Hanging with the Harley Dudes

[thrasherfox]

I don’t like riding with cruisers much... Even my friend that has a Harley rags on my arse when we are around his buddies, he makes comments like "he rides a rice burner but we will forgive him" or stuff like that..

So, just so I don’t feel like a second class citizen, I normally don’t ride with anyone not of my own breed.

And when it comes to waiving to other bikers, yeah well I am starting to feel jaded. In California it isn’t too bad, cruisers will often waive back to you.. however when I was in Arizona, I was fricken amazed!!!

I don’t think I had one cruiser / Harley rider wave back at me, and when I asked FIP and Mikey D about it, they said “yeah, they don’t wave back much†and I even notice they looked the other way, they like wont even look at you.

I hate to say it, but treatment like that pisses me off and THEY cause the segregation of bikers.

Whenever I wave at a cruiser and they put their nose up at me, I feel like pulling in front of them and throwing some rubber into their non-helmeted face…

Don’t even get me started!!! Oh wait.. too late you already did!!!



AAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Oh yeah, bacharles --- dude!! Just take vabusa out and shoot her next time, would have been less painful for her…

I don’t talk much unless I know you and feel comfortable, and when I do I often talk a lot, except for when someone makes a comment that I talk to much.. then I pretty much wont say $hit to that person ever again.

thrasher...I feel your pain...and I sense you are quite upset over this little subject!  

 

 My husband said the same thing as he headed out to Sturgis last summer...some states just didn't offer up a nice wave or thumbs up...he said it was very odd...

I'm stuck riding with cruisers...seriously, the only sport bike I've ever ridden with was a guy that just happened to be in front of me for about 2 miles!  Other than that, I'm either alone or with some Harleys...

It's so funny to start with the Harley crowd, as I did, and have your husband in it and other family and friends, feel the love when you're riding your Harley, then watch it shift ever so slightly to the left when you buy the sport bike...

It's in my nature to always wave...hell, I probably wave to mopeds and joggers, but I don't give it much worry if they don't wave...just find it all very amusing...in a pathetic sort of way...

...as for bacharles...don't give him too much sh*t...it's okay to say I'm writing a novel...I usually do...but, the melodramatic part was sort of puzzling to me?  I'm a simple gal; surprised I can even spell "melodramatic"!  

O.K., let's try this one just one more time.  I was actually trying to give Michelle a compliment in a round-about way.  This post is more related to what Mr. ThrasherFox implied.  In no way was I trying to say that what Michelle wrote was boring.  I was just merely pointing out her literary skills while having a little joke at the same time.  I am truly sorry if I hurt Michelle's feelings, but I wish other people would just simply read the words, and then check the smilies behind them.  Ya know, the whole posting etiquette thang.  From the number of posts that I have, one can tell that I've been around this board for a while.  I've offered help, advice, and an occassional thought of wisdom.  But, at the same time, I like to harass people just slightly enough to where they don't get offended.  I've dished the dirt as well as taken it and not once did I lose my cool.  The words only mean something if nothing else is implied or attached to it like a smilie of some sort.  This is the first time I have had a run-in like this of any sort behind comments that I made to someone.  If it offended you Michelle, once again, I apologize.  Some people just need to brush up on their posting etiquette (not referring to you Michelle).  Now this post has not one smilie that implies anything which goes to show the sincerity behind the words.



                                               Peace out, Brian

Now youve gone and DONE IT!!! you.. you.. you called me MR..!!!!! that is like when I went into a bar a few weeks ago and a guy cards me and looks at my id goes into shock when he sees my birthdate and laughs and says gawd your old.. then quickly got serious and patted me on the back and said he was just kidding!!! sshhhheeeeesshhh!! no respect!!

Just kiddng bacharles.... no worries, was just harrasing you back... smile.. its all good.... Michelle told me to get off you lol

It just reminds me of when I start talking to someone about computers, after about 20 minutes I look at them and notice their eyes have glazed over and drool is running from their lips.. it is at that moment I realize I have talked WAAAAYY too much....

Its all good, except for when you talk to me in person about computers.. then bring some head phones, listen to some good music and just nod at me once in awhile... muah ha ha



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[arey]

Damn VaBusa you guys did some riding 5 hours thats good.
Ref to the Harley guys here in PR there not that crazy with sport bikers either but when you park get to a talk to them there pretty cool,well at least some of them others are well ------you no what I mean!
The thing is they know who has the POWER!  

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[rob t]

it wasnt you they were gairling at. it was your husband on his half a hardley!(no offence but sportsers get picked on like jap bikes around here)youd be better off solo in hd territory at least they cant catch you.

 

[busabrother]

dud wats rong wit mi speeling? mi storys are awsum 2!!

 

[rob t]

its so you boys from virginia can understand thats all!

 

[rob t]

posers!

 

[mctrull]

I would ride on the back of your busa any day Michelle or beside you on mine. I always park mine away from the Harleys too, no offense to them but, I know some guys that will kick it over if they catch you not looking. There is one guy I see at the local pool hall, I always share a space with him. He likes it. He has a really nice Heritage. I get snubbed a lot too, it is very funny. There has been a few times when I didn't see someone until it was too late because of keeping a close eye on traffic or something like that and I felt kind of bad after for not waving. I know it isn't mandatory but, I want to recognize them like we want cagers to recognize all of us. Also, I feel like it kind of helps me when I am in one of my cages to spot all bikers better. It is really important to me. Nice story, got a good laugh out of it. Thanks.

 

[LCW]

It is common knowledge that if you park your non-Harley bike at the Harley dealership, or at a known Harley hangout, you may find your ride vandalized, spat upon, or tipped over.

Sorry, but I gotta call absolute bullshit on that claim. There's no way you can tell me that the sort of people who can spend $20k on a motorcycle, plus all the HD (HundredDollar) accessories to go along with it are the same type of people who are gonna spit on a bike, much less vandalize or tip it over. Common knowledge my ass, that's bullshit. Especially in the most tolerant state in the nation (assuming you still live in CA). Gimme a break.

 

[LCW]

I always park mine away from the Harleys too, no offense to them but, I know some guys that will kick it over if they catch you not looking.

I still say bullshit. Then again, I've never been to South Carolina. Maybe they do things differently there. I still maintain that the bullshit the haters are spouting are bred from 1-percenter lore.

To be clear, I'm calling bullshit on the vandalizm claims. I don't doubt the claims that sportbikers have experienced rude or snobish behaviour from "Harley dudes", hell I experience that when I ride my Harley. Point is, I've experienced "poser" snobbism on both ends of the stick. As a guy on a harley, and as a guy on a sportbike.

My point is, get real, and get over it. And get a hobby, maybe motorcycling or something...

 

[mctrull]

I always park mine away from the Harleys too, no offense to them but, I know some guys that will kick it over if they catch you not looking.

I still say bullshit.  Then again, I've never been to South Carolina.  Maybe they do things differently there.  I still maintain that the bullshit the haters are spouting are bred from 1-percenter lore.

To be clear, I'm calling bullshit on the vandalizm claims.  I don't doubt the claims that sportbikers have experienced rude or snobish behaviour from "Harley dudes", hell I experience that when I ride my Harley.  Point is, I've experienced "poser" snobbism on both ends of the stick.  As a guy on a harley, and as a guy on a sportbike.

My point is, get real, and get over it.  And get a hobby, maybe motorcycling or something...

Obviously you do not get out much. Bring your pretty little busa to my town, I will take you to a bar, I will buy the drinks and when we come out, we will see what your busa used to look like. Don't call me a f--king liar!

 

[PACIFICBUSA]

uhh....sounds like it's getting a little interesting here. Va....sounds like you had fun.

 

[VaBusa]

I kind of figured this long-arsed thread of mine would gain momentum while I slept last night...

Two things (gee, I sound like my boss)...one, bacharles did sort of upset me at first, I'll admit. I was just sharing my ride, poking fun at how sport bikers are treated, and doing what so many do here by sharing stories...it's how we learn more about one another, so I don't see harm in telling stories. Brian - I did see the smileys in your post, but I'll admit, some of the harshness of your words didn't quite mesh with the smiley behind it...it was almost like you were making fun of me for writing so much, but to me, I couldn't share the story unless I actually wrote several paragraphs...no harm done though...I'm fine with it all...

Second...I wasn't in any way complaining (for once) that certain people don't wave when I'm riding...I was just conveying one gal's perspective coming from a Harley to the Busa, riding with a Harley riding husband...how amusing it all is to me and that I certainly don't mind telling any Harley rider that I too own a Harley as they watch me hop on the Busa...I was just sharing a silly little snip-it of my riding...

...didn't mean to stir the pot guys...

 

[BigDawg_03Busa]

<span style='color:firebrick'></span>
Michelle,
I used to really get angry also when harley guys would ride by and act like they don't see you wave but I kind of figured out why...

Their bike costs twice (or 3x) as much
Their bike spends twice (or 3x or 4x... you get the picture) as much time in the shop
But ours is 10x as pretty and twice as fast.

Guess that's why some of the harley guys/gals drink haterade!
No disrespect, I've met some really cool harley riders. But my exprience while living in Myrtle Beach, SC was that most were arrogant red necks. Just my view point.



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[BusaKenVa]

Well Michelle, no words at the moment can begin to describe what you just wrote.  Does the word "novel" mean anything to you?

 Not that it was long-winded, but it was so melo-dramatic.  You definitely have a way with expressing yourself and that's cool, but next time you want to tell us of a riding experience...please...please...please, don't take us with you.

 I actually felt like I was riding on the back of your bike as I read this masterpiece of literature...

                                                    Brian

Okay...didn't mean to bore you to tears...I was just sharing what I thought were funny experiences...and I wasn't trying to be melodramatic...I was just having fun telling a story...

...perhaps I should just type "hi" next time and keep it short...or, just lurk and post

when I see something I like...hrmmm...

You mean to tell me we aren't supposed to lurk and post only when we see something that needs our ever helpful editorial comments.....Damn it I've been doing this all wrong!!! Seriously I feel your pain Michelle. I don't get the way some riders are, hell I don't understand why most people do the stupid things. Guess thats why I'm not in the psychiatric field. I say keep the stories coming I know y'all will stuck reading a story of mine one day. I just hope it meets the high standards `round here...lmao. Now if you'll excuse me there is a `busa calling my name. Oh one last thing some kid on a CBR600RR wanted to drag race last night. I just looked at him and laughed...I think I may have offended him

 

[LCW]

Obviously you do not get out much. Bring your pretty little busa to my town, I will take you to a bar, I will buy the drinks and when we come out, we will see what your busa used to look like. Don't call me a f--king liar!

I get out plenty, and I've never seen anyone mess with a sportbike just because it was a sportbike. One of my buddies even rode his R1 to a Hell's Angels-sponsored run, and his wasn't the only sportbike there. Now I'd imagine if there was a group of people inclined to do something like that, there'd be a few of 'em there. No trouble. So I appologize if you think I was calling you a liar, but I maintain that unless you've seen it happen, and there were no other extenuating circumstances for the vandalizm (prior altercations that led to it), that Harley riders in general are NOT vandals. If what you say is true, it comes from the 1-percenter crowd, not from Harley riders in general.

 

[mctrull]

You have never seen it but, I have. I saw one stomped and once some idiot realized it was leaking fuel, it was set on fire. There are places here that refuse to allow you to park on their property if it is not a Harley. There is a lot of discrimination here on all levels and a lot of violence towards people that are not the same as a particular group or do not believe the same. As they say, "Welcome To The Dirty South!". When you call something "I" say a lie, you are calling "me" a liar. My offer still stands any time you want; bring the bike and I will buy the booze but, your ass is walking back because I am not giving you a ride in my old truck that I am driving to the bar.

 

[FLCN72]

I think it is fair to say that most Harley riders wouldn't vandalize another bike.

That said, some might. Generally I feel pretty safe parking my Busa wherever I go. But then I don't go to hard-core biker bars or other places where the fabled 1-percenters are.

The local Harley dealer is not a 1-percenter hangout. This is an expensive place with good sales that caters to upper-middle-class folks who ride once a month or so. I have no fear of these folks trashing my bike.

I still get attitude from cruiser riders. Either they dissapprove of my bike's origin or its purpose. But hey, whatever. I'm still going to wave or nod.

 

[thrasherfox]

Ok, I got to jump in here.. Even though I said I prefer to ride with my own breed (crotch rockets) And even though I catch crap from my friend about riding a "rice burner" and even though often cruisers don’t even acknowledge my existence on this planet.

I have never felt my bike was ever in any danger from being vandalized. I have parked it at Harley dealerships right next to other guys Harley's I have even gone in and talked to the Harley people and they have asked me about my bike and they have joked with me about how the things looks fast just sitting there.

When I have gone on a few rides with my friends and his Harley Buddies, my friend is pretty much the only one that has given me crap, he buddies have always been cool to me and respectful to me.

Anyway, I am from Central Cali, and that has been my experience. most of the cruisers around here are pretty cool, Arizona is where I was blown away at the attitude change, didn’t seem cruisers were as friendly as I am used to, but.. even then, when we were riding back from Tortilla Flats, some Harley Riders rode up next to us and were checking out our bikes, and one of the guys girl on back was talking to me while we were riding, she was asking me about the hole in the side of my fairing....

I just felt I needed to interject, that while I do perceive that I am perceived sometimes as a second class citizen, it has not been bad enough to where I thought my bike would get mangled.

And if it ever did, I would just call and have my Z-71 truck brought out to me, I would load what was left of my Busa into the Z-71, and on my way out I would lock it into 4x4 crushing mode and because of being so distraught over my Busa, I would probably accidentally crush all the cruisers….

Naw.. just kidding. But it is a thought lol

So its all good, fun and games and all Muah ha ha…



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[Sane_man]

It is common knowledge that if you park your non-Harley bike at the Harley dealership, or at a known Harley hangout, you may find your ride vandalized, spat upon, or tipped over.

Sorry, but I gotta call absolute bullshit on that claim. There's no way you can tell me that the sort of people who can spend $20k on a motorcycle, plus all the HD (HundredDollar) accessories to go along with it are the same type of people who are gonna spit on a bike, much less vandalize or tip it over. Common knowledge my ass, that's bullshit. Especially in the most tolerant state in the nation (assuming you still live in CA). Gimme a break.

Let me clarify what I said. In Northern California where I live, and in Phoenix where I used to live, everyone I know that rides a non-Harley motorcycle collectively know that if you park said bike at a known regular hangout or dealership, there is a very strong likelyhood it will be vandalized.

On practically every cruiser board I visit, there are victims who are telling stories of this happening to them. Since it is winter and many are not riding, I don't have any recent posts I could direct you to that will substantiate my claims.

On the ISRA Yamaha board I frequent, a few people had their tanks scratched to hell at Sturgis last year. My riding buddy had his cruiser knocked over at a Harley dealership while he was inside buying a clock for his ride. When he came outside, a group of Harley riders were standing around laughing about it. It was parked next to a row of Harley's. Typically, if you park it away from thier bikes, they won't mess with it.

If you participate in an organized event with a mix of bikes, you don't have any problems.

I am a very materialistic person and have many very nice things, so I will become very, very upset if anybody fcuks with anything of mine. As I get older, I am getting more embarrassed to admit that I would instantly retailate with extreme vengeance including bodily injury or more. For that reason I am willing to go out of my way to avoid an incident, but I won't be intimidated from visting any establishment I wish.

Not all by any means, but a large subset of Harley riders feel that they are superior to others who don't ride Harley's, and when in a collective group, they will exert their self-proclaimed superiority.

 

[LCW]

Mental note: When travelling to dat dirty south, bring Thrasherfox...