Bagger vs Dresser
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
I don't think HD makes a "girls bike", unless maybe one that is painted pink! I think ol' Dr Phil would say that those people who like to classify things by gender have issues that even riding motorcycles won't cure!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: St. Augustine Florida
My uncle might ask when people started calling touring bikes "dressors". He is 92 and he refers to them as "wheels". He always sits and stares at my street glide and says, "that sure is a pretty wheel!" He says he never had a wheel of his own but he rode his brother's now and then and if he ever was to buy a "wheel" he would want it to look just like my "wheel".
Dennis
Dennis
I hope that if I see 92 I can still stand, see, walk and pee all by myself.
I'm sure he has some fantastic stories. Enjoy your time with him!
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: California Central Coast
Buddy of mine calls em' all "garbage scow's". He won't ride anything bigger than a dyna... and still thinks it is 1978.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
The terms "Dresser" and "Bagger" are synonymous with women.
If they're young, pretty (heavily chromed) and worthy of showing off to your friends they are called "Dressers".
However, if they've been ridden hard over dirt roads (unwashed) and best kept in the basement (or garage) they are then referred to as "Baggers".
If they're young, pretty (heavily chromed) and worthy of showing off to your friends they are called "Dressers".
However, if they've been ridden hard over dirt roads (unwashed) and best kept in the basement (or garage) they are then referred to as "Baggers".
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
The terms "Dresser" and "Bagger" are synonymous with women.
If they're young, pretty (heavily chromed) and worthy of showing off to your friends they are called "Dressers".
However, if they've been ridden hard over dirt roads (unwashed) and best kept in the basement (or garage) they are then referred to as "Baggers".
If they're young, pretty (heavily chromed) and worthy of showing off to your friends they are called "Dressers".
However, if they've been ridden hard over dirt roads (unwashed) and best kept in the basement (or garage) they are then referred to as "Baggers".
We used to call the big Harleys Full Dress back when I was a kid. The only ones who rode Full Dress Harleys were cops and shriners maybe a few others. The guys who wanted the big Harley which was 74 CID bought them used and stripped off the garbage. They were all kick start then. The chopper was the artistic way of making the bike your own. Most guys rode Triumphs or BSAs or some other British marque, a few Sportsters were out there, and the Hondas were just coming out. Take a look at a 60s Honda if you want to know their historical value. 
I think Bagger is newspeak. I don't usually use it. I mainly use pejoratives when referring to other than big twins.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,149
Likes: 2,975
From: WACO
Ride Safe!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
All the way back to the late 50's I've heard them called either dressers or baggers. My uncle had a Panhead he sometimes called a dresser, other times a bagger. Nowadays I probably hear them referred to as baggers more than dressers but there's really nothing "new school" about the term "bagger".
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 2
From: Broadview Heights, OH
