Dear Harley Bashers

[Alaskamike]

An open letter………
Dear Harley (AND ALL OTHER) motorcycle brand bashers.    Oh what fun we have sniping at other bikes and bike owners!  By ‘other’ I mean anyone who owns and enjoys something other than what You own and enjoy.

My fist bike was a Yamaha;  a 1969, 100cc cherry red “twin Jet”, man I thought I was cool riding that little scoot to school.  Course my buddies who had 250’s made so much fun of me it was ridiculous!   All in good fun.   I graduated to a 250 soon enough, then a Honda “dream” and finally to a ’66 BSA 650 “Lightening”  with the coolest ‘ape hangers’;  with my fringed leather jacket, and wrap around shades I was untouchable!

A 900 Kawasaki graduated me to the big boys in 1974, and from there it became a race between my budget and the size of the engines.   Now I ride several  different bikes (I hate to sell an old one, ever since letting  go and regretting  parting with the Lightening - man I’d give anything to get that bike back…. I think I sold it for $250… crazy).

I know most of the rivalries and snide comments are in fun.     But the ones that seem not so much fun involve Harley’s and any other bike.    This one gets nasty on both sides.   

Gotta love the Valk.   One of the reasons I really like it, aside from the performance is precisely because it does not try and imitate the famous V twin design of my Harley Road King.  That said, I love ‘em both, and ride them both …. Long distances.   I’ve put 30,000 on the King, and I have to tell you, it is not just a good bike, it is a GREAT bike. 

The same can be said of my  Valk  (28,500 miles and counting).   They are just different.   I could list the + and – of each bike, but that’s not the point.   Maybe I don’t have a point really, only that please, when you snipe at my King, please keep it in fun.   I own it to have fun, and would not think of cutting down your bike or anyone else’s for that matter.   Its rude, shows ignorance of quality machines, and does a disservice to all of us who love nothing more than the thrill of the open air, quality bikes, and 2 wheels. 
 

[Westernbiker]

Oooooops, you referenced Harley (King) and the word 'quality' in the same paragraph, that's a no no.
And Mike.....Ya know I am just kidding, just couldn't resist it after reading your post. 

[Spirited-6]

 know most of the rivalries and snide comments are in fun.     But the ones that seem not so much fun involve Harley’s and any other bike.    This one gets nasty on both sides.   

I`m sorry, you and all Bikers are my BROTHERS . And have been for 40 PLUS Years on two wheels.

[Jack]

I've never had a problem or negative opinion of any bike.  So-called bikers, however, have to be judged on a one-on-one basis.  No, they aren't all my brothers.  Nor, my enemy.

[fudgie]

Doesnt matter to me what you ride. I'll party right beside you no matter who you are. I always give the guys crap on the Sturgis board for riding HD's. Its all in fun. Trailering is what gets us, esp a touring bike. 

[Chiefy]

What a hoot.  You should see the nasty looks ALL bikers give me when I'm on the trike and wave.

[bigvalkriefan]

I agree with you Mike. The way I see it is a lot of the Harley owners bring it on themselves. They won't wave, won't talk to you at a gas station or sometimes won't even acknowledge you. It makes them easy targets. Besides it's fun to smoke a $20000.00 plus HD with a  $6400.00 cruiser.

[alph]

What a hoot.  You should see the nasty looks ALL bikers give me when I'm on the trike and wave.

i don't wave anymore.  (it's toooo cold out!!)

[Hoser]

Doesnt matter to me what you ride. I'll party right beside you no matter who you are. I always give the guys crap on the Sturgis board for riding HD's. Its all in fun. Trailering is what gets us, esp a touring bike. 

Fudgie, if you see me trailering the fat lady, it's because my wife can't ride much distance, it's worth it just to take her along, as we did at IZ9 in Colorado.  If I get to an age where I can't ride long distances, I will trailer, even if by myself.  You'll understand when you get older.  Ya probly won't make it though, cause yer nuts!             Remind me of myself forty years ago.  Hoser

[Michael K (Az.)]

Never really had any problems with what kinda bike is beside me. Now YOU! That's a whole other set of problems!!
Throw a "Howdy" to the Nickster!!

[Challenger]

98% of the people I ride with (except @ Valk ride-ins) are HD owners, I don't have a problem with that, I like being the only Valk in the group and I don't have to take my key out each stop, cause mine won't be the one that gets stolen! (LOL)  P.S. Hoser, you were wild once? Say it aint so!

[Momz]

I tend to make fun of HD owners (not real riders). I can find fault with any poser no matter what they ride. Because most posers (esp HD posers) will talk the talk but not walk the walk (ride the ride?).

With all the money I've got into my bikes, I guess I could have at least one HD. And at one time I did have one. But my riding needs have forced me to carefully evaluate motorcycle purchases. Many of my friends ride HDs and that is fine with me. But they don't buy into the "Buy American Icon" rule, ...they simply prefer to ride HDs.

[Hoser]

98% of the people I ride with (except @ Valk ride-ins) are HD owners, I don't have a problem with that, I like being the only Valk in the group and I don't have to take my key out each stop, cause mine won't be the one that gets stolen! (LOL)  P.S. Hoser, you were wild once? Say it aint so!

I can say it ain't so, but I'd be lying.  Hoser

[fudgie]

Doesnt matter to me what you ride. I'll party right beside you no matter who you are. I always give the guys crap on the Sturgis board for riding HD's. Its all in fun. Trailering is what gets us, esp a touring bike. 

Fudgie, if you see me trailering the fat lady, it's because my wife can't ride much distance, it's worth it just to take her along, as we did at IZ9 in Colorado.  If I get to an age where I can't ride long distances, I will trailer, even if by myself.  You'll understand when you get older.  Ya probly won't make it though, cause yer nuts!             Remind me of myself forty years ago.  Hoser

lol I hope to be still riding out for the 100th Anv. I'll only be in my early 60's. 

No problem. Its the G'Wings and Electra Glides that give me a twich. I dont understand it since it is a 'touring' bike. 

[Willow]

Never really had any problems with what kinda bike is beside me. Now YOU! That's a whole other set of problems!!
Throw a "Howdy" to the Nickster!!

Michael, I believe you have the wrong Alaskan.  Are you thinking Mike is Al?

[Alaskamike]

That's funny 'cause I call my son-in-law "Nickster".  But yes... I am in Alaska.  Hey, I hope y'all "Lower 48r's" know my comments are all in good fun.

Non-riders are funny no matter what the bike.   Expensive (or not so expensive rides) gathering dust in the garage makes a rider dangerous too.  Ya gotta ride if your gonna get - and keep - skills.   

Harder here in the frozen North but I do get out in the warm world a couple times a winter.  Plus I've ridden from here to Florida - and back a time or two.

I do love this board, especially the Tech board.  What a blessing to ask and get such good answers when I need 'em.  Thank you all.  Mike.

[~ Timbrwolf]

I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you, what first  drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community? a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan.

Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassle handlebars and the studded luggage and the half-helmets? God, they drive me crazy.

You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, I do hate those guys. I don't wave at them, either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180-degree German engines. God, I hate them.

They're almost as bad as those old bastards on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two-wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they've got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grampa, and while you're at it, I'm not waving to you.

Ducati guys? I don't wave at them either. Why don't they spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color you want, as long as it's red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys.

Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave. I just keep on going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my ass. I never wave at Kawasaki guys.

I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah, like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way.

Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and by the way, neither will the guys in two-piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at those guys with the helmets with the loud paintjobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet? Like I'm going to wave back to that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots.

To me, motorcycling is a like a family, a close-knit brotherhood of  people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid-color helmet with a clear visor, no  stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special?"

[9Ball]

I wondered why you didn't wave to me....now I know.....

[Alaskamike]

Timbrwolf.... That's one of the funniest posts I've ever read!   Your good !......

[solo1]

I've seen that post before, very funny.

I've always had a thing about Harley riders, not all of them tho.  Refusing to wave, "Jap crap", etc.
I've nothing against the bike, I wouldn't buy one for myself though.

Lately, on the Strom, I've been doing the Harley wave to Harley riders, left hand pointing toward the ground. I almost always get the wave back. Amazing.  From the front, the VStrom looks nothing like a Harley or any cruiser. In fact, I'll admit, it's butt ugly.

Maybe in these hard times the posers are selling off of their expensive Harleys and leaving only the true riders.

Whatever the reason, it's good.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Never really had any problems with what kinda bike is beside me. Now YOU! That's a whole other set of problems!!
Throw a "Howdy" to the Nickster!!

Michael, I believe you have the wrong Alaskan.  Are you thinking Mike is Al?

Woops! Lost my mind there for a second! Lemme see, it's around here somewhere!
Heck, that makes 3 Valks in Ak. Oh LOOK out!

[Ramjet]

I put a Harley Batwing fairing on my Valk,  now Harley guys wave at me, but Goldwings don't.  What's up with that?

[mirion]

Don't know whats different about my neck of the woods but around here, almost everyone waves to everyone it seems to me. I always wave to crotch rockets kids, it seems to take them by surprise most times. They are just young guys who chose to be different, I haven't forgot being that age. Some day they will move on to a cruiser probably but the bottom line is they enjoy riding just like you and me. Harley guys wave first as often as second but rarely no-wave. I ride mostly with Harleys and we have a lot of fun, a little good natured kidding at times but never anything ugly. It's about riding, not what you ride, but I do love my Valkyries.

[Fathertime]

You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, I do hate those guys. I don't wave at them, either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180-degree German engines. God, I hate them.

To me, motorcycling is a like a family, a close-knit brotherhood of  people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid-color helmet with a clear visor, no  stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special?"

  Poor Oss!

 Timbr, What a HOOT!  Made my afternoon!

[~ Timbrwolf]

. . .....thanks guys, but I cant take credit for it...got that little ditty off the web bout 5 years ago...last time I posted it here bout 2 years ago..was to a .."do you wave at other bikes?" ..post...so I posted that and a few here were giving me grief for being so unsociable...thinking I was talking about me...  


....funny you should use the word...Hoot...over on my board someone was saying what a..Hoot..I was for posting it 

[big turkey]

When I wave at someone ,,I expect a wave back.

Most people do.

So when they go by and obviously see me and don't wave back.

I think about giving them the finger but that would be selfish on my part.

They may just be out  clearing thier head after, an argument, a divorce, a death in the family,

a car wreck, in this day and time, a job loss.

So wave if you want to and don't wave if you don't want to, it ain't the end of the world either way.

But I do like looking at what kind of bike you are riding if nothing else.

PS It' easy to spot most Harley's because of the primary case hanging off to one side.

Others are more of a challenge.

AL