I got this off of an Honda board since I also own a Honda VTX 1300 along with my Road King. I love all bikes Harley or not, as long as it the style I like. Are other Harley owners like this? Just curious. Ride safe!


"Disclaimer: I have nothing against Harley Davidson or the owners, just this odd behavior we VTX owners experience from time to time:

I pulled into a gas station the other day and sitting in front in a big, black raised pickup truck are two big bearded guys who totally fit the Harley rider stereotype. Both are wearing ZZTop sunglesses, have head bands on and the windshield of the has a big Harley Davidson sticker across the top.

I see them notice my bike but they quickly look away. They need to walk past my bike so I look at them thinking they might say something to me (I am a fellow biker after all) but their eyes apper to look right through me and the VTX as they walk by.

Ok, so I've gassed up and am at the pump (facing it) as I wait for my receipt to print out, and I see the 'Harley boys' walking past me in the gas pumps glass reflection . Now that my back is turned I see them checking my bike out as they walk by it.

I smile to myself thinking how it's OK to look as long as the Honda rider isn't aware of it.

When I turn around the guys are getting in thier truck and pulling out of the station, and now that I'm looking at them they offer zero eye contact. I catch up to them and pass them slowly, but they seem to have pulled the truck up with me so it can ride along side me (checking out my bike???). They pace me for a short time, then roar away in a display of power of their truck (**YAWN**).

It was all good for laugh.


Another time I was in a parking lot and noticed a guy a few spots ahead who was standing next to his custom Harley yapping on his cell. He heard my bike and saw a little of it as I swung into a parking stall just two cars from him. He starts walking over with his head craned to see what bike just pulled in and when he gets close enough to see my bike he does a fast 'about face' as though he was scared to death someone might have seen him checking out my bike.

As I walked by I checked out his bike (a very nice custom Harley) but he would not give me any eye contact. If he had I would have paid him a complement on his bike.


Many times I've parked at biker hangouts and seen this same behavior where leather clad biker types will start to look at my bike and as you see them recognise it's not a Harley they quicking turn away/move on.

I suppose there is some shame in admiring a 'pretend' Harley? Is it the plastic-chrome? The fact that it's not made in America (my Honda was)? Is a Harley owner 'cheating' on the brand if he/she admires some other brand? I just don't get it.

I love just about every brand of bike made and can admire them all even if the peticular bike isn't my 'cup-a-tea'.

Now I've noticed that some crotch-rocket owner are indifferent to my bike, but I think that is more a style difference than anything else. I'm somewhat that way with a bunch of parked sportbikes in that I'm mostly bored by them.

Just odd. . ."

 

All together now, "Looking for love in all the wrong places...."

 

Are you sure the guys in the truck own Harleys or are you just stereotyping?

I think you are just too paranoid and in need of acknowledgement.

Heck, I don't compliment every bike I see. Chances are if it is not A Harley I don't know what it is.

 

This should be good...

 

Plus 1. Somebody thinks too much.

 

Speaking from experience, it don't matter to me what you ride. As long as you do ride.

On most of my group rides with the PGR, there is a wide sprectrum of motorcycles. I ride for the mission and so do the rest of those riders. It is not about what brand you ride because we are there for the families.

I do have to laugh and shake my head at some of the antics of the ricers, tho.

 

Heck, you find people like that everywhere, you could've been on your Harley and they might have done the same thing, they may not have wanted to look at the rider...I agree with you, if you ride and ride respectfully, you're ok with me, no need to read into peoples thoughts as long as they pose no harm.

 

Sounds like the poster spends a lot of time watching people to see what their reaction is to him.

If you're concerned about Harley riders reactions, maybe you should focus more on doing whatever it is you do, and less time being paranoid because you ride something besides a Harley.

 

With all of the Asian "wannabe" Harley style bikes out there, they were probably just trying to see what it actually was. It's hard to tell from a distance. The VTX is a good bike, but it is still trying to emulate a Harley style wise.

 

Ok, here is my response.....I was at a gas station once and met 2 guys from ZZ Top....we were talking and then noticed a guy riding a Honda pulling in. Now KNOWING that ALL Honda riders are gay crotch sniffers we all ran away.

The end.