What did I say wrong?

[MAD6Gun]

Rode to work this morning. Was sunny and 50. Got to work and noticed that one of the other guys that rides didn't ride his sportster this morning. When I inquired as to why he didn't ride on a nice day like today he told my his bike broke down last night on the way home when he got stuck in trafic. I said what happened. He told me he thinks the crank sensor failed (05 Harley 1200 sportster).
 When I jokenly said "maybe you should have bought a Honda". Well that set him off. He said " I aint buying no freeking JAP CRAP". After that coment I got mad and said " well you know my 12 year old 38,000 mile Honda has never left me stranded on the road."  Then he says "what about that tire you had go flat on you". I said "how can me running over a pair of pliers and blowing out a tire be the bikes fault". He mumbled some other crap, I just walked away.
  Now before I get jumped on by some of you Harley people let me tell you his Sportster is a nice looking bike and I have told him so more than once. And you know whats funny. A few months before he got his Harley he asked me about Honda VTXs. I thought he was going to get a VTX. Got the Sportster instead. No skin off of my nose. When you buy a Harley do you have to pay extra for the attitude or is that free....

[V98]

You told the truth. He couldn't handle it. Worst part for him is he knows you told the truth  . Nuff said.

[eric in md]

i would have said worse. hd stands for high dollar . there just a waste of money . just ride on and keep cleaning his clock daily @ every light or stop sign you find ride safe .

[R J]

Mark, you bad, you picked on a poor defenseless Harley rider.

Good on ya buddy......

I work 1 day a week with a Harley rider/owner, he knows I have a trailer, and has called me 3 times so far to haul his brand spankin new bike in off the road.  He worked out a deal with the bike shop to come to his house, get the bike, fix it & bring it back anytime it fails somewhere.     Less than 8,000 miles on this full dresser.....

[Westernbiker]

You were joking around! Ya didn't say any thing wrong. The attitude I think comes after the sale and a few rides down the road and it comes in various levels.

[Ferris Leets]

It is a 2005 sportster.  So he probably has like 40,000 miles on it right?  You gotta expect things to break.

[Big IV]

people get touchy when their bikes brake down. Even folks with good senses of humor that usually would laugh along get all bent out of shape when the bike brakes down.

I punctured a tire on road kill in PA this past summer. My wife was taking pictures as I was trying to decide why I had a flat and how fixable it was going to be.


I was not amused.

Today I was joking around with a class full of folks about bikes. But none of them were broken down anywhere.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I was thinking the same thing. The timing was just off. Had you told him he should have bought a Honda AFTER he had his going again, he probably would have taken it better. I know I would have. 

[alan]

Your comment was divisive and elitist. It divides the motorcyclist community in general and displays a certain "attitude". Saturday evening we passed two couples on Harleys  and they gave us "sour" looks..........  I think we can all be bigger than that. Just my opinion and it's worth what you paid for it.

[fiddle mike]

That he referred to fine Japanese engineering as, "Jap Crap" (a Harley owner catch phrase), makes me think he's already divided and elitist. Joke him if he can't take a f#ck, I say.

[JimL]

Your comment was divisive and elitist. It divides the motorcyclist community in general and displays a certain "attitude". Saturday evening we passed two couples on Harleys  and they gave us "sour" looks..........  I think we can all be bigger than that. Just my opinion and it's worth what you paid for it.

Alan I agree with most of what you said, however I don't see the attitude changing.  In my humble opinion the "attitude" thing is something that the marketing folks at Harley Davidson will continue to push.  Granted their bikes are beautiful, however it is my opinion that the marketing folks at HD realize that it is that intangible "We are better than you" feeling that ultimately pushes many customers to part with that big wad of cash!

[ArmyValker]

Yeeeah, I hate to side with the HD guy but I think if the roles where reversed, I'd have been a little stand-offish at the timing too...
Shoot, I get physically upset when my bike or my truck is inoperable. After it was fixed woulda been fine, but I'm definetly apt to get a little uppity if you question my brand choice while the bike is down.

[Varmintmist]

Timing probably wasnt great though I am sure that there has been razzing back and forth.

However, you can always point out that your bike is a product of the USA with jap electronics, jap carbs, jap chrome..... just like a Harley.   

Just give it a day or 2 first.

[junior]

you need to pick friends with thicker skin

[fudgie]

I'd be more imbarrassed that I owned a sportster then I would be if it broke down...  ???

[Ghost]

I'd be more imbarrassed that I owned a sportster then I would be if it broke down...  ???

lol Thats funny. 

[Dogg]

sportster-entry level girly bike.
I mean, if you wear crocs and ride a sporty, you prolly had a yorkie named feefee too....


just kiddin. sportster 1200 is aqctually the fastest bike they make stock(other than the dreaded breakdown kind the screamin eagle...)  very nice bike, everyone Ive ever known hasnt had many issues. just dumb luck i guess.

Mark, you did nothing wrong at all. I woulda said the same thing at the exact same time. And if his chaffed A$$ couldnt handle it then too f***king bad.....

no defense for a shitty attitude. you guys can say what you want about timing. whatever!!!!!   my bike has been sitting for almost 6 months with no tins, I cant ride. I have nothing to ride. ALL the guys I work with ride harleys, not little ones either. Duece, deluxe, Electraglide...big twins. and guess what? I can fix them too, make them fster and give them more mpg than before. so what?? when they break down I laugh and kid, and my bike sits nekkid...unridable. and they
REALLY rip me up on that note. they have tins, they are riding. text messages and pics..."we are riding, what you doin??" knowing I m cutting grass or working on my frickin lawn mower cuz I cant ride.
I laugh it off knowing my time will come.


Mark. dont listen to that crap. you said what you said and he is just too friggin weak to admit that what you said was true, but he would never admit it in puyblic so, he cops an attitude with you. get it?? simple as that.

[Tropic traveler]

I believe that this pic sums up the reason for the attitude of your buddy the best.  


That goes for ALL the HD riders that look & talk down about other biker's rides.
The Jap Crap comment ticks me off as well. Not only does it show the ignorance of the commenter, it is also racist. Don't ever hear the term "Kraut Crap" about a Beemer or "Limey Junk" about a Triumph do you??
With all the crap we are forced to listen to about our choices of a non-HD bike, I don't think that anyone here, on a Valkyrie forum, should have to worry about upsetting any of the HD lovers present.

Just my opinion!  

And yes I know the Sportster is the lowest price HD you can get. But from what I've seen of them they're no bargain either!

[Stanley Steamer]

I thought those were just sold to the Ladies??....kinda like a $8,000-10,000  sometimes mobile, self lubricating, vibrator??........ ..... ...

[Steve K (IA)]

I thought those were just sold to the Ladies??....kinda like a $8,000-10,000  sometimes mobile, self lubricating, vibrator??........ ..... ...

Self lubricating?  The wimmin or the bike?     
Heard a radio commercial yesterday that if you buy a sportster, when you trade up to a big twin, they will credit you for what you spent on the sportster.  There was some disclaimer about the individual dealers and how they would interpret the agreement...blah, blah, blah.  Finally...a guy CAN buy an HD and turn around and get what he paid for it.

[Hoser]

That's a good line for a real friend, probly not so much for an aquaintence.   hoser

[junior]

hey hey its our fellow brother mark that has had his emotions messed up because of a thin skin harley rider, lets not turn this into a harly bashing thread................ i feel your pain mark,and i understand

[kidcatfish]

This same thing goes toward the HD riders being too good to throw a wave when you meet one one the road. We have tons of riders come through these parts of Arkansas just to ride all these twisted roads around here. Out of 100 HD riders ya see, maybe 4 will throw the wave back at ya, most will act like they do not see ya. Its the HD attitude they bought with the bike. Kinda like the extended warrenty thing you can get with tv's an such.  I still wave at them knowing that they will not return it. 

[DIGGER]

Next time he throws "JAP CRAP' at ya laugh and say "IF YOU MAKE FUN OF MY BIKE I WON'T HELP YOU PUSH YOURS."

[Madmike]

When I inquired as to why he didn't ride on a nice day like today he told my his bike broke down last night on the way home when he got stuck in trafic. I said what happened. He told me he thinks the crank sensor failed (05 Harley 1200 sportster).
 When I jokenly said "maybe you should have bought a Honda". Well that set him off. He said " I aint buying no freeking JAP CRAP". After that coment I got mad and said " well you know my 12 year old 38,000 mile Honda has never left me stranded on the road." ...................... When you buy a Harley do you have to pay extra for the attitude or is that free....

I wish I had the resources to find out where the crank sensor is manufactured, it would be real ironic if it is Asian manufacture.

He obviously purchased the "AHA" (pronounced AHHH- HAH) option when he bought the bike or they may have thrown it in ... AHA = A$$hole Harley Attitude .......

There is an often quoted statistic on some of the Goldwing boards a few years back regarding origin of parts that says that a Goldwing has more North American content than a Harley, not sure where that stands today but guess it will have changed with closure of US plant.

[Big Rig]

I wish I had the resources to find out where the crank sensor is manufactured, it would be real ironic if it is Asian manufacture.

He obviously purchased the "AHA" (pronounced AHHH- HAH) option when he bought the bike or they may have thrown it in ... AHA = A$$hole Harley Attitude .......

There is an often quoted statistic on some of the Goldwing boards a few years back regarding origin of parts that says that a Goldwing has more North American content than a Harley, not sure where that stands today but guess it will have changed with closure of US plant.
[/quote]

When I did the York PA Harley tour lat year, about 50% of the crates had "Made in Germany" printed on the them. I pointed it out to my HArley to the core guys...needless to say they were not happy...so I ask...is Germany somewhere in America??? so I know they are assembled here...so was my Valk...

ALso, the best time to kick someone is when they are down, thin skinned or not....if you can not take the heat don't buy a  harley

[MAD6Gun]

OK. I talked to Duane this morning and told him "you know I was just messsing with ya yesterday" He said "yea but I don't mess with you why did you mess with me". He's right. My bad. I owed him an apoligy. He's ok.
  Now his son in law on the other hand (he used to work here) calls my bike (the usual names) everytime I see him. The next time I see him and he starts up I am going to tell him "put up or STFU" I am tired of his crap......

[fudgie]

OK. I talked to Duane this morning and told him "you know I was just messsing with ya yesterday" He said "yea but I don't mess with you why did you mess with me". He's right. My bad. I owed him an apoligy. He's ok.
  Now his son in law on the other hand (he used to work here) calls my bike (the usual names) everytime I see him. The next time I see him and he starts up I am going to tell him "put up or STFU" I am tired of his crap......

Ah yes, but what does he have against you to start up? 

[Dogg]

mark, I could always make a run up there for ya and, well, humble them?....lol And just because Ima nice guy, I leave the NOS off so that they dont feel I have an UNFAIR advantage...

Just thought I would let you know you got Steel girder support from this valk owner/rider.


fook them...

[captsharky]

I got bad mouthed the other day when telling a friend I bought a Valk. to go with my VTX, And his answer to me was I still remember Pearl Harbor, but he is an old timer, so I let it slide. Each to there own.
Just bad timing, you'll both get ovet it.

[woefman]

I would have said  hey Pal  My Honda is more American Made then your Hardley a Motorcycle.

[woefman]

I would have said  hey Pal  My Honda is more American Made then your Hardley a Motorcycle.

I actually encourage Folks to Call it Jap Crap ....Why you say ?

1. mine wont leave me stranded with proper care.

2. I think years ago when they saying was strong, I really Believe the Japs listened.

I own a Toyota Truck since new.
I am also a ex mechanic, my friends always ripped on me for being a maint nut.
Since owned a Toyota I do less, I change plugs, fuel filters and so forth way more often then need too as well as tranny and rear end fluid.
any how they use to tease me with american cars, i did way more maint, well my truck has like 140k and i change the coolant , but still have original
Hoses and Belts , try that on an american car. I still have the original FREEON.

The Truck owes me nothing and runs perfect I've only changed Plugs, change filters , oil, fluids (a lot) and 1 battery and brakes, 1 set tires ( I got lucky with tires warranty covered the tires i put on that vibrated to hell so still only 1 set tires after new) in 140k

[Cruzen]

I’ve heard that “Jap Crap” a few times then I just point to the Vin plate on my Valk and let them know where it was made and they usually understand.  While I am pro American made, I find it ironic that the same people who attempt to degrade my “Jap Crap” get off their Harley and into their foreign made car, truck or SUV.  What’s that all about?

While Harley has made many improvements to their bikes since the AMF days, they can only expect problems from a device that is designed to shake itself apart.  ( Yes, on several video’s showing their design studios, the designers admit to designing the “good vibrations” into their bikes. They don’t disclose how they tell good vibrations from bad.)  Then the owners install loud pipes so they do not hear the parts hitting the ground.  When enough stuff is shaken loose, the bike stops running.  Shake anything like that and it’ll stop working.  Some day they’ll get rid of that single pin design and then they might start building a decent motor.  Until that time a HD owner can expect to start and continue having problems around the 40K mark.  I understand their V-Rod does not have the reliability issues that their standard designs have but then that motor was not designed by Harley so……..