"I hate my bike...but I wouldn't ride another make" [Archive]

Biff

31st May 2006, 09:33

I got chatting to a couple of bikie types at a party on Sat night. Both of them were wearing waist coats adorned with various labels/badges adverstising a well known brand of motormacycling machinery.

During our conversation they told me:

"My bike is slow....boring"

"We have difficulty over-taking traffic"

"Anything over an hours riding and things get uncomfortable (arms and back)"..."We love touring"

"The parts are really expensive and I've just had to wait 2 months for a bearing to arrive from the US"

"They (his n her bikes) drink fuel"

"They're forever breaking down"

"We'd never own another brand again. Especially a Japper", although they both admitted to never having owned anything other than their current brand of bike, and Guzzis.

It's a funny ole world. Different strokes...

MSTRS

31st May 2006, 09:38

Indeed there is no accounting. Why anyone who loves riding would deliberately saddle themselves with a boat anchor, I can't fathom...

Paul in NZ

31st May 2006, 09:44

Biohazard

31st May 2006, 09:48

I got chatting to a couple of bikie types at a party on Sat night. Both of them were wearing waist coats adorned with various labels/badges adverstising a well known brand of motormacycling machinery.

You got me at waistcoats tbh, that was kind of a give away that the conversation was gonna be a non-starter. I see leather waistcoats I turn the other way and walk...quickly

Bang head wall springs to mind!!

Now leather hot pants are a differant topic all together..

bobsmith

31st May 2006, 09:48

Well if you start with the thought that not everyone else on the planet is utterly stupid (dangerous terrirtory I know)

Dangerous indeed....

Especially when it takes people like me several months to educate younger ones to realise that everyone on this planet is stupid, including themselves... (I was forced to tutor my sister in maths and physics so that's what I taught her... She's doing much better at school now)

31st May 2006, 09:52

I guess it's not what you ride then eh, it's how much you enjoy it :)

sels1

31st May 2006, 10:03

although they both admitted to never having owned anything other than their current brand of bike, and Guzzis.

And Guzzies? explains everything (eh Paul??):D

But to each their own. And most owners of that brand dont usually admit the machines shortcomings that freely.

steved

31st May 2006, 10:09

I guess it's not what you ride then eh, it's how much you enjoy it :)Yeah, but it seems they're not enjoying it eh? With all those complaints, what fun are they having with their bikes? Pride of ownership must be very strong.

Motu

31st May 2006, 10:17

Well if you start with the thought that not everyone else on the planet is utterly stupid (dangerous terrirtory I know) then perhaps they are getting something else of value that you are either unaware of or don't value?

Quite - I've had countless bikes that had no redeeming features,and I guess someone like Biff would think ''What the hell does he want to ride something like that for?''.There is no accounting for other peoples taste.It would be a sad boring lonely world if the only people on it all met my high standards....

Pixie

31st May 2006, 10:43

Pixie

31st May 2006, 10:55

I guess it's not what you ride then eh, it's how much you enjoy it :)
Well apparently they enjoy nothing about the bikes.
Therefore they are not bikers,they are poseurs,they get whatever cheap thrill they do get from being seen.

The_Dover

31st May 2006, 10:55

Ahh, honda riders....

Paul in NZ

31st May 2006, 11:03

Not at all...

Some people remain members of sporting clubs long after their playing days are over because of things like friendship, companionship and (dare I say it) lifestyle....

I freely admit owning and riding a 26 year old Moto Guzzi and a 36 year old Triumph is not a practical thing at all. But neither are large gardens, making your own pottery, showing cats, designing your own tattoos or drinking too much, we still do this stuff though.

Just 'cos you don't see the value in an item does not mean the item has no value. As someone said, 'He who hears not the music, thinks the dancers mad'. I don't hear the music HD make but I sure hear it with the Guzzi and the triumph...

nadroj

31st May 2006, 11:10

Yeah, but it seems they're not enjoying it eh? With all those complaints, what fun are they having with their bikes? Pride of ownership must be very strong.
I get the impression some people just don't like admitting they made a mistake & punish themselves by living with the mistake.

Paul in NZ

31st May 2006, 11:16

I get the impression some people just don't like admitting they made a mistake & punish themselves by living with the mistake.

hey, stop hijacking this HD bashing thread with a marriage one...

Rashika

31st May 2006, 11:48

geez... no point in riding something that they dislike so much.
Cant figure that one out. Guess maybe it is just "the lifestyle"
Maybe they should change to the dark side....

....and get a Buell... tehehehe
Same awesome sound but a fkn heap a fun to go with it! :shutup:
I know i go on....but just cant help it :shutup:

you haven't riden my bike yet have you Biff boy?

Ixion

31st May 2006, 11:53

poseurs...

Not necessarily. I grumble about my bikes all the time. Too slow, handling's shit, parts are too expensive and/or unobtainable, blurdy STUPID design faults, don't handle well enough on gravel/at speed/in the wet. Not enough weather protection, too much plastic, too noisy, not noisy enough, fuel consumption much too high,tyres don't last long enough, chains wear out too fast, too slow, always breaking down, always needing something oiled, adjusted, tinkered, moan moan moan.

What I want of course is the perfect bike. 150hp, 300kph top speed , 40 km per litre fuel consumption, full fairing, but no plastic to get busted in a tumble, nice and comfortable , heaps of luggage space, not more than 120kg weight, really good on gravel, superb handling at high speed, nimble and nifty in traffic,50000km from the tyres, no chains, never breaks down, needs no maintainence etc. Until I get one I'm jolly well going to keep on grumbling.

Still glad I've got 'em but, and they certainly get ridden . Mind you, I'd never say I'd refuse to run any sort of bike. It's all a new experience after all.

Blackbird

31st May 2006, 12:41

Tut, tut Rhod:nono:

Whilst a Harley doesn't do anything for me, we all have our prejudices whether we voice them out loud or not. For example, take the sledging that Honda riders inevitably take from Gixxer pilots (and we know how much sense that makes:nya: )

It's similar to my mental perception of South island riders looking like something out of Deliverance and their ideal machine being a small trail bike to visit the rellies in the hills for weekend fun. Oops..... did I actually say that? I'm coming to the south island on tour next March so best slip in quietly methinks:innocent:

Big Dave

31st May 2006, 12:51

I wear a leather vest and love Harleys - your loss biohazzard.

These dicks just aren't riding it right or it needs a tune up.

sunhuntin

31st May 2006, 12:56

Not at all...

Just 'cos you don't see the value in an item does not mean the item has no value. As someone said, 'He who hears not the music, thinks the dancers mad'. I don't hear the music HD make but I sure hear it with the Guzzi and the triumph...

damn, what a great way to put it!! im the opposite....i hear the music harleys and other loud, grunty vehicles make [chevy trucks get me too!] but i fail to hear the song even my own bike sings....yet i can hear it in other gn250s. strange. i cant hear it sportsbikes either....unless they are racing, like paeroa and cemetary circuit.

in saying that...my complaints about the gn are the same as theirs.... cant overtake very well, gutless, parts are impossible [at least thats what the dealer tells me! 5 weeks for a speedo....grrrrr] and damned expensive.
but i love my bike, she does me well and carries all i want and then some! shes cheap transport. i feel sorry for all the cagers with their fogged up windows... shes given me a new feeling of freedom, which is awesome. there aint nowhere she wouldnt go, and i wouldnt take her.

Lazy7

31st May 2006, 12:59

I bought my bike with a passion for the brand and look - nothing else. was a completely emotional decision and i will do it again.

Would defend my bike to the ends of the earth cause its my bike and its what I ride.

I wont have anybody tell me its too heavy. cause its not. its perfect.
I wont have anybody tell me its too slow. cause its not. its perfect.
I wont have anybody tell me it wont go around corners, cause it does. its perfect.
I wont have anybody tell me its too retro. cause its not. its perfect.
and i definitely will not let anybody tell me the colour is not right.

because guess what

its perfect.

:rockon:

Paul in NZ

31st May 2006, 13:01

damn, what a great way to put it!! im the opposite....i hear the music harleys and other loud, grunty vehicles make [chevy trucks get me too!] but i fail to hear the song even my own bike sings....yet i can hear it in other gn250s. strange. i cant hear it sportsbikes either....unless they are racing, like paeroa and cemetary circuit.

With HD's, the music has a full orchestra of clothing, clubs, social activities and a sense of belonging... Some people need that, some people don't. It's not for me, not because i don't approve but because I'm a bit odd and kinda like my own company and thats what i like about the Moto Guzzi crowd. They are madder about their bikes than any HD owner I ever met yet they only ever meet up once a year for a pretty low key event and then after a couple of days, they have all pretty well said whats needed to be said, so they all bugger off seperately again.... Wierd....

Karma

31st May 2006, 13:04

I wont have anybody tell me its too heavy. cause its not. its perfect.
I wont have anybody tell me its too slow. cause its not. its perfect.
I wont have anybody tell me it wont go around corners, cause it does. its perfect.
I wont have anybody tell me its too retro. cause its not. its perfect.
and i definitely will not let anybody tell me the colour is not right.

because guess what

its perfect.

:rockon:

I'll let you off on the colour, but I nearly pissed coke outta my nose on the rest of them... :nya:

madboy

31st May 2006, 13:04

sunhuntin

31st May 2006, 13:13

With HD's, the music has a full orchestra of clothing, clubs, social activities and a sense of belonging... Some people need that, some people don't. It's not for me, not because i don't approve but because I'm a bit odd and kinda like my own company and thats what i like about the Moto Guzzi crowd. They are madder about their bikes than any HD owner I ever met yet they only ever meet up once a year for a pretty low key event and then after a couple of days, they have all pretty well said whats needed to be said, so they all bugger off seperately again.... Wierd....

im the same...i do about 99% of my riding solo, but do enjoy riding with even one other....i got overtaken by a bike the other day...i managed to stay on his tail [normally im eating dust!] and enjoyed the "companionship" for a change. tooted and left him at the lights. looked an older bike, so wasnt overly fast. looked 'zuki but sounded harley. never got a look at the tank, so couldnt see what name was on it. numbers 81 on the license.
i tend to save groups rides for a coupla times a year...charity runs with ulysses or triumph, usually both though. i prefer the feeling of a sense of belonging, thats one of the main reasons i got into biking....the whole family attitude. but i can get that riding with any make or model....i dont differentiate in those situations.

Dazza

31st May 2006, 13:16

.... Wierd....
I really enjoyed the Guzzi rallies I've been to,bugger that must mean I'm wierd too,oh well I'm over it.:innocent:

Rashika

31st May 2006, 13:34

I really enjoyed the Guzzi rallies I've been to,bugger that must mean I'm wierd too,oh well I'm over it.:innocent:
yup I enjoyed the last one too... damn fun turning up and winning best Non Iti bike, do it again anyday! ;)

Biff

31st May 2006, 13:50

poseurs...

Bling........

you haven't riden my bike yet have you Biff boy?

Nope - one of these days though. And if you eat some more spinach and put on 50 Kilos I'll give you a go on the mighty Biffbird.

Tut, tut Rhod

Whilst a Harley doesn't do anything for me, we all have our prejudices whether we voice them out loud or not.

No prejudices here Geoff. I quite fancy a V-Rod and I can see the attraction of 'some' other Harley's as well (not that I daren't mention them by name in my original post, save being accussed of brand bashing). So I'm most defo not Harley bashing. But to own and ride a machine, and a relatively expensive one at that, yet moan so much about it?

Life's too short and there's too much choice out there to compromise IMO. So I'm with Pixie - Poseurs/ brand bitches.

Oh - and all Gixxer rider's are ghey. Their bikes are way cool though.

The_Dover

31st May 2006, 14:10

Now leather hot pants are a differant topic all together..

You like dudes in leather hotpants? Must be a honda riders thing.

Have you met Maurice?

buellbabe

31st May 2006, 14:17

WOW! I have never heard an HD owner say they hate their bike! I have only heard some pussies whinging cos they are too scared to ride it hard like it was meant to be ridden.
Theres an old saying... about bad workmen blaming their tools...
POSERS
Go hard or go home.

Blackbird

31st May 2006, 14:19

Oh - and all Gixxer rider's are ghey. Their bikes are way cool though.

Couldn't possibly comment but Igor pointed this link out on another thread in case it's of interest to riders of that particular marque: http://www.autumnfarm.com/

Conveniently located in the South Island

Paul in NZ

31st May 2006, 14:52

yup I enjoyed the last one too... damn fun turning up and winning best Non Iti bike, do it again anyday! ;)

Um... Ya better not... I think they still remember you guys... ah hem

Paul in NZ

31st May 2006, 14:53

I really enjoyed the Guzzi rallies I've been to,bugger that must mean I'm wierd too,oh well I'm over it.:innocent:

Christ, you own a KTM that makes you wierd squared ;-)

Lou Girardin

31st May 2006, 17:24

Sonny Barger said the same thing. He thought Harleys were crap and that Jap engineering was much better.
But Angels don't ride jappers.

SPman

31st May 2006, 17:46

What I want of course is the perfect bike. 150hp, 300kph top speed , 40 km per litre fuel consumption, full fairing, but no plastic to get busted in a tumble, nice and comfortable , heaps of luggage space, not more than 120kg weight, really good on gravel, superb handling at high speed, nimble and nifty in traffic,50000km from the tyres, no chains, never breaks down, needs no maintainence etc.
When you find one, can you get me one while you're at it?.. :drinknsin

I'll let you off on the colour, but I nearly pissed coke outta my nose on the rest of them...
partial to a line or two, huh.....

Two Smoker

31st May 2006, 17:55

. i cant hear it sportsbikes either....unless they are racing, like paeroa and cemetary circuit.

I too agree, a sportsbike only sounds good at full noise, or popping and backfiring under heavy braking with the blip of a throttle...... mmmmmmm nice.... EXCEPT for Vtwin sportsbikes... They only sound good at idle...

sunhuntin

31st May 2006, 19:33

Sonny Barger said the same thing. He thought Harleys were crap and that Jap engineering was much better.
But Angels don't ride jappers.

thats right....i remember reading that in his book....lol. but dont forget that was older harleys...panheads i think. i bet the couple in post #1 were bitching about a brand new just out the door fool proof model. panheads were designed to be trouble! but i love em!

Mr. Peanut

31st May 2006, 21:14

Bikes are inherently an emotional decision. Very few riders can assess their habit by any logical standards. Sure, riders some prioritise some features over others, but at the end of the day motorcycling in general is inherently illogical when you look at the alternatives (such a nice warm, well protected, quiet, spacious and effortlessly driven cages).

So why do we do it? 'Cos we like it.

Cars are cheaper too :innocent: . On the other hand motorcycles boost my ego enough to make me feel ok about driving a shit-box car, which saves me money in the long run :niceone:

Lou Girardin

1st June 2006, 09:11

Bikes are inherently an emotional decision. Very few riders can assess their habit by any logical standards. Sure, riders some prioritise some features over others, but at the end of the day motorcycling in general is inherently illogical when you look at the alternatives (such a nice warm, well protected, quiet, spacious and effortlessly driven cages).

So why do we do it? 'Cos we like it.

Yeah, I've been commuting in a nice, warm, quiet, well protected, effortless cage for two weeks.
I just want to slit my wrists.

buellbabe

1st June 2006, 09:17

I enjoyed a brisk ride into work this morn... 6º out my way at 6am this morn...
yee ha!

Insanity_rules

1st June 2006, 10:28

Yep I'll defend my brand to the end, bike choice is a real emotive can o worms isn't it? I respect what other brands do well eg: I wouldn't be seen dead on a GN but you gotta respect the bulletproof nature and what they teach you about riding, I'm not a rabid Kwaka or Suzi fan (owned both 88 GSX600 and 91 ZZR600) but they're bloody quick.

I lurve me Hondas cause for me they're comfortable, reliable, quick enough, built for short people, sexy to look at and slightly eccentric. I mean to say if you hate that many thing about your brand then why do you ride it?

Edbear

1st June 2006, 10:34

I'm sure I could see the faults in my bike, if it had any...:doobey:

buellbabe

1st June 2006, 10:40

well its all about different strokes for different folks init? But seriously... referring to original post... how can ya slag yr own ride? That couple were obviously only riding the bike because of the image factor. GRRRR! people like that get on my wick.

Motu

1st June 2006, 11:08

... how can ya slag yr own ride?

I do it all the time,no problem with that - it means I am exploring it's capabilities,all good as far as I'm concerned.

The other issue is image,what I think this thread is really about,not the fact that people can rubbish their ride.Each of our sub groups that motorcycling has broken off into has it's image crowd....I'm uncomfortable with them all,another reason I seldom ride in groups.I like like to go to bike shops in my Pajero,in disgise....look at them all and go - faaaark,what a bunch of wankers.

Rashika

1st June 2006, 11:19

I enjoyed a brisk ride into work this morn... 6º out my way at 6am this morn...
yee ha!
3º here today, 6º was yesterdays news...
It must be working its way down to 0 for the Brass i think :(

buellbabe

1st June 2006, 11:48

LOL! yeah mate I thought about you and our converstion yesterday as I was riding this morning with blimmin cold fingers...
And Motu, if you wanna slag yr bike well go for it!
As far as the people first mentioned... I really do think that they were more concerned with their image than anything else...
I agree with ya about the incognito thing... even when I rode a HD I never had badges all over me... discreet is more my style :-)

Biohazard

1st June 2006, 11:59

I wear a leather vest and love Harleys - your loss biohazzard.

Hardly a loss tbh - loosing ya bikes keys in a field is a loss!! not wearing a leather waiscoat is a GAIN :nya:

Edbear

1st June 2006, 12:02

discreet is more my style :-)

An X1 Lightning is discreet?:killingme

eliot-ness

1st June 2006, 12:05

well its all about different strokes for different folks init? But seriously... referring to original post... how can ya slag yr own ride?

It's something I used to do when I had the Bonneville. I call it 'shooting down the tossers' After a time you get used to being approached by 'experts' Informing them that you know all the bikes faults even better than they do usually takes the wind out of their sails and leaves them with little else to do but start a thread on some biker site.
As for Harley guys being poseurs. My weekend riding is mostly done early,
7am start usually. Not many bikes around at that time, mabe half a dozen in the first hour or so. almost invariably Harleys. Always get a wave too. Can't imagine who these guys are posing for. Rarely see a sports bike. They turn up when I'm on the way home.

buellbabe

1st June 2006, 12:12

An X1 Lightning is discreet?:killingme

ha ha... wasn't refering to the way I ride or what I ride...

I have heaps of mates who ride HDs and none of them are like the couple mentioned in this thread...

sunhuntin

1st June 2006, 12:19

buellbabe.....slagging my scuffy is the same as moaning about my parents..... they both have numerous "Faults", but they make them individual, and i love them for that.
i moan about both all the time....but no way would i consider trading either [well, maybe scuffy in the future, but not yet.]

basically....its ok for me to point out the problems....but hell will come after anyone else who does!!!! :nono:

Edbear

1st June 2006, 12:28

ha ha... wasn't refering to the way I ride or what I ride...

I have heaps of mates who ride HDs and none of them are like the couple mentioned in this thread...

LOL!!!
Yeah, got a mate in Whangarei with a very tasty Screaming Eagle modded Softail. He loves it, I think it's pretty cool and sounds awesome! I just can't afford a Harley, but if I could I'd go for the 1200 SportyR. He's one of the most laid back people I know, though was a rough character in his younger days. As I allus say, "People is People and we all different!" Thank God!

Rashika

1st June 2006, 12:38

Hardly a loss tbh - loosing ya bikes keys in a field is a loss!! not wearing a leather waiscoat is a GAIN :nya:
ooooo...mustn't forget to pack the tasselled waistcoat for the Brass.... :blip:

Dazza

1st June 2006, 16:07

Christ, you own a KTM that makes you wierd squared ;-)
I own two KTM's,I'm enlightend :shutup:

Skyryder

1st June 2006, 18:09

sunhuntin

1st June 2006, 20:32

I don't mind the Harley 'attitude,' I don't mind the occasional jibe from the Harley rider. I can live with the tassles on the jacket and on the handle bars. As for the vests can, live with them seems to be only a Harley thing...........but can someone tell me why they cover them with badges............what's with that???

Skyryder

im not a harley rider, but i wear a couple of badges...not many though. i do have an extensive collection, but they live on a jacket i dont wear.
i wear rally badges and patches if i can get them...only to rallies ive been too though. i also wear badges i bought in canada, from places i went too.

Skyryder

1st June 2006, 20:58

im not a harley rider, but i wear a couple of badges...not many though. i do have an extensive collection, but they live on a jacket i dont wear.
i wear rally badges and patches if i can get them...only to rallies ive been too though. i also wear badges i bought in canada, from places i went too.

Went to a Bonsai convention in the states a few years ago and these ladies were wearing a chest full of bonsai badges. Just seemed that it was a way of saying hey look at how many bonsai conventions I've been to. Interstingly it was a girlie thing. The guys did not wear them.

Skyryder

sunhuntin

1st June 2006, 22:36

Went to a Bonsai convention in the states a few years ago and these ladies were wearing a chest full of bonsai badges. Just seemed that it was a way of saying hey look at how many bonsai conventions I've been to. Interstingly it was a girlie thing. The guys did not wear them.

Skyryder

most of the harley boys i know wear their club badges/patches/colors and thats about it. thats in canada....some of the kiwi guys i see have more badge than leather! LOL. i enjoy attempting to read their collections...some are very clever.
i also wear two other patches not from rallies...they are memorial patches. got 2, but need another 3 made up.

Big Dave

1st June 2006, 23:17

Went to a Bonsai convention

And you tell people that?

madboy

2nd June 2006, 14:15

I just can't do the "brand" thing. I ride a 600cc sportsbike. It's a sportsbike cos that's my style of posing, and it's 600 cos I don't trust myself on a thou yet. The fact that it's a Kawasaki ZX636A1 is a byproduct. It could just as easily have been a Yamaha, a Honda or a Suzuki.

vs04

3rd June 2006, 08:28

Drew

3rd June 2006, 14:52

Dont know if someone already asked, (cos I'm too lazy to look,) but why the fuck were the bits for a European bike comin from the states?:doobey:

Drew

3rd June 2006, 14:54

I quite like the badges and pins you see on their vests,i don,t see what the problem is.It,s no different from some sport bike guys who wear the full leather number with knee sliders and colours matching their bikes,different look but the principle,s still the same.
Not quite the same, when we go like fuck on the road, every now and then we get a knee down, and when one falls off trying that same thing, the leathers protect our silly arses.