The NERVE!!

[capocrimini]

I was stopped by the side of the rode today in a neighborhood off the Country Club Plaza in KC, returning a phone call, when some guy in an old van drives by and yells "Get a real bike...get a Harley!" Now I can understand the whole "I'm too good to wave" thing, kinda, but to actively and offensively get angry because someone doesn't ride a certain brand of motorcycle? What an IDIOT! Lol! I guess if he woulda stuck around I woulda made some cracks like, "Do you know why 'everyone' buys new Harleys these days? Because the old ones won't run anymore!" and other stuff, I didn't care too much because its such blatant ignorance that he's the one coming out looking bad any which way you see it.

[JP]

Key phrase, "some guy in an old van drives by ..."

[Dragonrider]

When I was at the ROT rally (May 31-June 2) there was a Hardley American staked out on one of the roads into the rally grounds. He started screaming profanities at me and referenced "Jap Crap" and "Commie bastard" and such (My Valk is made in Ohio).

He had a hand lettered sign that said "show me your tits". So I did.

Not a pretty sight . . . See I am a 300-pound fat-muscley guy with a hairy chest.

He started chasing me with a beer bottle. Changed his mind when I stopped the bike and put my foot down. See, I am a 300-pound fat-muscley guy with a hairy chest. He was not quite drunk enough to think he could seriously cause me any problem.

Found it kind of sad actually.

[Jdwags]

oh danny...

Danny, what great reaction.. the funny thing is "HE " can't share it without sounding pretty stupid..

Way to go

[capocrimini]

Well Danny, you have an advantage over me that makes for great stories of confrontation. I am a 155lb(6ft) skinny sinewy guy with a hairy head. I don't think I scare many people (well, some are scared of me in a "I bet that guy has guns or criminial connections" sort of way. Guns yes, connections no). Oh, I especially like your Inspection sticker on the painted fender confrontation. How's the boat coming?

Dameron

[chicago1010]

All my friends ride Harleys and they call me Tokoyo. The funny thing is that they lent me the money for my bike.
I take it as a compliment.

[Dragonrider]

Dameron,

Boat is coming along fine . . . tho not as fast as I would like. Work and stuff (you know, the stuff that pays the bills) keeps getting in the way. I also just got back from 9 days on the Valkyrie out west . . . writeup coming soon.

Actually I guess I am not all that scary appearing. One of the advantages of being a fat guy is folks (especially no-good-nicks) always assume I am weak for some reason and vastly underestimate me.

Guess they don't know my defination of "pumping iron" (20 ton steel boat). They are apparently clueless that I can really move when needed, and it is not much of a stretch for me to pick up two or three hundred pounds. I have also had a bit of training that few can overcome. Book by its cover and all that.

Any confrontations have always resulted in a complete look of surprise on the antagonists face.

LOL. Attitude definately makes a difference. I am a Texan, unconditionally friendly until the need for otherwise is proven. I jump in and help when needed, and have never "looked the other way" at a "iffy" situation.

Life is what you make of it . . .

[sksxs1100]

Danny, if you and i get to meet in Kerrville, my Dad (harley rider) will be with me . He is 6'4 about 240 starting to look alittle flabby, but strong underneith. one hell of a grip too... Good thing about him is.. he could care less what you ride, as long as you are riding.
He will wave at anyone......lol

[Dragonrider]

That's the way I am. You ride, you are a rider, no matter what you are astride. Hope to meet you and your Dad at Kerville.

The (us) vs (them) stuff to me is not serious, just teasing, although I am concerned about the consistency of all the bikes out today. At SPI bikefest I got lots of attention (from the Harley riders) on my Midnight simply because it was different. There were literally a thousand or more of the same Harley model at the rally. Even the owners had trouble telling them apart . . . you had to remember where you were parked in relation so some landmark . . . (I am parked 6 down and 2 over from that old Yamaha over there)

For lots, the Harley is an Izod shirt. We are expressing our independance and artistry, in a conformist sort of way.

You seen Yamaha's current lineup? All V-twins. Sigh. (thus the Valkyrie).

If you chase me with a beer bottle however, you are an a$$hole instead of a rider!

. . . Unless of course, it is a full beer bottle, and cold, and you hand it to me when you catch me . . .

[Dragonrider]

Oh . . . and BTW . . . I am a LOT flabby. Oh well.

Actually working on it, used to be over 350, down to 300 and falling . . . (atkins thing, which incidentally helps in the strength department too!)

[Robert Haller]

It's a shame that so many Harley riders have attitude. One of my best riding buddies rides a fully custom Harley, looks and lives the part. He is all about riding though and admires my bike (he helped me get it). He even wants to get an old KZ900.

[capocrimini]

What a compartmentalized life to constrict yourself to one kind of bike! I like them all, well mostly anyway. I wouldn't mind owning a Harley myself. I like their interstate bikes quite a bit, whoa that pricetag! My brother rides a jazzed up Vulcan 1500. Its got a windshield, running lights, floorboards, highway bars, softbags w/ studs, throttle rocker, corbin or mustang seat, extended passenger backrest, driver backrest, custome muffs, K&N ind. filters with the filter housing removal, and more!! PO worked at a Kaw dealership and customized everything with Fire and Steel, and high quality aftermarket! It rides REAL nice, sounds good, TONS-O-TORQUE. Only major problem with those models is the 4spd tranny. I'm always trying to shift up after 4th! Anyway, there are a few crotch rockets I wouldn't mind, at least for a few months or about 40 miles, whichever comes first My best friend has a '84 V65 Magna. Real nice, fast, low miles. Nice and quiet too (wish I had his exhaust when I go on those late night rides and wake up the neighborhood while warming up!). I want to keep the XS and punch it out to 1200, want a classic (81-83) Goldwing Aspencade for touring, I'd like a V-twin, and I've always liked the Yammi FZ750, 84-87 circa. Just like cars, I love 'em and want to drive 'em all!! Well, maybe not a Geo

[kenkrieger]

This Harley thing is an interesting thing to watch,,I live less than two miles from a large dealership, south of Richmond,and see alot of Harley Riders. The attitudes are varied,,but there will always be attitudes,,,most of the "Old School" Harley folks I know ot have met don't like the RUBS,,,or Weekend Warriors,,or the VROD. By and large the crowd around here doesn't acknowledge anyone riding anything but a Harley,,,why,who knows. I always wanted a 1200 Sportster when I was a kid on the farm,,,finally got one, a basket case, and found it was a mechanical nightmare,, not well made. My Honda's never left me anywhere,,,,,ever,,,and walking is something I didn't get into motorcycles for. Still Harley will always have that magnetic pull, just cause they are Harleys. These days its an investment opportunity for some of the folks I talk to,,they never even ride them, just garage art, or a short ride from this bar to that bar. I've run into a few Harley folks away from this area that own other machines and ride em, especially upstate Ny, where I was born and raised, those folks ride anything with an engine,,,here its a bit different, and like I said it's interesting to watch.

[dusty]

I wouldn't worry what someone how was't even on a bike at all had to say about what kind of machine I was riding .
when asked what I ride I proudly let them know about the yamaha I ride to all the harley trailer week rallys.

[Robert Haller]

This weekend I was stopped at a light when 2 Harleys pulled up in the lane next to me. I looked over and said howdy and the guy just glared at me. When the light turned green he quickly jumped off the line (as if to get away from the riff raff). So I rolled the throttle and blew by him like he was standing still. he he he