Harley haters....
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: VA
"hmm, closet Harley hater or just a snooty old lady? Keep your comments to yourself aunt B, I live to ride."
Speaking of old ladies. The wife and I rode our bikes to church last week. After church we are getting on and starting them up. A little old lady from the church walks by. She points to my bike and says, Nice ride while smiling.
Speaking of old ladies. The wife and I rode our bikes to church last week. After church we are getting on and starting them up. A little old lady from the church walks by. She points to my bike and says, Nice ride while smiling.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 16
From: USA
There have been a few reasons over the decades that people have hated Harleys and their riders (BTW, the plural of Harley is Harleys, not "Harley's")
In the '30s and '40s, Indian riders hated Harley riders and visa-versa.
In the 50s and 60s, people were afraid of Harleys and their riders. Indian was gone after '53. Hollister happened and A.I.P. and other B -movie producers were grinding out biker and juvie delinquent films that alarmed the populace.
In the '60s and '70s, a book by Hunter Thompson and articles in mainstream magazines like Life and The Saturday Night Post printed stories about "outlaw heathens on Hogs", followed by TV shows of the time.
In the '70s and early '80s, Harleys were hated for their lack of quality and the company's ownership by AMF (even by the Harley faithful). Big Japenese bikes were mopping up the floor with H-D as far as horsepower and reliability. Plus there was still some residual outlaw feelings by the general public.
Today Harleys are hated by many because, since the mid to late '80s, they are percieved as play-toys of the yuppos and country club types. People who paddle away from stop signs, wear biker costumes on the weekends and load up on billet accesories while riding low powered machines. The kind of people who would have crossed the street 20 years ago rather than walk by a biker bar now say their part of the "Harley Family."
Remember when Harley riders were in their '20s and '30s, didn't buy licensed clothing and took **** OFF their bikes instead of adding on glue-on chrome pieces from Taiwan. Now it's mostly newbies out for lunch, and people who say "I wanted a Harley for years, and now that I'm retired, I can have one!"
In the '30s and '40s, Indian riders hated Harley riders and visa-versa.
In the 50s and 60s, people were afraid of Harleys and their riders. Indian was gone after '53. Hollister happened and A.I.P. and other B -movie producers were grinding out biker and juvie delinquent films that alarmed the populace.
In the '60s and '70s, a book by Hunter Thompson and articles in mainstream magazines like Life and The Saturday Night Post printed stories about "outlaw heathens on Hogs", followed by TV shows of the time.
In the '70s and early '80s, Harleys were hated for their lack of quality and the company's ownership by AMF (even by the Harley faithful). Big Japenese bikes were mopping up the floor with H-D as far as horsepower and reliability. Plus there was still some residual outlaw feelings by the general public.
Today Harleys are hated by many because, since the mid to late '80s, they are percieved as play-toys of the yuppos and country club types. People who paddle away from stop signs, wear biker costumes on the weekends and load up on billet accesories while riding low powered machines. The kind of people who would have crossed the street 20 years ago rather than walk by a biker bar now say their part of the "Harley Family."
Remember when Harley riders were in their '20s and '30s, didn't buy licensed clothing and took **** OFF their bikes instead of adding on glue-on chrome pieces from Taiwan. Now it's mostly newbies out for lunch, and people who say "I wanted a Harley for years, and now that I'm retired, I can have one!"
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Katy, TX
Ive been reading this post and it really makes me sick that there is 18 pgs of posts on this subject already. But with that said here's my 
. Maybe I'll make it 19.
I don't care what you ride, just as long as you ride and it really doesn't matter to me what you wear or don't wear either. If you want to dress up like a pirate or if you want to wear shorts, no shirt and flip flops then so be it, its your thing and you will have to deal with the consequences if you go down. Ive got friends that ride all makes and models and some wear leathers and some don't, some wear helmets and some don't and we all get along just fine. We all have a good time doing what we love to do, which is riding, socializing and customizing our bikes. I have yet to run into anyone that just down right dissed me because I ride a Harley and dress like a pirate and if they did I would probably just tell them to buzz off matey, arrrrrgggh!
. Maybe I'll make it 19.I don't care what you ride, just as long as you ride and it really doesn't matter to me what you wear or don't wear either. If you want to dress up like a pirate or if you want to wear shorts, no shirt and flip flops then so be it, its your thing and you will have to deal with the consequences if you go down. Ive got friends that ride all makes and models and some wear leathers and some don't, some wear helmets and some don't and we all get along just fine. We all have a good time doing what we love to do, which is riding, socializing and customizing our bikes. I have yet to run into anyone that just down right dissed me because I ride a Harley and dress like a pirate and if they did I would probably just tell them to buzz off matey, arrrrrgggh!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
From: WireGrass, AL
I just think its funny I'm not saying anything to make someone mad but when you look at HD riders as a whole the majority falls somewhere between the gang in Wild Hogs and South Park. Just yesterday when a rider put on his mesh jacket, gloves and full helmet on before he shot off on his softy he got a few snickers from the bad biker starter kit wearers near me. The bad biker starter kit Harley owners are a funny bunch but that's where the best low mileage used bikes comes from so blab blab blab baby
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Harley Davidson's have been a part of my life for so many years that I never notice anyone bad mouthing them anymore.They are not haters,complaining, is how they disguise their envy,and craving for a piece of history.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 892
Likes: 11
From: Northern NY
Choices and opinions and our rights to air them is a fantastic way to exhibit the fact that we are americans and proud to be. Tolerance of anothers opinions is showing maturity. Get out and ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
It called,,,, "What about Me"" attitude...
These people think that If,, "I",, don't own it,,,,,its Chit......
Most are just JEALOUS because they can't afford a harley..
Or if they can, they think riding at 140MPH and doing 100 on one wheel is sooooooo coooooool.....
These people think that If,, "I",, don't own it,,,,,its Chit......
Most are just JEALOUS because they can't afford a harley..
Or if they can, they think riding at 140MPH and doing 100 on one wheel is sooooooo coooooool.....
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 7
From: Clermont, GA, CSA
Yes, there's Harley snobs, who are mostly posers. That being said, my experience is there's far more Harley haters than the other way around. And they're way more vocal in their hatred.
I visit other forums and most of them have a general forum area. Every now and then the subject of motorcycles comes up. EVERY time the discussion turns 'bad,' it's the ones hating the Harleys that start it. EVERY DAMN TIME!
There's even a Harley hating website that's been online since 1993. Seventeen years of dedication to hating Harleys!
Me? I don't care what you ride. Just leave me and mine alone.
.
I visit other forums and most of them have a general forum area. Every now and then the subject of motorcycles comes up. EVERY time the discussion turns 'bad,' it's the ones hating the Harleys that start it. EVERY DAMN TIME!
There's even a Harley hating website that's been online since 1993. Seventeen years of dedication to hating Harleys!
Me? I don't care what you ride. Just leave me and mine alone.
.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 16
From: Springfield, Ohio
Yes, there's Harley snobs, who are mostly posers. That being said, my experience is there's far more Harley haters than the other way around. And they're way more vocal in their hatred.
I visit other forums and most of them have a general forum area. Every now and then the subject of motorcycles comes up. EVERY time the discussion turns 'bad,' it's the ones hating the Harleys that start it. EVERY DAMN TIME!
I visit other forums and most of them have a general forum area. Every now and then the subject of motorcycles comes up. EVERY time the discussion turns 'bad,' it's the ones hating the Harleys that start it. EVERY DAMN TIME!