And we wonder about the animosity between Harley guys and the rest of us

[highcountry]

We see the "pirate attitude" around here occasionally but generally, they wave.  I bought my Valk out of state which requires a VIN check in Colorado.  It is pretty much bogus but you have to take your vehicle to a business which does the check and usually pay them $25 to fill out a form.  I took the Valk to the local HD dealership as they are the only MC shop in town.  I printed off a form for them to fill out.  The HD service/parts guy did the check for me and even filled out a form that he had as well as mine because we were not sure which one was the most current.  I asked him what I owed and he told me that they did it as a free service.  They made a friend out of me even though I don't have a HD.

[PINSTRIPERART]

I was in nixon texas the other day on my valk. I had stopped and was talking to a bunch of harley guys. after a few minutes this huge guy rolls up on a vmax. the harley guys start ribbing him about why he wasnt riding an HD. I saw it coming. He said."Oh I have a harley at home. It is belt driven, air cooled, makes lots of noise and I mow the lawn with it every 2 weeks or so. Of course him being a really big bad ass, nobody said a word. It was hilarious.

[john]

i did the harley thing 35 years ago ... its way over rated ...
enjoyed every minute ...     
road it for eight years and sold it for twice what i paid for it ...       
 there are  good motorcycles out for a lot less money ...     
the nickle trick wows'em every time ...   

[Valkahuna]

I see the allure of riding without helmets.  I really do... I just can't bring myself to do it.  I fee l bad wearing the DOT halfie I wear instead of a full face sometimes. 

But, I'll go to war to defend YOUR right not to wear one.  Seat belt laws are crap... I wear them.  Smoking bans are crap... and I have NEVER smoked.

More freedom, LESS government.

Libertarians...

Jabba




+1.  I agree with Fudgie. If you are like that when I meet you, I would like you too.

[Jabba]

+1.  I agree with Fudgie. If you are like that when I meet you, I would like you too.

I am who I am, and I have been the same guy most of my life.  I say what I think, but I try hard NOT to force my opinions on other people.   There are a lot of people that talk a good game about Liberty, but most don't really mean it.  They want to do what THEY want to do, but want other people to stop where THEY stop.  I think Liberty goes past that.  I think it means that you have to let OTHER people do the things THEY want to do, even if you wouldn't do them. 

I have swinger friends...  I could be in that circle in 2 seconds.  In fact they invite us all the time.  I am NOT interested.  But I defend THEIR right to do it.  Same for helmets, seat belts, smoking. 

I think our government has grown too big for it's britches.  It tries to do so much more than it was designed to do, and by every measure of every kingdom in history, when empires get too big, and too socialist, they fail.  We're on the verge of that failure, and if we don't reign in the government, we're gonna be starting over real soon. 

Jabba

[Daniel Meyer]

...Plus the shop we got them at gave us DOT stickers to put on them. 

Heh...yep, that's how the law is written in Texas...the helmet must have a DOT sticker on it. Doesn't say the helmet has to be DOT certified.

Sad part is, we don't have to wear a helmet, yet we can get ticketed if the helmet we ARE wearing doesn't have a DOT sticker. 

[Jabba]

Sad part is, we don't have to wear a helmet, yet we can get ticketed if the helmet we ARE wearing doesn't have a DOT sticker. 

Seriously?  That is seriously stoopid.

Jabba

[Valkflyer]

 

...Plus the shop we got them at gave us DOT stickers to put on them.  

Heh...yep, that's how the law is written in Texas...the helmet must have a DOT sticker on it. Doesn't say the helmet has to be DOT certified.

Sad part is, we don't have to wear a helmet, yet we can get ticketed if the helmet we ARE wearing doesn't have a DOT sticker.  

Ah....."Another something to like about..............Texas"..

[RainMaker]

...Plus the shop we got them at gave us DOT stickers to put on them.  

Heh...yep, that's how the law is written in Texas...the helmet must have a DOT sticker on it. Doesn't say the helmet has to be DOT certified.

Sad part is, we don't have to wear a helmet, yet we can get ticketed if the helmet we ARE wearing doesn't have a DOT sticker.  

Ah....."Another something to like about..............Texas"..

Now that's funny!

[Rocketman]

Curiosity:
If they're non-DOT, how do they do you any good?  Just going for the visual effect and hoping the officer doesn't look closer?  Is non-DOT cheaper, more comfortable?

Well, not sure how they hold up in a crash as far as impact. We dont wear any, anyway, so crashing is not a issue. I'd explain it but its hard to understand unless you dont wear one either.  It does help you from getting pulled over tho, thats a plus.  $40 and ALOT more comfortable. Kit found it comfortable and she hates helmets but could find her wearing this if needed. I've never seen a cop check a helmet and I dont think they could, legally. Plus the shop we got them at gave us DOT stickers to put on them. 

I definitely understand not wearing one.  Was curious about wearing one that didn't keep the law off your butts.  Sounds like it does keep 'em off your butts, though.

I see the allure of riding without helmets.  I really do... I just can't bring myself to do it.  I fee l bad wearing the DOT halfie I wear instead of a full face sometimes. 

But, I'll go to war to defend YOUR right not to wear one.  Seat belt laws are crap... I wear them.  Smoking bans are crap... and I have NEVER smoked.

Definitely agree.  I have fewer than 5 miles unhelmeted riding under my belt, but still hate the helmet laws.  Only thing I hate more is the faulty logic used to back them up.  Don't get me wrong, I think the reality of helmet vs. non-helmet is enough to keep me wearing one all the time, but the statistics quoted in favor of helmet laws are either being quoted by people who don't understand how to use statistics, or worse, by people who understand statistics quite well, but also understand that enough people that they'll be talking to DON'T understand them.

Heh...yep, that's how the law is written in Texas...the helmet must have a DOT sticker on it. Doesn't say the helmet has to be DOT certified.

Sad part is, we don't have to wear a helmet, yet we can get ticketed if the helmet we ARE wearing doesn't have a DOT sticker. 

Texas did a weird dance on helmet laws that ended up with that inconsistency.  It was one of those "made sense (barely) at the time" things, that no longer makes any sense at all.
Leaves me wondering if I choose to go helmetless, does the ballcap I wear instead have to be DOT certified?

[G-Man]

Smoking bans are crap... and I have NEVER smoked.

I know it's off topic, but I love the smoking ban. I don't care what people do, but It's nice not to smell smoke while I eat.  I wear contact lenses and my eyes are much happeir as well.  All of the other bans mentioned really don't affect others, but the smoking does.

I remember my ex-wife and I pulling up in front of a pub.  She got out and went in to see if our friends were there yet.  She was only in there for 2 minutes and when she got back in the car, she stunk of cigarette smoke.  It was so bad that I had to park and get out of the car.

What I can't agree with, though, it the $6 tax on a pack of cigarettes.  THAT's bullshit!  By all citizens accepting this, it opens the door for the gov't to tax other things IT deems bad for us. 

[alph]

I have swinger friends...  I could be in that circle in 2 seconds.  In fact they invite us all the time. 

jabba, being that i'm a sick minded discusting slob, what kinda "swinger friends" are you talking about!!   

[Jabba]

Smoking bans are crap... and I have NEVER smoked.

I know it's off topic, but I love the smoking ban. I don't care what people do, but It's nice not to smell smoke while I eat.  I wear contact lenses and my eyes are much happeir as well.  All of the other bans mentioned really don't affect others, but the smoking does.

I remember my ex-wife and I pulling up in front of a pub.  She got out and went in to see if our friends were there yet.  She was only in there for 2 minutes and when she got back in the car, she stunk of cigarette smoke.  It was so bad that I had to park and get out of the car.

What I can't agree with, though, it the $6 tax on a pack of cigarettes.  THAT's bullshit!  By all citizens accepting this, it opens the door for the gov't to tax other things IT deems bad for us. 

I like the smokeless restaurants... but I abhor the gov't telling people what they can and can't do on their own property.

Nonsmokers have the option of NOT going into smoking establishments.

Jabba

[Freep]

I'm guessing y'all just need some altitude. I don't see a lot of animosity from the Harley guys here in Colorado, but then I'm on the far end of Colorado--4 Corners.

A buddy of mine came out from NJ for a vacation and rented a Road King from the local HD dealer. The salesman there told me I'd be back from the ride looking for a trade. I rode the Harley for twenty miles or so and actually like it quite a lot. Gutless and not enough cornering clearance but plenty comfortable. I'd not hesitate to take one over the road.

When we got back the salesman asked if I was ready to trade. I told him, "no, it's underpowered." He told me he had the solution right there, a Screamin' Eagle heavy 'Lectra Glide, slightly used. I asked how much? He said $30,000. I told him if I was gonna spend that I'd buy too good used Valkyries and a pickup truck. He shut up.

All that said I'd own a Harley, but I'd still want a Valk in the stable somewhere. Maybe three and a pickup.

[Tropic traveler]

All that said I'd own a Harley, but I'd still want a Valk in the stable somewhere. Maybe three and a pickup.

That being said, here's my Harley!


All made in the U.S.A. & only the Ranger is underpowered!

[Freep]

That '99 looks just like mine! Except for the leatherlyke bags and the shooter windshield and the studded interstate seat and the pipes and the hiway pegs and the. . .

[BonS]

Honestly, they're used to it already . . . just can't admit it.