And we wonder about the animosity between Harley guys and the rest of us

[bradnw]

I was in a local harley store,  had riden my Valk with my youngest son,  we both enjoy looking at bikes and they are the only store open locally on Sundays.  As we are walking around the store I hear this j@ck@$$ commenting that the Honda in the parking lot should be thrown in the street,  and banned from the premises.  Mind you this same dealer sells Hyosung (Korean Made) motorcycles new.  I wanted to confront him,  but kept my cool,  watching this idiot leave in his Dodge (assembled in Mexico) truck just made it harder.  It just amazes me how people think sometimes.  Had to vent a little sorry.  Most of the harley guys I know are really cool with what ever,  but its losers like this that give them all a bad name. 

[wdvalk]

he probably does not even own a bike,met a few like that

[Pete]

I have heard that crap all my life, it is a waste breath.
Sorry that your son had to be exposed to that "intellectual giant".

But there are folks like that out there, wish it was not so.

[98valk]

the front forks on all HDs are japanese made usually showa, isn't that a honda company?

[Walküre]

the front forks on all HDs are japanese made usually showa, isn't that a honda company?

Yeah. They sell the seconds and rejects, to HD...


Just kidding. But I was amazed at all the Japanese parts on my wife's 95 skirtster...

[Hoser]

Kinda knew where I stood when I entered the Fat Lady and my old Mustang in a auto and bike show today, when the emcee thanked God for Harley Davidson, "the only motorcycle  built in America" in his opening remarks.  Later on when he was giving prizes for items  the  crowd could bring him, he asked for someone to bring him an Item that said made in USA on it.  I offered to bring up my bike that was in the show.  He said which one, I told him the big red Honda in the sea of Harleys.  He looked puzzled until I educated him about the only Valkyrie factory in the world being in Ohio, and the fact that that made in USA logo was stamped into the engine block and VIN tag.  Probly didn't believe me, but I spent the rest of the day showing it to interested show goers.  No I didn't get a trophy.  Wonder why? I mean, what's not to love?    hoser

   

[hubcapsc]

Kinda knew where I stood when I entered the Fat Lady and my old Mustang in a auto and bike show today, when the emcee thanked God for Harley Davidson, "the only motorcycle  built in America" in his opening remarks.  Later on when he was giving prizes for items  the  crowd could bring him, he asked for someone to bring him an Item that said made in USA on it.  I offered to bring up my bike that was in the show.  He said which one, I told him the big red Honda in the sea of Harleys.  He looked puzzled until I educated him about the only Valkyrie factory in the world being in Ohio, and the fact that that made in USA logo was stamped into the engine block and VIN tag.  Probly didn't believe me, but I spent the rest of the day showing it to interested show goers.  No I didn't get a trophy.  Wonder why? I mean, what's not to love?    hoser

   

I was at an event with my Harley a few years ago where there was a best bike (or some such)
contest. Frank Smoak's entered his awesome red and white Valkyrie, but it was ignored...



-Mike "... well, not by me  "

[NCGhostrider]

It does get old.  I actually went off on someone this weekend when they made a comment about me riding a Honda.   I told them, I do not as a habit bash Harley's, and that it is about the ride, but since they brought it up, I would be glad to finish it.  I would stack my 11 year old I/S against their 2 cylinder frame with what I call a starting motor for my valkyrie. Then, I would be glad to wait until I hit a few hundred thousand miles on it, and do it again, if theirs was still running.  BTW, the starting motor comment burns their a$$!!!  I didn't even get to the fact that mine was made in Ohio.

And, I hear it from a cousin in the panhandle all the time.  "I just need to put you on my Harley, you won't ride that Honda anymore."  Geez...  Nevermind that I have logged more miles in the last 10 years than he has on the street in his lifetime.  And then when they make a 300 mile day trip, it is a big thing. 

I am starting to rant, so I will crawl back under my box.


Craig

[SANDMAN5]

Yeah, I got the two-finger wave that turned into one-finger from a
hardly rider..I mean 'owner'...when he saw mine wasn't an air-cooled
v-twin.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I was on Cherohala Skyline several years ago and was lettin' the fat girl eat I rounded a curve and a dude in a pirate suit was standing in the road with his bike off in the woods. He had some road rash and I stopped to help I ask are you alright ? He said " Do I f**king look like I'm alright " ....I just put the Valkyrie in gear and rode off leaving him standing there...What a d**khead ...I can't count the times this has crossed my mind over the years .

[..]

It does get old.  I actually went off on someone this weekend when they made a comment about me riding a Honda.   I told them, I do not as a habit bash Harley's, and that it is about the ride, but since they brought it up, I would be glad to finish it.  I would stack my 11 year old I/S against their 2 cylinder frame with what I call a starting motor for my valkyrie. Then, I would be glad to wait until I hit a few hundred thousand miles on it, and do it again, if theirs was still running.  BTW, the starting motor comment burns their a$$!!!  I didn't even get to the fact that mine was made in Ohio.

And, I hear it from a cousin in the panhandle all the time.  "I just need to put you on my Harley, you won't ride that Honda anymore."  Geez...  Nevermind that I have logged more miles in the last 10 years than he has on the street in his lifetime.  And then when they make a 300 mile day trip, it is a big thing. 

I am starting to rant, so I will crawl back under my box.


Craig

I believe it was RJ who said the response should be - "Want to race? First one to Denver and back wins!" 

[..]

I just did a 1600 mile trip up to W VA and VA. Saw very few bikes.

Rode thru a small W VA town and there's 2 H-D's in a parking lot. Looks like the riders are discussing which way to go. It's been a few hundred miles since I've seen another bike so I give them a big wave (I wave to all 2 wheelers, even if they are pedal powered). The wankers did the classic I've not seen you head turn. Pathetic.

[Stanley Steamer]

The next time this happens to me....I'm going to say that I'm not ready to trade down yet...and that when I get too old to hold up a real bike, I'll get one of those little Hardleys that don't weigh too much and are underpowered....

[NCGhostrider]

LMAO,  The little bike comment by Steamer reminded me of a time several years ago.   I was riding around on a Sunday in Rocky Mount, NC.  Had pulled up at a red light and a real big guy riding a Harley pulled up in the lane beside me.  I waved/nodded.  He snubbed me, and started racing his 2 banger engine.  I smiled, and thought..you have to be kidding.  He popped the clutch when the light changed, and I let him get in front of me....in second gear I passed him and was waiting about 3 lights up.  He wouldn't look at me.. but I did take time to tell him...very politely.... "That is a nice little bike you have there!"   I calmly pulled away with him tailing me after a second or two.  I probably crushed his American Dream!! 

Craig

[Steve K (IA)]

Kinda knew where I stood when I entered the Fat Lady and my old Mustang in a auto and bike show today, when the emcee thanked God for Harley Davidson, "the only motorcycle  built in America" in his opening remarks.  Later on when he was giving prizes for items  the  crowd could bring him, he asked for someone to bring him an Item that said made in USA on it.  I offered to bring up my bike that was in the show.  He said which one, I told him the big red Honda in the sea of Harleys.  He looked puzzled until I educated him about the only Valkyrie factory in the world being in Ohio, and the fact that that made in USA logo was stamped into the engine block and VIN tag.  Probly didn't believe me, but I spent the rest of the day showing it to interested show goers.  No I didn't get a trophy.  Wonder why? I mean, what's not to love?    hoser

   

Hoser,  I'm not trying to start anything here, but it sounds liked you entered a Honda in a HD show.  I would of left once I heard the emcee's smart assed remark.  I've been there.  We all know how it will end.
It is good to let others see that there are other bikes besides HD.
Very nice looking Burgundy and Cream Tourer. 

[fat6man]

I've been listening to a couple of guy's at work for the last couple of years tell me
Quote; Let me know when your ready to get a real bike.
My initial thought is to blow it off as lack of education on their part, one of them esspecially.
Finally a few months ago Mr. Loud Mouth was doing what he does best. Caught me at a bad time so I just told him anytime he thinks he could limp his poor excuse as a bike [(Fatboy)the bike] on out and line up for a run I'm ready! Hasn't spoken to me since
       There is a GOD.

[OverdueBill]

I don't get too much bad mouthing about my Hondas from the HD guys.  To my face anyway.  What I did find one day was two of them crawling on the ground looking at my car tire. 

[wdvalk]

STopped at a local watering hole to meet friends,A small group of Bandidoswere there in their colors,we had fun watching one bandido at a time sneek over to look down my v stacks,then they huddled up to talk about it,this went on for about 20 minutes.

[Doc Moose]

Gotta love the Harley logo plastered across the back window of a Toyota pickup as the guy sneers at you about "Jap crap".

[scoot]

went to a show once, they wanted to put my bike in the metric class. I explained that the bike was American built. They didn't know what to do then. 

[solo1]

The next time this happens to me....I'm going to say that I'm not ready to trade down yet...and that when I get too old to hold up a real bike, I'll get one of those little Hardleys that don't weigh too much and are underpowered....

Stanley, I got too old to hold up a real bike so I got a Nighthawk 750.  I'd have to reach about 150 years old before I'd get a Hardly.  I've not tried it but I bet I could take a few Hardlys with this 750. The Nighthawk 'don't weigh too much'  but it's not underpowered.

You'll get old too one day so what will be your choice?  Jes pullin' your leg, Stanley

[alph]

I think what we have to realize is that we all would act the same way.  

Think of it, if you bought an expensive piece of jewelry for your wife and you were proud of that big diamond rock sitting in the center of gold glitter and colored stones, thinking that you just spent the last 10 months or so working feverishly to buy that prized position you were always told was the “sign of success” then you realize that that prized position turns out to be cubic zirconium in stead of a real diamond, you’d be pissed off and you’d feel like a heal for being doped into buying that piece of crap.  Well, that’s the way it is with harley guys.  They know they just spent ten thousand dollars more for something that they were told was the “best”.  So, the easiest way to make the most of a bad situation is to put down those that have not made the same mistake as they did….

So the next time a harley guy gives you crap, just nod your head and walk away.  It’ll make him feel a little better for getting screwed.  

[MP]

I am pretty sure hosers show is a bike and car show, in a local town, open to all.

MP

[AussieValk]

and then you have the HD diehards who will tell you it's not about horsepower, it's about torque, when you point out that a Hyosung 650 puts out more hp than their hog.......it's truly only about talk.

[Foozle]

Whenever HD riders show some angst about riding alongside my Valk, I just tell them I completely understand - and I promise not to use fifth gear.  Terry

[Chrisj CMA]

We were at a Toys for Tots rally.  Usually around 1,000 bikes here.  At the end I wound up parking next to a new looking HD roadking.  The the "driver" and his wife show up at their bike just before Judy and I........they cant get the bike started (dead battery) probably from sitting all year since the last Toys for tots ride  .....anyway if you know anything about CMA, in addition to general membership you pick a ministry that you feel suited to serve in.  I have chosen the mechanical team......so, I carry stuff like jumper cables, tire plugs, tools etc.  Well just before I crank the Valkyrie up I asked the guy...motorcycle driver extraodinaire with his brand new shiney everything from boots to HD jewlery, matching jackets and everything looking like it just popped off the cover of Harley Davidson Weekly magazine...."do you want a jump I have cables?"  He answers, Id rather get towed on a flatbed than get a jump from a Honda....then he tells his wife to call for a wrecker and he went for a walk.........just far enough away to see when we left so he could return.........didnt want to be seen THAT close to a Honda any longer I suppose. 

Its all about image I guess

[x]

It does get old.  I actually went off on someone this weekend when they made a comment about me riding a Honda.   I told them, I do not as a habit bash Harley's, and that it is about the ride, but since they brought it up, I would be glad to finish it.  I would stack my 11 year old I/S against their 2 cylinder frame with what I call a starting motor for my valkyrie. Then, I would be glad to wait until I hit a few hundred thousand miles on it, and do it again, if theirs was still running.  BTW, the starting motor comment burns their a$$!!!  I didn't even get to the fact that mine was made in Ohio.

And, I hear it from a cousin in the panhandle all the time.  "I just need to put you on my Harley, you won't ride that Honda anymore."  Geez...  Nevermind that I have logged more miles in the last 10 years than he has on the street in his lifetime.  And then when they make a 300 mile day trip, it is a big thing. 

I am starting to rant, so I will crawl back under my box.


Craig

Good rant.  Out here in Singapore, the Harley dudes take Sunday rides up into Malaysia... 20 or 30 of the buggers with noisy short pipes... can hear them a mile away... nothing more satisfying than to crank the Valk to about 100 mph and blow by all of them on a long sweeper.
 
All wearing beanie helmets, of course, swept back sunglasses... and leathers in the tropical heat that you get 60 miles north of the equator.
 
And... I'm sorry... sometimes I stop and take some photos of the landscape just so I can pass them all over again.
 

[razor]

I've got a video on youtube called Dragons on the snake, where I was following Lady Draco and several other valks and I recently got a comment by some cretin that said "wheres the real bikes". so I clicked on his name and he's got some horse video link that he hasn't even posted. I also notice he made some snide comments on a video Psychotic Bovine of riding the snake.  

I didn't return any comment cause I figure he's just an idiot and what good would it do.  So I'll just ride my Valks and grin.  Some of us understand!

[Hoser]

It does get old.  I actually went off on someone this weekend when they made a comment about me riding a Honda.   I told them, I do not as a habit bash Harley's, and that it is about the ride, but since they brought it up, I would be glad to finish it.  I would stack my 11 year old I/S against their 2 cylinder frame with what I call a starting motor for my valkyrie. Then, I would be glad to wait until I hit a few hundred thousand miles on it, and do it again, if theirs was still running.  BTW, the starting motor comment burns their a$$!!!  I didn't even get to the fact that mine was made in Ohio.

And, I hear it from a cousin in the panhandle all the time.  "I just need to put you on my Harley, you won't ride that Honda anymore."  Geez...  Nevermind that I have logged more miles in the last 10 years than he has on the street in his lifetime.  And then when they make a 300 mile day trip, it is a big thing. 

I am starting to rant, so I will crawl back under my box.


Craig

Good rant.  Out here in Singapore, the Harley dudes take Sunday rides up into Malaysia... 20 or 30 of the buggers with noisy short pipes... can hear them a mile away... nothing more satisfying than to crank the Valk to about 100 mph and blow by all of them on a long sweeper.
 
All wearing beanie helmets, of course, swept back sunglasses... and leathers in the tropical heat that you get 60 miles north of the equator.
 
And... I'm sorry... sometimes I stop and take some photos of the landscape just so I can pass them all over again.
 

Good move, SE, and MP you are correct, there was a smattering of other brands there along with the fat lady.  The spectator attention was enough for me, she does draw a crowd.  Hoser

[RainMaker]

All the Harley guys I deal with do a lot of play slapping with me about my "rice burner" and I return the favor by asking them to ride behind me so that any parts that fall off their HDs won't damage my tires.  It's all good natured.  I've not run into anyone who refused help when they needed it.  Guess I've been lucky up to this point. 

On an earlier string about this subject a few weeks ago, I think it was decided there are HD Riders and HD Owners.  The riders are good guys and gals who enjoy riding motorcycles and respect all other riders.  They put a lot of miles on their Ultra Classics, Road Kings, etc. and are good people. The HD Owners live in the mistaken belief that there is only one motorcycle and the rest are below them.  Most of the owners have low mileage bikes and do the all day 300 mile rides.  Occasionally.

Sometimes I think that Valkyrie riders have attitudes about the HD riders. They may feel envy for the large Harley groups, the dealer network and their participation with the Harley riders/owners and walk into these encounters with chips on our shoulders.

I'm happy to ride with anyone and have parked my Valk in the HD Dealer parking lot multiple times, only getting an occasional friendly dig and always responding with a friendly comeback that usually results in kind comments for my I/S.  I always compliment that person's HD in return and we part friends.

[hubcapsc]

And... I'm sorry... sometimes I stop and take some photos of the landscape just so I can pass them all over again.
 

Been there, done that... 



-Mike

[Chrisj CMA]

This is one of my favorite Harley pictures.......KillBoy should get an emmy for this one!

[musclehead]

ya did the right thing, every pin head is entitled to thier opinion even me 

[Serk]

This is one of my favorite Harley pictures.......KillBoy should get an emmy for this one!

Reminds me of this oldie but goodie...

I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to PASS the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of canyon road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the curves have warning signs that say "15 MPH".

I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.

I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering. Three corners later, I was on his fender. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another.

Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and outpower me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.

My only hope was to outbrake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me for good.

But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.

Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horspower and deep pockets, I had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the canyon and I had preserved the proud tradition of another of America's best bikes.

I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life. And some of the credit must go to Schwinn, as well. They really make a great bicycle...

[shortleg]

  I guess I am lucky none of my Harley buds act anyting like the
ones you have spoken about.
   I also have let them ride my Valk and shown them
it,s tail lights a few times.
  Now I will tell you that I own a Harley and enjoy it.
It has a few things that I like and it has only taken
me a few years to get it to run right.
   Now here is one for the ladys. It was a woman that tuned
it and placed her loving hands upon it to make it run.

[musclehead]

you did the right thing, like water off a ducks back, dont sweat the petty things and dont pet the sweaty things. every pin head is entitled to an opinion even me 

[MCRIDER]

went to a show once, they wanted to put my bike in the metric class. I explained that the bike was American built. They didn't know what to do then. 

I'm not sure that I agree.  When my Valk was new, I went to the honda dealer and asked to see some "hard" parts that he had in stock.  I looked at some of his tiny supply of Valk parts.  I saw exhaust gaskets, air filter, brake pads, and a set of plastic side covers.  All were made in japan.  He told me that all his Valk and Goldwing parts were in packages that bore the made in japan logo.  If those bikes were indeed made here, why are all of the spare parts made in japan?  Because the Valk was made in japan, and assembled in Ohio.

[MP]

The valk has a higher us content than HD does.  That is why HD got the law changed in 99, so Honda had to remove the "Made in USA" on the valks and goldwings.

Now, they both have us and foreign parts, just that Honda has more US parts.

I would guess the frame, motor, tranny, etc are us made.  All the little parts, and plastic parts, are made in Japan.  But the big parts add up faster to a larger % of the value of the bike.

MP

[Jabba]

I told a guy at a stop light once, he was riding a softtail springer, "Nice bike... my sister has one JUST like that!"  And I meant it.  She does.

I smoked a HD wank today.  I had the zoomies all day.  This guy was a dweeb.  Loud exhaust.  Playing something girly like Boys to men or some crap.  Loud pipes...blipping them under the underpass.  I gave him the nod... and smoked him at the light.  I actually squalled the Falken car tire and got it a little sideways on the launch but he didn't stand a chance, even though I could HEAR his bike over mine.  100' into the race he gave up.  I only hit about 40 MPH before he gave it up.

Big HD puss.  IMO.

Jabba

[Hog Killer DS0048]

He also left out Victory (Iowa) is also American made.