Jason O
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« on: August 22, 2011, 02:28:23 PM » |
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I went to a local Mexican restaurant today that I like to frequent. They have a real tasty buffet and have come to know me and my friends pretty well. So I take a seat and order my drink like always the guy comes up to me and asks if I got a new bike I reply yes and tell him its a Honda Valkyrie. He says ''oh it looks like a harley'' with a smile I say yeah I could see that and moved the conversation along. Now I'm not mad about it or anything hes a nice guy and is always friendly. Just got a little chuckle out of it. Got to wondering if my bike looks like a Harley then what the hell does a Honda or Kawasaki Or Yamaha look like? Should Harley be suing everyone for having a two wheeled vehicle and calling it a ''Motorcycle"?
Now before I get flamed and tossed in the shredder this is just meant to be a funny story and I am not serious about the questions.
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The Anvil
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« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2011, 02:32:36 PM » |
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I just think the general public that is not familiar with bikes sees chrome, long and low and thinks "Harley". I don't even think a lot of these people realize that H-D is a specific company but rather a generic term like Kleenex.
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent. But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent. Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep. In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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old2soon
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« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2011, 02:40:46 PM » |
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I've had way more than one person ask if it is a H/D.  Thats when you take them out to the bike and ask what H O N D A spells.  Course iffin they still insist it's a harley-either get on your bike and leave or turn around and walk away.  I try to edumacate the masses-but i fail quite often in that endevour.  You done right-grin and bear it.  RIDE SAFE.
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam. VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Bobbo
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« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2011, 02:43:05 PM » |
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When I'm working on my Harley, and the Crescent wrench slips, I put a Band-Aid on it, and go inside for a Coke and some Jell-O. 
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da prez
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« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2011, 03:04:20 PM » |
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Tell him to wait untill you leave and then have the oil spot analized . da prez
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RainMaker
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Posts: 6626
VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473
Arlington, TX
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« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2011, 03:07:08 PM » |
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When that happens, I tell them what it is in an informative fashion. I love to talk about my Interstate.
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 2005 BMW R1200 GS 2000 Valkyrie Interstate 1998 Valkyrie Tourer 1981 GL1100I GoldWing 1972 CB500K1
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scoot
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Posts: 909
Lifes too short Ride it hard
Grand Rapids Mi.
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« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2011, 04:24:50 PM » |
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I think the majority of people don't have a clue. They also think that that is everyone's fantasy to own a Harley. Not me! And, I tell them so. I thank them for noticing the bike, and just move on. It's not worth trying to explain the difference.
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 Some like to ride Fat boys, I think I'll stay with the fat lady
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Valkahuna
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« Reply #7 on: August 22, 2011, 04:47:16 PM » |
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I agree  I think that people think that if it is a H-D then it is good, and they just want to pay you the compliment of telling you that the bike is a good looking motorcycle. I just say thanks and walk away as well. Sometimes, when I am riding my H-D, they ask me if it's a new bike, (it's a '99) and "what kind is it"? Go figure!  I think the majority of people don't have a clue. They also think that that is everyone's fantasy to own a Harley. Not me! And, I tell them so. I thank them for noticing the bike, and just move on. It's not worth trying to explain the difference.
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The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
2014 Indian Chieftain 2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
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Tropic traveler
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Posts: 3117
Livin' the Valk, er, F6B life in Central Florida.
Silver Springs, Florida
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« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2011, 05:53:45 PM » |
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« Last Edit: August 22, 2011, 05:56:20 PM by Tropic traveler »
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'13 F6B black-the real new Valkyrie Tourer '13 F6B red for Kim '97 Valkyrie Tourer r&w, OLDFRT's ride now! '98 Valkyrie Tourer burgundy & cream traded for Kim's F6B '05 SS 750 traded for Kim's F6B '99 Valkyrie black & silver Tourer, traded in on my F6B '05 Triumph R3 gone but not forgotten!
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #9 on: August 22, 2011, 06:01:13 PM » |
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My reply to folks asking about my Harley (Interstate)........ 'It's a a Honda, I rode a Harley for 18 years.... but then I grew up." They don't get it, but that's OK.
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MAD6Gun
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« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2011, 06:09:29 PM » |
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A few years ago I was out for a ride with a buddy on his Harley Springer and two of his friends,one on a Yamaha Warrior and another on a Suzuki v twin. We stopped at a bar that my buddies girlfriend worked at and we were messing around in the parking lot when my buddy did a quick burnout. When he was done I decided to do one as well. My valk is a 97 with Viking pipes. When I was done the guy on the Suzuki said " your bike does not sound like a real motrcycle". OK I said "what does a real motorcycle sound like"..Jeez....Oh well.
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raker
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« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2011, 06:28:49 PM » |
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I like to teel poeple its a limited production Honda Davison
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Doc Moose
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Posts: 749
VRCC#506 - VRCCDS#0002 - BOTS
W. Indyanner / Central Florida
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« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2011, 06:55:42 PM » |
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Stopped for gas and an old timer came up and looked my I/S over. Commented how nice it looked and I thanked him. He looked a bit longer and finally asked: " Does it still have the Harley sound?"
I just said with a grin that it had a slightly different sound now.
I've also been accused of riding a Boss Hoss and also asked how did I get a car engine on a bike frame.....
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 Retired OF - Everyday is Saturday! GW/Roadsmith Trike
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Black Pearl's Captain
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« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2011, 07:00:23 PM » |
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Kinda like a Harley just think bigger.
Raymond
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Doc809
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« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2011, 07:07:45 PM » |
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Try riding an orange/black valk. Everybody thinks because it is orange it must be a HD. Comments like "I ain't never seen a Harley that looks like that." My favorite response is that you still haven't. Or you hear things like a guy trying to impress his girlfriend at bike night recently, "That's one of them Boss motorcycles with the helicopter engines in it." Just smile and move on to more intelligent conversations.
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How much fun can I have before I have to go to hell?
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Big IV
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« Reply #15 on: August 22, 2011, 07:59:14 PM » |
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This is a good start to what a Honda should look like.
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"Ride Free Citizen!" VRCCDS0176
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Steve K (IA)
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« Reply #16 on: August 22, 2011, 08:14:40 PM » |
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I have never had anyone mistake either of our Valks as harleys. Most people have a general idea what it is. Had a guy today comment that it looked somewhat like a Goldwing. Guess he knew a little bit about bikes. 
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 States I Have Ridden In
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bigguy
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Posts: 2684
VRCC# 30728
Texarkana, TX
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« Reply #17 on: August 23, 2011, 06:56:34 AM » |
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I've also been accused of riding a Boss Hoss and also asked how did I get a car engine on a bike frame..... Same here. I've also been asked if it's a V-6.
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Here there be Dragons. 
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ChromeDome
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Posts: 2175
Aurora, IL.
60 miles West of Chicago!
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« Reply #18 on: August 23, 2011, 08:39:14 AM » |
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Most non-motorcycle people I meet often ask if it is a Harley and I politely tell them no, that it is a Honda Valkyrie. They get this puzzled look and say "Valkryie?" To which I reply "Think of a Goldwing ... on steroids." You can see their wheels begin to turn, they get the image of the Goldwing, then a big smile comes across their face and they say ... "Nice Bike!" 
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Michael K (Az.)
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Posts: 2471
"You have to admire a healthy tomatillo!"
Glendale, AZ
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« Reply #19 on: August 23, 2011, 09:39:28 AM » |
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"Is that a Harley?", I usually say,"Oh my, no! This is a big motorcycle!" 
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"I'd never join a club that would have me as a member!" G.Marx 
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czuch
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« Reply #21 on: August 24, 2011, 09:48:36 AM » |
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^^^^^ Thats funny!!! I just get "Is that a 6 cylinder"? And ,of course the proper admiration the best bike ever made so richly deserves.
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Aot of guys with burn marks,gnarly scars and funny twitches ask why I spend so much on safety gear
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six2go #152
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« Reply #22 on: August 24, 2011, 11:56:47 AM » |
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A few years ago I was out for a ride with a buddy on his Harley Springer and two of his friends,one on a Yamaha Warrior and another on a Suzuki v twin. We stopped at a bar that my buddies girlfriend worked at and we were messing around in the parking lot when my buddy did a quick burnout. When he was done I decided to do one as well. My valk is a 97 with Viking pipes. When I was done the guy on the Suzuki said " your bike does not sound like a real motrcycle". OK I said "what does a real motorcycle sound like"..Jeez....Oh well.
Mark, You stopped at a bar? Should we record the date & time? 
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iliveforcurves
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Posts: 269
Proud owner of a 2003 Valkyrie Standard
Buchanan Dam, TX
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« Reply #23 on: August 24, 2011, 01:24:27 PM » |
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Check out the Yamaha Roadstar Raider forum for more on this subject. I would make a link if I could, but if you want to see it go to roadstarraider.com then click on Forum then click on General Raider Discussion and look for Oh It's a Yamaha. That thread is up to 91 pages and still going.
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Live to ride, ride to...uh, what was the question again?
2003 Valkyrie Standard 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 500 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 1978 Yamaha SR500 (not running)
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Mr Steve
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« Reply #24 on: August 24, 2011, 02:09:45 PM » |
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I just answer "Close, but it is actually three Harleys" and leave them puzzled until they ask another question or walk away thinking I'm insane.
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R J
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Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #25 on: August 24, 2011, 07:34:11 PM » |
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Harley is beat in their head with all the HD advertisement.
That is one thing HD is good at is their being able to make their products known about.
So when all ya hear is Harley, that's what people think every bike is.
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44 Harley ServiCar 
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Tundra
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Posts: 3882
2014 Valkyrie 1800
Seminole, Florida
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« Reply #27 on: August 25, 2011, 02:59:06 AM » |
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If you can't be a good example: be a WARNING!!
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