I think most attitudes are based on bank accounts, for example: those who ride Harleys and put down cheeper bikes can afford a Harley, and are a little like big kids with high-end brand-named clothes putting down other kid's dressed in wall mart items. Were all on the same roads taking the same risks, in fact in some ways a moped rider is taking more risks because they are less visible to cars, I'm a new rider on a shadow 600 vlx and I give the wave to all moterized bikes because were a bigger community together. What's your opinion ?
I ride a Harley now, in the past I have ridden 2 Hondas, a BSA, and two Nortons. I wave to every rider if it is safe to do so, other wise I nod. In my area it seems that BMW riders are less likely to wave than anyone. In my club we have a variety of bikes and are there to ride and have fun.
Hey man we ride it is all thats it is about the ride. We have roughly anywhere from 8 to 20 riders at a time harley's yes they are there but so are the rest yamaha's kawasaki's all of them we dont care.we rang each other at times. It the ride not what you ride on I have known a few that are so hard core they will only ride with harley they miss out on friends dont get bonged down in that enjoy it. PUT IT IN THE WIND LEAVE IT IN THUNDER RIDE.
P.S I RIDE A VULCAN BEST RIDING BIKE I EVER BEEN ON.
I ride a Harley 1200R and wave to all, except those with training wheels on their scoots...Seems you have an inferiority complex Bud. Regards Ms. Traci
Hey I own 2 harleys a600vlx shadow and just sold a fz100 yamaha and yeh I have a bad attitude based on my bad bank account (empty) not all harley owners are loaded and wear designer clothes, I shop at wall-mart and wave when I can so don't paint us all with the same brush, it's possible that some are more reckless with there money therefore they accually have less money than those that have a supposed cheaper ride. the ride is what it's about so enjoy your shadow (good dependable bike) and wave if you choose and if you don't so what
hey nightowl, I ride with alot of groups and there are all types of riders. 1%ers and the like will always be present. Heck, I have a buddy that has more money in his Harley than in his home! Most riders know and show respect, some don't. Keep the rubber down on your 55 mpg shadow!
Some riders do have that "I'm better than you" complex, and everyone of them I've met are indeed on a harley. You get a bike like mine (06gsxr1000) to go fast. You get a bike like a harley because you want the "prestige" and the feeling of hardness. I know 3 harley owners very well. One of them was a very laid back, church going, never say a bad word type of guy. The day he got his softail custom (30plus grand!?!) he was an instant hard guy. Always wears shades and bandanas, goes to the bars, talks about how bad he is.... it's disgusting. I've been on rides where we stop at harley dealerships and they call my bike "Jap Crap" and things like that. Ask me if I'm interested in a "real" bike. I've got into an actual physical confrontation with one guy that wanted to tip my bike over because it had "tainted" his harley hangout. No bikes were damaged, but we did roll around on the ground a bit. I ended up with a fat lip, he ended up with a broken nose and a black eye.
So yes, there are those who have the complex. I've yet to meet one on a sports bike, but I'm sure they are there. And yes, I too wave to every biker regardless of make or model.
The reason that people think that Harley riders have attitudes is because Harley riders get attitudes from people who don't have Harleys. My best friend rides a BMW. I ride a Harley. We don't have attitude problems and neither one of us has much money. I don't know your zip code but I think that's where the attitude stems from...not from what people are riding!
Maybe its just about numbers......Used to be, a few years back there were not alot of people riding bikes. Hence the wave. How ya doing bro ? Me Too !! Now there are a whole lot of people riding bikes. So a ride in town is a lot like being a rodeo queen at the fair. Your waving at other wavers from the time you start it till you stop. I have adopted the no waves in town policy for myself. If out on the open road I'll give you a wave. Seems appropriate. But in town it's just getting annoying and I don't care what your riding.
I ride a harley, and I frankly can't be bothered to wave to any "biker bros" who are all about the wave, but could'nt be bothered to stop to check if someone on the side of the road needs any help. I may not wave, harley or not, but choose to show my "coolness" by stopping to help anyone on 2 wheels. This is truly what "brotherhood" should be about.
The thing is it's not JUST Harley riders, there are always people in ANY group that are a bit snobbish. Someone is always bound to think they are bigger and badder than the rest of group. Its a bad sterotype to put all Harley riders in that group. For example I am a female rider, and there are a few riders who refuse to acknowledge me because of that, its not fair of me to caterogize all male riders as losers. There are rude people in every group, but as a whole motorcyclists no matter what they ride are happy to see another motorist. So wave to those who wave at you, and continue to wave at the few Harley, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, male, female losers. Oh btw the 600 goes a bit faster than that...
I guess you shouldn't make a big problem out of what you think is a problem. I ride and own 2, 3 and 4 wheel vehicles. I don't ride a Harley often unless I'm renting a bike somewhere, but my attitude doesn't change concerning brotherhood of the road. Maybe the person who didn't wave wasn't able to do so at the time because he was busy watching a cage do strange things or watching the road because of bad conditions. Or maybe he just saw you too late and you didn't look back fast enough to see the wave. I own two cruisers, a trike, a 125 scooter, car and a camper. I don't wave in the car. Wave freely if you want, but you shouldn't impose your implied attitude on someone else. Life is short, there are more important thngs to worry about, so just enjoy the ride.
I'm a Goldwing rider myself... I waive at everyone... even the little mopeds. When I'm at the local bike store I always make a point of finding something to compliment the nearby bikes on... people are proud of their bikes... I like to get good reviews on mine so I sure as heck make sure I give the good strokes to others, no matter what they are riding. After all, our bikes are extentions of ourselves in some ways, aren't they?
Here in Spain I find that HD riders tend to ride together, I don´t remember a HD rider within other bike riders group, they form their HOGS I even know HD owner who own also Oriental bikes and use their jap. bikes with non HD groups. I find that the HD now here is an status bike. Only the oldtimers HD owner have that love for the ride and the noise, of any bike, no matter the brand. New HD´s are much an status statment. Of course this is not all HD riders, but the show up ones do show a lot! Personally if you are a biker I am your brother and you can count on me.
I wave at all riders regardless of what they ride. I think the attitude that you may be sensing may, in some cases, be about buying American. Just ride what you want and have a goodtime. Don't sweat the small stuff.
The only time that I don't wave is if I simplly didn't see the other rider or if I cannot due to the circumstances of the road at that moment.
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