most Excellent Conversation! I'm not a Bigot. I've joked now and again about HD's but, it's never been about the bike itself. My Bro-in-law rides a fat boy. I ride with him all the time in the Daytona area. My issue is with the metric hatin' pirates that actually enjoy torturing you about the bike that I'm riding. Not all HD riders are pirates!! It's the "Pirates" that give their bikes a bad name!

 

[rushes]

I like all motorcycles.

+1

I like bicycles too.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Most Excellent Conversation! I'm not a Bigot. I've joked now and again about HD's but, it's never been about the bike itself. My Bro-in-law rides a fat boy. I ride with him all the time in the Daytona area. My issue is with the metric hatin' pirates that actually enjoy torturing you about the bike that I'm riding. Not all HD riders are pirates!! It's the "Pirates" that give their bikes a bad name!

That is what I was trying to say. It is not the bikes or even all of the people that ride them. It is the ones that want to bash my choice and have no logic to back up their statement. And they get so angry...

 

[CAJW]

T

You wanna try something fun?

Ride yer HD to a 'Hog Owners Group' ride with full Power Ranger attire and Dirt Bike helmet!

The resultant looks are priceless...

Especially as you leave the 'group' behind and break all the 'Rules' that state full-on customs ride at the head of pack, baggers at the rear.

**** that -

Passed them all on the bagger and never rode with the 'Hog' group again.

Does that make me a rebel within the Rebel group?

Fred - Exlnt post!

Now THAT would be fun to witness! Seems just about every large group has some sort of pecking order, but when dealing with Pirates, apparently it's pushed to a higher level.

The question is, if you just truly don't have any desire whatsoever to ride a cruiser, does that make me a biggot? Nope, I just don't like riding with my feet out front, funnelinig bees up my pant legs!

 

[08FJR4ME]

One of the guys i used to work with kept asking me to ride his new HD1800 something or other. After months I finally gave in and succumbed to the pressure. After a few local miles and a short highway stint I thought to myself I couldn't believe he paid so much for this piece of ****. About the only good point was that is did shift smoothly like butter. I think he really wanted me to let him try my bike and he thought I would let him. Sorry but that wasn't going to happen. It did make me much more appreciative of my purchase.

The only other cruiser I road was a 900cc Vulcan. I had to drive it home from CT for my brother. By the time I got it there my back was in pain. I didn't like the seating position for that length of time. I have never had an interest in ever getting a cruiser from day one of riding motorcycles. The typical riding style of that contingent has no desire for me. I have done a few fundraising rides with these types of bikes but for the most part shy away from these events. The last one I did started out at a bar joint. Stopped for lunch at a bar joint and ended up at a bar joint. 90% of these riders (using the term loosely here) were partaking in the spirits. No Thanks,

Now my first bike I bought when I was 16 years old without my parents permission. Three weeks later my father came home early one day and proceeded to tell me that no one in his family will ever ride a motorcycle. It was a Honda 90 Trail bike and today it is very rare to find one. If your lucky enough to still have one they are worth thousands of dollars in good shape. I still regret having to sell it. I thought I could outsmart the old man and put a high price on it out in the front yard. It sold the next day and I made some good money on it. 3x what I paid for it. So much for that theory.

As for being a biggot, I don't know for sure. I have had to deal with the everything Hardley crowd and all other bikes suck. So we have them on both sides of the fence.

Good day, Dave

 

[ionbeam]

I've never been interested in a V-Twin's mission, and style means close to zero to me. I walk past the V-Twins without prejudice and focus on my areas of interest. I do occasionally end up at a Harley dealer, usually with a family member and do enjoy people watching. Hey my man, yo bro, DUDE, heavy... It's a lifestyle as well as a mode of transportation. I have seen some really ugly behavior by the V-Twin set and I've seen different but just as bad by the sport/stunt groups.

My focus on SPORT has now drifted to sport/tour so my wife can enjoy the ride too. She has been a soldier riding on some of my bikes with me, hitting the low point by enduring 60k miles on my V-Max knuckle dragger.

 

[fjrob1300]

" I would never join a club that would have the likes of me as a member." (Groucho Marks.) Always liked that quote.

When I was riding my RD350 liquid around my home town I had a friend who owned a Harley. But it was backwards! Foot brake and shifter were opposite to what was normal. What a blast to ride. in my teens I always wanted a big Fat Boy style bike. But, alas always had a Yamaha. RD's then on to a Maxim 750. Then back to RD's and RZ's. Always wanted an FJ1200 but the kids needed new shoes. Then the FJR1300 came into my life....

My Dad and brother are HD riders. Are they pirates? well ya! I still talk to them but don't ride with them.

Some of the local Hells Angles in my area are just too funny. I knew them before they made "Patch" and still chat with them now. Now they think they are something extra. lol I poke at them that they are still just posers.

Ya I'm a bike bigot too. If that means I cant tell a FLH from a Classic. But I'll ride with anybody, on anything.

 

[Fred W]

Ya I'm a bike bigot too. If that means I cant tell a FLH from a Classic. But I'll ride with anybody, on anything.

Finally! Someone "gets it!"

 

[shakin]

I too get it Fred, but I can be described in four words:

I am a bike whore!

Unfortunately for me, I've been depleting my stable.

 

[Bearly Flying]

"Always wanted an FJ1200 but the kids needed new shoes. Then the FJR1300 came into my life."

So... The kids still don't have new shoe's??????...

 

[gixxerjasen]

Ok, so I skimmed.

For me, I can't find the point in a cruiser. HD or otherwise. The only thing I can see is image, and that doesn't necessarily appeal to me.

I look at them and they aren't even a happy middle compromise. For comfort, there's sport tourers and touring bikes that do it better. They don't handle well and they don't necessarily put out a lot of power. They aren't terribly useful compared to other bikes either.

At the bike show a few years ago I gave them a fair shake at the Demo booths and took three HD's out. They had a route but let you go on your own. Took out the XR1200 to see what the fuss was about in the racing series. It was nice, loads of torque till it fell on it's face at the rev limiter. Took out the VRod, actually a very nice engine, but I was very uncomfortable on it. Then I took out one of their touring bikes. Most comfortable motorcycle seat I've ever sat on. It was quite comfortable but when I looked over it, the fit and finish was far below a similarly spec'd Jap bike, and probably cost about the same.

At the end of the day I couldn't see one single reason to spend money on one. I could spend less on any number of bikes and it would be better at almost everything than those were. So to me, I don't get it. Aside from image and being "In the club" I don't know why folks buy them.

 

[bluesdog]

I've noticed improved fuel economy when puttering with my cruiser-riding friends

Except for the one Honda VTX rider who is arguably more of a hoon than I...

 

[fjrob1300]

Ha ha ha they are all moved out now and can buy their own shoes