Another View On Harley's

[mxvet57]

I was on one of my favorite MX web sites and found this little goodie. People write in with stupid questions And this guy answers then with his witty and sadistic humor. (sort of like Connie with out the meds)

http://www.racerxonline.com/2011/09/30/ask-ping



Dear Ping,

The other day I was minding my own business commuting home from another day at work with my favorite tunes working when my serenity is busted by the egregious racket coming from a straight-piped Harley coming up beside me in the next lane. The traffic soon stopped at the next light. As I looked over to observe the source of the noise, I notice a middle-aged, overweight guy in a zip-up hoody sweatshirt, no helmet and get this... a set of earplugs in. My question for you oh wise counselor is: Why are the goons who ride such public nuisances so damn clueless? If he doesn't want to hear the melody made by his straight-piped, iron lung twin, why does he want to share it with everyone else?

Neil from Minnesota

 

Dear Neil,
There are few things more annoying than one of your jagoff neighbors firing up his Harley at 5:30 a.m. to head off to work. It’s annoying enough out on the surface streets and highways, but disturbing my sleep is completely unacceptable. The same people who pay an exorbitant amount of money for a Harley just because it is a “Harley” will argue that the loud pipes are a safety device that allow people in cars to hear them, since they are often lost in blind spots. That’s a terrific argument, but maybe they are just being run over because they are riding like jackasses and splitting lanes like they own the entire road. Is that possible? I’m convinced that this situation is no different than the guy with the gigantic, lifted truck that is clearly compensating for average-sized genitals. That same guy picks up the loudest, most obnoxious bike he can find so that everyone will look at him and be impressed with his new sunglasses and the sweet tribal tattoo around his bicep. You’re awesome, bro. I suggest the next time one of these guys pulls up next to you or rides next to you on the freeway, just blast your horn and don’t let off until he’s gone. I know that’s what I do when I’m driving my massive, lifted truck around.

PING

[stew71]

...I notice a middle-aged, overweight guy in a zip-up hoody sweatshirt...

It IS interesting to note the high number of pot-bellies at our local Harley shop. Some of those guys make me look downright anorexic.

[MDHCO]

Thin may be in, but fat is where it's at.  

[falcofred]

It IS interesting to note the high number of pot-bellies at our local Harley shop. Some of those guys make me look downright anorexic.

I agree, a lot of large individuals enjoy the reclined riding position the a Harley offers. Another thing I noticed is that a large percentage of Harley riders smoke cigarettes, I seem to often go by groups or Harley riders stopped on the side of the road smoking. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Flying W]

I agree, a lot of large individuals enjoy the reclined riding position the a Harley offers. Another thing I noticed is that a large percentage of Harley riders smoke cigarettes, I seem to often go by groups or Harley riders stopped on the side of the road smoking. Has anyone else noticed this?

Gotta do something while waiting for a tow truck..

[desertxxrider]

I think the South Park Harley episode pretty much covered the loud over sized lawnmower engine noise issue.

[atadaskew]

This thread is stale already.  Guess that's what happens when you keep re-hashing the same ol' same ol'...

Maybe you boys need to bring in a new character?

[mxvet57]

This thread is stale already.  Guess that's what happens when you keep re-hashing the same ol' same ol'...

Maybe you boys need to bring in a new character?

The only reason i posted this is because when i read it i got a good laugh and i thought some people here would find the humor in it to.

I didn't post it with the intentions of starting another Harley bashing thread.

[county]

The lack of tolerance on this site amazes me....

[falcofred]

I didn't post it with the intentions of starting another Harley bashing thread.

Sure you didn't  

We need a new forum section dedicated to just bashing Harley's, that way sensitive Harley riders could just stay out of the forum section and let the rest of us enjoy bashing them

[jay547]

i thought it was funny and i'm a potbellied guy myself.

i'm amazed at the number of sportbike riders here who smoke. many of them will not go on day rides because the non-smokers don't want to take a smoke stop every 50 miles.

[rollnhot]

Count me in, we have a M.C. in our little town. Worse yet its only a bock from my house. On the up side its late Oct. and most of these clowns have put their noise makers away three weeks ago.

[turbojim]

If it weren't for the Harley's we would have to find something else go on about, just saying  

[county]

If it weren't for the Harley's we would have to find something else go on about, just saying  

My fallback position is the FJR  

[mxvet57]

My fallback position is the FJR  

Now them are fighten words.

[atadaskew]

My fallback position is the FJR  

Well sure, now that Honda finally released an updated VFR that everyone loves.

[Jet Jock]

Well sure, now that Honda finally released an updated VFR that everyone loves.

One word on the new VFR: FUGLY!

[Rogue]

If these Harley riders put quieter pipes on their Hogs, then the heat will go to sportbikers and stuntaz.

The way I see it, let's keep the heat on the Harley riders, especially the ones who wear those ridiculous ZZ-top beards, 4-foot whips on their handlebars, ride in parade speeds, etc.  

Oh and the reason why they don't have too many FAT sportbike riders is because it's impossible to ride a sportbike for any reasonable amount of time when you have a pot belly!  It's too painful!

[mxvet57]

 

Oh and the reason why they don't have too many FAT sportbike riders is because it's impossible to ride a sportbike for any reasonable amount of time when you have a pot belly!  It's too painful!

Speaking from experience.

[Max Wedge]

Another thing I wonder about Harley riders. On my commute, I see lots of trucks and cars with HD or OCC stickers on them. So do they put "GMC Envoy" or "Dodge Stratus" stickers on their HD's and OCC choppers?  They want to promote their other ride, so wouldn't that make sense?  

[ConPilot1]

Another thing I wonder about Harley riders. On my commute, I see lots of trucks and cars with HD or OCC stickers on them. So do they put "GMC Envoy" or "Dodge Stratus" stickers on their HD's and OCC choppers?  They want to promote their other ride, so wouldn't that make sense?  

I've been chased by raging F-150 drivers with HD stickers in the back window. You know, the whole-window wide redneck style HD stickers.

[keepergale]

Hey this thread can't end yet. No one has ragged on BMW's yet. This group is certainly inclusive.

[county]

Well, I just heard on the new that Harley is recalling 3,00,000 bikes because the exhaust will short out the brake lite or else cause the rear brake to not work....or both...

[hpc800]

Kinda Ironic that the temp starts to drop and there is an insurgence of Harley threads... My .02 on the Loud Pipes Myth...Loud Pipes saves lives for those that do not know how to ride I commute an average of 9,000 miles a year and looking back I can count the times on one hand (with fingers left over) that I was almost taking out by someone that did not see me...My bike bike is whisper quiet compared to any Harley and most others for that matter...I find it is more about keeping yourself visable (knowing where to be)...After all I do ride the "Anti-Harley"!  

[ConPilot1]

It's become my opinion from the Harley riders I know that the "loud pipes saves lives" thing is moot because they don't ride the damn things anyway.

[Max Wedge]

Hey this thread can't end yet. No one has ragged on BMW's yet. This group is certainly inclusive.

That's exactly why I stirred it up a little. Well, I'm off to Starbucks*.....











*if my final drive holds up.

[Big D]

Another thing I wonder about Harley riders. On my commute, I see lots of trucks and cars with HD or OCC stickers on them. So do they put "GMC Envoy" or "Dodge Stratus" stickers on their HD's and OCC choppers?  

No, because they don't actually have motorcycles.

[Squidbuzz]

Thin may be in, but fat is where it's at.  

And chrome will bring you home.

[ConPilot1]

And chrome will bring you home.

As long as you don't have to lay'er down.

[squeezer]

Well, I just heard on the new that Harley is recalling 3,00,000 bikes because the exhaust will short out the brake lite or else cause the rear brake to not work....or both...

Which is a serious problem because, as a Harley rider tried to tell my kid at his MSF course,  "You never want to use your front brake."

[Kootenanny]

Well, I just heard on the new that Harley is recalling 3,00,000 bikes because the exhaust will short out the brake lite or else cause the rear brake to not work....or both...

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,67651.0.html

[Hambonee]

I've been chased by raging F-150 drivers with HD stickers in the back window. You know, the whole-window wide redneck style HD stickers.

HAHA..

Had a guy this morning in what looked to be a jacked up F-250..big arse chrome grille on the thing almost run me down then go speeding by at about 60 in a 40 zone. He had the full length Harley symbol in his rear window.

Had he been on his bike, if he had one, sure he would have pulled beside me and reved his bike so I could be "impressed" by the noise it produced...

Have that happen a lot...ughhhh

[Kootenanny]

Which is a serious problem because, as a Harley rider tried to tell my kid at his MSF course,  "You never want to use your front brake."

Now, something's wrong with this statement...just can't put my finger on it...

[desertxxrider]

Now, something's wrong with this statement...just can't put my finger on it...

Maybe this was the guy.                   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEPU5MhONkg

[Kootenanny]

Maybe this was the guy.                   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEPU5MhONkg

Ha!  Don't think that was a gen-you-ine Harley-Davidson, though...just a clone...I can't tell 'em apart...

[Big D]

See?!? That's why you never use the front brake!!! That guy barely touched it and BAM! Down he went!

[TBirdVI]

See?!? That's why you never use the front brake!!! That guy barely touched it and BAM! Down he went!

I thought you went over the bars when you touched the front brake.   I've been doing it wrong!!  

[Biking Sailor]

I thought you went over the bars when you touched the front brake.   I've been doing it wrong!!  

This is called overcooking a stoppie and is only done on very light bikes, that are short and have steep fork rakes.  Yea, kinda like Harleys.   

[skater69]

Most cruiser riders I see (Harley or otherwise) are overweight pot belly riders.  Let's face it if your main hobby is sitting on your ass for hours and taking lunch breaks in between, you're not burning too many calories.
A lot of sportbike riders are fat too but not as many as cruiser guys.

I think for many guys once you hit 30, 40 and up, the metabolism slows up and you store fat a lot easier and longer.
If you don't adapt and start working out, you end up gaining 20,30...50lbs.

Then it's just a matter if you care or not.  Personally I hated being 5'10 and weighing 230 and having the wind knocked out of me when I leaned over to tie my shoes.  Thankfully that was 6 yrs and 60lbs ago.

[atadaskew]

Most cruiser riders I see (Harley or otherwise) are overweight pot belly riders.  Let's face it if your main hobby is sitting on your ass for hours and taking lunch breaks in between, you're not burning too many calories.

You do know you've described most of the people on this site?

I guess we have closet Harley riders here.

[coho]

Don't you mean California riders?

[HipGnosis]

Most cruiser riders I see (Harley or otherwise) are overweight pot belly riders.  Let's face it if your main hobby is sitting on your ass for hours and taking lunch breaks in between, you're not burning too many calories.

Hours?  Just how far apart are the bars in your area?!?
Oh, wait...  my bad.  I got it now.  They sit IN the bars for hours...

[jhawk]

.... Let's face it if your main hobby is sitting on your ass for hours and taking lunch breaks in between, you're not burning too many calories......

Like chatting online?  

[skater69]

Like chatting online?  

Well I gotta do SOMETHING while I'm at work!

[dan88z]

You do know you've described most of the people on this site?

I guess we have closet Harley riders here.

I think it means that it's ok for former fat guys to make fun of current fat guys!

[atadaskew]

I think it means that it's ok for fat guys to make fun of  fat guys!

FTFY

[02Tac]

  One thing to remember, when you get right down to it,it is not the bike that is the problem. it is most of the owners. A Harley bike is just another bike. It is no better than any of the other cruisers out there. The problem is with the deluded "owners" who honestly believe they have purchased the pinnical of motorcycling equipment.  This is odd in and of it self because most of them then set about modifing the damn things with chrome, loud pipes, chrome, ape hangers, chrome and OH YEA, chrome. They also adopt the "madated" garb and look like folls in doing so.
 
 That said, there are are actually some "riders" that own Harleys.  They can be identified by the wear of proper gear and the only mods to the bike are of a ffunctional nature to make it a better fit for them as they actually use the thing.

[stevent]

  One thing to remember, when you get right down to it,it is not the bike that is the problem. it is most of the owners. A Harley bike is just another bike. It is no better than any of the other cruisers out there. The problem is with the deluded "owners" who honestly believe they have purchased the pinnical of motorcycling equipment.  This is odd in and of it self because most of them then set about modifing the damn things with chrome, loud pipes, chrome, ape hangers, chrome and OH YEA, chrome. They also adopt the "madated" garb and look like folls in doing so.
  
 That said, there are are actually some "riders" that own Harleys.  They can be identified by the wear of proper gear and the only mods to the bike are of a ffunctional nature to make it a better fit for them as they actually use the thing.

Very true, there's a world of difference between motorcyclists who ride Harleys and "Bikers" on Harleys.. the former put lots of miles on them rain or shine, the latter...well, don't..        

[Kraz]

Hey this thread can't end yet. No one has ragged on BMW's yet. This group is certainly inclusive.

Last week I'm getting my K12S towed to the dealer for a dead fuel pump, and the driver points at the HD dealer as we pass and ironically says "Yep, that's where most of my bike tows go to."

It's obviously partly b/c of the amount of HD's on the road, but it made me chuckle.

He later told me that there was one model of BMW bike that's breaks down about twice a year... says it's a well known fact.

[Playinthestreet]

Wearing my full face and leathers few H-D rider would acknowledge me when on my Dyna.

[mxvet57]

Wearing my full face and leathers few H-D rider would acknowledge me when on my Dyna.

Your doing it wrong. Try a doo rag and a leather vest.

Oh and put some loud and obnoxious pipes on to.

[bikerfish1100]

this 'splains it all..... Perfectly.
http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s13e12-the-f-word

[atadaskew]

  One thing to remember, when you get right down to it,it is not the bike that is the problem. it is most of the owners. A Harley bike is just another bike. It is no better than any of the other cruisers out there. The problem is with the deluded "owners" who honestly believe they have purchased the pinnical of motorcycling equipment.  This is odd in and of it self because most of them then set about modifing the damn things with chrome, loud pipes, chrome, ape hangers, chrome and OH YEA, chrome. They also adopt the "madated" garb and look like folls in doing so.
  
 That said, there are are actually some "riders" that own Harleys.  They can be identified by the wear of proper gear and the only mods to the bike are of a ffunctional nature to make it a better fit for them as they actually use the thing.

So what's the espalanation for all the Japanese cruiser riders who do the exact same thing?
Posted on: October 31, 2011, 02:40:38 PM

Wearing my full face and leathers few H-D rider would acknowledge me when on my Dyna.

That's how I rode with mine.  The lack of acknowledgment was a bonus.

[02Tac]

So what's the espalanation for all the Japanese cruiser riders who do the exact same thing?
Posted on: October 31, 2011, 02:40:38 PM

Honestly, aside from the "I am an idiot" pipes, I have not seen the attitude issue with metric cruiser riders in my area.

[atadaskew]

Honestly, aside from the "I am an idiot" pipes, I have not seen the attitude issue with metric cruiser riders in my area.

Those pipes are plenty..

 

[Rabon1]

I agree, a lot of large individuals enjoy the reclined riding position the a Harley offers. Another thing I noticed is that a large percentage of Harley riders smoke cigarettes, I seem to often go by groups or Harley riders stopped on the side of the road smoking. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yes, but as they catch on they will switch to a model with better weather protection, as there is no need to stop to burn one.  

[cbsnbiker]

Last week I'm getting my K12S towed to the dealer for a dead fuel pump, and the driver points at the HD dealer as we pass and ironically says "Yep, that's where most of my bike tows go to."

It's obviously partly b/c of the amount of HD's on the road, but it made me chuckle.

He later told me that there was one model of BMW bike that's breaks down about twice a year... says it's a well known fact.

At least the b*tch didn't throw you off.    

[ConPilot1]

Yes, but as they catch on they will switch to a model with better weather protection, as there is no need to stop to burn one.  

That's one of the perks of an old Concours with a bigger than stock windshield and a flip-up helmet.  

[falcofred]

Yes, but as they catch on they will switch to a model with better weather protection, as there is no need to stop to burn one.  

Oh yes, there is nothing cooler than a novelty helmet wearing pirate smoking a cig while riding, even cooler than the Marlboro Man!