| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
The other afternoon, I was at the Guzzi/BMW dealer, and a BMW rider was there picking up his bike after getting new tires. There was a guy going back and forth on the road in front of the shop; obviously lost and looking for a specific business. The dealer, the customer and I were discussing what we thought the guy was doing, when the Beemer rider made a negative comment about the Sportster. So I said that I liked Harleys. He then said that the Sportster wasn't a real Harley, it was a wannabe bike. So I said that I liked Sportsters. Then he said that you can't put any miles on one; so I told him that I put 30,000 miles on one in 2-1/2 years, and that I think they're neat bikes. So he said (he was getting agitated by now) that if I like Sportsters, why was I riding a Guzzi? I replied that I thought Guzzis were neat bikes, too. At that, he was disgusted and walked away. So my question is, which do you think are worse; Harley snobs or BMW snobs? I don't really care for either, but the arrogance of BMW snobs irritates me more than the unthinking snobbery of the typical H-D elitist. Which one is more obnoxious to you? | ||
| Shellyo |
At first I was a Brit-bike snob and laughed at them funny Harleys and Japanese bikes... then I got a Yamaha XS650 and laughed at all those dumb Brit-bikes and Harleys... then I got a BMW R5/5 and laughed at all them other bikes... then I got an old Triumph T140V and then I got a Buell and then I got a Harley and then another Buell... I've decided that I just love riding and now just laugh at all those 4-wheelers out there. All snobs are obnoxious. | ||
| Kenm123t |
Crusty its soo easy to crank up either one its hard to say. The beemer dudes hold a grudge for YEARS when you really piss them off. LOL. Thats why you carry squirt bottles of coolant and oil to be applied as needed depending on the attitude of the rider  | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Anybody who measures their self-worth, and measures others' by what kind/brand of mechanical device they straddle to propel themselves down the road is a f-ing fool. The pose down is probably the saddest part of human nature. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
That line about the squirt gun full of oil and coolant strikes a chord for me. Back when I was working for EMC, I was also riding my ironhead to work regularly. It's an ironhead. Oil comes out, usually a nickel-sized dot for a 10 hour shift. (at least at the time) Well a few guys played a trick on me and dumped a quart of oil under there. When I saw it, I put my finger in the puddle and got up relieved. My "friends" were disappointed in my lack of reaction and asked how I knew. I said "too clean". | ||
| Iamike |
Every morning I wave at a guy on a Burgman riding the other way. I don't care what people ride, as long as they are. I see one guy out on his HD some nmornings that I won't ride. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
"All snobs are obnoxious." yep. I think all over-the-top enthusiasts are obnoxious. I hate people who think Hondas are the best thing ever, or those that think that Harleys are the best thing ever, or those who think BUELL is the best thing ever. It doesnt matter, those types are just obnoxious. What you'll find is that many people like the one you encountered earlier today have never actually swung a leg over what they hate, just going on things they heard of a forum or whatever. Bench racers and such, you know how it goes. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I can't be bothered with close-minded fools any more - no matter what badge they are pimping. These days I just walk away Renee. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
when I had the City X ; I would show up to their 'bike' nights - usually a movie, wine, talk event; on the filthiest, dirtiest, mud muckiest I could get. They were HORRIFIED....EVERY time. Don't you ever wash that bike ?!?!!? what - I rode through the puddles on the way here ! Sure there are some guys over on ADV that are not afraid to get dirty on their beemer - but by in large the crew at the shop - would be aghast to even the suggestion of mud; and will only ride in the rain if caught in it ...... in Seattle - that will KILL your riding 'season' | ||
| 6gears |
I try to be friendly to everybody I meet... This Buell has introduced me to different kind of snob. You know the "wave", that everybody talks about? Harley riders very seldom ever "wave" at me, but everybody else does (Goldwings, crotch rockets, Jap cruisers, etc.). Hell, I was killing time by stopping at our local harley dealer the other day. When I walked in there was an older gentleman setting on a bench inside the door, I assume waiting to get reamed on some kind of "supposed" service or chrome gee-gaw install. He says to me " I don't think they have any parts for your bike in here son"! had he left off the "son" part I would have just chuckled and walked on, but that pissed me off. I asked him if he even knew what kind of bike I was riding. He says, "Yeah, some sort of foreign sport bike"...nope, sorry, but you are wrong buddy. That is a Buell, american made with a sportster derived engine. This guy was wearing every piece of harley attire that he owned and DID NOT KNOW WHAT A BUELL WAS!! LOL. He told me he had never heard of a "buell" and wanted to look at it. I told him it was outside, help himself. He was no where around when I left. | ||
| Ljm |
The whole thing is a puzzle to me. Here in AK, I have three bikes that I ride regularly: Electraglide, 1125r, klx 250. Sometimes all of them in one day: Bagger to work with all my stuff, 1125r for fun, klx on the trails in the mtns. behind my house. So, I noticed something interesting. On the harley, the harley drivers and sportbike folks wave back. On the 1125, only the sportbike riders. Some harley drivers sometimes, but NEVER, EVER a beamer or adventure rider. On the klx all the adventure riders wave. Some sport bike riders, no harleys. What does it mean? People take themselves and their rides too seriously. I just want to ride. And I wave to everyone. Even the guy on the Burgman that keeps dusting me in the 65 zone going at least 90. | ||
| Blake |
Well played John. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I don't really care either. That said, it has actually worked in my favour once. I got pulled in the rig (swiss registered) in France for a ministry check. One of the 2 FJR riding bike cops was ragging on the Ministry Inspector about how bad the guys Ducati was & how any of his BMW's was streets ahead. I chipped in that I liked the Ducs as they have the same sort of feel as my Buells. "Oh Buell c'est de la merde! comme Ducat'" he said dismissively. Ministry man was now on my side & turned a blind eye to a serious driving hours excess, giving me a clean bill. Copper was furious but could do nothing. Saved me about $1500. Result! | ||
| Malott442 |
I tried being a snob once, but couldn't quit punching myself in the face. I've rode many a bike, but won't bash another bike (at least in OEM form!!!) Even a Jawa deserves my respect. | ||
| Brumbear |
It's not the bike that doesn't wave back. I DON'T LIKE THE AHOLES THAT CAN'T RIDE FOR SHYT AND ARE 99% OF THE TIME BAR HOPPIN OR TIRE KICKIN TELLING ME WHAT IS OR ISN'T COOL. At 47 I have owned and ridden enough machines to decide what I like best and respect the rest. I always wave if possible and I probably won't stop either. I think most bikes are cool in 1 way or another!!!People not so much. | ||
| Jumbo_petite |
Just ride into a BMW meet/group/dealer with a Hi Viz yellow Aerostich Roadcrafter and a modular helmet on your sporty, tell them you're ready for the Iron Butt Ride and piss em all off. | ||
| 86129squids |
JP, Nate, good stuff! I was heading to work on my ratty '79 GL1000 last week, had just left the house, pulled up next to a "Christian" patch-wearing probate of a "club" (???...  )- we were both at the front of our lanes. On the rare occasion that this happens, I always enjoy at least a smile, nod, maybe a very brief back-and-forth. This dude was on a brand-new FLTR-S, and I could FEEL him ignoring me. Of course I was wearing my white, stickered fullface, and my Buell jacket... Nothing like that had EVER happened to me before. I've been really curious ever since as to what "club" he belonged to- and whether Jesus would ride with him. | ||
| Sifo |
Vehicle snobbery exists in weird places. I've been driving a short school bus for 4 years, and other short bus drivers tend to wave to each other in passing. I've noticed the big bus drivers tend to not wave. This year I've changed jobs and am driving a big bus. Suddenly the big bus drivers are waving at me and I'm being ignored by the short ones.  Don't try to think about it too much. People are just funny that way. | ||
| Bbbob |
I work in a BMW/Ducati/Triumph dealer, most of the customer's are really not brand snobs. The is a small contingent of snobby Beemer riders & a smaller group of Ducati snobs. The Triumph people seem to love everyone. A few weeks ago my wife & I were talking about trying to get ahead financially. Since for the foreseeable future we don't have any long distance trips planned we sold my BMW K1200LT & purchased a minty '03 Bandit 1200S. The difference in $$ gives us a little cushion in the bank & this is a wonderful bike for in-state 2-up riding. Most of the customers here have had nothing but good things to say about the new bike, but for the snobby Beemer guys you'd thing I committed treason! They really need to grow up! | ||
| 6gears |
When I rode Harleys, I tried to wave at "everybody"...The wing riders usually snubbed me. I always told my wing riding buddies that they did not wave because they were too busy trying to sync up their bluetooth helmet to the nav, and get a hot pocket out of the indash microwave. LOL Unfortunately, alot of the RUBs and image guys don't last long because they can't ride and don't want to learn how.... | ||
| Sifo |
One of the sales guys at our local Triumph/Ducati/KTM/MV Agusta/Husqvarna dealer once told me that Guzzi owners are among the worst for snobbery. Having only actually talked to one Guzzi owner, the Crusty one himself, I won't say that I've experienced that. | ||
| Glide |
I solved the whole problem about who to wave to, I only wave at people I know. Real motorcyclist understand that riding is what is important not what you ride. Some times things get a little ironic like the Gold Winger who was big enough ass to put my shovel head down at restaurant parking lot then he broke down 5 miles down the road. He actually got so pissed when I stopped to see if he needed help that he threw his multi tool in a lake. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
You ride what you ride because it puts a smile on your face (or makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside). I ride what I ride because it puts a smile on my face (or makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside).... | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
You ride what you ride because it puts a smile on your face (or makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside). I ride what I ride because it puts a smile on my face (or makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside).... True, but there are those who get their warm & fuzzy from seeing themselves superior to you. There is a term us professionals use for these poor unfortunate individuals. Arseholes!  | ||
| Moxnix |
Let's see, about 70 bikes over the years, 17 BMWs, fewer Guzzis, one Yamaha 250 owned for an hour, 2 Ducatis, the rest collectibles, mostly Harleys, along with a Buell S2 which filled my tooth quite well. Half an RR stored in the attic & garden shed is all I have now, along with a lasting penchant for Buells. By golly, I'm too much a snob to post in this thread . . . so I'll just wave. | ||
| Strokizator |
A few years ago my buddy and I went on a 4000 mile road trip - me on the Uly and he on a BMW R1150R. When people found that we were on bikes they'd ask us what we had. I replied "Buell" which elicited a questioning look while he always replied "I ride the best motorcycle in the world, a BMW" which usually was met with disinterest. After we got back he announced "I'm selling this POS". I told him next year we were making the same trip and he was going to find everyone he bragged to and apologize. Turns out the next brand of bike he bought was the best bike in the world until he sold it, bought yet another and then that one assumed the title. | ||
| 86129squids |
  Good one, Mox! | ||
| Mnrider |
Rode my Uly to a grad party and parked it where I could see it from the garage were the party was. A guy starts talking about my dirt bike . I told him it's an all roads,ADV bike. He goes on about how you can't ride those very far and bla,bla,bla.Right there I new he was a bike snob and had a Gold Wing.(nothing against wings) I said maybe not as comfy as a GW but the wife and I travel all over on it. Then I got a speech about how great his bike is and how mine didn't measure up-what a tool. | ||
| Xb1125r |
if you want to irritate a bmw guy just say I have an EBR, costs more then 2 bmw plus money to spare,lol | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Yeah but that only works if you have an EBR.... elminates 99.9% of us |
