Why is it?

**Hailwood** · 17th March 2006, 08:08

I am interested to get some views on this question...I was riding up the Rimutaka hill the other weekend and pulled into the top for a stop and a look at the bikes. Hopped off the bike (helmet still on) and a guy walked over to me and started ranting about "what the f%%k is with you Harley riders and their attitude?" I removed my helmet and said Hi, sorry what was that? He repeated it and abused me for having an attitude. A little bemused, i asked him what did he mean? He went to rant about Harley guys wanting to be gang members because we all wear black leather and think we are hard men. I smiled (it is worth mentioning here that he had a Rossi replica helmet, full race leathers with hump and sliders, race boots and race gloves). I asked him was he on his way to Manfield or Pukekohe for a race? He looked a bit bemused...I said well it seems to me that you are dressed like a racer so you must be one or are you just trying to look like one? He stalked off with a few more obscenities....I am well aware that there are dickheads who ride Harleys who think they are hard men or better than other people but there are just as many dickheads who ride other bikes who think they are Rossi or the next best thing. What is it with people? I know the softail doesnt go round corners as well as an R1 but so what? I know it doesnt do 250kph..so what? I ride because its fun..isnt that why we ride? Just curious to get people's views....

**White trash** · 17th March 2006, 08:12

Well I have a theory.

I reckon all sports bike riders that DONT want a Harley, have little peckers and secret fantasies about rough man sex in seedy public toilets. And that's why they don't wave at HD riders.

**SimJen** · 17th March 2006, 08:17

Perhaps he was behind you but couldn't get past cause you were to quick for him?

Bike riders are bike riders, who really cares what they ride as long as its two wheels...

**onearmedbandit** · 17th March 2006, 08:20

There are idiots everywhere. Just ignore them, they will go away eventually.

**DemonWolf** · 17th March 2006, 08:21

Interesting theory there White Trash.

Hailwood, there are all types.. I'm not particularly interested in cruisers, but then again I dont rant and rave that they the bottom of the heap or anything similiar.. everyone have there own likes and dislikes, it appears that this guy was trolling for a reaction from you.. but didn't get what he wanted and thus stalked off. Your'll find a few more of those types (from all sides) that feel they've been slighted for some reason or other.. and want to have a go and vent there frustrations..

**Ixion** · 17th March 2006, 08:23

Originally Posted by Hailwood

,,,..so what? I ride because its fun..isnt that why we ride? Just curious to get people's views....

Sure is. Unfortunately, riding a bike doesn't guarantee that a person isn't a jerk.

When I started riding, I was taught that one of the cardinal sins is dissing another bikers ride. Good natured piss taking is one thing but slagging's not on.

It's a matter of respect for each other. Simple. Never ridden a Harley m'self, prolly not my style, but I can't understand why some folk have such a hang up about them.

As to corners, an old guy once told me a well kept secret for making any bike go round corners safely. You just slow down. Simple.

FWIW, I wear black leather , just cos I don't like the look of the coloured stuff . Don't have any ambitions to be a hard man.

Not sure why, but the old biker respect for one another seems a bit strained these days.

**skelstar** · 17th March 2006, 08:35

Seems like a very emotional reaction to something. Maybe he had a bad experience with an HD rider as a child?

**Marmoot** · 17th March 2006, 08:38

Originally Posted by White trash

Well I have a theory.

I reckon all sports bike riders that DONT want a Harley, have little peckers and secret fantasies about rough man sex in seedy public toilets. And that's why they don't wave at HD riders.

quite a fantasy you have there, huh mate?
Months of selling fitness equipments to young body builders have influenced your mind, I see?

**Squeak the Rat** · 17th March 2006, 08:39

The world just seems to be getting more stressed out and aggro, or I'm getting older and more chilled. Maybe both....

Hailwood, please don't judge all sport bike riders from this guys attitude (though there are more like him). Just like a lot of us don't judge Harley riders by what they ride. Admitted a lot do though, but if people are shallow enough to judge some one on what bike they ride then my care factor is zero. Just like it is for riders (harley or not) who don't return a friendly wave or nod. A zero care factor causes no stress.

I have a newbie mate on a GN250 who commented that he was surprised how many harley riders have waved to him on the motorway.... Not sure why he's not expecting them too, through experience or what other people tell him....

PS - I've had a similar experience on a cbr600 stopping for gas at the same time as a bunch of harley riders, so I guess it goes both ways..