Harley Behaviors

[ZGRider]

Since the other Harley post was closed arbitrarily, I thought I would pose the following questions to the Harley riders here:

If Harley riders are such great guys, why do so many of them think nothing of making other people upset with the noise their bikes (most using illegal exhaust pipes) make? If they were conscientious riders (read: not posers) then they would be willing to be responsible riders that use EPA certified, quiet exhaust pipes like the OEMs and be willing to set a safety example for young riders by wearing helmets.

The answer is: they think they are special and hence they don't have to obey the rules like the rest of us. If any of you can LOGICALLY answer this, Man-up to your behavior.

 

[Dave Hess]

Maybe they want attention when they are on their Harley.

Some cities here will actually give you a ticket for that loud noise.

 

[getnpsi]

South Park just had an episode concerning Harley riders. Actually laughed out loud. Unfortunately because the bikes are pretty expensive, they are a darling of "poser" law enforcement and other peace officers.

 

[fuel tanker man]

I think the worst bunch out there are BMW riders... dweebs for sure.

And you gotta make some noise when you ride. The only people you end up tweakin' are the testosterone deficient milk toast powder puffs anyway--

--so I say let that big American v-twin rumble the glass out of your dweeb mobile!

 

[af0h]

The only trouble i've ever had being around Harley riders was their attitude towards Non-Harley bikes and riders.

Are they that jealous and insecure that they have to make fun of others not riding a Harley?

If that's not the problem, then why do they do this?
What the h.e.c.k. is the problem?

It's funny how they only do this when they're in groups... Individually they're not that 'Big and Bad' - kinda funny in a way....

 

[Steve S]

The image, There are many other loud vehicles as well . Though there are lots of modified Harleys.

 

[Johnny]

Where to start? Okay, Wisconsin. We do not have a helmet law, we should but we don't. When the snow melts and the weather warms up you bet, the Harley riders come out of the woodwork, and yes some of them have straight pipes and are way to loud. But most of them obey the speed limits in town, are courteous, and go about their business. Now, we also have an abundance of rocket jocks. Most have some kind of custom exhaust system and when wound up the noise will almost break glass. They don't wear helmets, have on the shorts and sandals, and seem to want to race each other from stop light to stop light. The funny thing is where I live everyone respects each other. We don't have "biker bars" here is Wausau, just plenty of bars. On a Friday night you will see Harley's parked next to Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki cycles. We all mix together and get along just fine.

Now for all of you that think Harley bikers are the scum of the earth listen up, have you ever been with a bunch of them on a fund raiser to help crippled children? Have you ever seen a hundred tattooed Harley riders balling their eyes out at the burn unit at a Shriners Hospital? Have you ever been with them when they poured their hearts out to a war vet? Well, I have, so show some respect. Not all of the apples in the barrel are bad.

Best ride I've ever been on was last summer when the Harley club in Green Bay and the Gold Wing club in Green Bay got together to raise money for a little girl that had to have brain surgery.

It's my last post on the subject. Keep up the back and forth and after four or five pages this thread will also be locked.

Good day and Merry Christmas to all.

 

[Redline955]

Here ya go http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/44492/detail/

 

[bigbird_1]

Originally Posted By: Redline955
Here ya go http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/44492/detail/


That was funny!

 

[1WildPig]

In reply to ZGRider ... I've actually noticed that the people riding the Harley imitation bikes have the loudest, most obnoxious exhaust, at least around here. I think that they're trying harder to sound more like a Harley and end up going too far...most of them are younger males that evidently think that the louder it is the more cool they are...they'll learn. Myself, I like a good rumble out of my Road King but nothing that irritates, just sounds good. I think that the "crotch rocket" riders that are popping wheelies at speed, whipping in and out of traffic carelessly and just flat out speeding are the ones giving motorcyclists the worst image right now. Even bikes with louder exhausts can be ridden "friendly" by not excessively twisting the throttle to call attention to themselves...common sense goes a long way here.

As to the term "poser" ... exactly what is meant by this? It seems that any Harley riders who don't live on their bikes or are not outlaw bikers and live as such are called this, which doesn't make sense at all. I've also read that any biker club, especially law enforcement motorcycle club riders are just "posers" trying to imitate the outlaw biker clubs - which is ridiculous. Now, if it refers to someone who knows little about motorcycles but buys an expensive Harley to ride on the weekends and buys everything "Harley", then I can kinda see were the term could be used but really, why make fun of someone just getting into motorcycling and buying what the companies are pushing to sell them...they'll learn, we all did at some point. It just seems like it's still a juvenile name to try to hang on someone who wants to enjoy motorcycling when they can...which is what mostly everyone with a full time job (other than in the motorcycle business) and family, etc. does that likes to ride, whether they're riding Harley's or not...

As far as helmets go, well, I think it should be up to the ADULT individual.

 

[mpvue]

1st off, I am finding it odd why someone has the need to open up still another HD thread when each gets closed down, but whatever.

2nd, I used to live in an apt right next to rt611; it runs from north PA down to philly along the delaware river for the most part. favorite motorcycle ride, BIG groups all summer long. it's the closest we have to PCH.
anyway, imagine 20,30, or more open pipe harleys on a sunday afternoon.
the only consolation is that these guys only ride in the BEST weather, so you don't hear it all the time.
I like harleys in general (full disclosure; never owned one , or any motorcycle) but I don't like it, as a homeowner working in my yard or playing w/ my kids, when some poser moron has to crack the throttle while coming to a stop (like he thinks it'll stall if he doesn't). those guys really upset me (can't use stronger language than that on BITOG).
that's all, i'm in before the lock.

 

[Familyguy]

Um...it's just a piece of equipment, not a lifestyle. The investment banker types tooling around on their spotless Evos are after a "lifestyle" not a quality bike or even a quality ride. Kinda like that movie a few years back with Travolta and Tim Allen. I laughed at them on screen and I get a chuckle when I see it on the street. *shrug*

 

[postjeeprcr]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Where to start? Okay, Wisconsin. We do not have a helmet law, we should but we don't. When the snow melts and the weather warms up you bet, the Harley riders come out of the woodwork, and yes some of them have straight pipes and are way to loud. But most of them obey the speed limits in town, are courteous, and go about their business. Now, we also have an abundance of rocket jocks. Most have some kind of custom exhaust system and when wound up the noise will almost break glass. They don't wear helmets, have on the shorts and sandals, and seem to want to race each other from stop light to stop light. The funny thing is where I live everyone respects each other. We don't have "biker bars" here is Wausau, just plenty of bars. On a Friday night you will see Harley's parked next to Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki cycles. We all mix together and get along just fine.

Now for all of you that think Harley bikers are the scum of the earth listen up, have you ever been with a bunch of them on a fund raiser to help crippled children? Have you ever seen a hundred tattooed Harley riders balling their eyes out at the burn unit at a Shriners Hospital? Have you ever been with them when they poured their hearts out to a war vet? Well, I have, so show some respect. Not all of the apples in the barrel are bad.

Best ride I've ever been on was last summer when the Harley club in Green Bay and the Gold Wing club in Green Bay got together to raise money for a little girl that had to have brain surgery.

It's my last post on the subject. Keep up the back and forth and after four or five pages this thread will also be locked.

Good day and Merry Christmas to all.


Well said Johnny.

 

[Drew99GT]

I find the crotch rocket suicide cases even more annoying and louder then the Harley guys.

We have big crotch rocket groups that like to get out when the weather is good - they hall [censored], weave in and out of traffic, break every traffic law known to man kind, and endanger eons more citizens then a couple dudes slugging around on Harleys cracking their throttles every once in a while.

A crotch rocket crazy ends up spiking himself into a bridge embankment on a weekly basis around here during the summer.

 

[Redline955]

Originally Posted By: postjeeprcr
Originally Posted By: Johnny
Where to start? Okay, Wisconsin. We do not have a helmet law, we should but we don't. When the snow melts and the weather warms up you bet, the Harley riders come out of the woodwork, and yes some of them have straight pipes and are way to loud. But most of them obey the speed limits in town, are courteous, and go about their business. Now, we also have an abundance of rocket jocks. Most have some kind of custom exhaust system and when wound up the noise will almost break glass. They don't wear helmets, have on the shorts and sandals, and seem to want to race each other from stop light to stop light. The funny thing is where I live everyone respects each other. We don't have "biker bars" here is Wausau, just plenty of bars. On a Friday night you will see Harley's parked next to Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki cycles. We all mix together and get along just fine.

Now for all of you that think Harley bikers are the scum of the earth listen up, have you ever been with a bunch of them on a fund raiser to help crippled children? Have you ever seen a hundred tattooed Harley riders balling their eyes out at the burn unit at a Shriners Hospital? Have you ever been with them when they poured their hearts out to a war vet? Well, I have, so show some respect. Not all of the apples in the barrel are bad.

Best ride I've ever been on was last summer when the Harley club in Green Bay and the Gold Wing club in Green Bay got together to raise money for a little girl that had to have brain surgery.

It's my last post on the subject. Keep up the back and forth and after four or five pages this thread will also be locked.

Good day and Merry Christmas to all.


Well said Johnny.


I agree. There are many outstanding people out there, who just happen to ride HD's. Can't paint everyone with the same brush.

 

[The_Jeff]

What gets me is the myth that "loud pipes save lives". Yes I ride and I fear what's in FRONT of me, cars coming in from the side not really looking etc. Exhaust shoots to the REAR. Anything loud enough to be antagonizing dehumanizes the rider and causes even less respect from the cagers.

 

[TucsonDon]

The worst -- the worst -- brand riders out there are Honda riders. Particularly the Goldwing riders. They are unusually obnoxious about the oil in their bikes. I hate 'em ... every single one of 'em.

See my sig ...

I'm here all week. Don't forget to tip the waitress.

 

[Silk]

I have one of the quietest bikes on the road,a BMW - but it's not....'cause it's got a Supertrapp....

 

[Ausfahrt]

I ride what I ride to please myself. These threads crack me up and I guess that I'm a wannabe dweeb since I ride a Harley and a BMW.
I posted the following ode about a year ago but it still brings a smile to my face so here it is again:



Originally Posted by Anonymous
"The Joy of Motorcycle Riding"

I love motorcycles, and I love riding. Like many of you what first drew me to bikes was not just the experience of riding, but the feeling that I'd become part of a special community - a brotherhood, really. Nothing calms me more than a long ride down the interstate, waving to the members of my beloved clan. Except when I pass Harley guys. I hate Harley guys. Hate, hate, hate. When they pass me on the highway, you know what I do? I don't wave. With their little tassel handlebars and the studded luggage and the half helmets - God, they drive me crazy.

You know who else I hate? BMW guys. Oh, do I hate those guys. I don't wave at them either. They think they're so great, sitting all upright, with their 180 degree German engines. God, I hate them. They're almost as bad as those old [censored] on their touring motorcycles. You know what I call those bikes? "Two wheeled couches!" Get it? Because they're so big. They drive around like they have got all day. Appreciate the scenery somewhere else, Grandpa, and while your at it, I'm not waving to you.

Ducati guys - I don't wave at them either. Why they don't spend a little more money on their bikes? "You can have it in any color as long as it is red." Aren't you cool! Like they even know what a Desmo-whatever engine is, anyway. Try finding the battery, you Italian-wannabe racers! I never, ever wave at those guys.

Suzuki guys aren't much better, which is why I never wave at them, either. They always have those stupid helmets sitting on the top of their stupid heads, and God forbid they should ever wear any safety gear. They make me so mad. Sometimes they'll speed by and look over at me and you know what I do? I don't wave I just keep going. Please, don't get me started on Kawasaki guys. Ninjas? What are you, twelve years old? Team Green my [censored]. I never wave at Kawasaki guys.

I ride a Honda, and I'll only wave at Honda guys, but even then, I'll never wave at a guy in full leathers. Never, never, never. Yeah like you're going to get your knee down on the New York Thruway. Nice crotch, by the way. Guys in full leathers will never get a wave from me, and by the way, neither will the guys in two piece leathers. And I'll tell you who else I'm not waving at - those guys with the helmets with loud paint jobs. Four pounds of paint on a two pound helmet - like I'm going to wave back at that! I'll also never wave at someone with a mirrored visor. Or helmet stickers. Or racing gloves. Or hiking boots.

To me, motorcycling is like a family, a close knit brotherhood of people who ride Hondas, wear jeans and a leather jacket (not Vanson) with regular gloves and a solid color helmet with a clear visor, no stickers, no racing gloves and regular boots (not Timberlands). And isn't that what really makes riding so special.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: ZGRider

The answer is: they think they are special and hence they don't have to obey the rules like the rest of us. If any of you can LOGICALLY answer this, Man-up to your behavior.


Bottom line: I have a Harley which is really loud...smells like CO2...I don't obey the law and I hope your kids follow my example...especially if you have teenage daughters. This bike, attitude, personna does in fact make me better than all of you non Harley riders...