How to feel out of place!

**Headbanger** · 12th January 2008, 13:40

Originally Posted by Jantar

I don't think anyone would argue with that statement. However I don't believe I have seen anyone actually campaigning against any particular brand. Can you give an example?

the user name is a dead give-away.......

**99TLS** · 12th January 2008, 13:40

Originally Posted by MaxB

You have got to start somewhere. What do you think the hog riders started out on?

my neighbours on his learners and his first bike is a 2008 harley (1530cc??)

**Ixion** · 12th January 2008, 14:04

You would , perhaps, be utterly astonished if you knew how many of those Harleys were being ridden on 6L licenses. Or no class 6 at all.

Guessing, maybe 50%. Shitloads, anyway.

**Chanak** · 12th January 2008, 16:42

Originally Posted by Pixie

The hog riders started out in cars,until they reached 50 and suffered MLC and wanted to project a badass image.

Knowing who some of the people riding them are... I probally shouldn't say any more

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Heres what I think of other peoples bikes, Nothing, Enjoy your ride.

Remember, the thread start was not about the fact people were riding harleys, it's about the fact they were -all- riding harleys.

I probally would've said the same thing had I parked a harley amongst a group of (insert pretty much anything else here).

And yes, I know some of them down there genuinely like riding their harleys, as it's the bike for them.

Some of them have given the impression it should be HD or nothing...

And then you have the MLC 'badass image' ones! (And yes, even you HD fans have to admit, that it is a brand tied down with people like this).

Group A, good on them. Group B (most of whom are in group A also, so it's more a subgroup), well, they can be fun to mess with

. Group C....

**Big Dave** · 12th January 2008, 16:50

Originally Posted by Chanak

(And yes, even you HD fans have to admit, that it is a brand tied down with people like this).

That 'badass image' works significantly better at getting you noticed on the road than any florescent vest.

You look like you'll shit down their neck - then far, far fewer cars change lanes on you, pull out in front of you - they give you much more room than the gentleman rider on his motorbike.

I do both acts - mofo is a lot safer.

**Chanak** · 12th January 2008, 16:55

Originally Posted by Big Dave

That 'badass image' works significantly better at getting you noticed on the road than any florescent vest.

You look like you'll shit down their neck - then far, far fewer cars change lanes on you, pull out in front of you - they give you much more room than the gentleman rider on his motorbike.

But not when it becomes 'just another Harley'

**Big Dave** · 12th January 2008, 16:57

Originally Posted by Chanak

But not when it becomes 'just another Harley'

It works just as well on my Thunderbird.

**Chanak** · 12th January 2008, 17:08

Originally Posted by Big Dave

It works just as well on my Thunderbird.

Which is not 'just another harley'

And if you were to look at my original referral to 'badass image', it was about the MLC types, buying one to look badass, as referred to by Pixie.

Y'know, the ones that were probably looking at a MX5 also

**Big Dave** · 12th January 2008, 17:14

book - cover
rider - costume

**Headbanger** · 12th January 2008, 17:15

The image that Harley use to sell their bikes is cheesy crap, And people who are sucked into and repeat it are morons. Especially the ones who hang around dealerships talking the "biker" talk.

If its about anything more then riding a sweet bike, Then you are just another marketing victim, Buying a Harley does not change your lifestlyle, Buying a bike may do, If you ride it.

Nothing badarse about corporate Harley marketing, Or knobends in designer bike gear.

**Big Dave** · 12th January 2008, 18:12

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Nothing badarse about corporate Harley marketing, .

Quite the opposite.
Forbes magazine company of the year 2005? on the strength of corporate governance.

**Timber020** · 12th January 2008, 20:25

I beat 3 of them heading out to makara on my RG50 (one didnt try very hard but the other two were chasing hard, exchanged the lead twice with them), they were pissed to find out that the bike was registered as a moped. Good blokes, shiney loud bikes, a great biking moment.

Harleys riders do cop alot of flak, but alot of it is deserved due to mid life crisis owners that ride on excessively loud and overchromed bikes dressed like pirates. (peacocks my mother calls them). If it wasnt Harleys we would be taking the piss out of other bikes, its just much easier with harleys as theres so much material to work with.

They were the first allied vehicle to enter german after there defeat in WW1, so they have historical cred, and they are out there riding with the rest of us.

**Big Dave** · 12th January 2008, 20:36

I rode a new one with a Z1200, K1200S and a Z900 up north today.
I enjoy the surprise when there's no trouble keeping on the pace.

'Geez you make that thing go.'

**Big Dave** · 12th January 2008, 20:43

That 'mid-life crisis' thing is crap too. (generally - not you timber)

You get to a stage in life where you can afford nicer things as you get older. It's no crisis - just success.

I'd like to be in a situation to blow 40 large on a shiny toy.