Faith In My Brother Riders??
I'm not surprised, but I don't think the Harley riders were trying to be rude as much as they wouldn't have had a clue what to do, or a tool with them if they did.
My personal experience between the sport bike world and the Harley world is that sport bikes guys work on their bikes a hell of a lot more than Harley guys, period. That may not have been the case years back, but it is now.
THIS BOARD BEING THE EXCEPTION SO NO ONE GETS OFFENDED ... but I swear I've lost count of how many new Harley riders I've met who don't know the basic specs - never mind mechanics - of their own bikes. And don't get me going on their lack of riding skills and refusal to practice before they hurt themselves or others.
Lord knows I'm a hack mechanic at best, but it doesn't surprise me that at least new Harley riders don't stop to help.
My personal experience between the sport bike world and the Harley world is that sport bikes guys work on their bikes a hell of a lot more than Harley guys, period. That may not have been the case years back, but it is now.
THIS BOARD BEING THE EXCEPTION SO NO ONE GETS OFFENDED ... but I swear I've lost count of how many new Harley riders I've met who don't know the basic specs - never mind mechanics - of their own bikes. And don't get me going on their lack of riding skills and refusal to practice before they hurt themselves or others.
Lord knows I'm a hack mechanic at best, but it doesn't surprise me that at least new Harley riders don't stop to help.
YEAH!!! What he said!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: New Hudson,MI
I agree with some of the other brothers about seeing them in a populated area with cell phones and assuming that they were taking a pause for the cause or simply had it under control. What I am surprised about is that no one mentioned or gave these ladies the tip that when needing some assistance on your scoot on the side of the road... laying your helmet on the ground next to the scoot is a universal sign of needing an assist. At least it is in my neck of the woods. Personally I have never went down the road without at least a double back to give the thumbs up or down to the person in question. If it were 4 hot chicas on the side of the road...well C'MON MAN....chit yes I'm stopping. Lol
The Chances...
But on a side note, if someone was alone or it was a small group I would ask if everything was ok, or if I saw bags open or anyone crawling around the bike as if to be working on it. You can kind of tell when someone needs help, and I look for those clues before I would risk me life. :-)
But on the other note of good people doing good deeds:
I know last year coming back from a Detroit trip, my buddy behind me slowed way down as we approached an exit off of 94 going onto 69, I lost him in my RV Mirror, so I stopped wondering what had happened. I called his cell and a bolt had come off of his shifter, so while I was waiting on the side of 69 for him to catch up while he was repairing his shifter on 94, a guy on a motorcycle saw me and pulled over. Asked if I was ok and if there was anything he could do to help, filled him in on the situation, and he said he would stay there with me until my buddy came - I told him that was nice but not necessary, as he started up his bike I yelled at him, and said - Thanks, told him that what he did was very appreciated and brave! LOL He said anytime and took off. It is a tough call this day and age unfortunately on who to help knowing that some freak could do something terrible.
OMG - I miss this place! Cook Corner! I used to live back in Trabuco Canyon, then moved to San Juan Capistrano. I truly miss riding So. Cal. Belonged to a group out there that road on their own, no chapter, we had fun. I miss Jack, the old guy that headed it - great guy, we had some great adventures and fun. I also miss not being able to ride almost all year round. Moved back to IN to get married and raise a family and get a business going. It was worth the trade.
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 8
From: Florida
As said by other, they may not have thought they were "broke down", but I'll be honest about something if its not obvious. Everyone on a Harley is not a biker. Since the 70's I stopped for anyone on the side of the road especailly with a bike down and assisted. This was common through 70's, 80's, less in the 90's. Bikes then weren't as dependable. For years a harley was my only transportation. Now there are more professional types riding and a generation that has no idea how to change a spark plug or even adjust their clutch cable on th side of the road. And thats fine, I wouldn't expect everyone to know their car or bike inside out. Thats why they have Harley roadside service. I remember breaking down from Maryland back to Ft. Benning GA in the 70's on the interstate. No cell phones then. Had to push my HD into the woods and hide it, hitch a ride to gas station, borrow a couple of tools, hitch aride back to the bike and fix it in the dark. Some of us despite our appearances will not think twice about helping someone in need, others are too busy, to scared, or usually plain don't give a damn. Buying a Harley or flashy chopper, slapping on a vest doesn't make you a biker. Don't get me wrong, were still out there, old weathered bikers, veterans, and people who got a bike because they love the wind and freedom, but the ones that bought a bike to be cool and to get attention aren't gonna come to your side. They're probably the same ones that almost hit you while on the cell phone in their car.
Last edited by outgood; Feb 27, 2012 at 02:26 PM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 329
Likes: 9
From:
I know any of my group of ride buddies would stop and ask or at least give a thumbs up/down and we have all helped others on the road over the past few years. I agree that larger groups give less pause as you figure at least one can go for help if there was a need plus one of four or more would be assumed to have a cell phone but we would still give the thumbs up/down. On the other end of this, a group of five of us were pulled over as my buddy's Yami's shift linkage had come apart. We were there two minutes and a dude pulls up, offers any tools and his home garage a half mile down the road so it isn't all bad out there. Don' abandon any of your two wheel brothers and karma will respond in turn.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
Just from reading on this forum, a lot of riders can't take off their seat or change the headlight without a service manual or someone spoon feeding them the answers.
Let them keep going by, probably be more of a pain in the *** if they stopped anyway.
I ride Harleys and a Kawasaki zx12r, I stop for all riders male and female. And yes I carry a gun for my own protection.
Let them keep going by, probably be more of a pain in the *** if they stopped anyway.
I ride Harleys and a Kawasaki zx12r, I stop for all riders male and female. And yes I carry a gun for my own protection.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: NYC- 1 big concrete jungle
my mechanical skills are like having **** on a bull, therefore no sense in stopping. a cell phone is a great tool to reach out to a knowledgeable friend. boy, i would have loved to help, but............
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Green Bay WI
In almost 40 years of riding, brand has never mattered to me .. I've stopped to help HD riders when I've been out on one of my sport-tourers or my Venture; I've stopped to help GW riders; etc. I've had been broke down a time or two myself and it didn't make a difference to the HD rider that stopped that my ride was a Venture .. he just wanted to help a fellow rider.
So the question is, would you have stopped if it would have been four ladies out for a days ride on crotch-rockets?
So the question is, would you have stopped if it would have been four ladies out for a days ride on crotch-rockets?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
Maybe you should count your lucky stars they didn't stop. I realize that the ladies are cops, but the guys that may have stopped have no idea. This is the reason I am so thankful for cell phone technology. If my wife is broke down somewhere, as long as I'm on the phone, she can wave on any would-be scum bag before he even gets his window down.
I work with a guy that has had 3 new Harley's in the last 5 years. Now he has a 2012 Street Glide. The other day I asked him why he didn't get the CVO with the 110, and he said, I can get 110 with a cam change. nuf said.
I work with a guy that has had 3 new Harley's in the last 5 years. Now he has a 2012 Street Glide. The other day I asked him why he didn't get the CVO with the 110, and he said, I can get 110 with a cam change. nuf said.