Reminiscing About Days Gone By...

[BajaRon]

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.

[Snoking1127]

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!

[Bangorbob]

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!!!

[Valkrocket]

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.

[Navydad]

How does she know Harleys are the best on the road when she didn't even know what one looks like?

[RangerRick]

I learned years ago to stay away from Harley owners. Did not care for there attitude towards Japanese Bike Owners.

[Lew L]

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

[PMK]

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.

[BajaRon]

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.

[djh3]

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.

[pegasus1300]

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'.

[MonPaul]

I learned years ago to stay away from Harley owners. Did not care for there attitude towards Japanese Bike Owners.

I Guess that is one of the benefits for paying 3 times as much for half the quality and reliability

[troop]

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.

[canamjhb]

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.....

[BajaRon]

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%!

[Snoking1127]

Hear, see, speak.

[BCNewell]

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!”

[MonPaul]

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.

[BajaRon]

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.

[Snoking1127]

Reminiscing About Days Gone By...

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!"

[pegasus1300]

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.

[Raven]

Just remember when our
Hair was thicker and we were thinner.

[ARtraveler]

Reminiscing About Days Gone By...

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.

[canamjhb]

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.....

[Spyderman2018]

Curious as to why you sold your Spyder??