Years ago, in our Suzuki M109R days, Lamont & I were coming back from Daytona Bike week (Florida to East Tennessee). He was pulling his 152 mph trailer and I, on my silver version of the M109R, pulled into the night's hotel parking lot. As we began to gather our gear, 2 ladies, probably in their 50's, stopped to look at our bikes.
One said, 'Hello Boys! Nice rides! Are those Harleys?'.
I think Lamont was offended. Not sure. But he just looked at them, so I said, 'No, these are Suzuki M109R's'.
The one that asked then said, 'Oh! You boys need to get rid of those and buy yourselves some Harley's. Those are the only real bikes on the road.' As she spun on her heel, dismissed us and our rides with a wave of her hand, and walked away. The other lady just smiled, shrugged, and followed her friend to the hotel lobby without ever saying a word.
Lamont and I looked at each other in amazement. One of those moments that I'll never forget.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 05-25-2024 at 07:48 PM.
Well, to most people it does not matter what side by side you own, most people call them RZR's. Oh, how do you like your razor??? It's a Kawasaki KRX thank you!
Last edited by Snoking1127; 05-25-2024 at 05:55 PM.
2018 RT Ltd - Asphalt Metallic - East Valley of Phoenix
2018 RT Ltd Chrome - Champagne Metallic - Lake Stevens, Wa
(Champagne/Hooker) Magic Mirrors, 360 LED head lights, BajaRon sway bar, H&R springs and shock adjusters, dash cam, foam grips, third brake light 4 LED strobe for 7 seconds and then on steady, rear LED turn signals/8 ohm 50W resistors, sequential turn signals on front fenders, Vredestein and PPA Orb wheels on front and General out back, and driver backrest.
Things that move between machines: Ikea sheep skins, Zumo XT GPS, and extra tools. Hooker is going to be my summer trike up North; and Hookie my winter trike down South.
(Asphalt/Hookie) Elka shocks on front - BajaRon sway bar, OEM driver's backrest, LED headlights, dual USB with voltmeter, dash cam, foam grips - Magic Mirrors - front tires Vredestein Quatrac SL on PPA ORB Chrome wheels.
Went to Bike night a few years where I live. 99% harleys. A couple of people walked up and stated they had never seen a two tone green harley like mine. Of course, Mr smarty pants said, You never will and by the way this is a debadged Yamaha venture. Loved the look on their faces. Priceless!!!
2005 Roadtrek Chevy 210P
2020 RT Limited-Chalk White SE6
I'll say this. No one AND I mean no one ever mistook a Valkyrie for a Harley. Even the most devote Harley guys respected those beasts. Spent the best 20 years of my riding life on one. I do enjoy my Spyder, but nothing thrilled me more than that 6 shooter.
I'll say this. No one AND I mean no one ever mistook a Valkyrie for a Harley. Even the most devote Harley guys respected those beasts. Spent the best 20 years of my riding life on one. I do enjoy my Spyder, but nothing thrilled me more than that 6 shooter.
I had a black Tourer. Took off that huge windshield and mounted a bullet fairing. The Valk is a great motorcycle..........
Lew L
Kaos----- Gone but not forgotten.
2014 RTS in Circuit Yellow, farkle-ing addiction down to once every few months. ECU FLASH IS GREAT.
When I reminisce about times gone by, being a kid racing motocross in the 70s was the best. Absolutely the best sport ever in my opinion.
I never raced. But I rode in the southern California desert with guys who did. I agree. One of the best times of my life. 125 Sacks/Penton, 350 Honda, modified 441 BSA, 250 Can-Am and 390 Husqvarna Auto.
Many times I'd be somewhere on my Victory. Say getting gas, and someone would say something like nice Harley. My response was usually, nope it the OTHER American motorcycle.
Well, to most people it does not matter what side by side you own, most people call them RZR's. Oh, how do you like your razor??? It's a Kawasaki KRX thank you!
Back in the day when all snowmobiles were Skidoos, "Let's go skidooing" regardless of what brand you rode. Can Am was very successful in the 60's in getting people to replace 'snowmobile' with 'Skidoo'.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 05-27-2024 at 06:21 PM.
Happy TRAils/NSD
Paul
2012 RT L
AMA 25 years Life Member
TRA
PGR
Rhino Riders Plate #83
Venturers #78
TOI
Took my first ride out to Sturgis in 2002. Rode my 2000 Kawasaki 1500 Classic FI with many changes. Can't even count how many times I was asked "What model is that?" Yeah ... From H-D owners !! A few years later I rode out on my 1600 Mean Streak. Similar experience.
2022 RT Sea To Sky
--------------------------------
To the uneducated, all road bikes are Harleys, all side by sides are Razors, all snowmobiles are Skidoos, and all RIB inflatable boats are Zodiacs. I was in a car show a couple months ago with my little mustang, hood up and everything dusted off. Sitting in my lawn chair sipping on a cold beverage. Some guy walks up and stares at my bone stock little 6 cylinder and says to me "nothing stock about that motor". I just smiled and nodded at the guy. I guess sometimes there isn't enough time (or patience) to educate some people. I just watched him walk on down the line in his self-imposed fog.....
2005 Windveil Blue Premium Mustang Convertible
2008 Honda GL1800/California Sidecar Trike, SOLD
2014 Platinum Silver Satin Spyder RTL, SOLD
Semper Fi
To the uneducated, all road bikes are Harleys, all side by sides are Razors, all snowmobiles are Skidoos, and all RIB inflatable boats are Zodiacs. I was in a car show a couple months ago with my little mustang, hood up and everything dusted off. Sitting in my lawn chair sipping on a cold beverage. Some guy walks up and stares at my bone stock little 6 cylinder and says to me "nothing stock about that motor". I just smiled and nodded at the guy. I guess sometimes there isn't enough time (or patience) to educate some people. I just watched him walk on down the line in his self-imposed fog.....
"Sad" takes on many forms. I think you handled this one just right. Even after all these years I've not learned what you already know. I still attempt to set the record straight. My success rate is low... Yours, on the other hand, is 100%!
2018 RT Ltd - Asphalt Metallic - East Valley of Phoenix
2018 RT Ltd Chrome - Champagne Metallic - Lake Stevens, Wa
(Champagne/Hooker) Magic Mirrors, 360 LED head lights, BajaRon sway bar, H&R springs and shock adjusters, dash cam, foam grips, third brake light 4 LED strobe for 7 seconds and then on steady, rear LED turn signals/8 ohm 50W resistors, sequential turn signals on front fenders, Vredestein and PPA Orb wheels on front and General out back, and driver backrest.
Things that move between machines: Ikea sheep skins, Zumo XT GPS, and extra tools. Hooker is going to be my summer trike up North; and Hookie my winter trike down South.
(Asphalt/Hookie) Elka shocks on front - BajaRon sway bar, OEM driver's backrest, LED headlights, dual USB with voltmeter, dash cam, foam grips - Magic Mirrors - front tires Vredestein Quatrac SL on PPA ORB Chrome wheels.
To the uneducated, all road bikes are Harleys, all side by sides are Razors, all snowmobiles are Skidoos, and all RIB inflatable boats are Zodiacs. I was in a car show a couple months ago with my little mustang, hood up and everything dusted off. Sitting in my lawn chair sipping on a cold beverage. Some guy walks up and stares at my bone stock little 6 cylinder and says to me "nothing stock about that motor". I just smiled and nodded at the guy. I guess sometimes there isn't enough time (or patience) to educate some people. I just watched him walk on down the line in his self-imposed fog.....
Back in the ‘90’s, I had a ‘71 Challenger (factory Plum Crazy purple) with a transplanted 426Hemi in it. Several times at fuel stations, I was greeted with, “Nice Camaro!” Learned to just let it go. But at the drag strip one afternoon, had a guy come up and say, “I need some valve covers like that for my big block Chevy.” Couldn’t help my self … I replied, “I’ll give ‘em to ya, if you’ll show me how you’re gonna make your spark plugs fit in those holes!”
I'll say this. No one AND I mean no one ever mistook a Valkyrie for a Harley. Even the most devote Harley guys respected those beasts. Spent the best 20 years of my riding life on one. I do enjoy my Spyder, but nothing thrilled me more than that 6 shooter.
Same here! Back surgery forced me to get rid of my Valk; the bike (and me) were just too much. It was a sad day but luckily the Spyder got me back in the wind.
Back in the ‘90’s, I had a ‘71 Challenger (factory Plum Crazy purple) with a transplanted 426Hemi in it. Several times at fuel stations, I was greeted with, “Nice Camaro!” Learned to just let it go. But at the drag strip one afternoon, had a guy come up and say, “I need some valve covers like that for my big block Chevy.” Couldn’t help my self … I replied, “I’ll give ‘em to ya, if you’ll show me how you’re gonna make your spark plugs fit in those holes!”
So, maybe he'd never heard of a Hemi. But then he shouldn't be wandering around at a speedway... Or at least keep quiet about it.
Back in the early 1980's I traded a flat fender jeep with 283 chevy for a red 1978 KZ 650SR with a Vetter fairing. It was a nice smaller good handling bike. My movie star wife dressed in white!!! I think she had a snowmobile suit for an outer layer that day. Guy in leather jacket had a get out of jail free card, via his Lt in the sheriff department badge. We changed a rear wheel bearing on his wing on the other side of the state in a NAPA parking lot on a ride one time. I ride the Spyder in Az with a retired cop friend that is still allowed to carry a badge. "You guys be careful now!"
Last edited by Snoking1127; 05-29-2024 at 09:31 AM.
2018 RT Ltd - Asphalt Metallic - East Valley of Phoenix
2018 RT Ltd Chrome - Champagne Metallic - Lake Stevens, Wa
(Champagne/Hooker) Magic Mirrors, 360 LED head lights, BajaRon sway bar, H&R springs and shock adjusters, dash cam, foam grips, third brake light 4 LED strobe for 7 seconds and then on steady, rear LED turn signals/8 ohm 50W resistors, sequential turn signals on front fenders, Vredestein and PPA Orb wheels on front and General out back, and driver backrest.
Things that move between machines: Ikea sheep skins, Zumo XT GPS, and extra tools. Hooker is going to be my summer trike up North; and Hookie my winter trike down South.
(Asphalt/Hookie) Elka shocks on front - BajaRon sway bar, OEM driver's backrest, LED headlights, dual USB with voltmeter, dash cam, foam grips - Magic Mirrors - front tires Vredestein Quatrac SL on PPA ORB Chrome wheels.
I remember fixing a flat tire on my R75/5 just north of LaPlace on the side of US 61. Not much of an apron and a canal/swamp next to that. Had a Cotton Mouth watching me from the water the whole time. That's the only time I ever saw one.
Happy TRAils/NSD
Paul
2012 RT L
AMA 25 years Life Member
TRA
PGR
Rhino Riders Plate #83
Venturers #78
TOI
Back in the early 1980's I traded a flat fender jeep with 283 chevy for a red 1978 KZ 650SR with a Vetter fairing. It was a nice smaller good handling bike. My movie star wife dressed in white!!! I think she had a snowmobile suit for an outer layer that day. Guy in leather jacket had a get out of jail free card, via his Lt in the sheriff department badge. We changed a rear wheel bearing on his wing on the other side of the state in a NAPA parking lot on a ride one time. I ride the Spyder in Az with a retired cop friend that is still allowed to carry a badge. "You guys be careful now!"
on the KZ650. Had a mid 70's version all Vettered out. Bags and Fairing & LTD seat. A real looker and quite a nice tourer.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Many years (and motorcycles) ago, my first touring bike was a 1984 Goldwing GL1200. Touring on that bike was great. I had a Diamond Custom Seat, AM/FM radio, and a radar detector. The bike was smooth as glass and loved 80 MPH! I could easily ride tank to tank non-stop and never get monkey butt. Probably has more to do with my age at the time. Now, motorcycles are in my rear view. Lots of good memories and great friends.....
2005 Windveil Blue Premium Mustang Convertible
2008 Honda GL1800/California Sidecar Trike, SOLD
2014 Platinum Silver Satin Spyder RTL, SOLD
Semper Fi