| Author | Message | ||
     Naustin |
I wave at everyone. If they don't wave back, I figure maybe they're a RUB and they're just too afraid to let go of the bars... (Message edited by naustin on August 15, 2007) | ||
| Jc000 |
This thread is pretty funny... I don't usually get involved with the Harley 'tude but last night as I was coming home, I heard these two Harley dorks tearing through a parking lot. I caught up to them at a light, both had the standard t-shirts and brain buckets, one had on shorts. I could see the one guy look over at my bike and make some sort of snickering laugh. Of course they blow off the line full-bore, but I end up catching to them at another light. There's some younger guy there as well on an older Monster. I can sort of hear the two HD dorks making some comments again, and it's tough to tell if their talking about me or the Ducati guy. Anyway, I was about to ask them if there was something I could help them with, but the light changes and they end up off again. It's behavior like this that REALLY dampens my feelings towards HD people. I could see as I was catching up to them that they were buzzing around that guy on the Monster. Those RUBs might find that playing "bad-ass" can catch up to them one day. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"It's behavior like this that REALLY dampens my feelings towards HD people." That's like saying you don't like all Ford drivers because a few of them made fun of your Chevy. Those particular guys are just putting on the costume and living their Walter Mitty adventures, just like we are. Hate them if you want, but do you really think that everyone that rides that particular brand of bike is someone that deserves your ire? All of them? Even the HD people that have Buells and are members here or do they get a pass? Don't let it harsh your buzz, man. Ta-pocketa, ta-pocketa... that's what I say. | ||
| Jc000 |
No, I agree—I should clarify, when I say HD people, I mean the dorks who think their **** don't smell just cuz they're on some Milwaukee Iron AND have the bandana to match. I have a few Harley riding friends, and I've eyed a Road King for myself as well, so don't get me wrong. I think Harleys are generally pretty cool, especially older ones. Sometimes the double whammy of dealership 'tude combined with RUB 'tude just gets to be a bit much. | ||
| Djkaplan |
A lot of people do piss me off, so I agree with you there! | ||
| Billetmetallic |
also, if you are pissed at people not waving back, just imagine how all those scooter riders feel! | ||
| Djkaplan |
"...just imagine how all those scooter riders feel!" I must be a contrarian. I never instigate the wave at other motorcyclists and will only wiggle my fingers at them (hand still on the grip) if it's obvious I had to see them waving at me, but for some reason, I feel compelled to wave, hand off the grip and everything, at every scooter rider I see (I'm serious). Not those Burgman riders though... those guys are just jerks (just kidding). | ||
| Fasted |
i wave at the scoots too.....they have 2 wheels and an engine sometime i catch myself signaling bicyclists as well.....strong habits being nice to people doesn't always get results, but i give everyone an equal chance to be part of the clan. i actually find that non-american-iron riders are more likely to ignore my waves. i have previously ridden rice burners and wopcycles. i didn't realize the select group that i would be joining when my brother thought it would be a good idea for me to get buellish (99m2). i soon discovered that the euro and asian bike owners wouldn't take me seriously because i ride a "bastardized harley" equally silly were the harley boys who wouldn't accept the "waste-of-a-sportster-motor" sportbike. so i got to join an elite group of riders who are scorned by many bikers 9most of whom have never gotten to spend a twisty day aboard a buell) and lots of non-riders (noise,jealousy of freedom,etc) add buellism to politics and religion when you think about things that seem to be not worth discussing with non-believers. anything with a motor is fun. who cares what someone else chooses? i am just glad that eric decided to give us a choice that is different than all others. isn't that why we chose buell?....to enjoy a different kind of experience !!! i can't explain to those who have not been enlightened, and don't care to. i am satisfied. i feel lucky to be part of a worldwide community of buell riders who spread the word and help each other on this FANTASTIC BADWEB !!!! | ||
| Jackbequick |
I'm a waver, anybody or anything on two wheels that waves at me gets a wave in reply unless it is unsafe to do so. And I initiate a lot of them too. My son recently had a guy on a Harley respond to a friendly wave with a middle finger obscene gesture. We discussed it and both agreed that that is about as stupid a thing as a person could do. I told him if it bothers him, that he should jut wave back when waved to. And to think of himself as waving to the motorcycles and not the people riding them. Approaching Harleys have a pretty distinct profile or appearance so it is fairly easy for someone to figure out if the person waving is on a Harley or not. But to respond to a friendly wave with an obscene gesture because a rider is on the wrong brand of bike would take an idiot of a higher order. A person that I would not have any interest in knowing or mingling with. I've sat down at tables of "fully costumed" H-D riders during open houses at local H-D dealers. And I found a range of different kind of people inside the "costumes". Some of them were, like me, perfectly normal people. Some others were not, those appeared to have donned an "butthole personality" along with their costumes. I would consider myself as looking silly if I dressed different (other than my ATGATT items) from my everyday look for motorcycling. I would truly feel like I was in a costume. But to start acting rude or antisocial to others because I had my costume on would just be a bizarre thing to do. Jack (Message edited by jackbequick on August 15, 2007) | ||
| Ryker77 |
There are different kinds of harley owners. 1. the true harley lovers (mostly with technical knowledge) 2. the ones that only want to be part of the lifestyle (recognizeable by their shiny showroom harleys and lack of technical knowledge, they can't even recognize their own engine in a racey looking bike) 3. RUBs or wannabe RUB's. More Chrome than a 1940's Buick. All matching chrome dodads. Matching helmets, boots, belts, vest etc etc. Don't even care or want to be a "biker" just had cash to blow and sorta recall their childhood or teenage years. Kinda like the 55 year old vette driver in the slow lane that we all pass. Hard to tell 2 from 3 becuase they both walk the bikes at stop lights. | ||
| Kano832003 |
Alright, even though I don't own a Buell anymore, I still check this site out from time to time and feel like throwing my 2 cents in. On the subject of waving. I wave at every motorcycle I see. And in the group that I ride in, it's almost a requirment. I'd say around here pretty much 98% of all riders wave at each other regardless of what the other person is riding. As for riding groups themselves, our group is open to ANYONE who wants to ride and have a good time. As for the main riders there are 2 Harley's, 3 Hondas, 3 Yamaha's a Buell (used to be 2) and a Suzuki. I don't really like make exclusive clubs. And as for the "poser" bike riders. I do have some issues but they're more along the lines of inexpierienced (bad spelling) riders that go out and buy an $18,000 Harley because the guy in the office down the hall got one. I now own a Harley-Davidson Road King Police bike and I love it. I've owned it for 3 weeks and I've already washed it 4 times. I've also already put 2000 miles on it. So if the fact that I like the chrome on my bike to be really shiny and the fact that I like getting complimented on it everywhere I go makes me a "poser" then I'm proud to be one. But my friends (who wont ride their bikes when the temp drops below 60) will vouch that I can ride that Road King almost as well as I could ride my Buell. They still can't keep up with me. Anyway, I hate labels and pretty much agree that if you're on 2 wheels your taking a risk that others wont take and that should earn you some respect. As to the riders that don't wave. So what? Ain't gonna ruin my day. Speaking of which. Think I'm gonna go ride for a while. -Barge | ||
| Chasespeed |
Personally, I dont care what you ride, if you are a danger to others, and come up along side me, I will kick you off your bike... There are morons and posers on all bikes... The second biggest CONCENTRATION, seem to be wearing HOG patches... The largest concentration, are riding those "choppa's" that cost more than a house... Not labeling.. With these morons, at best, I laugh at them. So proud of their bike, they only take it out 2 times a year, and a 2 year old bike, only has about 80 miles on... Uh, I am impressed  Chase | ||
| Warlizard |
The problem has never been owning a Harley. If I had to pick one bike to represent motorcycles, it would be the Sportster - classic in every sense. There is no problem shining up the chrome-that came with it. The problem is the owner. Do you really need 3K worth of extra chrome? Skulls and fringe? A vest with patches-reminiscent of boy scout badges? 4 suitcases,knee,hand,leg,butt warmers? A stereo, are you kidding me, on a bike? And no matter how overweight the owner is he always manages to find a bigger girl to put on the back. Does every piece of clothing u have on have to say Harley? How does owning one somehow turn a complete p##sy into a bad ass who's skinny arms look like he has coke cans under them? I am a prior Harley owner and grew more disgusted with each passing day that I had it. Just knowing that I had the same bike as the aforementioned drove me crazy. As soon as I had the cash, the X1 was mine and it's been an absolute blast from day one. | ||
| Billetmetallic |
"if your are a danger to others, and come up along side me..." if only you could kick those damn car drivers out of their seat! | ||
| Buellboiler |
Naustin, Good point. I wave at all bikes and almost always the import bikes return the favor. I wave at H-D riders and about 70% of the time they return. The ones that don't are too blind, stupid or stuck up to wave at what they think is an import bike. That isn't labeling them, that is reality. I wave at everything on 2 wheels. They are facing the same risks that I am. I'll initiate and let them show their "colors". Boiler | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
I am personally sick and tired of waving at people. I just sometimes do it. Ill node sometimes if they are really waving at me just to be nice. But hell im not a nice guy sometimes, I have my scars. When Im riding on my bike its MY time and MY road, MY trip. Some of the guys I ride with wave at everybody, and thats cool. Motorcycling has become more mainstream anyway. Bikers dont have anything to prove anymore, although we still need to fight for our rights. If you wana wave fine wave your ass off wave at moped riders too. Just dont get pissed off if ya dont get a wave back. (Message edited by mmmi_grad on August 19, 2007) | ||
| Chasespeed |
if only you could kick those damn car drivers out of their seat! No, but I dent doors.. a steel toed boot, or toe sliders make on helluva echo on a hollow door panel... Kinda hard to do with FORCE and keep the bike settled... Chase} | ||
| Ratbuell |
Chase - I've found a good swipe at the rearview mirror they aren't using usually makes the point, and doesn't upset you or your bike ;) Even if you don't take it off, you can easily knock it out of whack and they're looking at their own doorhandle until they put the phone down and adjust it back.... | ||
| Chasespeed |
Chase - I've found a good swipe at the rearview mirror they aren't using usually makes the point, and doesn't upset you or your bike ;) Even if you don't take it off, you can easily knock it out of whack and they're looking at their own doorhandle until they put the phone down and adjust it back.... Yeah, but 2007 Tacoma mirrors come off pretty easily(truck still had paper tags on it, this was last summer).....  Chase} | ||
| Mwellm |
Corvette mirrors come off easy too...I hope I didn't disturb his phone call.... | ||
| Chasespeed |
I hope I didn't disturb his phone call.... HA, you know, I am sure there is a lady in Virginia Beach somewhere, who, will never forget my bike... Pulled up alongside, at an intersection... in a new Benz, 500 something convertible... I was idling....waiting for the green... then she flipped out... "TURN THAT THING OFF, I AM ON THE PHONE!" Uh huh... X1/D&D/RevLimiter.... she freaked.... rolled her windows up, and put the top up.... The guy on the other side of me was laughing so hard I though he was gonna piss himself... Chase} | ||
| Buellgekk |
Haha Chase, priceless. wish I could see that.  | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
Oh thats when you lay down some real good rude crude dude stuff on them lol. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I hate stories where someone brags about how they defeated some evil ogre in a car by doing... whatever, but was a pretty good story Chase. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
It was a pretty funny story - but it has a real down side too. That driver will be one more person who will vote to restrict our right to ride. She might also be less likely to give a biker a break in a traffic situation. If we do that kind of stuff too often, we will certainly lose out because this is a democracy and we (motorcyclists) are outnumbered. When the majority makes the rules, it can be a bad thing to be part of a despised minority. I like to ride in a "socially unacceptable manner" from time to time - but I try to do so only when there is no one else around. I'm not judging you, just pointing out that there can be unintended and lasting consequences beyond the immediate situation. | ||
| Chasespeed |
You have never ridden in Hampton Roads have you? With those...... people, I dont care what they think.. Motorcycles might as well be outlawed there.. The cops.. the people, who cares... let'em all rot... And no, I will NOT, cave to some middle aged hussy, driving her Benz, with the top down, TALKING on a cell phone... THAT should be illegal... No worrries though... And who said anythign about being socially unacceptable? Because, she is rich, and can afford such a nice car, and I cant, I am relegated to ridding a bike... She can yell at ME so she can talk on the phone????? NO.. Not getting heated.. Not saying what I did was right or wrong.. Though, personally, I enjoyed.. I enjoy the look on every cell phone yapping freak, when they realize someone else is on teh road with them... Chase | ||
| Djkaplan |
"She might also be less likely to give a biker a break in a traffic situation." I understand the point you're making, but only a psychopath would cut in front of a motorcyclist on purpose. And you know the old saying... you just can't reason with psychopaths. But this knocking mirrors off people's cars, throwing bolts and such... not only do I not believe most of the stories, I think anyone that really would do that needs to be arrested. However... I was in a situation not much different than the one Chase was in, except it was a guy and he wasn't in a car: he was making a telephone call on the sidewalk near where I was parked. He was cursing at me because he needed 'quiet' for his call. I wasn't revving the engine (I'm not one of 'those' guys), just starting it to leave. The guy felt like I was being inconsiderate and intruding on his 'space', but what was I supposed to do? Walk my bike down the street to start it so I wouldn't disturb his call? We discussed it for a short while and finally came to a logjam in the dialogue. My decision was to actually become inconsiderate... with extreme prejudice. Was I wrong? Yes. Did I 'win'? No. Did I feel a great sense of satisfaction getting in this guys face, doing a 180 burnout, and coming back down the street doing a wheelie and screaming "Is this loud enough for you?". Oh, hell yes... ... but I almost did get arrested. (Message edited by djkaplan on August 23, 2007) | ||
| Djkaplan |
Sheesh... that really looks bad on paper. | ||
| Chasespeed |
Sheesh... that really looks bad on paper. So what? Most of these fools are fed from a silver spoon through life, and need a nice freaking reality check... As long as you didnt "assault" anyone... Chase} | ||
| Warlizard |
DJ - your story started off so promising. Disappointing ending though. Basically it was a case of this guy challenging you and had little to do w/ motorcycles. Personally, I would have passed on the wheelie and whipped his ass. People act like he did because they don't fear any repercussion. Knock him out, throw his keys down a manhole and go on w/ your day.This not only solves the current problem but will also likely end his days of harrassing bikers and make the world a better place. |
