I have come to the conclusion that what I've been hearing lately is true. There may be a lot more Harley riders out on the road now, but there are NOT very many bikers left.

I made a run to Cleveland last weekend and on the way back, I had an electrical problem with my Dyna. While I was troubleshooting the problem with what I call my "MacGyver" kit, no less than 35 Harleys rode past without so much as a glance or wave, much less stopping to ask if I needed assistance. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE REAL BIKERS OF YESTERYEAR? When I started riding almost 30 years ago, I was taught to ALWAYS stop if I saw a bike on the side of the road and at least ask if they needed help. I still do that and always will. And yes, it was quite obvious that I was in trouble. I had the seat removed, the cam cover off, and my tool bag sitting next to the bike.

I guess all those so-called "bikers" (yeah, right) didn't want to stop and get their nice clean leathers dirty. I am always reading the some forums, including this one, people talking about "brotherhood". I didn't see an example of that last weekend at all. A road crew stopped, and a state trooper, but not ONE Harley! Makes me sick.... Does this mean that most "newbies" are just in too big a hurry to help a "brother", or are they just a bunch of hypocrites? I tend to lean towards the latter. Fortunately, after 3.5 HOURS, I managed to get the bike fixed, but by then the battery was dead. Finally, a fellow and his daughter from Ontario, on a HONDA no less, stopped and offered to help push start me. I consider them true bikers more than all the Harley riders (who were obviously NOT bikers) that passed me by.

I know there are exceptions to my observations, but I sure haven't see many examples of true brotherhood lately. To those who really do believe in the brotherhood of the road, then my hat's off to you. To those who would rather pass a brother by than spend a few seconds of your time to check on them..... screw you! Go buy a moped and stay off the highways! You sure as heck don't deserve to ride a Harley!

Whew.... I'll get off my soapbox now. I was just so pissed and disgusted that I had to blow off some steam. For those of you who really know what being a biker is about, you will probably agree with me. Congratulations to you folks!

Enough of that. I feel better now. Ride safe, Ride free

 

Amen brother, nuff said...

 

Cagers will help you more than HD riders.For the most part.

 

I always stop, but usually I get looked at crosseyed by the guy I'm stopping for.

I do see a lot of people just ride by, and nobody has ever stopped when I am on the side of the road. Lucky for me, it's not been from a breakdown just for water/picture/etc...

 

That sucks. I always stop to help though all I can really offer them is a cell phone and some moral support. But still....

 

Didn't use to be that way, I had pulled over to have a smoke and at least 10 bikes slowed down to see if I needed help. Gave them all the thumbs up and waved them on.

 

Just when you thought all hope was lost:

https://www.hdforums.com/m_708613/tm.htm

 

A dying breed is the rider that stops. I always stop for any kind of bike on the side of the road.
A few weeks back I spotted a guy with a CBR 900 on the side of the freeway, saw him a bit late but proceeded to the next offramp, exited and went back.
Turns out he was out of gas, anyways he was having a hell of a time holding his bike from falling everytime a big rig passed, so I parked my Ram as to block the wind. I offered the use of my phone but he had already called for help. I waited on the road with him for half an hour or so to make sure he could get on his way. AAA brought some gas, he thanked me for waiting with him and he was on his way. During our brief visit he asked why I stopped, I responded that its the right thing to do and I had been in his shoes before. I just requested next time he sees a bike on the side of the road to remember that someone stopped to offer help to him.

 

I always prepare to stop. I signal Are you OK? If I don't get a thumbs up. I stop.

That's the way it works in these parts.

 

Hey Spectrexx, if you ever break-down in my neck-of-the-woods (hope you never break down again) and I see you on the side of the road, you can rest assure that I'll stop and help......................