Japa vs. American/Euro Rivalry!

[Zed]

Gidday all you nutcase Kiwi bikers, it's good to talk with my kind!

Can anyone shed some light on the origin of this rivalry you get out on the road between those riding Japa sports bikes and those riding American/European bikes? You know what I mean don't you- sports bikes give the nod or wave to eachother when passing in opposite directions while there is a willing ignorance/disgust when you face a Harley or non-sports bike type!

I believe that you're either in one camp or the other...are there any of you who own both types of bikes- sports & cruisers?

Give it heaps out there!! (obeying the law if at all possible?)


Zed

[Hitcher]

Welcome to the Pleasuredome, Zed.

The issue you raise is something of a perennial in these parts, and you will find a lot of crap as well as erudite comment on various forum threads. The xenophobia has at times extended even to scooters (shudder).

In summary, people generally like what they ride or aspire to their "dream machine". Brand loyalty is another factor too. As to why some riders don't wave at others -- goodness knows. You outline some of the common generalisations as to who doesn't wave at whom (you forgot BMW riders, by the way), but then there are the glorious exceptions that break the rules. There really is a "brotherhood of bikers"!

If it's got two wheels, ride it hard and ride it well.

[Jackrat]

Some of it comes or did come from racisim.
Most of my own family ride non jap bikes,I ride anything with two wheels.
When I bought my first Jap bike I copped heaps of shit over it from my old man.Seems there was a war some time in the fortys and a lot of wankers use that as an excuse to carry on like prats.
For some reason this don't extened to Italian or German bikes.
Of course most Harley riders will do their best to forget that Harley is in fact partly owned by a Jap company and uses jap parts(those are the bits that don't bust).I guess we can forgive the Italians because they were on the side of whoever was winning at any given time.Of course the Germans had no choise(yeah sure).So the japs came out as the bad guys,Even if the yanks did Nuke em' after they had already surrendered.
So what we really have is assholes being assholes,nothing more.
Some people just need some one to hate,It's what gives their misrable lives meaning.Unfortunatly it's not restricted to any one group.
Because I have owned bikes from most of the major companys I have heard all the crap a dozen times.I know guys that learnt to ride on jap bikes and now denie it so they can fit into a particular group,I know sport bike riders that shit on cruisers of all makes but have never ridden any thing but sports bikes so don't know shit anyway.I have a brother that never misses a chance to slag jap bikes but drives a Subaru.
I came to the conclusion a long time ago that bikers are just as fucked up as the rest of society.As for me,As I said I will ride anything ,but I do tend to stear clear of other bikers because I can't be bothered listening to the crap.
I know one thing for sure,If I ever get to stand in front of St peter,I will just say,I had a go at every thing so open the bloody gate.

[duckman]

"but I do tend to stear clear of other bikers because I can't be bothered listening to the crap."

Er - What the hell are you doing here then ???

[Jackrat]

"but I do tend to stear clear of other bikers because I can't be bothered listening to the crap."

Er - What the hell are you doing here then ???

See what I mean.
On a forem like this a person can push the OFF button.
So do you have something to say or are you simply going to continue justifing my opinion.

[duckman]

Gosh, I thought I had already said it. but for those of us who really want to hear it again...
I was wondering why, if you dislike conversing with bikers, you spend your time on this site. ??

I thought it was valid question - Perhaps off topic, but still valid.

Maybe I just took exception to you calling my opinions "Crap".

I'll try and harden up

[wkid_one]

This post has been answered elsewhere.

I think the answer lies in the type of riding and brand preference. Why do people buy Nikes and not Reeboks, why do people drinks Coke and not Pepsi, why McDonald's and not Burger King, why Sky chooses Nascar over MotoGP.

It has to do with price (Jap bikes typically cheaper than Euro/American Bikes), styling (Jap bikes typically more cutting edg/racing looking), image (say no more), advertising (We see more advertising for Jap bikes in NZ), race results etc etc.

All I will say, again, is it would be a boring place if we all liked the same bikes.......

As for the wave thing.......the way the Harleys vibrate, rattle, roll and (don't) stop - I would be reluctant to take my hands from the bars also - that is of course if I could see you thru my wicked vibration distort vision

[Jackrat]

And we have another winner.
Just can't get a point across without taking a cheap shot
I have to admit I'm not suprised that with all I wrote,somebody had to take one line and twist it into his own little argument.
I REST MY CASE.

[KATWYN]

I was at a bike accident scene (with a couple of Jappers involved)
once and although it wasn't serious...to onlookers going past it
would've looked serious. One person drove past hanging out his
car window (not rendering assistence) but all he could do was
take a cheap shot and yell out "haha good job Jap crap etc "

I thought if that is the mentality of some people that are
into brand wars then they are a real sad breed indeed.

A head nod can still be managed....without having to take your
hands off the bars anyway

[Motu]

It goes back a bit beyond Harleys in NZ,the ''bikies'' of the 60s and 70s rode British bikes,Harleys were non existant in our market,these Harley riders you see are a later breed.

A lot of flack against Jap bikes came because believe it or not Japanese products after the 2nd WW were very low quality - kinda like made in China these days - hey,do you think these Chinese bikes we are getting now are crap?....same thing.They look just like Hondas,copycats....so were the Japanese back then.In 10yrs the Chinese products will be the best in the world,then we start looking for another scapegoat.

The Germans have always made quality,so have always had a good reputation.Those of you brought up on Japanese only know them as quality goods,but those who used Japanese products of 30 years ago will remember them as crap - ok,they should grow up,but some people don't back down easy.

I just ride bikes - they are all good to me.

[wkid_one]

If that was aimed at me - I hadn't even read your post - I was responding to Hitchers & Zeds post

I do however agree with your post now I have read it. Humans, by very nature are, creatures of conformity. Very few of us like to stand out as not being 'part of the group' - those that ride Harleys have to slag non-american bikes or be scorned.

Sports bike riding is no less worse - if not more so...because you end up with the Yam v Kwak v Suzuk - where in actual fact at the end of the day - they are all identical bikes to the layman (and most professional riders only choose to ride them based on $$$$$ - not brand preference).

I also agree that the majority of sport bike riders may have never have ridden a Harley or sim. I am one of the ones who has - and hated it. No ground clearance and no fun (for my riding style). I won't put them down tho - because when I am 50 - they will most likely look entirely appetising.

Bikers are also heavily stereotyped within themselves. I honestly have seen more middle aged professionals riding harleys than the supposed A-typical gang banger? IN fact, most successful gang bangers are now driving around in pretty flash cars (courtesy of professional middle aged drug users).

As for people that own both types - I know a few of these as well.

IMO much of bike choice is image. People buy Harleys are usually those with a high disposeable income, those endeavouring to recapture their youth, those who want an alternative to long car drives in the weekend.......

it is much the same as the turbo 4WD v v8 argument, the Euro v Jap v US truck argument. The US v Jap Excavator Argument. The De Walt v Black & Decker Argument. And the list goes on.

Remember a time when NZ scorned Japanese Imports!!! Now - you struggle to find a car that isn't

It all comes back to status.......and ego

[Zed]

Personally I enjoy the rivalry!

To me it's an acknowledgement of the same breed, if you will...when I see another Superbike on the road something inside me speeds up (let alone my bike!) and I need to identify the bike to see what kind it is and what reaction the rider will have to me- exciting stuff. I get most disappointed when I see a bike in the distance and when it gets closer realise that it's a cruiser or small motorcycle (is a scooter a motorcycle? laf)- just not in the same awesome field as the 600cc+ machines.

Actually I think small bikes are a danger to the rider and society as a whole!

I've got nothing against other makes/types of bikes (rode a new 1300cc Harley in 2001- good fun), but they just don't cut it when you want pure power & speed and the feeling that very few other vehicles on the road can keep up with you!


Zed

[Motu]

[Motoracer]

Actually I think small bikes are a danger to the rider and society as a whole!

Zed

I am confused by your statement, what exactly did you mean?

[Zed]

I am confused by your statement, what exactly did you mean?

I'm glad you asked...my opinion is from a 600+cc perspective remember.

Small bikes lack power (especially when you need to get around something quick- depends how you ride I suppose)
Small bikes are too light- hard to control in winds & rain.
Small bikes are a greater risk in the blindspot of a car.

There is an attitude that comes from riding a big bike that small bike riders don't seem to have- a respect for greater speed and power that can be used as an advantage in times of danger!


Zed