Knee deep in Harley testosterone Sat...

[Tx Bohemian]

Went on a poker run for the 10 yr celebration of the "new" HD shop owners this past Saturday and BOY, was there a lot of Harley testosterone!!!
Not just the bikes but the do-rags, gloves, boots, vests, etc... all had Harley, Harley Davidson, or HD on it.

Gotta give the HD corp credit on their marketing strategy for being able to sell this high priced stuff, and sooooo much of it, to these peoplel!!

We started out with 6 bikes in our group on the run, picked up a few more and ended up with about 12. 
About the 4th stop I figured there was something amiss when at every stop nothing but HDs. And the riders all decked out in HD garb!

Usually on these runs there are all kind of bikes there.  Not so much on this one. Not only was mine the only Honda, it was the only NON-HD bike!!

Although nothing was said about my "rice burner" (except by a couple friends in joking about me being the only non-HD rider) I dont think I'll be attending this type of ride again. I just can't get a grip on all this. Most of these people are office/blue collar workers during the week but come the w/e they're Hells Angels wannabees!

But as I always say "To each his/her own"

If this is what it takes to make them feel big, as long as it's no money out of my pockets, more power to them!

[BF]

I love Harleys.  But there's three main reasons why I didn't buy one when last looking for a bike.  

1.  I couldn't afford one......they're waaaaay too expensive for my wallet.  Even most used ones that I looked at were way too much for me.  

2.  They're all too small for me.  I felt cramped on everyone I tried.  

3.  I just couldn't talk myself into buying all of the Harley "lifestyle" garb that seems to be the prerequisite to owning a Harley these days.  

[SANDMAN5]

Sounds like what most of us call "harley owners"...as opposed to harley "riders".
But there's some of that on every motersickle. I enjoy being the only non-vtwin
on our rides. I promise to go slow so they can keep up as long as they stop at
the gas station when I need to.

[BigAl]

Harley Riders don't even fit in at some Harley Rallys.

I sometimes make them nervous being loud and boisterous, and drinking you can forget it.

Harley is a ok ride, its not good or bad whether you ride one or not.

Enjoy the ride,

if its on a Harley or a Honda you are still in the wind.

All that matters to me.

[fon1961]

 

[Jess Tolbirt]

The Valkyrie is probably the ONLY bike that the Harley Guys will respect,, i never had a problem with mine at any harley rally,,why? because its not a harley look alike,, dont sound like a harley and believe it or not most harley riders do know that the Valks were made in the USA,,

[olddog1946]

Was in a returning hero benefit yesterday with 41 other bikers, and the ONLY Valkyrie , though there were many HD's and other V twinkies. I got a ton of questions and a lot of admirers of that ole fat gal. Always cool to be the only one, hehe.

[cookiedough]

If the HD riders want to spend 2-3 times what I spent, let them spend their money the way they feel makes them happy.  I won't be one of them though doing it since I think it is money foolishly spent.  Would I like a newer 1832cc goldwing, you bet, but do I think spending 11-14K is worth spending on any cycle, no way.  8K on my Valkyrie I/S was pushing my comfort level. 

I don't fit into the 99.9% of the other bikes in my area being HD's nor do I care to fit it.  What a loner I am - oh well. 

[Valkahuna]

If the HD riders want to spend 2-3 times what I spent, let them spend their money the way they feel makes them happy.  I won't be one of them though doing it since I think it is money foolishly spent.  Would I like a newer 1832cc goldwing, you bet, but do I think spending 11-14K is worth spending on any cycle, no way.  8K on my Valkyrie I/S was pushing my comfort level. 

I don't fit into the 99.9% of the other bikes in my area being HD's nor do I care to fit it.  What a loner I am - oh well. 

Unfortunately, $11K-14K won't even buy you much today. Try pricing a new Wing, BMW, or HD and you'll die of sticker shock! 

[old2soon]

If the HD riders want to spend 2-3 times what I spent, let them spend their money the way they feel makes them happy.  I won't be one of them though doing it since I think it is money foolishly spent.  Would I like a newer 1832cc goldwing, you bet, but do I think spending 11-14K is worth spending on any cycle, no way.  8K on my Valkyrie I/S was pushing my comfort level. 

I don't fit into the 99.9% of the other bikes in my area being HD's nor do I care to fit it.  What a loner I am - oh well. 

Unfortunately, $11K-14K won't even buy you much today. Try pricing a new Wing, BMW, or HD and you'll die of sticker shock! 

  Just looked in at my local Honda M C dlr yesterday and damn near choked. 2012 Honda Goldwing-you aint gonna get much change back from $27000.00 list. RIDE SAFE.

[Hook#3287]

Most HD owners know "Squat" about their bike.  Most can't or wouldn't do a oil & filter change.  Anytime one of them says something about my "Rice Burner" I state "As far as I knew, we didn't loose Ohio in WW2"  Then I ask where it's stamped "Made in USA" on their engine.

Luckly, it dosen't come up much anymore.  It's seems, more and more, all people, bikers or not, are coming over to check out the big chromed flat six.

Sometimes it's hard to be humble and I have to say something like "She's 13 years old" or "She got 115K, she's been good to me"

The HD buddies I ride with have tons of respect for my ladies.  They know what happens when I crack the throttle.  They don't even try to keep up anymore

Harley makes some beautiful motorcycles and if left stock, most will run for a very long time.

I just could never see the value in what they want for them.

[Jess Tolbirt]

I wanted to get a gold wing but looking at 30K was WAY out of my league so i bought a new Harley Electra Glide, 17,200 out the door, got 5200 trade in on my Valk..financed 12,000,, thats only 4 grand more than a Valk IS and this one is new..thats my outlook,,

[steve 3054]

I think all poker runs are for a good causes...I quit doing them years ago when every stop was at a bar...  +1, on riding, whatever you ride, just ride...

[shooter64]

I wouldn't mine having a Harley nightrod or v-rod. I would just hate to have to dress like a pirate when I ride it.

[alph]

I think all poker runs are for a good causes...I quit doing them years ago when every stop was at a bar...  +1, on riding, whatever you ride, just ride...

+   I agree whole heartily.  there's something about making 10 stops and feeling obligated to have at least one drink at each stop, even if it's a coke or something, you spend more time sitting in a smoke filled stink hole than riding.  (sorry, i don't smoke either.....)

there's a local cycle club doing a poker run, they're starting at a bar, riding to a small town ten miles away from that bar, then another ten miles to another bar, then back home, a round trip of about 40 miles!!  oh, it's a harley club......  to me, an "all day" ride should get you at least 500 miles or so.

I wouldn't mine having a Harley nightrod or v-rod. I would just hate to have to dress like a pirate when I ride it.

A PIRATE!!!  now that's funny!!!   RRRRRRR

i wear a black helmet, black gloves and a black jacket when i ride, not because i want to look "cool" but because i like the color.  if i could find a red/black jacket that didn't cost $200 or more, and i liked it, i'd wear that.  but yeah, a lot of those guys just wear the crappiest old jackets they could.  there have been many times i'll just grab a jacket then ride, and it'll be a green thing, or my blue work jacket.  sorry, i'm not into fashion.....

here's a funny sight, i had a job interview several years ago, i wore a suit and tie, riding my cycle to the interview.  i thought the bike looked classy enough to have a rider in a suit, and it felt fine too.

[solo1]

You know, that's what neat about riding.  We can be individuals and don't have to fit into any  preconceived image. 

From what I see, Harley Davidson has an image that many buy into.  Riders of Gold Wings, if they join the GWRRA, also seem to have a particular image.   I'm not saying whether that is good or bad.

Valkyrie riders fit into my 'image'.  I've yet to see uniformity in what Valkyrie riders wear.  There definitely isn't uniformity in the Valks. Since 2003, time and owners have made Valkyries stand out from the rest of the bikes and even from each other. and to me, that's good.

As for me, I miss my Valk.  It wasn't much different than 'as issued' but it was still one of a kind.  I tend to be one of a kind too. Yellow helmet, yellow jacket, a solo rider, now a Vstrom rider, and old.  I don't particularly like uniformity.   What I do like is the acceptance that I get in the VRCC, even tho I don't ride a Valk any more.

Variety is the spice of life.  The VRCC has it in spades. 

[cookiedough]

If the HD riders want to spend 2-3 times what I spent, let them spend their money the way they feel makes them happy.  I won't be one of them though doing it since I think it is money foolishly spent.  Would I like a newer 1832cc goldwing, you bet, but do I think spending 11-14K is worth spending on any cycle, no way.  8K on my Valkyrie I/S was pushing my comfort level. 

I don't fit into the 99.9% of the other bikes in my area being HD's nor do I care to fit it.  What a loner I am - oh well. 

Unfortunately, $11K-14K won't even buy you much today. Try pricing a new Wing, BMW, or HD and you'll die of sticker shock! 

I'd never buy a new cycle of any kind never, not worth it.  The depreciation off the lot is even worse than driving a new car off the lot.  Way too many good used low mileage cycles for sale at decent prices to justify every buying a new cycle of any kind. 

[MAD6Gun]

  This morning I went to have some medical testing done. Its a nice day so I rode the valk.  I was waiting in the hallway for the office to open when this dude comes down the hall to wait as well. Big guy,orange shirt ponytail and tatooed all over. I had no doubt he was a rider but when I saw the Harley tat I was sure. So I tried to strike up a conversation. I asked him if he rode. He said "yea a 2000 Electra glide." I than told him that was my Blue and silver Honda out in the parking lot. He didn't say another word. Oh well. I could care less.........

[Michael K (Az.)]

Pirates, perfect!!

Arrr!  It's the pirates life far meee!! (heh heh)

[Jess Tolbirt]

do you know why pirates are so secretive?
they just ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!

[Gryphon Rider]

Oy!  I came back to read the new posts on this thread for this?    

[Michael K (Az.)]

No need to thank us. It's just yet another service performed gratis by the exemplary members of the VRCC.

[Serk]

I guess it makes sense... if you like dressing up in a pirate costume and riding a motorcycle, it's only logical you'd end up riding a....... Haaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrley.....

[czuch]

I like it when they dont wave back. I figure the accountant is too afraid to let go of the handle bars.
A friend of mine just bought a big something-glide. He hit the 401K and told me the other day it was 45K after the tax hit he hadnt calculated on. ALSO, he's gonna learn how to change his own oil.
I told him I was proud of him for that.
He's always commenting how we get on the freeway and I'm just ,,,,,,,,gone,,,,,,,,,,,,