Real bikers.. they ain't so bad, are they?

[DarkSideR]

As often as I ride the bike to church I'm surprised it took as long as it did to have a church member approach me to ask if I'd like to join him and his crew for a ride sometime. We ended up at his bike an older HD glide something or the other and chatted awhile. Ray was his name and turns out I liked the guy.

Months went by, a long cold winter, and finally an opportunity to ride. I received a text from Ray stating his crews morning plans which I wasn't able to join in on, but the afternoons ride I was. A rough time frame was given and the meeting place, my house.

I was out running an errand when I got a text from Ray stating they were outside my house.. Crap! That was sooner that I had expected. I was only minutes away. I remotely opened my garage door so they'd have some shade while I zipped home in my car.

Turns out all 6 of these real bikers (ya know, full leathers, chaps, cuts, badges, etc.) hadn't seen anything like a Valkyrie before. They got to study the Valkyrie while I was making my way home. As soon as I came around the corner the hunched images gathered around the bike in the garage suddenly straightened up and starting looking in different directions.

I pulled into the garage, promptly apologized for my delaying the ride and introduced myself to the crew. Somebody said "lets roll". Knowing their bikes (all HD's) where already warmed up, I switch the ignition on the Valkyrie and fired her up. I was surprised when at least 2 of the guys jumped, and the rest quickly fixed their slack jaws. Being a nice day I elected to ride in my t-shirt and jeans. I threw on my skull cap helmet and backed the bike out of the garage and rolled down to the sidewalk where the other bikes were parked. The guy I rolled up next to asked with a grin "think you'll be able keep up?". I laughed and stated "I'll try".

I surveyed the field of bikes. Two new Road Kings with the 114's, a Road Glide, a chopper, , a ratty looking thing, and the inevitable Sportster. Before I knew it they were all saddled up and looking at me. Thinking they didn't know how to get out of my neighborhood I took the lead. Our route was a 100 mile loop south, up into the mountains, and back again.

I get a bit nervous when leading a group, especially when I don't know them. I went the conservative route and only did 5 over on the highways. Up in the mountains I keep a good pace. Wanted to show that I could ride but didn't want to push it hard in the corners. We got to a popular stopping point where we pulled off to kick tires and chat.

I was immediately surrounded and questions started coming faster than I could answer. Is that thing fast? How does it handle with that big wide tire? What exactly is that thing? One guy walked over and looked at the odometer. He yelled back "Hey guys this thing has 98,000 miles on it!". Two other guys not believing it had to go see for themselves. If someone had been videoing me I'm sure the replay would show me just standing there grinning like a fool. I gave a brief history of me and the bike. Inherited from my father, been traveling for work for the last 13 years and often ride the bike rather than fly. Talked about the belly tank, and other upgrades. It was fun holding 6 real bikers attention on the side of the road.

This is of course when one of the real bikes softly says his reserve light came awhile back. Two others admitted the same. I thought to myself "gesh I filled up yesterday to be ready for this". Real bikers.. go figure.

As we rode back into town riders started peeling off until it was just me. I messaged Ray later that night and thanked him for including me, stated I had a great time and would like to ride with them again. Haven't heard back from Ray. Real bikers eh..

[..]

I coversate with some of the local bike club members. Patch wearers affiliated with a club in Asheville.

They speak about the upgrades to their bikes. Have to ride a Harley to be in the club. How much they spent, the increase in horsepower etc.

Sometimes I can't help but poke the sleeping dog by telling them of my stock bikes H.P., engine size, cylinders, m.p.g. etc.

Fairly routinely the reply is "Yeah but it's not a Harley."

I bite my tongue every time. it's a small town.

[John Schmidt]

I've had that same response numerous times; "it ain't a Harley!"  My usual answer is..."yeah, just lucky I guess."  Often gets some grumbling and such as they walk away. 

[Rams]

I've had that same response numerous times; "it ain't a Harley!"  My usual answer is..."yeah, just lucky I guess."  Often gets some grumbling and such as they walk away.  

Had very similar conversations.   The one thing HD does best is sell their culture.  
Edited to add:  Josh, thanks for posting that story.   HD riders ain't all bad, just mis-guided. 

Rams

[f6john]

I’m involved in a Bible study group that meets on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 am. I have been riding the Wing some lately and found out one of the guys, older than me even, rides a Harley. A great guy, a Nam vet, and a dedicated Christian. He can’t ride his Harley to meetings currently because his son is a Harley rider too. His sons bike has been in the shop for going on 6 months and so he has taken over Dads bike!

Rick came out to get a closer look at my ride and he was struck by the overall look and condition of my 14 year old bike and wanted to know, is it fast? I believe he would be a convert but with hip replacements he doubted that he mount and dismount as easily as on his 26” seat height Harley and I’m sure that’s true for him. I have not developed any local friends who ride but as with most I enjoy the solitary rides too.

I have more toys than I can take care of the way they should be, but when I think of Harleys, I alway have a lingering desire for a knucklehead that I could use as a scooter around town. I don’t think I’ll ever scratch that itch but it’s always there!

I hope you get another call to go riding, especially since some are church brothers, so you can get to know them better.

[Jess from VA]

Josh (is that right?), your experience mirrors mine.

I've ridden with many Hogs for many years (singles, small and large groups).  Had my own for 18 years.

Mostly, good experienced riders enjoy riding (and kicking tires) with good experienced riders.

But the Hog crowd is a loyal and sometimes fickle group.  I've always understood (and followed) the Buy American sentiment (even if more than than half the parts aren't American).  And I understand loyalty, camaraderie, and group/pack/tribe think.

When you don't ride the brand, some don't care, some give acceptance once you show competence and experience, some only tolerate, and some never will.    (BMW riders can be much the same)

Over the decades, more universal acceptance seems to be the case, and I think it's because all of us riders are an ageing breed.

I got out yesterday for my first ride in weeks because of a bunged up knee.  It was good.  What I always find entertaining is passing (opposite directions) the occasional Hog where the rider clearly does not wave back, but his backseat girl does.  But today, most everyone waves back (around here).  

I rode my Hog in CA, and picked up with a small group of dedicated Hog riders.  One of them had some ancient Knucklehead that never made it through the day without breaking down, with all of us standing around in brutal sun.  After a few times of this, the next time I got a call for another ride, I asked if Knucklehead Dave was coming.  Yeah, he is.  Well I like Dave but I don't like standing around watching him fix his bike, so next ride he isn't on, please give me call.  Yeah, that does get irritating, doesn't it.  

[f6john]

Probably only appealing to other Knucklehead owners, might learn something!

[Jess from VA]

Probably only appealing to other Knucklehead owners, might learn something!

All I learned is they break down on every ride.   

[LTD]

The Valkyrie motor and Goldwing motors are the finest touring motors ever built with a nod to the valkyrie no plastic to take off to do an oil change.  Still amazed you can ride 90 mph hour all day 12 hours no worries the Valk can take it what a machine never sell mine.

[Sweet Cheeks]

Great write up Josh.  I can’t help but laugh every time I think about them asking if you can “keep up.”  Good on you for responding with class.  I suspect you could have smoked any of them with ease.

It’s been less than a year ago since I bought my first Valk, but I’ve already had several encounters with HD riders drooling at the magnificence of such a machine.  I can’t help but smile.  Ain’t life fun?

Janice

[MarkT]

When you don't ride the brand, some don't care, some give acceptance once you show competence and experience, some only tolerate, and some never will.    

What I always find entertaining is passing (opposite directions) the occasional Hog where the rider clearly does not wave back, but his backseat girl does.  But today, most everyone waves back (around here).  

I rode my Hog in CA, and picked up with a small group of dedicated Hog riders.  One of them had some ancient Knucklehead that never made it through the day without breaking down, with all of us standing around in brutal sun.  After a few times of this, the next time I got a call for another ride, I asked if Knucklehead Dave was coming.  Yeah, he is.  Well I like Dave but I don't like standing around watching him fix his bike, so next ride he isn't on, please give me call.  Yeah, that does get irritating, doesn't it.

Since I installed 2 pairs of spots & run the headlight on high beam, everybody waves.  The lights obscure it ain't a harley. 

Every time I invited my accountant to ride with us on his Harley, he broke down and ruined the ride.  I had advised him to get anything but a harley, if he wants to ride rather than wrench.  But he insisted, it was a "better investment".  I stopped inviting him on our rides.  Now his 2 broken down Harleys are both collecting dust in his barn; have been for 10 years.  He can't ride or sell them.  Harleys are a dime a dozen on Craig's List.  I once swapped rides with him, let him ride my Wing.  He was blown away by it's performance (and smoothness I think).  But "it ain't a Harley".  Right.  BTW I wasn't impressed by his bike, which somehow managed to not break down the 10 miles or so I rode it.

[MarkT]

Great write up Josh.  I can’t help but laugh every time I think about them asking if you can “keep up.”  Good on you for responding with class.  I suspect you could have smoked any of them with ease.

It’s been less than a year ago since I bought my first Valk, but I’ve already had several encounters with HD riders drooling at the magnificence of such a machine.  I can’t help but smile.  Ain’t life fun?

Janice

Are you sure they were drooling at the bike?

Sorry, can't help it.

[DarkSideR]

Great write up Josh.  I can’t help but laugh every time I think about them asking if you can “keep up.”  Good on you for responding with class.  I suspect you could have smoked any of them with ease.

It’s been less than a year ago since I bought my first Valk, but I’ve already had several encounters with HD riders drooling at the magnificence of such a machine.  I can’t help but smile.  Ain’t life fun?

Janice

Are you sure they were drooling at the bike?

Sorry, can't help it.

A legit question I'd say.

[Sweet Cheeks]

Y’all are funny!

[3fan4life]

Fairly routinely the reply is "Yeah but it's not a Harley."

My standard response to that is: "I know, I like to ride, I don't like to push."


Every Harley rider that I've encountered who is a "Real" biker has had nothing but appreciation for the Valkyrie.

The "Posers" not so much.

[hueco]

As often as I ride the bike to church I'm surprised it took as long as it did to have a church member approach me to ask if I'd like to join him and his crew for a ride sometime. We ended up at his bike an older HD glide something or the other and chatted awhile. Ray was his name and turns out I liked the guy.

Months went by, a long cold winter, and finally an opportunity to ride. I received a text from Ray stating his crews morning plans which I wasn't able to join in on, but the afternoons ride I was. A rough time frame was given and the meeting place, my house.

I was out running an errand when I got a text from Ray stating they were outside my house.. Crap! That was sooner that I had expected. I was only minutes away. I remotely opened my garage door so they'd have some shade while I zipped home in my car.

Turns out all 6 of these real bikers (ya know, full leathers, chaps, cuts, badges, etc.) hadn't seen anything like a Valkyrie before. They got to study the Valkyrie while I was making my way home. As soon as I came around the corner the hunched images gathered around the bike in the garage suddenly straightened up and starting looking in different directions.

I pulled into the garage, promptly apologized for my delaying the ride and introduced myself to the crew. Somebody said "lets roll". Knowing their bikes (all HD's) where already warmed up, I switch the ignition on the Valkyrie and fired her up. I was surprised when at least 2 of the guys jumped, and the rest quickly fixed their slack jaws. Being a nice day I elected to ride in my t-shirt and jeans. I threw on my skull cap helmet and backed the bike out of the garage and rolled down to the sidewalk where the other bikes were parked. The guy I rolled up next to asked with a grin "think you'll be able keep up?". I laughed and stated "I'll try".

I surveyed the field of bikes. Two new Road Kings with the 114's, a Road Glide, a chopper, , a ratty looking thing, and the inevitable Sportster. Before I knew it they were all saddled up and looking at me. Thinking they didn't know how to get out of my neighborhood I took the lead. Our route was a 100 mile loop south, up into the mountains, and back again.

I get a bit nervous when leading a group, especially when I don't know them. I went the conservative route and only did 5 over on the highways. Up in the mountains I keep a good pace. Wanted to show that I could ride but didn't want to push it hard in the corners. We got to a popular stopping point where we pulled off to kick tires and chat.

I was immediately surrounded and questions started coming faster than I could answer. Is that thing fast? How does it handle with that big wide tire? What exactly is that thing? One guy walked over and looked at the odometer. He yelled back "Hey guys this thing has 98,000 miles on it!". Two other guys not believing it had to go see for themselves. If someone had been videoing me I'm sure the replay would show me just standing there grinning like a fool. I gave a brief history of me and the bike. Inherited from my father, been traveling for work for the last 13 years and often ride the bike rather than fly. Talked about the belly tank, and other upgrades. It was fun holding 6 real bikers attention on the side of the road.

This is of course when one of the real bikes softly says his reserve light came awhile back. Two others admitted the same. I thought to myself "gesh I filled up yesterday to be ready for this". Real bikers.. go figure.

As we rode back into town riders started peeling off until it was just me. I messaged Ray later that night and thanked him for including me, stated I had a great time and would like to ride with them again. Haven't heard back from Ray. Real bikers eh..

Prejudice goes both ways.

[hueco]

Hell. I have a Valkyrie and a Harley. Been riding both Hondas and Harleys for 50 years. With yourself centered, egotistical, look at me, I am better than you attitude. I wouldn't want to ride with you either. You say you go to church with the guy? And. You have not spoke to him since?  What kind of church is that?  I mean  to talk chit about a fellow church member. WTF?

[Hook#3287]

Prejudice goes both ways

 

That's very weird.

I've never heard a Honda rider state he'll only ride with Honda riders. (Or, Yamaha, Triumph, Ducati, Suzuki, etc, etc)

Maybe some out there, I just never met one.

DarkSideR, great story 

[DarkSideR]

Hell. I have a Valkyrie and a Harley. Been riding both Hondas and Harleys for 50 years. With yourself centered, egotistical, look at me, I am better than you attitude. I wouldn't want to ride with you either. You say you go to church with the guy? And. You have not spoke to him since?  What kind of church is that?  I mean  to talk chit about a fellow church member. WTF?

I'm thinking you haven't read the full story or missed something? I didn't speak poorly of anyone, and I reached out to him thanking him, and it is he that hasn't responded. So...

[DarkSideR]

Prejudice goes both ways

 

That's very weird.

I've never heard a Honda rider state he'll only ride with Honda riders. (Or, Yamaha, Triumph, Ducati, Suzuki, etc, etc)

Maybe some out there, I just never met one.

DarkSideR, great story  

Thanks Hook.

Agreed, I've never heard that from a Honda guy either. I however have been told that many times, and that I'm not a "real biker" from HD riders (hence the title). I'm guessing it's because of the lack of apparel, and/or brand of ride? I'll fully admit that I'm not your typical biker because what biker does 10k-12k miles a year, does all his own wrenching, still does 800 mile days, and has a bike with 100k miles that still looks new? If that's not the definition of a real biker, I'm fine with that.

[GWS]

My co-worker is a "real biker". He's ridden H-Ds for 30 years. We were in a hotel parking lot recently and there was a nice, big hog there. It was pretty, but I noticed the rear pipe was blued up while the front pipe was like new. I asked my friend why this could be, since both cylinders were fed by the same carb. I had never thought about it, but it turns out that with an air-cooled V-twin oriented in line with the frame, the rear cylinder typically runs hotter than the front. It never gets enough cool air. HD started selling a kit that shuts off fuel to the rear cylinder when it gets too hot. It's standard equipment on some new models. There's a much simpler solution that Moto Guzzi figured out decades ago, but HD isn't about to rock the boat. Guys like my co-worker only want a bike that vibrates your hands numb and says "potato-potato-potato" at stop lights and they're willing to pay big money to get it, obvious design flaws and all. I'm no longer offended by Harley-only groups, I'm amused. God love 'em.

[..]

My co-worker is a "real biker". He's ridden H-Ds for 30 years. We were in a hotel parking lot recently and there was a nice, big hog there. It was pretty, but I noticed the rear pipe was blued up while the front pipe was like new. I asked my friend why this could be, since both cylinders were fed by the same carb. I had never thought about it, but it turns out that with an air-cooled V-twin oriented in line with the frame, the rear cylinder typically runs hotter than the front. It never gets enough cool air. HD started selling a kit that shuts off fuel to the rear cylinder when it gets too hot. It's standard equipment on some new models. There's a much simpler solution that Moto Guzzi figured out decades ago, but HD isn't about to rock the boat. Guys like my co-worker only want a bike that vibrates your hands numb and says "potato-potato-potato" at stop lights and they're willing to pay big money to get it, obvious design flaws and all. I'm no longer offended by Harley-only groups, I'm amused. God love 'em.

I've noticed on some H-D's one of the exhaust pipes is clean as a whistle on the inside.

I found out that on some models both cylinders exhaust through one exhaust pipe.

[..]

I'm sitting listening to a loudmouth telling e eryone his bike is 170hp.   Cost100,000. 2019     CVO.

[RNFWP]

Agreed, I've never heard that from a Honda guy either. I however have been told that many times, and that I'm not a "real biker" from HD riders (hence the title). I'm guessing it's because of the lack of apparel, and/or brand of ride? I'll fully admit that I'm not your typical biker because what biker does 10k-12k miles a year, does all his own wrenching, still does 800 mile days, and has a bike with 100k miles that still looks new? If that's not the definition of a real biker, I'm fine with that.

Josh, thanks for the original story... and this tid-bit too...

[Crackerborn]

I alway have a lingering desire for a knucklehead that I could use as a scooter around town. I don’t think I’ll ever scratch that itch but it’s always there!

No you don't unless you own a machine shop. I was real happy to say "so long" to mine.

I did make a few sheckles on that sale though.