More disdain from the harley crowd

[maddog5150]

So I'm hanging out at my favorite bar which is a veterans bar drinking and having fun. A few of the members are sporting thier leather vests and flying colors of the club (American Legion Riders not a gang) and one of them is a guy I know who up until that point has been really super cool. We bs then I ask how to join the riders. Quickly his demeanor changes and states, "well we need to see your bike first." I told him i ride a vespa and its street legal. He states it has to keep up so after showing him the pic of my cafe project, "oh thats really cool man. your like fonzerelli from happy days! You have to be like 1500cc's MINIMUM!'
Of course I call bullshit, he tries to tell me that it need to be that big in order to keep up with his fatboy harley : I ask,"What if I have a Harley Sportster?" He stammers and runs off before coming back and telling me, "Ok, 650 and THATS IT! Nothing else would be able to keep up." Now this is funny, I'm drunk but not stupid and now I'm starting to be a little pissed, "Well my buddy over there has a GSXR 600, I'm sure that would do fine."
"nope! too slow. he couldnt keep up with my 1500cc finely tuned American machine." guy is smoking some sherm.

WTF. Its a veterans club thats supposed to be open to all vets and members of the American Legion. I'm going to start a veterans club that allows any bikes but not assholes. think we'd have more fun anyways.

 

[nobodyspecial]

That is sad, but sounds about par for the course when it comes to Harley fanatics.

I remember years ago, working on an oil rig there was a directional driller from down south that bashed on my 1200 Triumph about how slow it was compared to his "custom" Harley. He talked about all the work he had done to it, about the many thousands of dollars he has put into it and how he has it up to 105 HP now... My Triumph rolled out of the factory with 108 HP. Oh, and I bought the bike for less than half of what he had spent upgrading his engine...
I just don't get their stuck up, I am better than you attitude that some (not all) of the Harley guys have.
I have heard good things about the vet bike clubs around here, but I still have not got around to checking any of them out. Maybe this summer...

 

[bbqb4racin]

Harley riders are usually ok, they are riders. Harley worshipers are usually douchebags and are usually posers. They are quite a funny group and are fun to watch them make asses of themselves. The statement I like to hear is, "Why don't you buy a real bike?" My response, "Should I buy a real heavy one or a real slow one?" You can usually hear a pin drop! FUCK 'EM!

 

[Frog]

This attitude is not confined to the states, although there is more justification for it in the US as Harley's are American made, I don't get it at all in Europe, a mate of mine in the UK was told if he was to remain in his club he had to get a Harley as all the other members had Harley's, originally when he joined there was a wide variety of bikes in the club, as he has been riding Triumph's for some time, which are made in Britain, he told them to stuff their club where the sun don't shine.
A lot of Harley riders of recent years have bought in to the image thing, Iv'e seen many Harley riders at rallies in the UK with the compulsory bottle of JD and overpriced clothing, no other make of bike has got this strange image thing going on, after all I don't think many Jap bike riders switch to drinking Sake, or Brit bike riders drinking gin with T shirts of their favourite gin, better still do riders of Italian machinery drink Martini. Maybe some Harley riders are just a little self conscious of the fact they have paid a lot of money for a bike that doesn't do anything especially well, it's not the fastest, the best handling, fuel efficient, or most reliable, although some of them do look and sound nice, and if your American it's patriotic to buy one. Well seeming as Iv'e got a Beemer I should start drinking Schnapps and wearing lederhosen, and maybe start lecturing folks on the engineering and design prowess of German machinery.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

I am better than you attitude that some (not all) of the Harley guys have.

I just don't see that much of the "Harley attitude" I keep hearing about on this forum. Most Harley riders rode metrics for years before they got their first Harley, and a lot of them STILL own and ride metrics as well as their Harleys. My partner has a Harley, and a Kawasaki Vulcan, and a '72 BMW.

I have a Harley, and a Suzuki, a Yamaha, a Kawasaki, and two Hondas. I have gone to all Harley gatherings on my 30 year old Suzuki 450 and treated to a rock star reception after riding 2,500 miles to get to one of them. (Every time I parked the bike, a handful of rice would mysteriously appear under it.) On one of the rides with a small group doing a brisk tour of Utah, Rt-12, one of the other riders remarked about how well my bike kept pace with their Harleys that had three times the displacement. I had the same reaction riding "The Snake" in Tennessee on a Suzuki GZ250.

I see far more brand bashing, (especially Harley bashing,) in the metric forums. Metric bashing in the Harley forums is almost non-existent.

Sure, there are plenty of posers and polishers out there. They are mostly middle-aged wannabe's who got their first motorcycle at 50+, and it was a Harley. They have never ridden anything else and look down their nose with disdain at anyone riding anything else. They rarely ride further than the nearest bar, and log maybe 1,200 mi/year. The Harley forums don't tolerate the brand bashing that seems to be de rigueur on the metric forums.

 

[Tim]

Frankly I've never encountered it either. Had all sorts of 'old harley guys' compliment me on my XS650, talk about how they had them back in the day etc.

Honestly the most snobbery I've run into comes mainly from traditionalists in the 'cafe racer' scene First bike show I had my XS650 at, some old wise man said to me, unbeknownst to him that it was my bike, that it was a 'waste of a nice tank' - commenting on my hand formed Manx replica aluminum tank.

 

[VonYinzer]

People suck. Sportbike riders think theyre superior. Vintage guys think theyre better. HD guys think theyre cooler. Whatever. The HD mentality is a bit easier to hold in contempt as its more prevelant. You see it in commercials, and tv, and movies and on the street. Theres no point in getting all bent out of shape though. Just keep on keepin' on.

 

[my-79-750-k]

Back to the original poster, I also belong to the American Legion, and Legion Riders, here in Florida. I may be exempt from the bashing seeing as how I've known most all the riders my whole life, but they all clamor around the 750 when I show up. All of them have baggers and soft tails and springers, etc. But they also know my 750 would smoke the shit out of their 800lb bikes if need be. Maybe it's just in your area? Now going off on a tangent, yes, I've got the proverbial thumbing of the nose from several "hardcore American 'bikers'" at bike nights and what-have-you. But like you said, I've spent less than half of what they have, know my bike personally inside and out, and it performs better in every category than their chrome sled. I think you just need to find a new Legion to hang out in, I'm here to tell you, their not all like that, at least near me anyway. Cheers

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

I've got the proverbial thumbing of the nose from several "hardcore American 'bikers'" at bike nights and what-have-you.

Bike nights are for the posers and polishers and foot-draggers. I can't stand bike nights.
Exception: There is a bike night here in Philadelphia called "Two Wheel Tuesday" at a local bar/grill that has upscale bar food. It's year round, and even in the winter, a lot of riders go there Tuesday night, even if they drive their car. A LOT of the bikes that show up are vintage metrics and Brit bikes, many of them given the cafe treatment. We love all bikes, and love to see someone show up on and old RD350 cafe racers with expansion chambers, or an old CB750 rat bike.

 

[Cafe Redneck]

I know Harley riders who have attitudes with Harley riders, if your not riding the latest and greatest from the show room floor.

 

[two-smoker]

I've just gotta say, it's not just in his area. I live in Milwaukee. The point isn't about how one group does this or another group does that, it's that ALL groups have people that feel superior. And usually it's the posers who don't know why all their buddies are engaged in a behavior, they just follow along, because it's "cool" I ride exclusively non-Harley motorcycles. This has absolutely nothing to do with my attitude toward someone who rides-really RIDES-their motorcycle, whatever it is.
The point is, we do things like this forum, and shows like Rockerbox, to share our love for the culture. The history. Sometimes put our own little spin on it. But somehow there are always people who don't get it, but try so hard that they end up like religious zealots, shouting at anyone that will listen that their way is the best, even if they don't understand the message behind it.
The point is, stop trying to convert the heathens. Enjoy what you do and shut up. Let other people enjoy what they do. And shut up. If you think someone is doing it wrong, then you're not doing it right either.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

It’s usually not worth talking to a guy who rides a Hog unless they have ridden it for at least 20 years and just about every day that weather allows. Those guys know their bikes are junk and they still love them and that’s cool.HD t shirts are the last refuge of the hopeless dreamer.I like asking Harley riders if they have ever ridden a real bike like a CBX,V-max or a CR500 and do they know how to really ride a fast bike,That always sorts out the posers from the real.

Your post is exactly the kind of closed minded hateful bullshit I was talking about.

 

[my-79-750-k]

Before this becomes another pissing match between HD and metrics:
I think we can all agree that it's not the bike that makes the name, it's those that ride the bike. With that being said, it's just as much HD's advertising propaganda as it is those D-bag riders that give the HD a bad rep. Just like those retards who do mile-long wheelies on crowded highways that give crotch-rockets a bad rep. I know a ton of HD riders who will drool over a ridden hard and put up wet RD, CB, XS, GS, etc because back in the day, that's what THEY rode themselves. However, I do know a few "Harley purists" who think that anything without a HD badge on it is absolute junk, and there's NO convincing them otherwise. All you can do is pick and choose who you decide to converse with. There's haters on both sides of the block. Be the bigger man and run the streets with like-minded individuals and the next time a 800lb bagger with 9" exhaust tips pulls up next to you and wants to drag race, smoke his ass and then continue on your merry way.

 

[gregajo]

Wise words from Jewbacca. People will be people and there are are those with open minds and those who are very narrow minded and ignorant whether they are on a bike or not. Personally, I ride a Sportster designed to look like their old dirt track racers and I am starting a cafe racer build with a classic CL350. I just love a good looking fast classic bike regardless of who produced it (or what anyone else thinks!). DO THE TON!

 

[Kanticoy]

A lot of it is location and the overall mentality of the populous. Around here we have many many many HD only clubhouses, groups, gangs, whatever. In my area, I have the pleasure of knowing maybe 10 guys total who are into the vintage stuff. But it's a "fitting in" thing for the brand clubs. We have a lot of country folks here in Bama. Lots of hunters, mud riders, "American made" proponents, etc. They tend to flock toward HD because that's what everyone else is doing. Most guys around here aren't dicks to me about building what I build, because well....I built it. Most of the Harley guys ask me to work on their bikes when they need service. They all hound me because I don't ride or own a Harley. The fact is, I can't afford them, and it isn't really my style. Never was a cruiser fan, metric or American.

Point is, the mentality of the greatest portion of society in an area dictates the brand favoritism for the most part. Me? I just build 'em and ride 'em. I'm not opposed to any bike that was cheap and can be made cool.

 

[hazmatman]

Hello All. Long time lurker, first time poster. So let me begin as one does at any recovery meeting by identifying myself.

Hi. My name is Doug, and I am a Harley Rider. [Then you all respond back..with something nice.]

Jewbacca hit the nail on the head. The short version is dealers, custom shops, and your local DMVs do not do pysch tests to identify boneheads before they hand them keys or a license in exchange for some cash...so there are idiots out there riding our bikes, every make & model.

I rode Ricers before I got my Harley, and I still own a Honda 750 and a Triumph 500. When I was young man in the service, all I had for many years was a bike. I had a series of Hondas and Suzukis. I gave every passing rider the raised fist (that's how we used to wave). Not all were returned, most offenders rode Harleys. I now ride a Harley. I still wave at all riders on two wheels...well, I'll admit I don't wave to the scooter people, but if they wave at me, I wave back.

I was filling up my Fat Bob last Summer and a very nice 60-ish woman pulled in on a Vespa to fuel up as well. When she finished, she put her little checkered helmet back on, looked over my big black bike, and me in my leathers, and she said, "well we're both still riding on two wheels...that's gotta count for something." I gave her a thumbs up and she disappeared down the street.

It's not the bike. It's the rider.

 

[bradj]

Tim could you start a sub section for this topic so it at least stays in a spot i dont check. Every couple of weeks bam "harley guys suck", "no they dont ", ect ect ect. Is there any difference in this go around dont know, dont care. Here is a thought build a bike, restore a vintage tractor, collect stamps, post a pole about what to ware to.the bar. Tell you the truth ive seen more creative harley bobbers than the dime a dozen clubman, universal rear set caferacer cbs that are soo common here lately. thinking out side the box on a build does not involve a pole question to see if the crowd of drones approve.

 

[Redbird]

The short version is dealers, custom shops, and your local DMVs do not do pysch tests to identify boneheads before they hand them keys or a license in exchange for some cash...so there are idiots out there riding our bikes, every make & model.

^^^This^^^

 

[gonzowerke]

When I started riding 21 years ago, I was an "Hey, we're both on two wheels" kinda guy. Then the years of riding my Honda 750 with nothing but crap from the Harley"boys" killed that attitude. Now I give just as good as I get. "Oh, I should get a real bike, an American bike?, Like your Harley with the Japanese Electrics and the Honda Suspension?"(Showa is owned by Honda and supplies Harley with their stock suspension) Sorry, that argument don't wash here kid. "My V-Rod can smoke your BMW ANY day!" Really, Mr. Lemming? I haven't dynoed my S1000RR, but the ones I have seen dynoed were averaging about 183-185 at the rear wheel. Still want to have a go?" And your V-Rod is German anyway. Harley "engineers" can't make a reliable, water-cooled engine to save their lives, so they turned to Porsche to come up with the V-Road engine. "Hey Man, what kind of bike is that? What do you mean, it's a Harley! Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't recognize it, it's not in my rear-views!" What do a Hoover upright vac and a Harley have in common? They both have the Dirtbag on top!"
And my three favorite anti-Harley t-shirts;

"Harley. If they made an airplane, would you fly in it?
"Harley. If they had as many Engineers as Lawyers, they would have a reliable product."
"I'd rather have a sister in a Whorehouse than a Brother on a Harley!"



All of this is beside the point. You have people, and you have A-Holes. Period. And I find myself reacting to A-Holes by out A-Holeing them.

 

[maddog5150]

I understand it isnt ALL Harley riders. I bought my first bike from an old school biker who loved to build bikes down and up again and again with minimul tools. He was a really cool guy who lived in the boon docks and loved all who rode. He would make little jokes here and there but he was a genuinly great guy.
My cousins rides (italian now) and his father in law has a huge disdane for anything not harley. He was real cool and buddy buddy with my when I had my first bike which was a sportster but his attitude changed when I bought a Victory and then just would give me dirty looks when I got an SV650. He is an old school biker too but seriously way too into himself and crotchety.
It is also very likely where I live. I live in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. Land of fruits and nuts and posers where image is everywhere. Guys are either buying $500 diesel jeans and ed hardy or affliction shit to look cool or they go on the image of "bro'd out" where they wear oversized "Tap Out" shirts, baggy Dicky shorts, black tube socks and a flat billed cap crooked and driving a truck so lifted its useless (we call them bro-dozers). Those are the two major types here. Point is, majority of the population here think everything is about image. Me? I'm a t-shirt in jeans type of guy and drives a little stock midsize truck. Hell I'm hispanic but am not beaner enough for them so fuck em ;D
Anyways, I generally try to get a long with everyone but when I hear crap like that, it reminds me of highschool girls in thier little clicks like, "ohmahgawd becky! You're wearing that? That was soooooo last tuesday..."