| Author | Message | ||
     Jhuppdog |
I had just parked my X1 at a restaurant and was standing by my bike waiting on my buddy to finish taking his gear off to go in and one of the patrons leaving says to me "So you walked into a Harley store and walked out with that. Why would you do something like that?" I responded by saying "I wanted something fun to ride" He responded by saying he has plenty of fun on his Harley and walked away. Who says stuff like this to a complete stranger? I wish I could have thought quicker and said something better but it caught me off guard. I could care less what you ride just as long as you enjoy it. I had something similar happen when I stopped at a store when I was riding my Honda VTX 1800N. A lady approached me after I parked my bike and said "That is a beautiful bike" and then asked "What model Harley is it?" I informed her it was a Honda and she just started laughing and walked away. Sorry for the rant just wondering if complete strangers approach others and say off the wall comments to try and make themselves feel better or to question what you like. | ||
| Sticks |
People say dumb things. Most comments about my bike are complimentary. Once in a while people say crap. I don't think it matters what kind of vehicle you have, some A hole somewhere will have something stupid to say. A guy told me my STI was a girl's car. ? A 305 HP girls car I said. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I generally dimiss comments like those... unless they insist. | ||
| Psykick_machanik |
Asses like that are like pot holes, their everywhere and sometimes ya just hit one. The worst iv had was the Maint. supervisor at a Harley/Buell shop. "instead of fixing that piece of crap why dont you buy a harley" I was so suprised by what he said that I didnt say a word and went back to getting whatever part i needed. The guy helping me muttered and apology and said "he's a jerk". the only apropriate comeback that has ever come to mind is "F%#K YOU!", yea, that would have fit just fine. So far ive had the VAST majority of comments be positive and some pretty ego boosting ones. | ||
| Sparky |
I think that saying something like, "If I had to explain, you wouldn't understand" accompanied by a hearty laugh would suffice in most instances. On the other hand, the guy might take offense thinking you're calling him stupid in which case you'd either really have to explain it or be prepared to dodge punches. LOL. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
Minimizing your Buell justifies all the fun "he thinks" he is having on his harley. Deep down,he knows you are having way more fun...but will never ever admit it. I have (a) harley.....it's cool. I have (4) Buells....it's way more fun!~ | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'd just have said "YEP" through a big, s**t-eating grin, and walked away before him. If he persisted with a "why?"...let him have it: handling braking horsepower torque grins per mile and a desire to NOT be just like every other HD douchebag who walks up to strangers and talks crap about their motorcycle. THEN, walk away. | ||
| Brumbear |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7hQN4Amaeg | ||
| Preybird1 |
Don't let it bother you to much! I came up on a guy on a sportster in some tight corners and i was so much faster than him and as i came by i revved the bike and scared him so bad he almost lost it in the corner! I call them hardly Davidsons. They are good for 2 things being loud and carrying your fat ass wife and your potbelly pig ass around. Big fat gay pirates are so Tuff aren't they! I had a really good laugh when my brother traded rides with this old guy and my brother told him take it up to 2k and go WOT. Well he did and that bike whee-lied so fast the old guy about had a heart attack. | ||
| Iamike |
I just reply "It's better than riding an overpriced, underpowered road-barge". I really don't have anything (other than closing Buell) against HDs. It's just some of their owners are plain jerks as if their choice is better than mine. | ||
| Ourdee |
I've had a few out of place comments thrown at my bike. I just look at them with no expression of emotion. Like a shrink listenning to a patient. Give them no satisfaction, no response, just ignore their existence from that point on. Reminds me of another thought; Phsycopaths think differently than us. We think, "Should I stab him, I shouldn't stab him, It's not right to stab him, etc." The phsycopath thinks, "Is the knife sharp?" Stupid is as stupid does. Nobody is forcing you to join a club. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Shiny motorcycles suck!  | ||
| Kc10_fe |
I brought the 1125 in for service and parked in front of the roll up door since I was there a lil before they opened. A few more bikes pulled in and did the same thing wainting for the doors to be unlocked. They unlocked the main entrance before the service one so everyone went in for some coffee. Im pouring a cup and someone in leather pants that quit fitting 5 years prior yells across the place who parked the Jap bike in front of the door. I just laughed and thought what a bunch of goofballs. Its a shame that its a crime to throw people out of planes without chutes.  (Message edited by kc10_fe on June 16, 2012) | ||
| M2nc |
I have rarely had anyone put my Buells down. Usually I am the one instigating the comments. My favorite was the time Webe and I pulled up to a Harley dealer on two Blasts. A couple of regulars were sitting out front giving us the look. As I walked by them I stopped and said, "They say the bigger the bike the more your compensating." Slapped him on the shoulder and walked in. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I recommend being 6'5", weighing 270+ and looking pretty rough. Nobody says anything. | ||
| Fast1075 |
It's easy to tell a douche from an enthusiast. My standard reply to the idiot with the "rice rocket" idiocy is "They don't grow rice in Wisconsin". There is a lot more brand recognition than I would have believed though. I got a real kick from a comment by a guy that I rode with last week. At a fuel stop, he got off his 1098 and walked over and said "Man that thing sounds sweet at full throttle". I grinned and told him I like the sound of my ol Briggs n Stratton too.  | ||
| Starwolve |
The parts counter guy at my local dealership made a few comments about Buell being an inferior bike and how I should just take my money and buy a Harley instead... but I think he shut up after I walked out to my HD with the 16" apehangers, fired it up, and rode away with my Buell parts in my backpack. The next time he didn't say anything. I own Hondas, Yamahas, a Buell, a Harley, and I love them all. I don't care what you ride... as long as your ride it well. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
"So you walked into a Harley store and walked out with that. Why would you do something like that?" Cuz they didn't sell them at the YamahondaKawazuki shop. or Ride your own ride, pal. | ||
| Jhuppdog |
A guy told me my STI was a girl's car. ? A 305 HP girls car I said. Can you get me that girls phone number? I'm looking for a wife. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that has idiots approach them and say stupid comments about their bike. The guy that made the comment about my Buell wasn't even riding. He was wearing his plaid golf shorts, flip flops and pretty polo, but his car did have a harley sticker on it. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I had that happen once only, "Why did I buy a bike with a Harley engine when I could have bought a whole Harley?" I replied that I'd tried a Harley but I looked such a dick on it that all my friends had laughed. Left him wondering if I'd insulted him or not, my 2 buds that I was with were riding an Electra & a Road King & I had to wait for them to stop crying with laughter before we could leave. Sometimes you have the sharp response, but mostly by the time you've woke up it's too late. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I can't recall ever getting a bad comment about any of Buells. I remember getting some douche's panties in a bunch when I told him my bone stock 2004 Sportster made about as much horsepower as his hopped up Fat Boy. He started humming and hawing about the dyno I used is known for reading high or some such garbage. "Whatever you say, bud." I probably would have said something involving having fun a costume parties dressing up like a pirate. I'm of the same attitude - I don't really care what you ride, but if you're a jerk, I'm going to be a jerk back. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I know I'm stating the obvious but... What we have here is the difference between someone who owns a bike, probly harley, for the sole purpose of trying to be cool. He or she is not interested enough in motorcycles to learn much about bikes in general or even about his own bike. The difference between this type of bike owner and a rider who actually loves everything motorcycle. He learns all he can about all kinds of bikes and has owned many. He started riding young and has stayed with it. He has dedicated much of his time and resources to motorcycles and likely also to helping others- even non riders, just because it's the right thing to do. Interestingly, this type of rider just might be riding a Buell now. This type of rider may walk up to you and say something like "how do you like those tires"? The other type would say something that simply proves his ignorance and provides the proof for which type of person he is. You got a headlight out. Dan  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I am a watch enthusiast. There are dozens of unique watches that each have technological marvels that are to be appreciated. What I find is that there is a large group of folks who, when they had money to guy a "nice watch", ran out and bought a Rolex. Rolex watches are nice watches, but they aren't the end all, be all of watches. There are dozens better. That said, because Rolex is a known brand, and they see lots of people with them, some Rolex buyers look down on any other brand. They don't know very much about watches in general. They don't appreciate watches or understand any of the mechanics inside of the tiny little metal boxes, so they just talk about watch brands and how theirs is better than yours. There are car people like this as well. My guess is that people making snide remarks about Buells or "Jap bikes" know little or nothing about motorcycles in general. I seriously doubt any of them have turned a wrench on a bike in their life. My reply to a "well wisher" once about why I didn't buy a Sportster, is that I told him I did. I bought what a Sportster would have grown into if it hadn't been hit in the head with a hammer as a child. Once upon a time, the Sportster was the fasted and most technologically advanced motorcycle on the road. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
I like how this thread was titled about Buell owners being judged....and then proceeds to add in a story about a Honda. Some people are jerks, big deal, why get so worked up over what a stranger thinks about what you ride? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Yup. | ||
| Weaponxbs |
Wife's comment when asked why she doesn't want or ride a Harley: "If I wanted to ride something Overpriced, Underpowered and Handles poorly. . . .I'd drive my car" | ||
| Boltrider |
I'll probably never be good enough in the eyes of the guy the OP is talking about. Take pity on those who think they are so cool that they must project it onto others. | ||
| Beugs |
Years ago I stopped at a convenience store on my X1. I'm getting my helmet on to leave and a guy comes out and starts chatting about my bike. He asked what motor it had, I told him a 1200 sporty with better heads and fuel injection. He asked if it was fast, I told him fast no, quick yes. He's been a very pleasant guy up to this point, he opens the passenger door to his car and just before he gets in says "you should have bought american". Luckily I spun around quick enough to, with a puzzled look on my face, say "it was made in wisconsin" while pointing at the tank cover emblems. His face completely glazed over as he quickly sat down and his wife drove away. Whatever. | ||
| Moxnix |
People with low self esteem find identity through acquired things. People with high self esteem fulfill themselves by doing things. Like riding. A Harley guy I've known for for about 40 years has several, but also has his well used Buell S1 in the garage. Perhaps, when a low self esteem person acquires a Harley, that person acquires a "kit" over in the apparel and accessories section of the dealership, which triggers "the attitude." It's a psychological phenomenon of "acquired personality." Last Sunday we were driving the mini-van through rural Illinois on the way to dinner. Passing through the village of Marine, many of those big bikes were lining the street with owners in full garb. I told the Mrs. I was going to roll down the window and yell, "fags." She was not amused, thinking they'd chase us down. No, I said, there were all over 50, overweight, and I'm confident I can outrun them with this family vehicle complete with wheelchair ramp. And, of course, my high self esteem had me believing I could take them... | ||
| Etennuly |
About the worst thing I had ever heard from anyone about Buell motorcycles was from a new harley salesman where I bought my bike. I was in the dealership picking the Uly up from a warranty repair. While I was waiting I went up front to look at the new Buell swag and the new bikes, when a nube sales guy said to me "You don't want that junk, come over here I'll put you on a harley, then you will have a real bike." He said this even though I was wearing full Buell riding gear, most of which I had bought several hundred dollars worth in their store. When he insisted Buells were junk with his second pass at me, I called him an ass who knows nothing about riding. I then went into the owner of the dealership's office and explained what had happened. He was truly into Buells also. The guy was fired within minutes. That was not my intention, but I was pretty sure he had well earned it. I generally get positive comments on my Buell's where ever I go. When I had my Hero Blue brand new '05 City-x, people would often walk around my riding buddy's all chromed out 400 hp Boss Hoss to take pictures of it rather than the Hoss. That always made me grin! |
