When I pull up to a non-HARLEY
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
RE: When I pull up to a non-HARLEY
I've been riding for 30 years and have been on everything from HD to Triumph to Honda to BMW and could give a $hit was the guy next to me is riding. HE/SHE IS RIDING! The arrogance of thinking your brand of bike makes you better than another rider is ridiculous. You are no better or no worse. The "Harley Snob" attitude gives us all a bad name.
Now I do feel sorry for the cagers when I pass one a beautiful day in the mountains and think "if you only knew what you were missing" That said...the wind feels the same in your face no matter what you ride. The point is to ride.....
Now I do feel sorry for the cagers when I pass one a beautiful day in the mountains and think "if you only knew what you were missing" That said...the wind feels the same in your face no matter what you ride. The point is to ride.....
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Joined: Feb 2006
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RE: When I pull up to a non-HARLEY
ORIGINAL: DI75
I dont know about everyone else but what is your first thought when you pull up to a stop light next to a non HARLEY?? Now I know there are some very nice? bikes out there, but my brain just thinks WHY?
I dont know about everyone else but what is your first thought when you pull up to a stop light next to a non HARLEY?? Now I know there are some very nice? bikes out there, but my brain just thinks WHY?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
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From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: When I pull up to a non-HARLEY
ORIGINAL: DI75
I dont know about everyone else but what is your first thought when you pull up to a stop light next to a non HARLEY??
I dont know about everyone else but what is your first thought when you pull up to a stop light next to a non HARLEY??
To tell the truth, I almost never take a second glance at 99% of the bikes out there. I'll look a friend's bike over, or something I find to be unusual, but a metric cruiser, most Harleys, Wings, Beemers, sportbikes...most of them are just a bunch of flotsam in a sea of bikes; hey, to each their own. I have a couple of friends that would love to own a Harley, but they just can't afford one at this time. One of them just bought a used Honda Shadow for $4,000 and the other rides a 20-year old Suzuki that he paid $500 for. There are so many stories out their of people in similar situations that I really don't give it a second thought when I see someone on a different brand of bike.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 980
Likes: 1
From: The Grassy Knoll
RE: When I pull up to a non-HARLEY
Nicely put solorider.
I wonder how many of us popped right out of high school and bought a $20k bike. I know I didnt. I started out like most I know with the $500 bike. After time went on, I upgraded to Nortons, Suzukis, Hondas etc etc. Finally after some hard work and a few years I got the bike I had always been dreaming about. When I look at those guys on the "other" bikes, I don't look down on them. Maybe they are on the same road I was of working towards the HD. Maybe they love that Honda as much as I love my HD and that's the last bike they ever want. It doesn't make them less of a person by any means. That's what makes this country great, the freedom to choose!!
-Kern
I wonder how many of us popped right out of high school and bought a $20k bike. I know I didnt. I started out like most I know with the $500 bike. After time went on, I upgraded to Nortons, Suzukis, Hondas etc etc. Finally after some hard work and a few years I got the bike I had always been dreaming about. When I look at those guys on the "other" bikes, I don't look down on them. Maybe they are on the same road I was of working towards the HD. Maybe they love that Honda as much as I love my HD and that's the last bike they ever want. It doesn't make them less of a person by any means. That's what makes this country great, the freedom to choose!!
-Kern
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
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From:
RE: When I pull up to a non-HARLEY
You know I feel the same way when I pull up next to anyone who is not on a Glide, specifically the Ultra. It just seems to me that all you guys who own "lesser" machines than the mighty Ultra Classic are really missing out. I don't even know why Harley sells any other model, The Glide is perfection, no other bike can match it's personality, comfort, or charm. It's been said before; "If you aint Glidin', You aint ridin'"
Of course I don't mean that, but I have met guys with this attitude and I have also seen the reverse. Those of you (you know who you are) who look down on me when I tool up on my "station wagon", Geezer Glide", "HD Mini Van" or chose any other from a host of other colorful euphamisms used to describe my current bike of choice (one of them at least). Everybody has a personal connection with their ride, and this connection causes fierce loyalty and quite a bit of sensitvity when it comes to criticism toward their bike. I don't know why this is so amplified with motorcycle riders, but it has always been an issue.
I will be the first to admit, I don't like SQUIDS, and sometimes I see these Metric V-twins with so much stuff added to them, specifically to look like a Harley that they end up costing nearly the same amount as an HD; that, I just don't understand. However, I always show them respect until they prove they don't deserve it. Just rolling up on them at a stop light, or passing them on the freeway you don't know anything about them, why they made their choice, what their financial situation is, or anything else for that matter. The only thing I do know, without a doubt is that the guy on that bike deals with the exact same things I deal with every day, cagers trying to kill us, rain, cold, sandy shoulders, rocks, gravel, bugs, stereotypical misunderstanding by non riders and becasue of all this until I know otherwise, they are my brother or sister in arms. I wave to all riders, I give them all a respectful nod, or say hi when close enough.
I still laugh a little about the guys on scooters and mopeds, but hey they are on two wheels also.
Of course I don't mean that, but I have met guys with this attitude and I have also seen the reverse. Those of you (you know who you are) who look down on me when I tool up on my "station wagon", Geezer Glide", "HD Mini Van" or chose any other from a host of other colorful euphamisms used to describe my current bike of choice (one of them at least). Everybody has a personal connection with their ride, and this connection causes fierce loyalty and quite a bit of sensitvity when it comes to criticism toward their bike. I don't know why this is so amplified with motorcycle riders, but it has always been an issue.
I will be the first to admit, I don't like SQUIDS, and sometimes I see these Metric V-twins with so much stuff added to them, specifically to look like a Harley that they end up costing nearly the same amount as an HD; that, I just don't understand. However, I always show them respect until they prove they don't deserve it. Just rolling up on them at a stop light, or passing them on the freeway you don't know anything about them, why they made their choice, what their financial situation is, or anything else for that matter. The only thing I do know, without a doubt is that the guy on that bike deals with the exact same things I deal with every day, cagers trying to kill us, rain, cold, sandy shoulders, rocks, gravel, bugs, stereotypical misunderstanding by non riders and becasue of all this until I know otherwise, they are my brother or sister in arms. I wave to all riders, I give them all a respectful nod, or say hi when close enough.
I still laugh a little about the guys on scooters and mopeds, but hey they are on two wheels also.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From:
RE: When I pull up to a non-HARLEY
[sm=exactly.gif] What Harry Says!
Seems that for the supposed open-mindedness of us "motorcycle riding rebels" we sure can be pretty narrow-minded too doesn't it? Hell, I bought a co-worker who actually rides a 60cc scooter one of those "scooter trash" patches. Couldn't resist. At least she isn't likely to run me off the road or worse trying to put makeup on, answer her cell phone, or eat a big mac.
Seems that for the supposed open-mindedness of us "motorcycle riding rebels" we sure can be pretty narrow-minded too doesn't it? Hell, I bought a co-worker who actually rides a 60cc scooter one of those "scooter trash" patches. Couldn't resist. At least she isn't likely to run me off the road or worse trying to put makeup on, answer her cell phone, or eat a big mac.
ORIGINAL: Harry Manback
You know I feel the same way when I pull up next to anyone who is not on a Glide, specifically the Ultra. It just seems to me that all you guys who own "lesser" machines than the mighty Ultra Classic are really missing out. I don't even know why Harley sells any other model, The Glide is perfection, no other bike can match it's personality, comfort, or charm. It's been said before; "If you aint Glidin', You aint ridin'"
Of course I don't mean that, but I have met guys with this attitude and I have also seen the reverse. Those of you (you know who you are) who look down on me when I tool up on my "station wagon", Geezer Glide", "HD Mini Van" or chose any other from a host of other colorful euphamisms used to describe my current bike of choice (one of them at least). Everybody has a personal connection with their ride, and this connection causes fierce loyalty and quite a bit of sensitvity when it comes to criticism toward their bike. I don't know why this is so amplified with motorcycle riders, but it has always been an issue.
I will be the first to admit, I don't like SQUIDS, and sometimes I see these Metric V-twins with so much stuff added to them, specifically to look like a Harley that they end up costing nearly the same amount as an HD; that, I just don't understand. However, I always show them respect until they prove they don't deserve it. Just rolling up on them at a stop light, or passing them on the freeway you don't know anything about them, why they made their choice, what their financial situation is, or anything else for that matter. The only thing I do know, without a doubt is that the guy on that bike deals with the exact same things I deal with every day, cagers trying to kill us, rain, cold, sandy shoulders, rocks, gravel, bugs, stereotypical misunderstanding by non riders and becasue of all this until I know otherwise, they are my brother or sister in arms. I wave to all riders, I give them all a respectful nod, or say hi when close enough.
I still laugh a little about the guys on scooters and mopeds, but hey they are on two wheels also.
You know I feel the same way when I pull up next to anyone who is not on a Glide, specifically the Ultra. It just seems to me that all you guys who own "lesser" machines than the mighty Ultra Classic are really missing out. I don't even know why Harley sells any other model, The Glide is perfection, no other bike can match it's personality, comfort, or charm. It's been said before; "If you aint Glidin', You aint ridin'"
Of course I don't mean that, but I have met guys with this attitude and I have also seen the reverse. Those of you (you know who you are) who look down on me when I tool up on my "station wagon", Geezer Glide", "HD Mini Van" or chose any other from a host of other colorful euphamisms used to describe my current bike of choice (one of them at least). Everybody has a personal connection with their ride, and this connection causes fierce loyalty and quite a bit of sensitvity when it comes to criticism toward their bike. I don't know why this is so amplified with motorcycle riders, but it has always been an issue.
I will be the first to admit, I don't like SQUIDS, and sometimes I see these Metric V-twins with so much stuff added to them, specifically to look like a Harley that they end up costing nearly the same amount as an HD; that, I just don't understand. However, I always show them respect until they prove they don't deserve it. Just rolling up on them at a stop light, or passing them on the freeway you don't know anything about them, why they made their choice, what their financial situation is, or anything else for that matter. The only thing I do know, without a doubt is that the guy on that bike deals with the exact same things I deal with every day, cagers trying to kill us, rain, cold, sandy shoulders, rocks, gravel, bugs, stereotypical misunderstanding by non riders and becasue of all this until I know otherwise, they are my brother or sister in arms. I wave to all riders, I give them all a respectful nod, or say hi when close enough.
I still laugh a little about the guys on scooters and mopeds, but hey they are on two wheels also.
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From:
RE: When I pull up to a non-HARLEY
[quote]ORIGINAL: Harry Manback
Of course I don't mean that, but I have met guys with this attitude and I have also seen the reverse. Those of you (you know who you are) who look down on me when I tool up on my "station wagon", Geezer Glide", "HD Mini Van" or chose any other from a host of other colorful euphamisms used to describe my current bike of choice (one of them at least). Everybody has a personal connection with their ride, and this connection causes fierce loyalty and quite a bit of sensitvity when it comes to criticism toward their bike. I don't know why this is so amplified with motorcycle riders, but it has always been an issue.
I will be the first to admit, I don't like SQUIDS, and sometimes I see these Metric V-twins with so much stuff added to them, specifically to look like a Harley that they end up costing nearly the same amount as an HD; that, I just don't understand. However, I always show them respect until they prove they don't deserve it. Just rolling up on them at a stop light, or passing them on the freeway you don't know anything about them, why they made their choice, what their financial situation is, or anything else for that matter. The only thing I do know, without a doubt is that the guy on that bike deals with the exact same things I deal with every day, cagers trying to kill us, rain, cold, sandy shoulders, rocks, gravel, bugs, stereotypical misunderstanding by non riders and becasue of all this until I know otherwise, they are my brother or sister in arms. I wave to all riders, I give them all a respectful nod, or say hi when close enough.
Well said Harry[sm=closed.gif]
