Is it us or them?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Personally, I wouldn't call it discrimination just because somebody doesn't want to talk to me, I just figure that they have other things on their minds and if they don't want to talk, I'm not going to loose any sleep over it. A lot of times I don't talk to people either when I stop someplace, I'm not being rude, I just don't have anything that I want to say, just me.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 134
Likes: 2
From: Blountville, TN
Just coming from the other side to a Harley in the past month so I can offer a bit of a different view. I had a really nice metric and anytime I stopped on it anywhere REAL bikers would notice and chat me up about my bike regardless of what brand they were riding. However anytime I stopped and encountered a group of Harley weekend fanboys I was always treated like I had a contagious disease. I would say a lot of the metric guys you've encountered have had the same experience. Personally I love all bikes, I just choose to ride a Harley.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: NC
Just coming from the other side to a Harley in the past month so I can offer a bit of a different view. I had a really nice metric and anytime I stopped on it anywhere REAL bikers would notice and chat me up about my bike regardless of what brand they were riding. However anytime I stopped and encountered a group of Harley weekend fanboys I was always treated like I had a contagious disease. I would say a lot of the metric guys you've encountered have had the same experience. Personally I love all bikes, I just choose to ride a Harley.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
I've never had a problem with other riders, no matter what they rode. I don't think it's the Harley so much as the bad boy clothing and tats; I usually wear a mesh jacket and a helmet, which you see more often on metrics. Patched vests and doo rags are almost exclusively Harley. Loud pipes are a turn off for a lot of folks, and it's the first thing most Harley riders do to their bikes; I run fairly quiet pipes. I often have folks look at the bike and chat, never had anyone snub me yet. Maybe they just think it's unusual to see a 67 year old geezer riding anything... 
I'm big and I'm pretty loaded up with tats and I'm always wearing a black leather vest and I have been told that I'm not the friendliest looking guy on the planet....But I never have a problem striking up a conversation with anyone, no matter what they ride.
So I'm not so sure it's the "image" that makes them shy away.
I've seen lots of weekend warriors all dressed up in their little "biker costume" treat guys that ride Imports like ****, just because they ride an import.
I treat everybody the same....If you're an *******, I'll find someone else to be around, whether you ride a Harley or a Schwinn,
Some people just act like ********....Maybe their not acting.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
I never noticed this so much so until today. Hubby and I went for a ride today and we stopped and there were a bunch of other bikers already there. We got off and not one turned to say hi, they all stood with their backs to us.
We went about doing our thing and went in to Tim's to get a snack and I tried to make eye contact with one of the other ladies and no way would she even look at me.
We went about doing our thing and went in to Tim's to get a snack and I tried to make eye contact with one of the other ladies and no way would she even look at me.
I've seen the same thing at every shop I've been to, from all clubs, groups and associations. It's just the way they are. They're above me, being in a club and I'm not. So, I do the same thing to them...I'm not tied down to a schedule...be here, be there...a group of arrogant a-holes and I ride when, when and anytime I want. Yeah, I want to be with you people.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 177
Likes: 12
From: Canada
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