| Author | Message | ||
     Molly_hatchet |
well its like any other large group of people that get shoved together but are so very different....we have different races of people all stuffed into a small city or workplace all from different places and with different outlooks on life...different people filter infomation and hear things differently...so here we have a bunch of people that all love to ride or own motorcycles for whatever reason we all have to share the same roads and mnay times the same dealerships...but we ride different types of bikes..thatl make for some discourse just like the race thing or religeion.....some of us are smart and nice enough to get along and share stories and expieriences some of uis hate each other for no good reason..some of us are posers some of us are hardcore.....we all have bikes....we all ride differently and act different...some stunt...some break the law daily..some ride slow some ride fast....some ride their bike once a year...some everyday....its human nature to think the other guy is wrong and ur better....king of the jungle baby....we all wanna be the lion/lioness .....i give every bike owner a chance if their a dick then oh well thats their problem....some are cool some arent...but..those chopper guys are puds  ...i come from a long line of outlaw bikers....most of the old school guys are really cool...its about riding to them i have a pic of one on my R-1 its pretty funny....the new breed of accountant harley riders...well....ya gotta love the sat morning doughnut fest at the dealership...or taco tuesday u get to see all the newest leathers and gear....all in one place hahahaha..... | ||
| Doon |
I am buell Rider (good thing I happen to own one  ). I do tend to agree with some of the stereotypes listed above though, and it is usually easy to see the posers from the real riders. As for why HD tends to attract the people that aren't bikers. It is all in their marketing, etc.. I've seen both sides of the coin. I have seen so many people that don't have any reason being on a big twin get one as their first bike, due to the marketing. Saw one early in the season. At the local HD dealer, guy picking up his first bike (Fat Boy). He has no clue, about shifting, etc... Starts it up, gets into into first (I think it was luck that he happened to step on the shifter) and proceeds to go across the parking lot, across the side street, into the bank next door, bounces off the side of the ATM and into the Bank Managers Car. But all that pretty leather did protect him fairly well. On the flip side on a ride back after scrubbing most of the remaining chicken strips off the lighthing in the Illion Gorge, I got caught in some rain. Pulled over into a parking area to move some stuff around and ran into a Guy on an Electra Glide. The guy was a serious rider. Had the bike 3 months and already had almost 10K miles on it. We had a great talk about the buell and his bike. He had been saving up to get the glide for the last couple of year, and HD finally gave him the loan, but you can tell that riding and owning that HD was important to him. It is rare that a company inspires that much loyalty in this day in age. I've owned a bunch of different bikes in my 10 years of riding, but I think one of the best choices I made was my started street bike as a Ninja 250. Rode the heck out of that bike for 1 season, and it provided a good basis to learn and move up to bigger bikes. The next bike the wife and I plan on getting is probably going to be a road king (of course since I want to polish chrome for a while and never ride). Once we get that our first trip is going to be NY->FL->TX->CA->WY->NY. FIgure that should break it in. My bikes are almost always dirty, as I tend to spend more time riding then cleaning them. Every time I see my brother he is polishing some piece of chrome on his Metric cruiser (vstar). I guess that is why I've had my buell 1/2 the time as him and have over 2x the miles on it. I've been averaging about 1.5 -2k miles per month And that includes June where we had rain >20 days. Ok enough rambling out of me, and in looking back at my post it appears to be a lot. Getting ready to go check out a brag meeting tomorrow (180 miles to the Dealership if I drive straight. So figure 250+ since I will be sticking to back roads). -Patrick | ||
| Buckinfuell |
Molly, you are cool. I like what you write, especially that about the whole chopper pud craze. Jesse James and West Coast Choppers (WCC) has followed the same path as Corporate HD... create a culture, develop a market, and establish a self-perpetuating revenue stream. The only difference is that WCC is more appealing to the Disneyland family crowd than wannabe tough guys with leather vests, hairy backs, and massive beer bellies. Just look at how many mini-vans you see out there with WCC decals on the back and soccer moms/dads in the pilots seat. When I was living in Los Angeles and some family of mine came to visit, all my little nephew could think about was visiting WCC, forget about Disneyland!!! | ||
| Alchemy |
I am coming from the complete metric side of the world (started riding in 67) and know very little of HD other than they seem to be everywhere. I understand HD is selling about 50% of the MC market in the US yet the metric bikes and all bikes seem to be benefiting from an increase in interest. That interest I suspect is fueled largely by the demographic bubble we are currently experiencing as I believe the average age of a MC rider these days is approaching 50. When that demographic hump moves on, HD is going to be hoping to find some younger riders to move to their products. Seems to me Buell is a VERY important product for HD in that it can draw riders that are less crome/crusing oriented and more performance interested to the HD world. I would be an example of this. HD will dearly need these riders in a few years or have to find another way to face the declining number of riders buying their products. I am on the cusp of this transition so I am very interested in what or whether the HD lifestyle holds anything for me. I am very interested in Buell but try as I might, I still have only passing interest in most other HD products. I think they are beautiful in their own way just as I can appreciate a beautiful piece of jewelry even though I don't wear jewelry. There seems to be a part of the HD lifestyle that I have little more than curiosity about. There are many events that seem to be inspired to provide something relatively safe for many of the HD enthusiasts to partake of.... or maybe I am really just too clueless to really get. I am thinking of rides to different memorials etc that involve hundreds of riders. I haven't joined these events because is just seems a little over the top to me in some ways. I think the challenge to HD is to find a way to allow the 2 brotherhoods (product lines) to go their own ways and be completely supportive of both. I can't really see them getting together very much unless the Buell line starts doing some serious winning at the racetrack which might give them some street cred of sorts. So I find this discussion interesting as I am very curious how other Buell riders have found the welcome into the HD family. I get the feeling that the Buell world is truly a distinct one and that Buell enthusiasts will have to find their own way. This website is good as it seems to be pretty open to all in a respectful way. I guess I am getting a better experience of the "Buell enthusiast" from the internet than from the dealers I have visited so far and the internet may be the more successful method for building the interest (buzz) on the very interesting Buell product line. | ||
| Jaimec |
As a "snooty BMW rider" myself, I must object. I only act superior around those bikes older and shinier than mine that have no damn miles on their odometers. Leave it to Harley and Buell to have odometers that can't be read when their bikes are parked and shut off. 96,000 miles on my 1999 K1200LT and still going (I'd have over 100,000 but I also put 36,000 miles on my 2000 M2 Cyclone and have over 6,000 miles already on my 2006 XB12Ss). | ||
| Buckinfuell |
Alchemy, I agree with most of what you have to say, except that you seem to imply that the Buell products are a stepping stone to introduce young riders to Harley products. With this I TOTALLY disagree. I could elaborate, but I suspect others will fill in the details... | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
I own my Buell. The bank lets me ride my Harley as long as I send in the $$. | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
BTW... My Buell goes to work with me daily. Around 350 miles a week. The Harley sometime does sit in the Garage for weeks on end. Does come in handy for those 30-40 hour rides though.  | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
Another funny thing I've noticed... All Harley riders wave when I'm on my Harley. All sport riders wave when I'm on my Buell. Few harley riders wave when I'm on my Buell. Most sport riders wave when I'm on my Harley. | ||
| Davefla |
I own (and ride!) an XB12R and also a 1978 GoldWing. I've had a couple of encounters that apply to the discussion. First one was last winter. A non-riding pal of mine was thinking of buying an 883 Custom from his former sister-in-law, for cheap, with the intention of flipping it on eBay. I agreed to help him pick it up, look it over, and store it until it sold. Turned out that my pal had paid $3000 for a 2001 model with 1200 miles on the odo. Yeah, I hate him.  When the eventual buyer showed up, the guy was what I'd call hardcore - patches (and bug guts!) all over the vest, graying pony tail and facial hair, half-helmet covered with ABATE stickers. I chatted with the buyer's buddy (who'd given him a ride to the deal and also looked hardcore) about my OldThing and my Firebolt while my pal closed the deal. Buyer and his bud turned out to be big into the Christian side of it - they told me that I should come out for the "Blessing of the Bikes" ride and how to look it up on the web. Buyer also told us to look for the frame, tank and fenders on eBay, 'cause he was about to turn that low-mileage 883 into a Bobber. Cool guys, neither of whom so much as snickered at my old Ricer touring bike or my "little" Buell. Obviously, a Sportster was a 'real' Harley for these guys. Second story: today, I was riding the 'Wing back from my sister's house on the interstate, and realized that I'd forgotten to put an earplug back in at the last gas stop. I pulled over to do the necessary, and within about 60 seconds a really nice senior citizen on an Ultra had pulled over to check on me. He pulled off his german-style half helmet and said "I know it's not a Harley, but I had to see if you were okay anyway." We chatted about earplugs ("I have a pal who always wears 'em but I never use 'em - but my hearing aids make up for it!") for a few moments and then he took off. He didn't mention it so I don't know what he made of a guy on a GoldWing wearing a Firebolt helmet! Bottom line: I've never had a problem anywhere but the dealership, which is another topic, really. But maybe it's my attitude showing through - "other people's opinion of me is none of my business!" | ||
| Buckinfuell |
Kumbaya, my lord, kumbaya, oh lord kumbaya... | ||
| Buckinfuell |
Ok, Ok I was just kidding in the last post, but Davefla's post just made me feel so warm inside. | ||
| Davefla |
Heh, what can I say. Maybe I should check out the "Blessing" rides, I might meet the next ex there! Further thought about old guys on Ultras: hope that'll be me some day, after all... I'd hate to wind up riding around in a cage instead! | ||
| Col_klink |
I've got a story for y'all. Last weekend I was on a three day ride up around the best roads in NSW (Walcha, Oxley Highway) for those that know/care. Anyhoo, I had to come back a day early, and it turns out this 50-something guy on a V-Rod had to come back a day early too, so we rode together. It was one of those classic rides. About 500 km (310 miles), beautiful roads (Thunderbolts Way etc), warm sunshine, and a pair of V-Twins barking down the road. When we stopped for coffee we got to know each other. He was a cool guy. Loved HD. Had had a tragic family death a few years before and his bike had kept him going. Loved the V-Rod because all the sports riders HAD to be in front of any (gasp) Harley, and he had fun overtaking a few of the less confident ones. I learnt something from this guy. I learned that it ain't what you ride, it's how and why you ride it. I've got no problems with anyone who rides because it's important to them. Footnote. I know an old geezer in his eighties who rides a scooter. Been a biker all his life, but now can no longer swing his leg over a saddle. Keeps riding though. Think about him next time you sneer at a scooter! Klink | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
ive waved at a scooter or two in my time..usualy by mistake the damn things look like sportbikes now...some have as much friggin horsepower as a sportbike....i dont think this thread started the flamage anybody thought....and i think the wave is a good indicator of how all bikers feel and act....i wave to all bikes if i can free up a hand a nod if i cant..its funny to see who waves back and who dosent....seriously the ones that dont are almost allways some putz on a new big dog or similar 40,000 chooper.....the old timers almost always give the wave....the road kinds and electra-glides n fatboys almost allways wave or the woman on the back does ...lets all hate the chopper puds.....i actually had one sneer at me the other day at the gas station...wish id of had time to blow his doors of but was late for work....ok so buell law 1...chopper guys are dicks. | ||
| Wazza |
Just to juice this thread up more  lets throw in 'Ducati' riders - yeah y'all know the type ...   | ||
| Samiam |
Why can't we all just get along? I do agree with Hdbobwithabuell about the whole waving thing. I find almost every sport bike will wave at me, about 60-75% of Harley owners do, but I think my percentage is higher because during the daytime I always ride with my high beam on, and I have HID, so I'm hard to miss. I'll wave at any scooter, gotta give them props for getting over 100 MPG. I'd love to find out more about the "blessing of the bikes" rides. That might be fun. Davefla you got anymore info on that? Sam | ||
| Fastfxrs |
Bought my first Buell in February of this year, a new Ulysses. Absolutely in love with it! I've been a local H.O.G. chapter member for the last 10 years and have made some great friends through that group. When I stop trying to point out all the "posers,wannabes and accountant/lawyer/doctor bikers, and just treat everyone with respect (earning it is nice but not necessary to me), I find I have a much better time on our weekly rides and yearly state rally. People give me plenty of crap about riding a Buell now. The fan screaming when I shut the Uly off is always a good conversation starter. I ride with alot of different people and bikes. I have a group of brit bike riders that are a blast to hang out with. Lots of Beemer riders too. They used to look at me when I'd show up on my built FXR with ape hangers and I sensed some attitude. Then we went for a ride and showed them my taillight dissapearing on a twisty road. There are more H-Ds and Buells showing up at that gathering now. The point is, I don't care if you ride more than I do ( I doubt it, there are some pretty low milage Buells out there) or ride less. I'm just glad your all riding. That's one less cage to try to ruin my day. I've put 7200 miles on my Uly since Feb. Not bad for northern Mn. Hope to surpass the 15K mi. I normally put on in a season these days. I wave to everyone. To the ones that don't wave back, I'll steal a quote I read in the AMA magazine a while back,"I wasn't waving at you anyway; I was waving to your bike." Have a great Owner/Rider day! Tim | ||
| Davefla |
Sam, there are two web sites for these rides in Michigan: blessingofthebikes.org and blessingofthebikes.com. I've never been to either one, so YMMV, etc. As for scooters: Those are the folks who never seem to wave back to me. But who knows - I stop looking before I wave and concentrate on traffic!!! | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
"I wasn't waving at you anyway; I was waving to your bike." now thats probaly the best thing ive heard since reading this thread....i like that.} | ||
| Brucelee |
I think it is funny when someone who rides a motorcycle decides who and who is not a "biker." Lets all get over ourselves, shall we! | ||
| Wademan |
Brucelee just ninja chopped yall in the neck! WhaCHA! | ||
| Marijane0569 |
Another funny thing I've noticed... All Harley riders wave when I'm on my Harley. All sport riders wave when I'm on my Buell. Few harley riders wave when I'm on my Buell. Most sport riders wave when I'm on my Harley. About 90% of the riders I pass on my blast wave to me- don't matter if they are H-D, scooter, sportbike etc... "MJ" | ||
| Mainstreamer |
Col_klink makes a good point. It doesn't matters what you ride, if it feels good ..... DO IT! Just like people, each brand/model of M/C has something to offer. If that something is special to you then you've got a good match, a partnership, and can find a lot of pleasure in that relationship. | ||
| Kurosawa |
Universal waving peaked (as the fist if you're old enough to remember that) and died in the mid-70s. Wave if you want, just don't do it expecting to get a return wave. | ||
| Dongalonga |
I have to say nothing makes me more upset when riding when the other guy/gal does not wave back. Hell I wave to guys/gals who are parked on the side of the road if they are paying attention. I respect anyone who owns a bike, because they made the commitment to get out of their Cage!! | ||
| Pwnzor |
I just generally don't wave unless a whole line of bikes is waving coming the other way. I stop when people need help, I figure that's good enough. Can't tell ya how frustrating it is to have "fellow bikers" pass you by in the dozens while you're stranded by the highway. | ||
| Buckinfuell |
I would have to say the majority of people I wave to do wave back. In general, however, I have observed the following: 1. Sport-bikers almost always wave unless they are teenage squids. 2. Most hardcore HD riders generally give the subtle two-finger biker salute 3. The obvious HD posers never wave unless they are two-up with a fat chick on the back in which case it is the chick who waves. 4. Goldwingers never wave. I guess they are too busy looking at all those friggen' instruments. 5. Chopper puds are more likely to sneer and flip you off (in fact, I had this happen to me) | ||
| Brucelee |
"I have to say nothing makes me more upset when riding when the other guy/gal does not wave back." Nothing? World poverty, war, pestilence, violence, hunger, terrorism? Hmmmm? | ||
| Curtyd |
"I suppose the biggest posers are those with the big HD decals on the back window of their trucks who don't even own a bike. " I get a big chuckle when I see the HD decals running around on some asian import car or truck. They're probably the first to throw out the ricer label in their moto-culture wars but don't seem to understand what they are driving and how ironic they use their import vehicle to advertise for H-D. I guess a decal at a $1.99 is a LOT cheaper than an actual motorbike. P.s. The folks who don't wave can't, they get too nervous taking one hand off the handlebars.... (Message edited by CURTYD on July 09, 2006) |
