Harley Riders! I probably blew it!

[oZ]

But to cover my  a$$ first.

I don’t care what bike folks ride, I’m happy to ride with any brand. If they got their hair in the wind and they are on two wheels I’m on their side. It’s about the ride, not the brand.

As some of you know I post Valkyrie Videos all over the internet. On my YouTube channel under comments for one of my videos, “Ride of the Valkyries 2004" I got the following post and maybe made a mistake replying.  You be the judge, here it is.
-----------------------
Posted by WatsonMike1234
Mind if I keep on riding my Harley? (((You bunch of wannabes!)))

Posted by oZPrez
Nope, keep riding your Harley and you can keep your Gucci Purse and follow the herd. I don't care if you wear your Sunglasses at night, have logos plastered all over your body, wear your Baseball Cap sideways, Flaunt you Pinky Ring, or sport a Mullet haircut.
I understand your just part of the Fashion Parade and Harley's are really popular and the only bike to be "seen" on. It's all about impressing people, forget the ride the important thing is you made a fashion statement.
-------------------------------------
All that said, I'd love to have a Road King Heritage if only I had the money!

The video:  

Ride of the Valkyries 2004: Part 1	powered by Aeva

[fordmano]

Well your much more polite that I would have been.

I don't care what you ride just don't run into me with it.

[junior]

Oz, you really need to use alittle more tact when your telling people how you really feel............

[suthrncop]

nicer than I would have been

[eric in md]

ol oz   dont worry i got your back buddy

[doubletee]

Great, restrained response, in my opinion. As others have said, I'm not sure I'd have been quite as nice about it.

[Dubsvalk]

Oz,  Good on you ole son!  My Dad had 7 Harleys and I would own a Fatboy in a heartbeat (it was the last bike my Dad sat on).  I'm with you, its about the ride; we can't hold it against the bikes for the people that ride them.
Dubs

[~ Timbrwolf]

. . ....you mean I cant wear my sunglasses at night any more ?!? 

The Blues Brothers	powered by Aeva

[9Ball]

. . ....you mean I cant wear my sunglasses at night any more ?!? 

they hid a lot of bloodshot eyes.......

[Pale Rider]

I think you gave WatsonMike1234 the exact response he was hoping for.  You left your chain hanging out and he gave it a subtle yank.  Your stereotyped Harley owners as a whole, and if it is on a forum similar to this one, I am guessing that other Harley riders will weigh in.  I thoroughly enjoy my Valkyrie, but I made a buying decision on bike that was only in production for 7 years, with parts becoming more scarce with each year that passes.  Makes me question my intelligence, hell, maybe I will start wearing my hat sideways.

[Willow]

Eloquently stated right up to the last line.  Unfortunately, if WatsonMike1234 read your response all he saw was his last thought and your last line.  In satisfaction, he nodded his head and to himself proclaimed, "Yep, they really want to ride Harleys like mine.  They only ride that Jap crap because they can't afford a real motorcycle."

 

Posted by WatsonMike1234
(((You bunch of wannabes!)))

Posted by oZPrez
I'd love to have a Road King Heritage if only I had the money!

I own three Valkyries.  I'm pretty sure I could own a Road King if I really wanted to.  That said, if I owned seven bikes I think one of them might be a Harley.  I'm okay with riders who chose a Harley because they wanted a Harley.  I chose a Honda because I wanted a Honda.

[doubletee]

Eloquently stated right up to the last line.  Unfortunately, if WatsonMike1234 read your response all he saw was his last thought and your last line.  In satisfaction, he nodded his head and to himself proclaimed, "Yep, they really want to ride Harleys like mine.  They only ride that Jap crap because they can't afford a real motorcycle."

 

Posted by WatsonMike1234
(((You bunch of wannabes!)))

Posted by oZPrez
I'd love to have a Road King Heritage if only I had the money!

I own three Valkyries.  I'm pretty sure I could own a Road King if I really wanted to.  That said, if I owned seven bikes I think one of them might be a Harley.  I'm okay with riders who chose a Harley because they wanted a Harley.  I chose a Honda because I wanted a Honda.

Willow, Oz is the only one who knows for sure, but I believe that last line about, "love to have a road King..." was only posted here. The dashed line between it and his response to the Harley rider leads me to believe it wasn't part of his response on the other board.   

[Bobbo]

Eloquently stated right up to the last line.  Unfortunately, if WatsonMike1234 read your response all he saw was his last thought and your last line.  In satisfaction, he nodded his head and to himself proclaimed, "Yep, they really want to ride Harleys like mine.  They only ride that Jap crap because they can't afford a real motorcycle."

 

Posted by WatsonMike1234
(((You bunch of wannabes!)))

Posted by oZPrez
I'd love to have a Road King Heritage if only I had the money!

I own three Valkyries.  I'm pretty sure I could own a Road King if I really wanted to.  That said, if I owned seven bikes I think one of them might be a Harley.  I'm okay with riders who chose a Harley because they wanted a Harley.  I chose a Honda because I wanted a Honda.

Willow, Oz is the only one who knows for sure, but I believe that last line about, "love to have a road King..." was only posted here. The dashed line between it and his response to the Harley rider leads me to believe it wasn't part of his response on the other board.   

You're correct, doubletree.  If you go to the YouTube website and view the video, you can see the actual comment and reply.

It's hard to say what WatsonMike1234 was thinking when he posted a snide comment, but I'm sure it was to get a rise out of Oz.

That was a great get-together and thanks for bringing back some good memories!   

[DIGGER]

If you keep making fun of my bike...........I'll not help you push your Harley.

[Willow]

Willow, Oz is the only one who knows for sure, but I believe that last line about, "love to have a road King..." was only posted here. The dashed line between it and his response to the Harley rider leads me to believe it wasn't part of his response on the other board.   

My bad then. 

It was eloquently stated for sure. 

When I hit my second mil I'm going to buy the prez a Road King Heritage.    

[BIG--T]

I can't get past the "wannabe" comment. Other than 2 wheels and a gas tank, where is the Valk similar? I can see someone might think or say that about my lil ole Honda VTX 1800 that will blow their sidecovers off (they know it too), another V-Twin...... but a pancake 6 cylinder???

That's the reason I bought mine to be different! BTW, do you think there is that many Valkyries in the world now?? 

[The Anvil]

You were totally within your rights to respond the way you did. I'll only say that fighting stereotypes with more stereotypes isn't really productive and won't hit them where it hurts. That kinda stuff doesn't bother those tools because they REVEL in the stereotype. It's one of the reasons that H-D guys like that one (who would make a comment like that in the first place) pick the brand.

You have to do things like question their manhood and why they own a Harley in the first place. That is to say; they don't ride but own the bike for the image it gives them and it makes them forget for a while that they're just children pretending to be big boys and that they probably spend more time sitting on it making motorcycle sounds than actually riding it with the engine running. Then ask them how many times they've dropped it because of their stubby little legs and arms. That'll bug em because at their core they're extremely insecure people.

[Willow]

 BTW, do you think there is that many Valkyries in the world now?? 

Oh, yes, and many, many more.  Come see us at InZane.

But I would guess you're looking at almost 2% of the Valkyries in the world on that video.    

[~ Timbrwolf]

. ...I think a saying I heard once just about covers it..


. .....and I quote


....just because I hear an ass out braying in a field.. .


....I dont feel any great need to ...bray back


...ride what ya like...long as yer in the wind..it aint no sin..  

[98 T]

I live in the middle of Harley Country (Just outside Milwaukee) and have NOTHING against Harley - I would like the company to be very successful and prosper. That being said, I'm not interested in owning one right now and think they are too pricey. 

Sometimes when people ask why I don't own a Harley, if I detect a slight bit of attitude in their question to me, I will answer,   "I don't own a Harley because I'm just not that good of a mechanic" which usually takes them back a little.

Some HD riders I have known in the past told me it would be "ok if I ride with them, but having a Honda, I would need to ride in the back"....to which I responded, "I would not ride in back because I would be afraid of riding over the parts that fall off and get a flat tire  ".... needless to say, I did NOT ride with them.



As long as a rider doesn't have that " If you don't have a Harley you have nothing" attitude, I'm proud to ride with anyone anytime on any kind of 2 wheeled vehicle.

[solo1]

Even though I don't own a Valk any more I've not seen any prejudice from the VRCC group.  

I will be at Inzane with the Vstrom and will meet all my friends again.  

Six apartments down from my new location is a Harley owner with a straight piped Harley.  Although I ride the VStrom past all the time, he has never made any attempt to talk. I'll  try to talk to him.

I go along with Anvil concerning some of the HD riders.

[Fudd]

There is not, nor has there ever been a Hardley Ableson made that I feel is the equal to my Valkyrie in any way.

That being said, I would however, trade "even" for one of those overpriced vibrators if I could then trade back for two Valkyries.

[The Anvil]

Sometimes when people ask why I don't own a Harley, if I detect a slight bit of attitude in their question to me, I will answer,   "I don't own a Harley because I'm just not that good of a mechanic" which usually takes them back a little.

Here we go again.

I've owned Harleys. You know what? They were less maintenance intensive than these things are and what maintenance there is is easier to perform. No hydro-lock issues, no slow jet clogging issues, no valve adjustments, no splines to lube or fail, replacing a clutch is a minor job, no final drive (though you do have a primary), they're all FI now and the older ones that aren't have ONE carburetor, air cooling means no water pump, radiator, hoses or coolant to worry about and the engine can be out in a couple hours with one person.

That's why they're giving you that look. Because if your mechanical skills are lacking then you should get an H-D as you'd actually be better off. Just tell em that you prefer the Valk's smoothness and that it's a cruiser that's NOT trying to be a Harley clone. They'll appreciate that more and you won't sound uninformed or inexperienced.

[The Anvil]

Six apartments down from my new location is a Harley owner with a straight piped Harley.  Although I ride the VStrom past all the time, he has never made any attempt to talk. I'll  try to talk to him.

This is a problem that BOTH sides share. People on metric bikes are often as ignorant and disdainful of the H-D guys as the H-D guys are of them. Who started it? Who gives a crap? But he might be thinking the same thing you are; that guy's on an adventure sport and wants nothing to do with an H-D guy". Say hi, you never know what reaction you'll get.

[Daniel Meyer]

-wannabees-

Same as any other bike...it all depends on whether they ride or whether it's "Butt Jewelery".

[hotglue #43]

I have one of each........it's a coin toss which I will ride...... both are great bikes!!!!!

[solo1]

Six apartments down from my new location is a Harley owner with a straight piped Harley.  Although I ride the VStrom past all the time, he has never made any attempt to talk. I'll  try to talk to him.

This is a problem that BOTH sides share. People on metric bikes are often as ignorant and disdainful of the H-D guys as the H-D guys are of them. Who started it? Who gives a crap? But he might be thinking the same thing you are; that guy's on an adventure sport and wants nothing to do with an H-D guy". Say hi, you never know what reaction you'll get.

That's exactly what I intend to do as noted.  If he's friendly and wants to get some wind together, I will be in front. That's not braggin' just can't stand the loud pipe noise.

[The Anvil]

Six apartments down from my new location is a Harley owner with a straight piped Harley.  Although I ride the VStrom past all the time, he has never made any attempt to talk. I'll  try to talk to him.

This is a problem that BOTH sides share. People on metric bikes are often as ignorant and disdainful of the H-D guys as the H-D guys are of them. Who started it? Who gives a crap? But he might be thinking the same thing you are; that guy's on an adventure sport and wants nothing to do with an H-D guy". Say hi, you never know what reaction you'll get.

That's exactly what I intend to do as noted.  If he's friendly and wants to get some wind together, I will be in front. That's not braggin' just can't stand the loud pipe noise.

Oh I wasn't chastising you. I think it's great that you're willing to try and befriend him. We all have more in common (politics not withstanding  ) than we have between us. I'm speaking in general terms.

And I hate straight pipes too. HATE them. 

[G-Man]

Six apartments down from my new location is a Harley owner with a straight piped Harley.  Although I ride the VStrom past all the time, he has never made any attempt to talk. I'll  try to talk to him.

This is a problem that BOTH sides share. People on metric bikes are often as ignorant and disdainful of the H-D guys as the H-D guys are of them. Who started it? Who gives a crap? But he might be thinking the same thing you are; that guy's on an adventure sport and wants nothing to do with an H-D guy". Say hi, you never know what reaction you'll get.

A neighbor of mine takes his Chevelle to a car show nearby every Monday evening.  Rode over to see the show.  As I pulled in, I was waived over to where the other motorcyclrs were parked.  Yup, you guessed it, 35 H-D's and me.  Many of the riders were in the area and ALL eyes were on me as I pulled passed the line of bikes, turned  right as I got to the end of the line and stopped.  Then walked the back backwards into the parking space.  Got off, took off my helmet, eyewear, and gloves and noticed more eyes on me than I thought.  Walked over to one of the bikes that had a owner leaning on it and complimented him on the paint job.  He ignored me.  Complimented another guy on the use of leather all over the bike and was ignored again!  It was like they didn't even want me looking at their bikes.    Went looking for my neighbor and had to walk past the line of bikes.  I nodded at several riders and got nothing more than a flippint look back. 

I ride a Valkyrie because size matters.  I've sat on every H-D model that I would consider owning, but they all feel like a bicycle I outgrew.  

[DIGGER]

Six apartments down from my new location is a Harley owner with a straight piped Harley.  Although I ride the VStrom past all the time, he has never made any attempt to talk. I'll  try to talk to him.

This is a problem that BOTH sides share. People on metric bikes are often as ignorant and disdainful of the H-D guys as the H-D guys are of them. Who started it? Who gives a crap? But he might be thinking the same thing you are; that guy's on an adventure sport and wants nothing to do with an H-D guy". Say hi, you never know what reaction you'll get.

So you Say hi and the guy turns his head and walks away..........that aggravates me even more....that's when I laugh out loud and turn and walk away ........sometimes that'll get you a response.   

[thumper]

About four years ago I got a call to come estimate a finished basement. When I arrived and rang the front door bell I noticed the Harley Davidson door mat and was greeted by the homeowner who had on a Harley t-shirt and belt buckle.  We went into his kitchen which was completely decorated by Harley Davidson from the clock on the wall to the salt and pepper shakers.

He asked me if I wanted something to drink and quickly served me some water in a Harley Davidson glass which I politely placed on the Harley Davidson coaster.

Trying to create a repoir I asked...."so you ride a Harley"?  At which point he took me into the garage to see his fully optioned Ultra FLX Road King Springer Softail Sportster!

I got the job and built him a beautiful basement which he invited me back to see which he had turned into the ultimate Harley Davidson mancave.


I rode a VTX 1300 at the time and came by his house to show him.  I had completely ground through the floorboards to the point that you could see the ground through them.  

Tried to get him to come ride with me several times and he always had an excuse.

Not meant to be a knock on Harley riders....just a funny story!

[The Anvil]

About four years ago I got a call to come estimate a finished basement. When I arrived and rang the front door bell I noticed the Harley Davidson door mat and was greeted by the homeowner who had on a Harley t-shirt and belt buckle.  We went into his kitchen which was completely decorated by Harley Davidson from the clock on the wall to the salt and pepper shakers.

He asked me if I wanted something to drink and quickly served me some water in a Harley Davidson glass which I politely placed on the Harley Davidson coaster.

Trying to create a repoir I asked...."so you ride a Harley"?  At which point he took me into the garage to see his fully optioned Ultra FLX Road King Springer Softail Sportster!

I got the job and built him a beautiful basement which he invited me back to see which he had turned into the ultimate Harley Davidson mancave.


I rode a VTX 1300 at the time and came by his house to show him.  I had completely ground through the floorboards to the point that you could see the ground through them.  

Tried to get him to come ride with me several times and he always had an excuse.

Not meant to be a knock on Harley riders....just a funny story!

That story could have gone in a few directions. 

[Bobbo]

Unfortunately, snobbery is just part of human nature, some just have more of it than others...  It extends into virtually everything.  I am also a member of several cigar clubs, and the snobbery is alive and well with a few.  Some think that since they prefer Padron cigars, they can't associate with CAO smokers.  It doesn't matter that the CAO smoker also enjoys Padron!  It's so similar to motorcycle preference, it's nuts!   

[ValkFlyer]

Here in the Bay Area there are thousands who ride Harleys, many, not all, give me a cold shoulder.  I couldn't give a rip......those that do are primarily followers of an image and attitude, that even Harley promotes, mindless drones without imagination or an individual's will.....why waste so much time giving these people what they want...what they need....recognition?  I love riding, as many who own Harleys do.....I ride what ever I like and can afford....if someone can't appreciate that they can blow off, they're not worth my breath..

[SANDMAN5]

if I detect a slight bit of attitude in their question to me

I think Anvil missed that part. I do the same, if someone on a harley wants
to talk motersickles or go riding I'm all for it. BUT, if they start with the
attitude I'll let the harley jokes/bashing fly non-stop until they're out of
earshot. I've seen them get so mad they almost cry! My riding club has
2 harleys, a Screaming Eagle just purchased (haven't seen it yet) and a
1200 Sportster that is one of the best sounding harleys I've ever heard.
One of the two riders rides about 3-4 times as much as I do, the other one
might get 1000 miles a year.

[The Anvil]

if I detect a slight bit of attitude in their question to me

I think Anvil missed that part. I do the same, if someone on a harley wants
to talk motersickles or go riding I'm all for it. BUT, if they start with the
attitude I'll let the harley jokes/bashing fly non-stop until they're out of
earshot. I've seen them get so mad they almost cry! My riding club has
2 harleys, a Screaming Eagle just purchased (haven't seen it yet) and a
1200 Sportster that is one of the best sounding harleys I've ever heard.
One of the two riders rides about 3-4 times as much as I do, the other one
might get 1000 miles a year.

No, I didn't miss it. I just don't see that it helps to respond that way. It's one thing if you want to pick on actual negatives to H-D, but claiming that it's because they require excessive maintenance or that they're unreliable just displays your lack of actual knowledge on the subject.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Sweet

[Pat S.]

Oz, your becoming a Pussy in your old age. We will straighten your butt out when you get to Michigan.

[BIG--T]

 BTW, do you think there is that many Valkyries in the world now?? 

Oh, yes, and many, many more.  Come see us at InZane.

But I would guess you're looking at almost 2% of the Valkyries in the world on that video.    

Probably so, but I've had mine for 5 months and only seen 2 in transit in  my neck of the woods. One was yellow and the other was same color as mine, blue and pearl. I've been to events with 500-1000 bikes and guess what- I'm the only Valkyrie.  People just like to be around their own kind!! 

[bigguy]

The Valkyrie Genealogy board lists production figures of 29,390 Standards, 9,420 Tourers, 9,610 Interstates, and 3,940 Runes. So we’re looking at a total of 52,360 Valkyries ever built.
Some unknown number of those are no longer on the road due to crashes or extreme neglect. I'd guess there are less than 45,000 running Valks world wide. Possibly less.
That's why I'm surprised that the prices stay so relatively low on them. I would think rarity alone would have doubled what I'm seeing. Add in the fact that it is such an incredible machine from an engineering and ride-ability standpoint and the price should be triple or quadruple what it is.
What ever, I'm glad I've got mine.