Real Bike?

[greendean]

Great comeback This weekend I was on the ferry heading across the Puget Sound and two guys on their Harleys
were upset that they put my Spyde front and center on the ferry. First off every time. They offered to race. I just
said why I would not want you to feel bad should an old guy and his wife on his tricycle should fly by you. When we got
off the ferry I only saw them in my mirror's. That really was not for long. I want one of those Briggs Tricycles:thumbup:

 

[bullant12]

On a charity ride this weekend. So, this big bike guy is eyeing me and the Spyder. Finally walks up and says "when you gonna get a real bike?" I said, "I had a bicycle put couldn't ride it anymore so I got this. Do you have a real bike?" His jaw tightens, he mumbles something unintelligible and walks away while two of his buddies are standing there snickering.

Good comeback, Bruiser!

I might get a little upset on these types of comments, so I would come with a comment like your's, or walk away to avoid escalating the issue (meaning that I don't have a good comeback at the moment :banghead. To make them think a little (most of the time a lot since they need gray matter in the first place), I usually like to mention these jerks to tell the "get a real bike" or "training bike" comment to a disabled veteran or civilian who thanks to this engineering, they are able to ride like you and me.:doorag:

 

[StanProff]

On a charity ride this weekend. So, this big bike guy is eyeing me and the Spyder. Finally walks up and says "when you gonna get a real bike?" I said, "I had a bicycle put couldn't ride it anymore so I got this. Do you have a real bike?" His jaw tightens, he mumbles something unintelligible and walks away while two of his buddies are standing there snickering.

I have never had to respond to an ignorant statement from anyone like that. But, My response would be simply, that more than likely, I have been riding two wheelers longer than most of them have been alive! (anyone with any maturity, meaning age, isn't going to make a statement such as that) and that I presently have 6 two wheelers in my garage, that see very little service, because the Spyder is a much more engaging and enjoyable ride.

 

[Hberninger]

Guy says, "Is that a real bike?" I said, "No, it isn't a bike. Bike comes from bicycle, and 'bi' means two and I have three." He pauses and says, "What color are the other two?"

 

[Mr. White]

I feel left out of this conversation. I live two miles from a huge HD dealership and go there once or twice a month as they have a "thing" going on every Saturday....band, food, demo rides, etc. Naturally I take my Spyder or Wing and park in the DV slot. There are two or three typical HD guys (five day beard, unwashed clothing, large chains tied to their empty wallet, etc) and I get the usual questions...but never smart AXE remarks. Maybe it is my DV license plate (Korea and VN) or my 80 YO grey hair, but most say "that is what I am going to get when I don't feel safe on my two wheeler".

There is usually one or two Tri Glides there (and one on the showroom floor) and since HD is selling trikes, the smart remarks have diminished.

Perhaps it is because Texas has one of the largest percentage of concealed carry folks....I just don"t know. ha ha


:spyder2:

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

When you going to get a real bike

I had the same comment once from a young guy. Before I said anything he started to tell me how many times he dropped his bikes and how many injury's he has had.

 

[steve635]

Fortunately I have never experienced this, and I ride my Spyder to the same rallies that I used to attend on my Harleys and Indians. Not sure what my comeback would be....."Jerk Store" maybe?

 

[missouriboy]

When did you stop beating your wife?

Don't you just love questions that "assume" a fact that just isn't true, and then make it into a snide implication? Try to recognize that and react in kind... just get a quizzical look on your face and then ask a similar question yourself:

"When are you going to stop starving your children?"

"How ya coming on those back alimony payments?"

Of course, your question needs to be appropriate to the situation. Try to make it an extension of the proffered question, such as: "When could you help me shop for one?"

It can be fun to think up answers ahead of time and file them in your repertoire.

 

[2Gunns]

I was on a Charity ride when this young lady on a Sporter made a snide comment "I guess if I ever get to where I can't hold up a bike, I may get something like that" ,
near the end of the ride she ran out of gas, pulled of the road into some sand and dropped it.....talk about irony !

 

[jerpinoy]

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:This is me after this two wheel rider saw me and commented oh I thought spyder riders are old, disabled and retired. I told him I am very sorry I disappointed you.:yes::yes::yes:.

 

[rlynchtx]

I've only had my Spyder for a month now, but lurked on this forum for a while before I purchased it. I was fully prepared to be harassed by "real" bikers or be looked at sympathetically by those who felt it was for guys who couldn't handle two wheels any longer. I haven't experienced either yet and had quite the opposite happen on Saturday evening. Wife and I were out for a ride and we decided to go through the Dairy Queen drive through. Two young guys (maybe in their mid twenties) were working the window and both commented on how much they loved the spyder and wanted to know all about it. They just considered it a "futuristic sportbike", which is sort of how I feel about it. I haven't missed my Road King even a little bit since I got comfortable with the Spyder.

 

[bruiser]

It takes all kinds of folks but for the most part when a "Real Biker" type ask when are you going to get a real bike he's basically calling a 60 something year old guy on a Spyder a sissy. But there is very good chance that the Spyder rider is an ex Vietnam era Vet with combat experience and a weapon on my..er... I mean his hip. The fact that he is ....or could be I should say...a Retired Federal Agent could make the "Real Biker" consider what he is saying. All kidding aside, no one can make you feel insecure or bad about your choices in life except yourself. There are 10,000 Spyderlovers and probably over 50,000 Spyder Owners worldwide that agree with our choice in motorcycles, not to mention almost that many more who would buy one if they had the funds. The fact that someone feels the need to approach a complete stranger to mention something about their ride in a negative confrontational maner speaks volumes about the poor choices in their lives.

RE: Viet Nam vet with combat experience and a weapon. Guilty on all counts. However, I'm selective in how I expend expensive ammunition.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

About a year ago this young kid pulls up to me on my new 2012 RT-S riding a 2009 RS Spyder and says "hey Pops when are ya going to get a real bike!"

I couldn't really say anything since it was my Kid so I just left him in my dust! Sign of the times I guess!

 

[Bazeel]

Typically, the US Army seal (Sticker) on the back of my spyder, along with the various 'Combat Medic' and 'OIF Veteran' tend to dissuade idiot remarks. I get one or two from time to time, but most people keep their snide remarks to themselves.

Also, I think that I get some 'credibility' from riding with a rather large crew-> If it has less than four wheels and can cruise the highways, you're in!

 

[carajony]

Real bike...

Idiot guy- when you gona get a real bike?
me- (just staring at him for a few with no remark)
idiot guy- well,,, didn't u hear me?
me- yes I heard u but I'm waiting for u to go in your pocket n take out the money your gona give me to get a real bike...
idiot guy- (now he stares at me with stupid look on face)
me- wave while I ride away...

:duh:

 

[missouriboy]

Don't you just love questions that "assume" a fact that just isn't true, and then make it into a snide implication? Try to recognize that and react in kind... just get a quizzical look on your face and then ask a similar question yourself:

"When are you going to stop starving your children?"

"How ya coming on those back alimony payments?"

Of course, your question needs to be appropriate to the situation. Try to make it an extension of the proffered question, such as: "When could you help me shop for one?"

It can be fun to think up answers ahead of time and file them in your repertoire.

I was too hurried when I made the above post. That last question should have been: "When did you say you'd help me shop for one?" (...or lend me the money, or whatever...)

Remember, the object is to mention something about the other person that you both know is untrue, then make a serious question based on the untruth. Should egg their face every time, and you're not making any new insult, you're just returning their own serve!

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

On a serious note the reason that we get confronted by these insecure folks is that their world is changing faster than they can cope with it. All this new innovative motorcycle and new types of riders invading their "space" in what they thought was their private preserve is very upsetting to them and there just ain't enough drugs and alcohol to make them feel better. So as we ride through life even in our advanced feeble unable to ride two wheel years just keep in mind that pretty soon Darwin, Drugs and Alcohol will reduce this entire issue to just a memory that we will tell to our great grand kids at Spyderfests and Owners Events across this great land.

 

[diesel-dawg]

I feel left out of this conversation. I live two miles from a huge HD dealership and go there once or twice a month as they have a "thing" going on every Saturday....band, food, demo rides, etc. Naturally I take my Spyder or Wing and park in the DV slot. There are two or three typical HD guys (five day beard, unwashed clothing, large chains tied to their empty wallet, etc) and I get the usual questions...but never smart AXE remarks. Maybe it is my DV license plate (Korea and VN) or my 80 YO grey hair, but most say "that is what I am going to get when I don't feel safe on my two wheeler".

There is usually one or two Tri Glides there (and one on the showroom floor) and since HD is selling trikes, the smart remarks have diminished.

Perhaps it is because Texas has one of the largest percentage of concealed carry folks....I just don"t know. ha ha


:spyder2:

George, I think the real reason is that you would whup up on them if they gave smart azz comments!!!!!!!!!! Hope to see you in Kerrville ride in next year.

Ken

 

[diesel-dawg]

Great response, Bruiser. I stopped at the gas station the other day, and several (3 different people from cars being filled) came up to ask about the spyder. I had been happy with it and was telling them. After filling up, I tried to start it, but the limp mode home light came on, with the overheating indicator. Not a very proud man at that time. Just glad those same people were not there to see my "unhappy" feeling about the spyder then.

 

[Mexican]

You guys are so mean with the poor defensless Harley riders, shame on you!:clap::clap::clap: