Ugh. I'm so tired of the Fair Weather poseur doo-rag "bikers"

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He's picking up a used Connie for a second bike soon and doesn't think he'll choose it over the Harley all that much. I'm not so sure about that!
Depends on if he wants to ride, or be seen riding.

Not that I would generalize about cruiser guys. Nope. Not me. :D

 
He's picking up a used Connie for a second bike soon and doesn't think he'll choose it over the Harley all that much. I'm not so sure about that!
Depends on if he wants to ride, or be seen riding.

Not that I would generalize about cruiser guys. Nope. Not me. :D
Haha, for him it's more about arthritic knees and hips and whether he can get comfortable with the sportier riding position. I'm pretty sure he'll be fine with a set of bar risers and some highway pegs.

 
...I asked my Dad the other day why he didn't ride in to work on his electra-glide.He's picking up a used Connie for a second bike...
Depends on if he wants to ride, or be seen riding.

Not that I would generalize about cruiser guys. Nope. Not me. :D
Did you mean touring guys...? :unsure:

Electra Glide:

2011-Harley-Davidson-Electra-Glide-Classic-FLHTC.jpg


 
I ride with a cruiser crowd. All the guys I've known for years (mostly all retired Navy) all have HD's or Metric crusiers. Only a couple had any idea what the FJR is about. I was riding (Medicine Park, OK) With an HD friend. We with his $30K CVO Streetglide (beautiful bike), and my FJR. He had no clue, and my down playing the power to avoid a numbers comparision between HP and $$$ that morning didn't help his confidence later. I felt bad for him twice that day... First was when things go a bit playful on a wide open stretch of Oklahoma 2 lane. I didn't have the heart to tell him I never reached 7500 RPM to walk past him. Later while enjoying a Cigar and the view atop Mt Scott (Which for anyone other than those in the South East) is a hill at best. Many folks walked over to chat a talk bikes. They were almost all cruiser folks, but the questions and comments were 10-1 FJR over HD/CVO.

I get reminded by one of my MSF instructor buddies occasionally that when I am riding on-point due to my GPS, to take it easy in the twisties, because some of them will try to stay with me and possibly find themselves in trouble. Note: The FJR is only my second street bike, and I've NEVER driven a crusier of any type, but I am NOT a fast rider. Riding in central Oklahoma does not sharpen ones skills in the technical stuff!

I'm happy to say I helped to convert a crusier rider to go from bandana to FF helemt. She loves it (So far), I'll asker her again in July. Although I expect then I will see her back in a bandana :glare:

Personally I don't care what you ride, as long as it makes you happy.

 
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BTW- I have ridden with some HD riders who could flat out RIDE...

There are not many of them, butt they are out there...

I have never ridden a HD- But I hope to rent one in Hawaii when I nail my 50th state!
T and I know some of these same HD riders that put serious miles on; in fact one of my best local riding buddies locally has a late model FLTCUI that has well over 100K miles on it. Hell, for the Key West FJR weekend recently I rode my old HD because the FJR was still apart for farklization.

On the way home from that run, I passed long lines of helmetless HD riders while in full ATGATT; musta been some sorta "chrome rally" somewheres.

But, you're right, there's plenty of poseurs in that crowd for sure. Go out, spend ~$30K on bike and clothes (including the cool doo-rag), and voile'! Instant biker outlaw badass...

 
BMW riders are snobs because they are pissed after spending tons of money and only getting and expensive ride... oh and the little dicks....
Maybe we're snobs, but I got out the door with my brand new BMW for under 10K. I don't have a dick at all. Maybe that's got something to do with it. I do ride to work five days each week.

Just yesterday, one of the security guys commented on my Roadcrafter. We had a nice conversation about riding. He's going to start riding his bike to work, a couple of times a week when the weather gets nice. Sad. This is Southern California. Right now, it's in the seventies and dry. Wonder what kind of 'nice' he's waiting for?

 
I'm with you, Scotty. I'm a fan of all kinds of motorcycles, regardless of brand or style. Riding is about the experience and if you get the enjoyment you're looking for out of a cruiser that's great. Hell, I'm sure I'll own an HD or two in my lifetime. They DO require a lot more polishing time though... <_<

 
Just yesterday, one of the security guys commented on my Roadcrafter. We had a nice conversation about riding. He's going to start riding his bike to work, a couple of times a week when the weather gets nice. Sad. This is Southern California. Right now, it's in the seventies and dry. Wonder what kind of 'nice' he's waiting for?
I remember coming to work one morning when it was POURING. I got to the elevator, and there's 4 other people, all completely soaked from walking in from the rain. Of course one pipes up with "you rode a bike in this?" so I said "hey, don't give me that crap... you're all SOAKED. I'm the only dry one here!"

Whoever it was at Frogg Toggs that thought of making rain suits from Tyvek needs to be knighted! The "hefty bag" feeling and "swish-swish-swish" sound effects of the old TourMaster stuff used to irritate the heck out of me.

 
I almost never ride to work.

It's a grueling commute; 1.5 miles each way.

By the time I get my gear on, I could be at work already.

Plus, there is always the risk that once I'm on the bike I will get lost on the way to work.

 
Plus, there is always the risk that once I'm on the bike I will get lost on the way to work.
LOL +1!

I both rode to work most of the time and worked nights (2nd shift). I can't tell you how many times headed in on a perfect day the bike - just - didn't - want - to - turn - towards - work!!!

Of course, now I'm retired, so the challenge now is to ride locally, not, like, for a quick trip to Key West or the NC/TN mountains.........

 
Of course, now I'm retired, so the challenge now is to ride locally, not, like, for a quick trip to Key West or the NC/TN mountains.........
Gawd...I still have another 40 years before I reach that point. :(

Anyway, don't care too much what or how someone rides. As long as they ride, and can do so in a safe, courteous, and expeditious manner (if in the left lane or in curves).

 
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Gawd...I still have another 40 years before I reach that point. :(

Anyway, don't care too much what or how someone rides. As long as they ride, and can do so in a safe, courteous, and expeditious manner (if in the left lane or in curves).
Well, don't wish for retirement too soon as it usually accompanies age........

I'm with ya on the 2nd part!

 
I don't ride to work either. Although, my commute consists of approximately 14 steps up the stairs to my home office. :rolleyes:

Traffic can be brutal...some days my dog tries to run past me up the stairs. Damn squids! :p

 
Must be tough riding in Florida. Out here SR 20 is still closed by snow!
Well..., at least there are none of your Fair Weather poseur doo-rag "bikers" brothers out there on SR 20, either... :eek: :blink:
Hey I wear a doo-rag too! ahem...under my helmet. Last year on SR20 coming back from Winthrop I followed a couple chromesters for a while. Anybody who knows SR20 knows it to be a beautiful curvy sportbike paradise but I followed these guys as they wrestled their hawses through the curves. It was fun to watch. They were afraid to lean over at all. They actually kept 'em upright and turned their steering. IF they hadn't had the loud pipes they would have heard me laughing. I finally got tired of the comedy and the noise and passed them on a 35 MPH curve. Laughed for 20 miles.

 
Fair Weather poseur doo-rag "bikers"

Sadly, that's the public image of the quintessential "American Biker" -- much publicized by American media, Hollywood, and the entertainment industry.

Hey I wear a doo-rag too! ahem...under my helmet. Last year on SR20 coming back from Winthrop I followed a couple chromesters for a while. Anybody who knows SR20 knows it to be a beautiful curvy sportbike paradise but I followed these guys as they wrestled their hawses through the curves. It was fun to watch. They were afraid to lean over at all. They actually kept 'em upright and turned their steering. IF they hadn't had the loud pipes they would have heard me laughing. I finally got tired of the comedy and the noise and passed them on a 35 MPH curve. Laughed for 20 miles.
I, too, have ridden SR20. I've also followed custom-cruiser/chopper-style bikes with foot-wide rear tires on mountain roads. It's like they "ratchet-turn" -- lean a little then straighten up; lean a little then straighten up.

What cost image...? :eek:

(if I never, ever, hear another open-piped v-twin -- it'll be just fine :angry2: )

 
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The best HD riders I ever saw were a pack of Hells Angels. True, it was on mountain four-lane but their synchronicity was amazing. All dozen bikes/riders seemed to function as a single unit. They had my respect. It would have been fun to observe them flying as a pack over U.S. 12 (Lolo Pass) or something similar - Beartooth Highway, maybe! But I have observed from behind too many that displayed an utter lack of real skills and needed putting behind me...carefully. I suppose if I only rode 150 miles one Saturday a month for four summer months I'd be lacking in skills, too.

 
last two days have been pretty good for riding to work (Fort Bragg, NC). Both days, 30+ bikes in the parking lot; HD, Honda, various crotch rockets (even a couple with extended swing arms), a suicide-shift bar hopper, a couple of Gold Wings, Victory, Triumph, etc, etc. Overall a pretty good showing. Middle of the summer you'll have to arrive early to get a spot in the M/C parking area. Soldiers just love motorcycles. :D

 
Couple observations on the Harley faithful:

1. I've done a bunch of advanced riding instruction and track days and seen all kinds of bikes there EXCEPT Harleys. BMW's, Gold Wings, FJR's, various standards, some motards, but never a Harley (There was once a guy on a Buell). I can only conclude you get a bag of riding skills along with the purchase of a Harley.

2. A touring buddy bought a Harley a couple years ago. He admits he was really questioning his decision when riding it home. However, the bike has really grown on him and now he really likes it. Surprised me.

3. Lke any other group Harley riders include nice people and dinks. There is probably a higher percentage of dinks than normal.

 
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