Another reason Harley riders get a bad rap

[VaughnCat]

A few weeks ago, we discovered another Spyderlover with a RT just like ours living not far away. :2excited: With the weather forecast threatening that the rain is on it's way, we've been getting in as much ryding as we can.

Last weekend, we rode to a Bigfoot get together a couple hours a way and had a fun time getting to know our new friends.

This past Saturday, we rode the backroads through Bigfoot country down in Happy Camp, Calif, and through Ft Jones, Etna, Callahan and back home via I-5. Sunday, again we traveled through some of the most beautiful backroads, enjoying the breathtaking colors of Autumn.

As we were on our last leg of the ryde, half an hour from home, on a long straight stretch coming back through Sams Valley, a Harley rider traveling our direction decided to pass us and play chicken with an on-coming SUV. He split the lane going so fast none of us saw him coming until he :yikes::cus: :cus::yikes: :cus: :cus::yikes: :cus: :cus:

Less than a block later, he turn left heading to the bikers bar. :cus: :cus: :cus: :cus: :cus:

And yes, I did flip him off when we went past . . . pps:

Last night I woke up thinking about that :b2b: biker, wondering what could be so :cus: :cus: :cus: important that he'd put everybody's lives on the line? He had just risked his life, my life, my husband's life, our fellow Spyderlovers on the Spyder behind us, the occupants of the SUV and everyone else traveling on that stretch of road at the time.:gaah:

Is his life so sucky that he doesn't even care or give it a thought? or is it all about ego? all about the thrill?

And I know, it's not just Harley riders . . . the name on the machine really doesn't matter.

To quote my hubby "motorcycles weed out the idiots"
It's true enough. . . unfortunately, too often, they take others when them when they go up in flames.
:chill::bdh:
Okay, I'll step away from the soapbox .... for now.

Cat :banghead:

 

[Yazz]

Saw that before but it was crotch rockets.

Hubby and I were riding with a pack of about 10-12 riders down a beautiful country road. Out of nowhere, this lime green blur went streaking past us on the yellow line. Yes, there was oncoming traffic. Not a good feeling.

The tailgunner saw more rockets coming and radioed the lead man. Lead man gave a signal and everyone in the pack went from staggered formation to single file along the edge of the road. (Kinda hard with a Spyder, but got over as much as I could.) Five seconds later, about seven of those kamikazes went speeding by. Glad the pack was disciplined enough to let those crazies safely pass.

There are old bikers and bold bikers. No such thing as an old bold biker.

 

[Smylinacha]

Yup, most of them are the crotch rockets where we live.

One thing I don't get, nobody really gets a bad rap unless you ride a Harley. Why is that? All the people I know who ride Harleys I get along with just fine and I do not ride a Harley (anymore unless I'm passenger with HDX).

I like all bikes, I've seen riders on all kind of bikes act like idiots. It's not the bike they ride, it's the person who is a jerkoff. I don't ride with them or near them. Hell, I work with enough of them from 8 - 5 so I don't exactly want to be around any on my time off!

Just gotta accept - many people are jerkoffs. If flipping the bird at them makes you feel better that's great. I know, I do the same thing.

 

[VaughnCat]

That's a question that's rolled around in my (empty) head the past couple of days. And I guess it's because we have a large Harley presence in this area. Over the years (especially the past 2 or 3) many of our bike shops have downsized or gone under. Harley has always been, and now is by far, the largest bike dealership in our area.

Then we have all the 'professional' baby boomers retiring and moving in 'sto this area, bringing their Harley's with them; and then there's the bad-ass biker clubs who have been active in the area for a long time . . . .

But like you, I don't lump 'em all in the same bucket. I know a couple great fellas who ride Harleys. People are individuals.

It's just that many of the bikes that don't wave are Harleys . . . . and the rest are the full dressers, sport bikes, crotch rockets, etc.

I think a friend of ours who's had 5 or 6 Harleys through the years, summed it up pretty well as he pointed at the half lid he used to wear . . . yeah, I read the manual; had to look the part.

Ryde safe . . . the life you save might be your own.

Cat :doorag:

 

[Bob Denman]

The bike doesn't make an idiot into an idiot; it just gives him a louder way to announce his arrival and tendancies...
I've known a lot of guys who bought into the whole Harley thing... bad attitude and all. At the same time I've got lots of friends who ride Hawgs and are the nicest folks you'd ever want to invite into your home for an evening of fellowship. It seems to me (and my pea-brain!), that if a biker lives through the initial thrill of the bike mystique, they stand a good chance of becoming a decent sort again.

The issue of biker waving to other bikers: has anybody noticed that any certain brand or style of bike not waving back as often as the others?

 

[retread]

The issue of biker waving to other bikers: has anybody noticed that any certain brand or style of bike not waving back as often as the others?

Actually, I think it's more a certain type of people that don't wave back.:doorag:

john

 

[Yazz]

Actually, I think it's more a certain type of people that don't wave back.:doorag:

:agree: I wave to most everybody. Even bicyclists if they aren't being a jerk. When I rode a Harley, only Harley riders would wave back. On Spydee, all types of bike riders wave back.

p.s. Catch me in the wrong mood and I won't wave to anyone.

 

[boborgera]

I wave to just about everyone, even kids on Mopeds. And if they don't wave back; ''WHO CARES'' When I'm riding my Ego stays at home.nojoke
Also if i see a biker on the side of the road i also stop and ask if they need any help., That's better then Two waves.

 

[retread]

:agree::agree::agree:

john

 

[NewRider]

The issue of biker waving to other bikers: has anybody noticed that any certain brand or style of bike not waving back as often as the others?[/QUOTE]

Where I ride...around Carroll, Tippecanoe and Howard Counties, Indiana, the non-wavers are usually teeny-boppers on their crotch rockets, and Harley riders...:dontknow:

 

[VaughnCat]

The issue of biker waving to other bikers: has anybody noticed that any certain brand or style of bike not waving back as often as the others?

I have noticed that Spyderlovers ALWAYS wave!
That's cos they ARE the coolest people around :yes::firstplace::yes:

 

[Smylinacha]

Sometimes we don't wave. There's so much waving going on HDX and I just get tired of it and want to ride.

I grew up riding on the back w/ my dad. He used to buy old hondas and fixed them up. He made them run but wasn't very good w/ stuff like putting on passenger pegs, a back rest and he never yelled at me for jumping on the back barefoot and in shorts to go for a ride around the block a few times after he had a few scotches. Good old days but I am very glad he never crashed. My mom was on a Honda Express and she went down in sand. So at age 13 I had to ride that thing back to the house while Dad put her on the back with him on his bike, got her home and then drove her to the hospital. So that's how it all started - me on that thing at age 13. As soon as I'd get out of school and they were both at work, I'd take the honda out and ride around. I was escorted home by the police a few times. Back then nobody made a big deal, just got me home, lectured me for being too young to be out riding it and I'd be back on it the next day riding aroudn in the neighborhood thinking I was so cool LOL. But that is how it started with me. I was then a passenger until I met HDX and then got my license. I still ride with him as passenger as well as ride my Spyder. I like the best of both worlds.

I have owned different bikes and my first "big girl" bike was a Sportster. WRONG move for someone my size wanting a big girl bike. Went back to a Honda which I wish I never got rid of. Deluxe was a good bike but with my neck problems and nerves trying to keep the thing balanced in slow speed manuvers, I went to the Spyder - doesn't bother my neck or back and my nerves aren't shot anymore.

I've been around old bikers, bikers who are in clubs, women bikers, crotch rocket riders (I envy the crotch rockets for how fast they go). If I could ride a Ducati, I would have one now.

All are very nice but what makes me laugh and I'm not directing this at Harley Davidsons but the new yuppy types that get a Harley and want to act bad a$$ed. Several things with that - The bad a$$ thing is what gives alot of Harley riders a bad rep - most seasoned riders are not like that. Also they crack me up cuz they have all the HD garb on and it's like perfectly new, not a hair out of place, even creases in the chaps LOL!

So maybe that is why some of the HDs get a bad rap.:dontknow:

Also I've noticed in here on Spyderlovers, there are quite a few who don't talk too nicely about people who have HD's. I see "Hardly" Davidson and a few other names about Harleys in here - there are some active threads going on right now. I've seen a few arguments in SL, I've been in a few of them, I've been disciplined for it in here but some folks still get to keep up with the name calling.

 

[Dudley]

We have been greeted by more HD riders than GoldWingers. GW riders seem to have an attitude about anyone NOT on a GW. Kinda lets you know who really is a motorcycle rider...one who loves the wind, the smell of nature, and rides for the LOVE of riding. On our trip last summer, we had ONE GW rider talk to us. We had COUNTLESS HD riders asking questions about the Spyder. Many were getting concerned about the weight handling of their HD and were looking for another vehicle that would allow them to continue their love of riding.
Jennifer and I don't really care what one rides. Its riding that matters! Jennifer waves at every rider she sees.

 

[Eraser]

When I was riding my Busa I used to get "baited" by :cus: on their HDs(they wanted to see it honk),certainly not many.And those that were a pain would be:cus: no matter what they were riding.
I ride with folks on HDs from time to time,all good.:thumbup:

 

[oldbaldguy]

It may be related to your area. In upstate South Carolina, the great majority of bikes are Harleys. However, the great majority of really crazy riding I've seen has been from the crotch rockets. Just last week.....

I was a Harley owner until two weeks ago when I traded a Heritage Softail for a Spyder RT. I loved the Harley and have had a ball on the Spyder so far. most people wave to both. if not, oh well.

 

[Firefly]

I've found most bikers will wave back-- but if they don't there's a 95% chance they are on an HD or an HD-compatible. Custom chopper guys don't wave either. I figure maybe they have to hold on with both hands due to all the vibrations or they'll crash....:roflblack:.

Most HD guys I've met and rode with have been fine, but I've had a few not enjoy riding along with the Spyder because they no longer get much attention.

Out in Sturgis, HD is obviously the most popular brand, and I had plenty of friendly compliments and people treated me fine--- very courteous for the most part--- of course many places had "no colors" signs up to keep 'the' element out.

HD riders have had a bad rep leftover from the gang days of years ago... and all MC gangs ride HD's or HD compatibles---and there still are gangs out and about. Part of it I think also has to deal with the gear worn--- if you dress and look like you're in a gang-- to be surprised to be treated like you're in one...... the average person can't tell the difference between a real gang member and a wannabe.

I wave as much as possible, but certain areas people just don't seem to wave back--- so I'll wait for them to wave first.

Pertaining to the original posters problem--- I've never been passed by someone on an HD--- they just don't typically ride that fast--- only bikes that I've had pass and/or do something stupid are rocket bikes.....

 

[budro]

We have been greeted by more HD riders than GoldWingers. GW riders seem to have an attitude about anyone NOT on a GW. Kinda lets you know who really is a motorcycle rider...one who loves the wind, the smell of nature, and rides for the LOVE of riding. On our trip last summer, we had ONE GW rider talk to us. We had COUNTLESS HD riders asking questions about the Spyder. Many were getting concerned about the weight handling of their HD and were looking for another vehicle that would allow them to continue their love of riding.
Jennifer and I don't really care what one rides. Its riding that matters! Jennifer waves at every rider she sees.

DITTO

 

[PCBeachBum]

I used to give that gesture when younger and older Veteran said to me, one day you will get the real meaning of giving that gesture. I didn't know what he was talking about, til I got close to 50 years old and Man??? Do I know what that old Vet was telling me than.

Now? I get it sometimes and I'll tell that person what that old Vet told me, that one day you will get the real meaning of that gesture.

Now instead I think of the Jimmy Buffet Song, the one he wrote after being cutoff on the highway.

 

[grumpybob]

I have ridden Hondas, Yamahas, and One HD. It is not the bike, it is the person riding it. Heck I have had people in cars/trucks wave no matter what I was on. Never flip them off for not waving. I find sometimes I can't wave because I'm shifting, cornering hard, etc.. Try to judge a person on their own merit when face to face.

 

[Sny]

Just wanted to say, ya can't judge them if they don't wave. Sometimes it's just not a convenient or safe moment to respond.