I took my FJR to a Harley dealer open house party yesterday
- Thread starter PanAmerican
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TwoWhldTerror
Well-known member
You might want to know the TRUE feelings of Sonny...Uh Wheatie, do you happen to know who the Gentleman riding this 1966 H-D Sportster is? His name happens to be Ralph Barger, also called "Sonny" by the Oakland Chapter of the Hells Angels he founded and by thousands of the Red and White Worldwide. I bought my Harley parts from Sonny's shop up in Cave Creek, Arizona; Sonny said he always preferred Sportsters over Big Twins, said he still does! So next time that I see Sonny I will make damn sure I tell him that you called him a girl! Or you can go by his shop at 10637 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix and call him a girl yourself!Does he know that some in the HD world consider the Sportster a girl's bike?
No...don't tell him.
Kudos to him for being a regular rider...if not a distance rider.
You must have a lousy sales pitch there Matt...converting him from an FJR to a Sportster
wheatonFJR, Deadman Walking!
Shaking his head Barger replies, "I would probably ride a BMW or a Honda ST 1100. The Harleys are getting better every year, but they're still junk. I mean I bought my wife a brand new 2000 Dyna Glide Sport and it goes into a speed wobble at 85 and I've done everything that I can do to get it out. I'm a good mechanic, I've followed their directions, we took it their shop, they've done work and it still wobbles on her. The factory tells us to change the shocks. Now why should we buy a brand new motorcycle?"
Direct quote, article here: https://www.dabelly.com/features/feature74.htm
BTW, I am not bashing Harley, I still want to own one, alongside the FJR and the future dual-sport of course. Just wanted to correct an idea that Sonny loves Harley's because, well, not so much. ;-)
PhilJet09
Nondescript FJR Hierarchy Displayed
I ride my wife's new Sportster from time to time and once you get used to all the racket it makes, it's actually quite fun.
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
https://sonnybarger.com/index3.html I saw Sonny just last month at Arizona Bike Week, he was there promoting and selling his books. He remembered the fact I rode both BMW and H-D, he mentioned he did like Beemers. Interesting quote about his wife's Harley, since I own a 2002 Dyna Glide: But it is not the Sport model. I have run past the ton many times without a speed wobble, but I added a Performance Machine fork brace and stiffer springs to my front forks; and actually my rear shocks are Progressive Suspension ones. https://www.progressivesuspension.com/hd/index.htmlYou might want to know the TRUE feelings of Sonny...Uh Wheatie, do you happen to know who the Gentleman riding this 1966 H-D Sportster is? His name happens to be Ralph Barger, also called "Sonny" by the Oakland Chapter of the Hells Angels he founded and by thousands of the Red and White Worldwide. I bought my Harley parts from Sonny's shop up in Cave Creek, Arizona; Sonny said he always preferred Sportsters over Big Twins, said he still does! So next time that I see Sonny I will make damn sure I tell him that you called him a girl! Or you can go by his shop at 10637 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix and call him a girl yourself!Does he know that some in the HD world consider the Sportster a girl's bike?
No...don't tell him.
Kudos to him for being a regular rider...if not a distance rider.
You must have a lousy sales pitch there Matt...converting him from an FJR to a Sportster
wheatonFJR, Deadman Walking!
Shaking his head Barger replies, "I would probably ride a BMW or a Honda ST 1100. The Harleys are getting better every year, but they're still junk. I mean I bought my wife a brand new 2000 Dyna Glide Sport and it goes into a speed wobble at 85 and I've done everything that I can do to get it out. I'm a good mechanic, I've followed their directions, we took it their shop, they've done work and it still wobbles on her. The factory tells us to change the shocks. Now why should we buy a brand new motorcycle?"
Direct quote, article here: https://www.dabelly.com/features/feature74.htm
BTW, I am not bashing Harley, I still want to own one, alongside the FJR and the future dual-sport of course. Just wanted to correct an idea that Sonny loves Harley's because, well, not so much. ;-)
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garyahouse
newbs need the forum
I must admit, when pulling up to a stoplight on my buddy's Harley (years ago), it was rather entertaining watching everything shake and listening to the engine idling.
Gary
darksider #44
Gary
darksider #44
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oldgun
Member
My first ever bike - AMF Harley Davidson Baja 100. Mom and dad bought it new for my 14th birthday. She was a temperamental POS but - it was a f'n motorcycle, hell of a lot better than the Rupp minibike. Rode the shit out of it then traded it for - you guessed it - a 1972 Yamaha CT 175 Enduro.
There's a feeling of freedom when riding on two wheels - any two. And I respect them all, till they don't deserve it ! ! !
TwoWhldTerror - you might try this,
Or this
.
There's a feeling of freedom when riding on two wheels - any two. And I respect them all, till they don't deserve it ! ! !
TwoWhldTerror - you might try this,
Or this
.
GeorgiaRoller
Exit Stage Left
What the hell does this term mean? Do you mean "Funny" but your F key is missing on your keyboard? I keep seeing people using this term on this forum and I've never heard it before. :blink: Is it a West Coast thang?
Websters...Gunny: A coarse heavy fabric made of jute or hemp, used especially for bags or sacks.
Inquiring minds want to know.
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showuser=129 +1, blame it on our GunMD! And you can thank odot for keeping it going all of these years, with help from twowheelnut (Tim Bates)! It was an inside joke from many years ago here, started by USMC Gunnery Sergeant Scott and perpetuated by all of us Military Veterans here on our Fine FJR Forum. You can substitute "OO-RAH" if you wish!What the hell does this term mean? Do you mean "Funny" but your F key is missing on your keyboard? I keep seeing people using this term on this forum and I've never heard it before. :blink: Is it a West Coast thang?
Websters...Gunny: A coarse heavy fabric made of jute or hemp, used especially for bags or sacks.
Inquiring minds want to know.
https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=21867&st=0&p=258328&hl=gunny&fromsearch=1entry258328 Niehart, Wolfhound and Chuy were all Army, where you say HOO-AH; but, +1, Gunny works just as well! "Heard, understood and acknowledged" (acronym as "HUA").
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GeorgiaRoller
Exit Stage Left
Ok thanks! Makes more sense now. Nothing like being on the outside...of an inside joke.https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showuser=129 +1, blame it on our GunMD! And you can thank odot for keeping it going all of these years! It was an inside joke from many years ago here, started by USMC Gunnery Sergeant Scott and perpetuated by all of us Military Veterans here on our Fine FJR Forum. You can substitute "OO-RAH" if you wish!What the hell does this term mean? Do you mean "Funny" but your F key is missing on your keyboard? I keep seeing people using this term on this forum and I've never heard it before. :blink: Is it a West Coast thang?
Websters...Gunny: A coarse heavy fabric made of jute or hemp, used especially for bags or sacks.
Inquiring minds want to know.
https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=21867&st=0&p=258328&hl=gunny&fromsearch=1entry258328 Niehart, Wolfhound and Papa Chuy were all US Army, where you say HOO-AH; but, +1, Gunny works just as well!
BwanaDik
Well-known member
Next you'll be asking what a "farkle" is.... :yahoo:
wheatonFJR
...
oldgun
Member
The real reason guys ride Harleys - watch till you see the sport bike. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
.
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GeorgiaRoller
Exit Stage Left
Farkles are for homosexuals...Mods are for real men.
Farkles & Feejer are two terms I refuse to use!
Bungie
FrostBack #2 - IBA # 44620
+1Farkles are for homosexuals...Mods are for real men.
I might type farkles here once in a blue moon, mostly to make the homo's here happy. But in conversation, 'mods' it is.
mdisher
formerly Renegade, get used to it.
Unfortunately, it's not very accurate.
None of those chicks had piercings, or tats, and they had all their teeth
ALDAWG
Well-known member
painman
Well-known member
A free sandwich and tee, I would be there too. Bought my softail custom new in 1988 and still love it. But without a doubt the FJR sees more seat time. But whatever bike I'm on when I pull over and talk to other riders the only thing I've encountered is the common bond and enjoyment of motorcycles. I wouldn't have it any other way. PM. :yahoo:
Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
Tried to stay out of this, it does belong in NEPRT after all. You can't stereotype Harley riders any easier than you can stereotype Sport Touring Riders. ST guys are not all alike, they can be passionately divided on the qualities of the Honda, the Kawasaki, the Yamaha and (God forbid) the BMW. Even on this forum, there are Gen I vs. Gen II, A vs. AE, and an unending list of opinions on pretty much anything you can buy for or do to the FJR. If a relatively small group like ST riders is so different, how could as large a group as Harley riders be all alike? We have all seen the Harley idiot, dressed like a pirate holding up a mile long line of cars while he rides 5 mph below the speed limit. But many of us have ridden with some really good riders who were really nice people that rode Harleys. I am sure I have bashed and will bash again, the Harley guys. But to answer the original question, there are far more than just two groups. It would probably surprise you how many of us fit easily into more than one. BTW, Pan, I have read and enjoyed your posts and threads and you are obviously very smart. Too smart to actually be surprised at what you found and too smart to have expected them to be happy you showed up on anything besides a Harley.
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Geezer
Parsimonious Curmudgeon
I was with you until this last statement. If the Harley riders are happy with their choice of bike then why should they care about my choice? The only time I have any concern with what someone else is riding is when we are riding in a small group and one bike/rider is too different from the others to be able to ride safely together.
Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
Here I will stereotype. When you get any group together with a serious common passion, they easily get into what I call "The wolfpack mentality". They can and will attack anything that is "not like them". This ah, species of Harley rider is especially susceptible to this. Again, there are many different types of Harley rider but you pretty much know what you are going to find at a dealer open house party. Even the guy you would enjoy riding with if you met up on your favorite road will do/say whatever he has to in front of the rest of his buddies, the wolfpack. I love Harleys and have always wanted a red/burgundy two tone Electra Glide. It is not the antique performance of the machine that prevents me, it is that I don't want to be associated with the image of a greasy Harley outlaw biker representing the American Dream. As I have said, that is not the entire Harley riding community. Just because you and I don't care what someone else rides, you can't expect that kind of thinking at a Harley dealer party.
