What is it with some Harley riders???

[sidecarrick]

  I've got an ex-brother-in-law that kind of stopped coming around when I told him I couldn't ride any more due to my shoulder. To make this part of the story short, him and his wife saw us coming back from last weekend's ride and today he stopped in. I taught this guy to ride on a cb750 (15 years ago) and he's owned a succession of Hondas and Yamahas, but this time he shows up on his new-to-him Harley something-or-other. All of a sudden it's Harley this and Harley that. He's quit the other group he rode with and now rides with the local HOG chapter. A year ago he swore he'd never ride a Harley, and now he pretty much owns the entire boutique (shirts, bandanas, boots, jeans- the whole kit'n kaboodle). After bragging to me about his over-priced bike his parting shot was to ask me when I'm getting rid of my "Jap- crap" and getting a real bike. I understand the need to feel a part of something but why would you insult a guy you were once related to, who taught you how to ride with a cheap statement like that. I simply told him that while his Harley was pretty, I'm used to much more. I just don't get it. 

[da prez]

  If I was to give it much thought, I think that part of the purchase price inclides a labotomy. 
                                da prez

[Tx Bohemian]

When you figure it out let the rest of us know.

I know only two riders that only owned Harleys their whole biking life.  Their best friends, one only buys 1200 Sportsters and the other buys 883s. Of course soon after purchase they're no where near stock.

And these are the best guys to ride with. Their attitude is ...that you ride.

Most of the other HD "owners" are as you explain... came from other brands, "that were the best"...then.

You gotta give HD credit for their marketing.  
The first time I went into a HD store I thought I walked into a Dillards clothing store.  There was one bike amongst all the clothes racks!!

[old2soon]

Could be wrong here but maybe all the vibration and noise loosens up something in the place where the brain should be?? Find that video on being a cool m/c rider. It splains a LOT.  Ride what ya ride and RIDE SAFE.

[The Anvil]

  If I was to give it much thought, I think that part of the purchase price inclides a labotomy. 
                                da prez

More like a big old swig of Jim Jones Kool-Aid.

But I won't go as far as to say "most" H-D riders are this way. But there are a number of H-D asshats out there.

[Chrome]

Hey Rick. Similar thing happened this past weekend in Pa. Met up with Big and LilD,3W-Lonerider and Giggles  for a weekend of riding and eating.We were in the pool at the hotel in Bradford Pa. when we heard the roar of 20 HDs pull into the parking lot.Went abit later and looked at them .Some very nice machines,a couple of Screaming Chickens but all had plates from Ontario.Had a good look at all of them but something was missing on the whole lot.Talked to one of the HD riders later with Lone. He happened to be the group organizer.Told him what a great looking bunch of rides but then asked "Where are the Canadian flags?" Pointed out my red and black I/S with my Canadian flag but not one of theirs had one.
 I am first generation of Dutch immigants and have both passports but am very, very proud of my country of birth. Fly Canadian flags on my 3 Valkyries and a flag is always flying at home.
He gave some bullshit answer about not being too proud because we didn't join the States fighting Iraq. I thought ,what a load of crap but what about the 19 other HDs.
 Thought alot about this snub and finally today at work,I think I got my answer. Our Candian flag is not HD approved and does not have the HD logo on it that must be approved by Milwaukee .That must be it Not HD approved flag. Must be. Could not be a bunch of Canucks pretending to be Americans. Nah Not approved.
Happy Trails Adrian(Flag Waving) Chrome Canadian Rep VRCC

[Psychotic Bovine]

I think it's great that you show pride in your country.  I am proud to share wind with you guys!

[John Schmidt]

Two of my neighbors are HD riders, one is a widower the other's wife also rides a HD. If I'm out in the driveway cleaning the Valk, they're just as apt to pull in and shoot the breeze. Do we zing each other at times? You bet, and the other person gets it back in spades. The one guy's wife even zinged her husband a couple years back when he came home with a big high powered chopper he bought at Biketoberfest...forget the brand. I asked why, his wife giggled and said he only did it so he'd have something that could beat my Valkyrie, he tried a few times with his Screaming Eagle with no luck. He grumbled at his wife about the comment, but still had to grin about it.

I just let it roll off my back when other riders don't respond.

[fiddle mike]

Our Candian flag is not HD approved and does not have the HD logo on it that must be approved by Milwaukee .That must be it Not HD approved flag. Must be. Could not be a bunch of Canucks pretending to be Americans. Nah Not approved.
Happy Trails Adrian(Flag Waving) Chrome Canadian Rep VRCC

They don't need a flag, they have their own tartan, I seem to recall news of a  version that has a red thread running through it to represent Canada.

[Tropic traveler]

A couple of months ago we took a ride down to the Wing House in Lakeland for one of our Florida Valkyrie Riders lunch rides. Kim was on her Valk with Rick & Kristy on their I/S. On the way back we rolled up to a long stoplight with Rick & Kim up front, I was right behind them. Woman pulls up next to Kim in her SUV adorned with HD stickers, w/s banner, tag bracket frame, etc. etc. , rolls down her window & tells Kim... "I'm so proud to see a woman riding her own bike even if it is a Jap bike & not a Harley." Then she mumbled something about getting a Harley one day....  .... As If !!! 
I think Florida has a high percentage of HD chowderheads.     

[rleggs]

 Glad you said some Harey riders. I've been riding for 45 years and have ridden alot of different rides, been on Harleys for the last 10 years or so. Now I've got my 2nd Valkyrie, a 99 tourer, nice ride but no better than the 97 standard I had 3 years ago before I traded my 04 Ultra in on the 09 Ultra as my primary ride. (sold the 97) Love both the Harley and the Valk. Want a power ride, jump on the Valk. Want a layed back comfort ride, Get the Harley out. I'm very fortunate to be able to enjoy both. If younger, I'd have a crotch rocket too. Point is I try to enjoy all types of motorcycles and the type of people they attract. We hopefully all ride for the freedom it gives us to enjoy life as it is, not as we woud like others to conform to.

[MarkT]

  I've got an ex-brother-in-law that kind of stopped coming around when I told him I couldn't ride any more due to my shoulder. To make this part of the story short, him and his wife saw us coming back from last weekend's ride and today he stopped in. I taught this guy to ride on a cb750 (15 years ago) and he's owned a succession of Hondas and Yamahas, but this time he shows up on his new-to-him Harley something-or-other. All of a sudden it's Harley this and Harley that. He's quit the other group he rode with and now rides with the local HOG chapter. A year ago he swore he'd never ride a Harley, and now he pretty much owns the entire boutique (shirts, bandanas, boots, jeans- the whole kit'n kaboodle). After bragging to me about his over-priced bike his parting shot was to ask me when I'm getting rid of my "Jap- crap" and getting a real bike. I understand the need to feel a part of something but why would you insult a guy you were once related to, who taught you how to ride with a cheap statement like that. I simply told him that while his Harley was pretty, I'm used to much more. I just don't get it. 

Your friend is on a honeymoon.  It won't be long, and that will be over - the gilt will be off the lily.  If he's your friend - be patient.  His sweet new ride will break, he will have to pay a lot to fix it, then he will be spending much more of what used to be riding time, doing repairs and maintenance.  He will then remember how it used to be.  It will take perhaps multiple instances of that sort of thing to get him back from the brainwash state he is currently in.  Remember, he drank the kool-aid - and is now a lemming.  HD may be the best marketers in the world, brainwashing the unwashed into their cult.  If I didn't know better, they might have succeeded doing that with me.  They did succeed with my life-long buddy.  He was determined to get a hog - having not ridden since the 70's.  Now I got him to look seriously at Victory.  Looks like we got him back from the abyss.

[The Anvil]

  I've got an ex-brother-in-law that kind of stopped coming around when I told him I couldn't ride any more due to my shoulder. To make this part of the story short, him and his wife saw us coming back from last weekend's ride and today he stopped in. I taught this guy to ride on a cb750 (15 years ago) and he's owned a succession of Hondas and Yamahas, but this time he shows up on his new-to-him Harley something-or-other. All of a sudden it's Harley this and Harley that. He's quit the other group he rode with and now rides with the local HOG chapter. A year ago he swore he'd never ride a Harley, and now he pretty much owns the entire boutique (shirts, bandanas, boots, jeans- the whole kit'n kaboodle). After bragging to me about his over-priced bike his parting shot was to ask me when I'm getting rid of my "Jap- crap" and getting a real bike. I understand the need to feel a part of something but why would you insult a guy you were once related to, who taught you how to ride with a cheap statement like that. I simply told him that while his Harley was pretty, I'm used to much more. I just don't get it. 

Your friend is on a honeymoon.  It won't be long, and that will be over - the gilt will be off the lily.  If he's your friend - be patient.  His sweet new ride will break, he will have to pay a lot to fix it, then he will be spending much more of what used to be riding time, doing repairs and maintenance.  He will then remember how it used to be.

Yeah that's not true either.

Ride what you like, let the other guy worry about what he rides.

[HayHauler]

Rleggs...."If younger, I'd have a crotch rocket too. Point is I try to enjoy all types of motorcycles and the type of people they attract. We hopefully all ride for the freedom it gives us to enjoy life as it is, not as we woud like others to conform to."

Ditto rleggs!  Well put.

Hay
Jimmyt

[Valkahuna]

+1  Pretty much sums up my situation and how I feel. What I don't understand is that everytime you guys make a big deal about some HD owner you give more credence to their claims.

Two wheels are good. 
Some people are a**holes. 
Some a**holes ride HD's, some ride Hondas, some ride other brands.
Save your energy to pick on cagers, they can (and do) kill us! 

Get over it!

Glad you said some Harey riders. I've been riding for 45 years and have ridden alot of different rides, been on Harleys for the last 10 years or so. Now I've got my 2nd Valkyrie, a 99 tourer, nice ride but no better than the 97 standard I had 3 years ago before I traded my 04 Ultra in on the 09 Ultra as my primary ride. (sold the 97) Love both the Harley and the Valk. Want a power ride, jump on the Valk. Want a layed back comfort ride, Get the Harley out. I'm very fortunate to be able to enjoy both. If younger, I'd have a crotch rocket too. Point is I try to enjoy all types of motorcycles and the type of people they attract. We hopefully all ride for the freedom it gives us to enjoy life as it is, not as we woud like others to conform to.

[Tropic traveler]

Pete you are right about the credence of what HD owners say!
I kinda feel sorry for most of them. I've ridden & worked on Harleys, I know what they are like. I doubt a lot of the snooty HD owners have ever thrown a leg over a Valk. 
What they don't know don't bug me!

[Valkahuna]

You are right Eddie. Just like I started my working career as a Chevy mechanic, and going to General Motors Training Center. That's what's made me a Ford fan, like you are.

Boy, now I've done it! Better put on my fire resistant suit!

Pete you are right about the credence of what HD owners say!
I kinda feel sorry for most of them. I've ridden & worked on Harleys, I know what they are like. I doubt a lot of the snooty HD owners have ever thrown a leg over a Valk. 
What they don't know don't bug me!

[R J]

I've had a riding buddy for several years.   We both were CHP riders and went through the HD, Kawi, Moto Guzzi and a couple of other brands in our tenure.

Neither one of us has badgered the other one till just recently on what we ride.

He took his 2011 Hardley to Rolling Thunder.

I commented before he left, I asked him if he had a Chase truck.

He told me HD was better built now, no chase truck needed.
We chuckled over that and he took off for Rolling Thunder,
I heard from him everyday on the ride out and part of the ride back.
Then blurp, no hear nothing till a few days later out of the clear he calls and asks if he can borrow my trailer.   Seems as how his HD, blew the bottom end out in PA.   About 2,200 mile round trip.   

He wanted the HD shop here do the engine trade with the factory.
He came and got the trailer, I told him to look back once in awhile cause he will forget the trailer is back there if he doesn't.   He said there is not a trailer made that he will ever forget it is not back there.

Well he got home, and kept the trailer.   Told him he could bring it home anytime as I was usually always there unless I had a Dr appt.   I still haven't gotten my trailer back.

It seems as he forgot it was there when gettin gas and busted up the front guard,  he had pulled up to the wrong side for the gas tank filler.   Slapped his truck in reverse and Boom, damage was done and he said he was almost too embarrassed to get out and fill his truck.    He is waiting for the painter to get it painted so he can replace it.   I had it painted 2005 Infiniti Silver.   Very sparkly paint up close.

He called today and said, don't your trailer set out all winter?  I said yeah, he said how about I store it this winter for ya.   Said OK by me, and if someone needs to use it, loan it out.   He said, I'll go get them so they don't firk up the front end like I did.   We both laughed and hung up.

I had ordered and received a cover for it from Bass Pro Shop.    So I guess I'll have to wait another year to see if it fits.

He told his wife, I want one of those trailers for my birthday.    Knowing Karla, there will be one setting in his driveway next April......    LOL.........

[DIGGER]

My wife met a new lady friend at work and they have a Harley and all the costume too.   My wife really wants me to meet the husband and maybe do some riding together.   I agreed.  At a company party here recently I met the couple and they seemed like a lot of fun and he and I got to talking about motorcycles.  He had a little bit of Harley Attitude but I was nice (for the wife) and endured it.  Later in the evening he and I are starting to click a little so in front of the wives I invited him and his wife to do a tour the next Sunday, out for breakfast and then a tour of the Brenham, Tx area .  He asked "How far a ride is it?"   I said "It is 230 miles but we can stop regularly so the girls can rest".  He looked at me like I was crazy and said "Geez!....230 miles!!!  Don't you think that is a little far?"    I looked at my wife and she was having to hide her face as she couldn't keep from laughing.  Trying to be nice I told them "Ok, we can just go out for breakfast and back."   Leaving that night my wife looked at me and said "That aint gonna work."     Then we both started laughing.

[solo1]

Over the years I heard a lot of "jap crap' from some Harley riders.  Recently, I talked briefly to a young guy who's storing his HD in his grandmothers's apartment garage.  He thought my Vstrom was a BMW. He smiled out of the corner of his mouth when he called it a 'foreign' bike.  He was letting me know that he didn't refer to it by Jap crap.  Of course he has straight pipes on it and the older residents (which means all residents) don't like that one bit.  When i moved in, they found out that the Strom doesn't piss them off.

Anyway, his bike was stolen but he got it back damaged. Now it's setting in the garage and hasn't moved for a month.

Over the years I have met a few Harley riders who generally ride solo and don't have that attitude.

They seem to have the attitude that "It don't matter what you ride, it's that you ride"  I'm for that.

[MNBill]

My neighbor rides Harleys. Great guy, rides everyday. Last time I talked to him he had some timing chain or bearings near the chain go out and took out the lower end of the motor, fixing them is part of the labor of love for the bike.  He complimented my Valk and my new Victory. Checks on my  wife everytime he sees me for a condition report from our accident. I think it is the people that eat all the Harley hype that are the issue not the people that actually ride. BTW my friend has beat him with his Interstate on both his Harleys, and they are modified to make more power. Now the kids down the street that do wheelies and 70 down the street on their crotch rockets are another story. It is the person not the bike.

[MCRIDER]

Ride what you like, let the other guy worry about what he rides.
[/quote]

Exactly!  You guys are just so sensitive when other riders don't warm up to you.  You just try too hard.

[FLAVALK]

I think Florida has a high percentage of HD chowderheads.     

Yes we do. I'm particularly fond of the ginormous H-D sticker logo that adorn the rear glass of some pickup trucks. Nearly covers the whole damn thing  . Of course they must include H-D mudflaps, front/rear tag bracket, as well as the front tag 

[Jack]

Attitude like that is unacceptable regardless of what you ride.  You shoulda decked him and thrown his arse into the street. 

[fudgie]

I think Florida has a high percentage of HD chowderheads.     

Yes we do. I'm particularly fond of the ginormous H-D sticker logo that adorn the rear glass of some pickup trucks. Nearly covers the whole damn thing  . Of course they must include H-D mudflaps, front/rear tag bracket, as well as the front tag 

I like the HD logos on backs of trailers. As if we didnt know.  My favorite- "If I had to explain, you wouldn't understand" on the back of a trailer.  I think he is right. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

Attitude like that is unacceptable regardless of what you ride.  You shoulda decked him and thrown his arse into the street.  

 

[Fudd]

What beautiful riding weather we're having in south Louisiana. The temps perfect, sky's clear, the girlfriend decides to spend the day doing a detailing job on my Valkyrie.  It came out gleaming and I'm so proud of it.

Time for a ride, only thing, during rush hour in Baton Rouge the traffic sucks.  Oh well, in bumper to bumper traffic, others will get to admire the shiney mechanical work of art that I'm riding.

I saw a guy ahead on a new Harley FLHCLMNOPQRST or what ever alphabet soup thing it was.  I decided to pull up beside him, maybe have someone to chit-chat with in the miles of stop and go traffic that lay ahead.

The guy interupted my ear to ear smile with the comment that he "normally doesn't ride his bike to work, because it'll overheat every time in this kind on traffic."  We rode on, at least 100' at a time, for the next mile or so.  Every stop he glanced at a pair of temp gauges on the right side of his engine.

Then I noticed, right next to his "DOT self approval" sticker on his novelity helmet, there's another sticker, "I'd rather push a Harley, than ride a Honda."

At the next intersection, we went our separate ways.  I don't know if he got his wish or not.  I know I'd hate to not ride a new bike on such a awesome day, because I had that kind of thing to worry about.

[czuch]

89% of harleys ever registered are still on the road.
The other 11% made it home.    I love that one.

I was riding the other day and gave the "cool biker wave" to a bunch of Harley guys who were obviuosly too cool to wave back. I laughed and went on. An older lady pulled up at the light and said how rude they were for not waving back. Then she said she flipped them off for me.
I darn near fell off the Valk.

[Big IV]

In Jan 2011 the Full Throttle magazine sat down with "Sonny" Barger for an interview.  Barger claims he's slowing down because he only put 68,000 miles on his bike in the last two years. Later in the interview he mentions the bike again.

Make this clear--these are my personal views; I am not a spokesman for anyone. I have always ridden American motorcycles, rode Harley for fifty years. Now ride a Victory, and have for the past two years.

Thought he was still riding a HD? Nope. He's jumped to another American Iron bike.  It happens.

[Fudd]

In Jan 2011 the Full Throttle magazine sat down with "Sonny" Barger for an interview.  Barger claims he's slowing down because he only put 68,000 miles on his bike in the last two years. Later in the interview he mentions the bike again.

Make this clear--these are my personal views; I am not a spokesman for anyone. I have always ridden American motorcycles, rode Harley for fifty years. Now ride a Victory, and have for the past two years.

Thought he was still riding a HD? Nope. He's jumped to another American Iron bike.  It happens.

Come to think about it...that don't look like no Harley to me neither.

[thumper]

I've got a good buddy Chris who I've brought to several of Smokin' Joe's rides.  Guy rides a Harley and rides it like he stole it.  

I've told him that he's "ruint" because he can never ride with Harley's again...the pace would kill him.

I judge people by who they are....not what they ride.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I've got a good buddy Chris who I've brought to several of Smokin' Joe's rides.  Guy rides a Harley and rides it like he stole it.  

I've told him that he's "ruint" because he can never ride with Harley's again...the pace would kill him.

I judge people by who they are....not what they ride.

Could not agree more Chris is a good one 

[X Ring]

I was riding the other day and gave the "cool biker wave" to a bunch of Harley guys who were obviuosly too cool to wave back. I laughed and went on. An older lady pulled up at the light and said how rude they were for not waving back. Then she said she flipped them off for me.
I darn near fell off the Valk.

 

Marty

[Big IV]

In Jan 2011 the Full Throttle magazine sat down with "Sonny" Barger for an interview.  Barger claims he's slowing down because he only put 68,000 miles on his bike in the last two years. Later in the interview he mentions the bike again.

Make this clear--these are my personal views; I am not a spokesman for anyone. I have always ridden American motorcycles, rode Harley for fifty years. Now ride a Victory, and have for the past two years.

Thought he was still riding a HD? Nope. He's jumped to another American Iron bike.  It happens.

Come to think about it...that don't look like no Harley to me neither.

He says he liked the Victory because it was American without being a clone in another interview.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

In Jan 2011 the Full Throttle magazine sat down with "Sonny" Barger for an interview.  Barger claims he's slowing down because he only put 68,000 miles on his bike in the last two years. Later in the interview he mentions the bike again.

Make this clear--these are my personal views; I am not a spokesman for anyone. I have always ridden American motorcycles, rode Harley for fifty years. Now ride a Victory, and have for the past two years.

Thought he was still riding a HD? Nope. He's jumped to another American Iron bike.  It happens.

Come to think about it...that don't look like no Harley to me neither.

He says he liked the Victory because it was American without being a clone in another interview.

 

[MAD6Gun]

 NO NO Joe. He said "clone" not "Clown"...LOL.....

[Momz]

Not all HD riders are confrontational 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Not all HD riders are confrontational  

I don't even want to know what sites you was hitting to find those pictures  


We have some good folks on this site that own a Harley as well as a Valkyrie....T-Bird / Big Al and Crazyhorse just to name ( 3 ) I'd be willing to bet these ( 3 ) can out ride 95 % of the members on this site.

[Chrome]

We have some good folks on this site that own a Harley as well as a Valkyrie....T-Bird / Big Al and Crazyhorse just to name ( 3 ) I'd be willing to bet these ( 3 ) can out ride 95 % of the members on this site.

When did this become a competition?
Adrian

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

We have some good folks on this site that own a Harley as well as a Valkyrie....T-Bird / Big Al and Crazyhorse just to name ( 3 ) I'd be willing to bet these ( 3 ) can out ride 95 % of the members on this site.

When did this become a competition?
Adrian

Just now    


It seems everyday someone is on here bad mouthing or making fun of Harley riders....Just pointing out we have members that own Harleys as well as Valkyries....I stand by my comment that I would bet they can out ride 95 % of the members on this site.