My weekend ride...

[Tarmac]

.. or "Why I hate Harley guys"

Saturday afternoon, with the chaos going on down the street her in Tucson, I decided I needed some "mental health" time. I fired up Helga, bought a good sub from a local deli, and went up into the mountains for a ride. Got about 1/2 way up (it's cold up there), pulled off, and sat down on the stone wall, and had myself a little picnic.

Im sitting there eating, when a guy on a Harley bagger pulls in, so I wave at the dude. He dosn't wave back. He rides to the far end of the parking lot, and parks as far away from me as possible. He never says a word, or walks over to say "hi" and check out my bike.

Aside from that, I had a great ride, and a good sandmich!

[mogu83]

Don't hate (we're seeing what that results in) them - pity them.
I have a bunch of friends that are "Harley Guys' and for the most part they are just like us 'Beemer Guys'. Many are not long time riders and the only experience they have with motorcycles is with the American Bike. They usually don't approach a Beemer rider because they have heard that Beemer riders are hard core loners and stuck up, and they wouldn't know what to say. Next time stroll over check out the pile of iron and say something complementary, like nice paint- what color is that?. You'll likely find out he has some questions about your bike, and you might make a new friend. As long as their a rider, does it really matter what their on. I've already moved two off their Harley's on to Beemers and a few are showing interest.
It's amazing how many Harley riders move to BMWs when they have some riding experience under their belts and are exposed to the marque.

[ContraMoto]

I my first ride on my R12R (home from the dealer), a guy on a Harley came up off an on-ramp 1/4 mile in front of me. I just hung back where I was. I could see him glancing in his mirrors at me.

Then, he turned full around in the saddle to look at me, and gave me a big friendly "c'mon up here" wave. So I bursted on up there. He pointed at my bike and gave me a thumbs-up and we split a lane for the next 20 miles till my exit. I thought it was a nice gesture.

As in many things involving people, they're not all alike.

[BigEasy]

I have a HD as well as my R12 and a couple others to boot. I am an ATGATT guy and it's kind of funny that the Pirate type HD guys still shun me even when riding the HD I always get the "aren't you hot in all of those clothes?" question. Most everyone is cool if given the chance, I've always been of the I don't care what you ride, as long as you ride school.

And to speak to the motivation for your ride, that situation stinks. I can't imagine what would bring a kid to such actions. The 9 year old girl getting taken out was just wierd coincidence. Prayers for all, hope your city heals from this quickly

[creamora]

They usually don't approach a Beemer rider because they have heard that Beemer riders are hard core loners and stuck up, and they wouldn't know what to say. Next time stroll over check out the pile of iron and say something complementary, like nice paint- what color is that?. You'll likely find out he has some questions about your bike, and you might make a new friend. It's amazing how many Harley riders move to BMWs when they have some riding experience under their belts and are exposed to the marque.

As another snow storm closes in here, I find myself envying your ride out for a bit of motorcycle Zen.

I also agree with Harry. Having finally made it to the marquee, I find conversations come more easily and I usually engage – after all, there’s little to fear in talking up the R1200R, and a small compliment will go a long way. I still drop a wave when the HD’s go by and it’s a 50/50 shot you’ll get one back; I enjoy the journey too much to let it get me.

Like a Messerschmitt coming out of the sun, try turning the tables next time. Start the conversation by coming in fast with a compliment and a first showing of motorcycle chivalry, and report your results.

[redwing]

My neighbor has two Harleys. One has saddle bags, a trunk, and arm rests for the passenger. The other has a chrome springer front end. Both attractive bikes. Super nice guy and a much better rider ... we are both interested in each others bikes. We go riding now an then on some curvy roads not far from here. Most bikers on any bike are friendly folks and I have never had a bad experience.
One single point... don't approach a group of club riders.

Robert

[sky_sailor]

.. or "Why I hate Harley guys"

Saturday afternoon, with the chaos going on down the street her in Tucson, I decided I needed some "mental health" time. I fired up Helga, bought a good sub from a local deli, and went up into the mountains for a ride. Got about 1/2 way up (it's cold up there), pulled off, and sat down on the stone wall, and had myself a little picnic.

Im sitting there eating, when a guy on a Harley bagger pulls in, so I wave at the dude. He dosn't wave back. He rides to the far end of the parking lot, and parks as far away from me as possible. He never says a word, or walks over to say "hi" and check out my bike.

Aside from that, I had a great ride, and a good sandmich!

Maybe the guy just lost somebody and just wanted to be alone. I've had any number of Harley guys walk over and talk bikes to me, even on my lowly Suzuki! This guy, for whatever reason, just wanted his space.

[Ric]

An observation from the Ex............

I'm one of the ring leaders of a large 2-stroke road bike group. We're a bunch of hard core wrenchers and long time knee-draggin' riders. We're very outgoing and socialable so we love to check out other peoples bikes and have bike subject conversations. The vast majority of cruiser folks do seem to be stand-off'ish if not down right socially rude.

Here's the Ex's observation......She once said in relation to some cruiser types being antisocial toward us,

"You guys are way into it. You talk technical talk. They may not be into it as you guys are. They may feel intimidated. They may be new to biking and not know as much as you guys and otherwise feel out of place not knowing what to say. Besides, pulling over in the same place as some other bikers does not make the scene an automatic social event. Saying hello is one thing, feeling as though you have a right to start a bike conversation simply because your both on bikes is another scenio that has to be felt out."

Now, I would run over my Ex in a heartbeat if she ever steps off a curb in front of me but, I thought she had a good point which I had never considered.

ROLL TIDE !

[Stef.]

I must say first of all- I soooo envy you that you went out for a ride...can't wait to get my bike back on insurance and back on the road. I have met quite a few Harley drivers over here in Vancouver and must say I always had a nice chat with them. One even walked up to me and said that he wanted my bike as his next bike, so I suggested a trade just to be polite. I think you can find a....... on all sort of bikes, unfortunately though it seems to be the Harley riders that have a bad reputation.
Anyhow...am counting the days until I am back on the road...
Stef.

[sky_sailor]

I must say first of all- I soooo envy you that you went out for a ride...can't wait to get my bike back on insurance and back on the road. I have met quite a few Harley drivers over here in Vancouver and must say I always had a nice chat with them. One even walked up to me and said that he wanted my bike as his next bike, so I suggested a trade just to be polite. I think you can find a....... on all sort of bikes, unfortunately though it seems to be the Harley riders that have a bad reputation.
Anyhow...am counting the days until I am back on the road...
Stef.

They talk to you cuz you're a gurl.....no brainer.

[Tarmac]

Just to clear it up,

1: I had a great ride, and hope to get in another this weekend.

2: Harley guy SNUBBED me. He didn't even WAVE back at me. I don't care if you just want to be alone, not having the common decency to wave back at a fellow motorcyclist makes you a Grade A, USDA Prime, A-Hole.

[me&mybmw]

Jealous of the fact you got a ride in, not the reason though. Did you put olives on the sub? Try it...you might like it. You will forget about buddy soon enough, minus 18c,yes I will wait for spring. Still jealous though.

[Kalle]

Hey there..

Must say i envy your ability to ride these days as well. For me, its suicidal in all this snow, so i wont try. But, i must say although there is a lot of wisdom and maturity displayed in the answers to the original post, i have sometimes mused abit about why certain type of riders appear more "isolationist" than others. It could be very individual, naturally, but I think many times it is people who are more concerned with being in an in-crowd and being "afraid" as seen as member of an out-crowd. They are more often than others "suited up" with a full deck of equipment. They ride bikes people admire and recognise, bikes with "attitude". It could be a Dukati, it could be a custom, it could be anything hot. It rarely a Suzuki or a beemer. They not only ride their HD, they look the part - fully dressed up in "complete uniform". I, at least, didnt choose my r1200r to be "seen. If you define your HD as part of your identity you blend better with other HD riders... Nothing wrong, simply a different subculture.

[Chumley]

I don't see how you can absolutely categorize people by the type of bike they ride. I do think that there is a personality type that directs a person towards the type of riding they do but it's all loose guidelines. My experience with crusier riders are they fall into a few general groups: new to riding and all their friends have directed them towards a Harley (new blood that can still be molded), the "poser" (subgroup 1: rider who wants to appear tough and wants a bike to match their favorite belt buckle (may care about/acquire riding skills since he wants to go fast) , Subgroup 2: the social rider who wants to buy into the Harley mystique, acquire new "cool friends" and hang out (may never increase skills since it is just a social thing - back of pack wobbler...), one percenter (too few to care about), normal people who happen to like Harleys (like me). There are an incredible number of high mileage Harley riders out there. On my trips around the western U.S. I see more riders on Harleys packed up and touring by maybe 20 (maybe even 50) to 1 vs. BMW. No matter their reason Harley riders are out there and riding and it is good for all of us.

BTW: There is now the BMW "poser" group. They are an increasing number. I have been snubbed by BMW riders when on a Harley and probably by fewer Harley riders when on my BMWs. I was standing in line at my BMW shop with a Harley T-shirt and had a guy in front of me ask what I was doing in the shop, idjit. He was really dressed the part but had only been riding a couple years (he told me everything about him in a minute) but not all BMW riders are like him.

BMWs and Harleys are very similar: they do what they are designed to do very very well. They are both old companies sticking by legacy design and increasing the usefull lifespans by adding technology. Harleys just do something that can be very different than BMWs. Both have loyal customers that resist change vehemently.

The other rider was a human being that maybe didn't feel social that day. He proobably told his friends that he rode into a parking lot and the BMW guys wouldn't come over to talk to him.

[Ric]

I must say first of all- I soooo envy you that you went out for a ride...can't wait to get my bike back on insurance and back on the road. I have met quite a few Harley drivers over here in Vancouver and must say I always had a nice chat with them. One even walked up to me and said that he wanted my bike as his next bike, so I suggested a trade just to be polite. I think you can find a....... on all sort of bikes, unfortunately though it seems to be the Harley riders that have a bad reputation.
Anyhow...am counting the days until I am back on the road...
Stef.

Hey Stef....did you ever pull your bike into the house ?

[ContraMoto]

BTW: There is now the BMW "poser" group. They are an increasing number...

As I wrote in another thread the other day, that's part of my reason for switching from a GS. There are so many GS poseurs around where I live it's silly (much more than Harley poseurs). I live in a well-off town of ~24k, with a couple nearly identical adjacent towns. I see GS's with all three cases mounted, with a rider wearing round-the-world BMW kit, probably twice a week. I actually know who a coupla these guys are and they've never been on a single trip.

I just thought, "I don't wanna be those guys" and got myself a Roadster. As our friend ChiTown has shown, you can certainly have some adventures on a Roadster.

Let's face it, the choice of motorcycle to ride is as much an outward expression of how we see ourselves as it is a choice of transportation. If my bike was just meant to be something to ride the way I ride, I'd be hard-pressed to not be riding a Japanese brand, and save the extra $4-5k I paid to have a BMW. I fully recognize that my bike is part riding experience, part statement. In that light, I didn't want to make the wrong statement about who I think I am. I'm not Harley guy. I'm not GS guy. I'm not ninja-bike guy.

I'm "Gentleman's Naked Bike" guy.

I like how that fits and feels...and of course it rides nice, too.