I took my FJR to a Harley dealer open house party yesterday

[jride]

Funny I know a lot of hd riders and most are clean cut and very nice. I also have been to some of these dealer events and have never felt uncomfortable.

One hardcore hd rider i know says if you want to ride buy a metric but if you like to work on your bike buy a harley. Also most harley riders (not all) i see in this area wave at me when we pass. When i rode to the dragon a couple of years ago on my fjr a lot of harley riders would stop and talk to me at rest stops and overlook. RIDE WHAT YOU LIKE AND TREAT THOSE THAT DON'T RIDE WHAT YOU LIKE WITH RESPECT.

 

[PanAmerican]

At one time we used to be motorcyclists who rode different machines. Now we have little, if anything in common.

I couldn't disagree with you more on that one. Most of my close friends are Harley riders and they don't have that attitude at all. I don't talk crap about what they ride, they show me the same courtesy. They don't dress like pirates either. One of them can almost keep up with me on OH-555 so I'm sure on an FJR he'd out-ride me any day of the week. We see eye to eye on more things than not.

I think the key phrase is "close friends".

In 1998 we had the Harley's 95th Anniversary party here in Milwaukee. About 100,000 motorcyclists showed up. There were all brands of bikes represented and it was a party celebrating motorcycling. Big parade etc.

In 2003 we had the Harley's 100th Anniversary party here in Milwaukee. About 200,000 motorcyclists (and Elton John) showed up. It was HD all the way. Not many other brands present.

Now in 2012 I felt as if I were a foreigner by my fellow Americans at an American motorcycle dealer simply because I made a different choice of product to ride than them.

Prehaps it reflects America as a whole but it's like we're diverging more from a pluristic society to one of tribalism. A form of Balkanism. We are spliting apart faster than we are melding together. You see it in politics, religion, personal choices such as cars and motorcycles. Perhaps the advent of the Internet has something to do with this since we are now able to meet, and converse, with people who have very specific and narrow interests closly matching our own. We are no longer meeting our neighbors in the street and talking.

Just an observation. Buy hey, FJR all the way!!!!

 

[airboss]

Moonshine Lunch Run SaddleSore 1000 2012

BMW 2

Harley-Davidson 11

Honda 27

Kawasaki 7

Other 1

Suzuki 3

Triumph 1

Yamaha 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total 60

Total w PAX 64

There are some Harley Riders out there.

Then.............there's my Street Bob riding neighbor that starts most of my Harley rants.

 

[LgFJR]

I've had usually good experiences with HD riders now that they've gone upscale like a lot of the big moto's out there. I know Airline pilots with HD's and Beemers, all good folks. HD guys wave at me on the hiway, and I actually enjoyed a trip to the local HD dealer out here in SoCal. The folks were great inside and very knowledgeable. The only folks that won't wave AT ALL on the highways and byways of life are the Wings. It's a fact that most of the HD dealerships, at least out here in SoCal look like Nordstroms inside, light years from the grease pits of old.

 

[Bungie]

Okay, all bashing aside, the OP makes a valid point.

Their really is two types basic types of HD riders. Those who _ride_ and those who don't. Unfortunately, for every one that does their are scores that don't. I personally know many from both camps. The riders of the bunch, I love those guys. Genuine MOTORCYCLISTS; and by that I mean love the pursuit. They don't care one bit that I ride a Yamaha, nor do I care they ride an HD. We are both in it for the same reason and we intersect at the common point. Cool.

The 'other' group I can spot miles away. It's unfortunate, really. Even the HD _riders_ tend to make jokes about them and almost visibly shudder at some of them.

Guess it's like that with all facets. Hell, if it weren't for the second group, where would we get our low mileage FJR's!

 

[PanAmerican]

Funny I know a lot of hd riders and most are clean cut and very nice. I also have been to some of these dealer events and have never felt uncomfortable.

One hardcore hd rider i know says if you want to ride buy a metric but if you like to work on your bike buy a harley. Also most harley riders (not all) i see in this area wave at me when we pass. When i rode to the dragon a couple of years ago on my fjr a lot of harley riders would stop and talk to me at rest stops and overlook. RIDE WHAT YOU LIKE AND TREAT THOSE THAT DON'T RIDE WHAT YOU LIKE WITH RESPECT.

These are wise words.

 

[Fly Bye]

Have to admit... it really is kind of sad.

Pretty much every other type of motorcycle rider is a pretty decent person, even Beemer riders

But it seems HD riders are buying the bike for the attitude only. I mean... why else would anyone buy a Chrome Tractor? errrrr I mean Harley?

just sayin...

Well, Well, Well, One of the things that make this FJR rider and this Harley Davidson rider get attitude is when someone refers to my

Road King as a "Chrome Tractor."

Why is it that those without knowledge or respect, have the need to voice their opinion?

 

[GeorgiaRoller]

So I show up on my FJR. Wow. I don't think I could have been more out of place unless I was a Catholic Cardinal showing up to an Al Qaeda campfire sing-along. I was like I was majocally transported to the set of the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie shoot and everybody was in costume. The only thing missing was some guy with a hook for a hand and a parrot on his shoulder.

LOL!!! :lol:

Have motorcyclists really evolved to to two separate species like this? I never imagined we would become so tribal.

In a word...YES!

Whenever you have two seperate groups and then you take the extreme of each group at opposite ends of the spectrum and compare them side by side...well...its a big azz difference.

A LD AGATT rider on a ST meeting up with a HD riding leather ensconced wannabe 1%-er is like trying to mix oil & water. But those are the extremes.

Then you got a much bigger group in the middle that really isn't all that different from each other. They just ride a different bike and dress slightly different and everybody gets along.

People are people. To think we all ride motorcycles so that makes us the same is like saying everybody that drives a Chevy must be the same. :blink: It doesn't work that way.

 

[stevec677]

This past weekend I rode thru Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine. New Hampshire must have a "noise law", or something, because must if not all of the Harley's I saw were very quite. I personally hate loud pipes (Harley or sport bike). It was very enjoyable to see Harley riders out enjoying their ride and not annoying everyone around them. I actually started to check out their bikes as we passed. This appreciation for Harley riders quickly changed as I got back to NY. I pulled over into a gas station to reset my GPS in South Glens Falls, NY and six extremely loud Harleys rode by at 20 mph. I had my helmet on and earplugs in and it was still loud. I looked at them in disgust, but they were just happy that I was looking at them. I don't agree with laws that limit our freedoms, but we don't need to infringe on other citizens rights to enjoy their day (and quiet).

 

[roger dodger]

I find we have more in common than different...

2 wheels works better than 4 wheels...

Any bike is better than any cage...

I ride with any bike...

I wave @ every bike...

I like all bikes.

 

[BikerGeek99]

I got an email from my local Ford truck dealer that if I came to their open house Saturday morning I would get a free t-shirt. Free stuff is always good especially if it's truck related. So I show up in my Chevy. Wow. I don't think I could have been more out of place unless I was riding my FJR and showing up to a Harley dealer open house. It was like I was magically transported to the set of the next Mike Rowe Ford truck commercial shoot and everybody was in costume. The only thing missing was some guy with a Ford logo tattooed on his ass like a tramp-stamp.

Have truck enthusiasts really evolved to two separate species like this? I never imagined we would become so tribal.

I mean - c'mon! Who do those elitist Ford truck owning assholes think they are? BMW motorcycle owners??

EDIT to add:

And, for the record, I NEVER wave at those Ford truck driving elitist assholes. I only go to their dealership open houses so I can get free shit.

 

[azitlies]

Have to admit... it really is kind of sad.

Pretty much every other type of motorcycle rider is a pretty decent person, even Beemer riders

But it seems HD riders are buying the bike for the attitude only. I mean... why else would anyone buy a Chrome Tractor? errrrr I mean Harley?

just sayin...

Well, Well, Well, One of the things that make this FJR rider and this Harley Davidson rider get attitude is when someone refers to my

Road King as a "Chrome Tractor."

Why is it that those without knowledge or respect, have the need to voice their opinion?

well... first... anyone can voice their opinion... it's a free speech right in this country... fyi

second, it's your assumption I don't have knowledge or respect.... I do have knowledge, and it actually comes from ownership (many years ago, but ownership none the less). And respect actually, I've seen some very good riders riding HD's... but the few are not the many, it's a very low percentage actually in my experience.

I'd say this, there's no attack on you personally, I don't know you from Adam. But I do have experience that I draw upon, and the majority I've met are way more into the "attitude" thing than they are into the motorcycling experience thing.

 

[JimNtexas]

I'm a total hi-viz dorky looking Power Ranger, but I must be doing something wrong. No Harley rider has ever said a cross word to me, even when I show up at their dealership on demo day.

I've never had the opportunity to exchange witty repartee with a Harley rider (although I've had non-riders ask me why I don't have a Harley. Easy answer, that).

OK, I take that back. I was at a RTE and saw a Harley bagger with an IBA plate backer and both side bags converted to aux fuel tanks. I asked him why he didn't read the memo about Harleys not being suitable for long distance riding.

It's not me personally, I'm the least bad-a** looking rider out there.

It must be my FJR that strikes fear into their hearts.

Or perhaps I haven't met the right Harley riders.

In any case part of me wants desperately to like Harleys. I really try to buy American when I can. That's why I go to their demo days. It's just that every time I see that chrome I hear the voice of a Harley rider who told me once that 'one minute in rain means five hours of polishing'. And then I get on the bike and it feels like a John Deer paint shaker. The riding position varies from almost tolerable (Sportster with mid-controls) to gyno exam table (Big Fat Bubba Eagle Deluxe). But hey, Harleys aren't all bad. They have auto-canceling turn signals, which are really cool. Really they are!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Okay, all bashing aside, the OP makes a valid point.

Their really is two types basic types of HD riders. Those who _ride_ and those who don't. Unfortunately, for every one that does their are scores that don't. I personally know many from both camps. The riders of the bunch, I love those guys. Genuine MOTORCYCLISTS; and by that I mean love the pursuit. They don't care one bit that I ride a Yamaha, nor do I care they ride an HD. We are both in it for the same reason and we intersect at the common point. Cool.

The 'other' group I can spot miles away. It's unfortunate, really. Even the HD _riders_ tend to make jokes about them and almost visibly shudder at some of them.

Guess it's like that with all facets. Hell, if it weren't for the second group, where would we get our low mileage FJR's!

What the hell is this...Bungie making sense!

There are riders and nonriders of every brand. The nonriders buy into the advertising...so many of those migrate to Harley.

But there are nice guys and jackoffs everywhere...and they own all brands and models.

Nice or not, all I ask is stay the hell out of my way on the curvy roads... :lol:

 

[azitlies]

Okay, all bashing aside, the OP makes a valid point.

Their really is two types basic types of HD riders. Those who _ride_ and those who don't. Unfortunately, for every one that does their are scores that don't. I personally know many from both camps. The riders of the bunch, I love those guys. Genuine MOTORCYCLISTS; and by that I mean love the pursuit. They don't care one bit that I ride a Yamaha, nor do I care they ride an HD. We are both in it for the same reason and we intersect at the common point. Cool.

The 'other' group I can spot miles away. It's unfortunate, really. Even the HD _riders_ tend to make jokes about them and almost visibly shudder at some of them.

Guess it's like that with all facets. Hell, if it weren't for the second group, where would we get our low mileage FJR's!

What the hell is this...Bungie making sense!

There are riders and nonriders of every brand. The nonriders buy into the advertising...so many of those migrate to Harley.

But there are nice guys and jackoffs everywhere...and they own all brands and models.

Nice or not, all I ask is stay the hell out of my way on the curvy roads... :lol:

+1!!!!

I'm lovin this tude... cuz it's so correct!!

We're not going to get into percentages of right and wrong on cruvy roads though...

 

[RCook]

I got an email from my local Harley Davidson dealer that if I came to their open house Saturday monring I would get a free t-shirt. Free stuff is always good especially if it's motorcycle related. So I show up on my FJR. Wow. I don't think I could have been more out of place unless I was a Catholic Cardinal showing up to an Al Qaeda campfire sing-along. I was like I was majocally transported to the set of the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie shoot and everybody was in costume. The only thing missing was some guy with a hook for a hand and a parrot on his shoulder.

Have motorcyclists really evolved to to two separate species like this? I never imagined we would become so tribal.

Wait. You live in Delavan, Wisconsin and went to a Harley dealer not expecting this? Your 50 miles west on I-43 to birthplace of "The Hog". Uh, come on, even given that the typical Lifestyle™ rider wont take the chrome pig out in less than idea conditions you literally in the heart of the beast, you can't honestly have expected different could you?

 

[Pegsparks]

Did I hear Pirate?

 

[lnewlf]

I'm a total hi-viz dorky looking Power Ranger, but I must be doing something wrong. No Harley rider has ever said a cross word to me, even when I show up at their dealership on demo day.

I've never had the opportunity to exchange witty repartee with a Harley rider (although I've had non-riders ask me why I don't have a Harley. Easy answer, that).

OK, I take that back. I was at a RTE and saw a Harley bagger with an IBA plate backer and both side bags converted to aux fuel tanks. I asked him why he didn't read the memo about Harleys not being suitable for long distance riding.

It's not me personally, I'm the least bad-a** looking rider out there.

It must be my FJR that strikes fear into their hearts.

Or perhaps I haven't met the right Harley riders.

In any case part of me wants desperately to like Harleys. I really try to buy American when I can. That's why I go to their demo days. It's just that every time I see that chrome I hear the voice of a Harley rider who told me once that 'one minute in rain means five hours of polishing'. And then I get on the bike and it feels like a John Deer paint shaker. The riding position varies from almost tolerable (Sportster with mid-controls) to gyno exam table (Big Fat Bubba Eagle Deluxe). But hey, Harleys aren't all bad. They have auto-canceling turn signals, which are really cool. Really they are!

I happen to have a '55 John Deere crawler with a 2 cylinder gas motor which has a 270 degree crank and a Cherry Bomb glass pack for a stack-sounds exactly like a Harley altho at 3 tons it doesn't shake much..about the same acceleration too..

 

[Bungie]

What the hell is this...Bungie making sense!

The what with the who now?

 

[beemerdons]

Not all of us are pirates!

So, carver's got a purse and boobs???

SURPRISE :blink:

Mike-H and donaldb, That damn dcarver always has to outdo his Papa Chuy Viejo, what a showboat! Here he posts up with a purse and boobs and all I have got is a "man bag" on my gas tank.

Don Carver stop your bragging, Pirates Forever! By the way, ATGNTT!