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I am pretty much over the whole 'Harley attitude' thing. It is so 'high school'. I love to ride and feel a certain connection with other riders, regardless of the brand of bike.
I try to always give the little wave to other bikes, the only ones that EVER seem to wave back are:
Goldwing riders - most of these guys have the biggest smile on their face when riding. I love these guys, you can tell they are riding for the joy of it and absolutely love the sport. Of course they are also proly some of the few riders that arent getting hemroids from riding all day
Other Jap touring bikes - these guys are also very pleased with their mount and love riding. Most are always happy to see another rider. There guys are also smiling because they bought a brand new touring bike and still have money in their pockets.
Various older metrics - Like us, I find most guys on an older jap bike are 'real motorcyclists' these guys know how to ride and know how to work on their mounts. They love the sport and the fact that thier bike is paid for. These are riding for riding sake and not to pose for other bikers. They may be riding and XS1100, or a GX1000, or even a CM 400. This description often applies to older Brit bikers as well.
Those that dont wave back:
Harley riders - 'If it aint a Harley, it aint a motorcycle' (yeah right!) That seems to be the opinion of every harley rider out there today. It never ceases to amaze me that these guys have such a high opinon of themselves and their bikes that they can't be screwed to even acknowlege that your riding a motorcycle too.
Mind you, I don't need any affirmation from any other biker to make me feel better about myself, but hey what is wrong with a little brotherly wave HUH? Well IMHO, there are two kinds of riders on a harley. There is the 'Harley rider', this is the one previously spoken of here, loud and proud. Dislikes, even HATES other motorcylists if not on a harley themselves.
Then there is the motorcylist that chooses to ride a harley, this guy just wants to ride and happens to ride a harley. You can sometimes see these guys riding with other bikes and they will usually wave and even smile. (the later type seems to be a dying breed)
Then there is the BMW rider - 'How dare you wave at me!' This goes way back for me. I remember riding with my Dad going to rallies when I was a kid. He was the ultimate friendly biker. He would stop a talk to anyone on any motorcycle. We once stopped at a diner for lunch and a BMW rider was getting on his bike. We pulled up next to him on his Honda 750. Dad said "hi how you doin'" The man just glanced up at us and the bike as said nothing as he put his helmet on and rode off. I asked dad why he was so rude. Dad said he was a typical BMW rider. He didnt say it with malace, just mater-o-fact about it. Again there are BMW riders, and motorcyclist who choose to ride BMW's.
disclaimer: Now I realize that not every biker fits these descriptions, this is just an observation and a general broad brush statement. So dont go getin' offended.
I try to always give the little wave to other bikes, the only ones that EVER seem to wave back are:
Goldwing riders - most of these guys have the biggest smile on their face when riding. I love these guys, you can tell they are riding for the joy of it and absolutely love the sport. Of course they are also proly some of the few riders that arent getting hemroids from riding all day
Other Jap touring bikes - these guys are also very pleased with their mount and love riding. Most are always happy to see another rider. There guys are also smiling because they bought a brand new touring bike and still have money in their pockets.
Various older metrics - Like us, I find most guys on an older jap bike are 'real motorcyclists' these guys know how to ride and know how to work on their mounts. They love the sport and the fact that thier bike is paid for. These are riding for riding sake and not to pose for other bikers. They may be riding and XS1100, or a GX1000, or even a CM 400. This description often applies to older Brit bikers as well.
Those that dont wave back:
Harley riders - 'If it aint a Harley, it aint a motorcycle' (yeah right!) That seems to be the opinion of every harley rider out there today. It never ceases to amaze me that these guys have such a high opinon of themselves and their bikes that they can't be screwed to even acknowlege that your riding a motorcycle too.
Mind you, I don't need any affirmation from any other biker to make me feel better about myself, but hey what is wrong with a little brotherly wave HUH? Well IMHO, there are two kinds of riders on a harley. There is the 'Harley rider', this is the one previously spoken of here, loud and proud. Dislikes, even HATES other motorcylists if not on a harley themselves.
Then there is the motorcylist that chooses to ride a harley, this guy just wants to ride and happens to ride a harley. You can sometimes see these guys riding with other bikes and they will usually wave and even smile. (the later type seems to be a dying breed)
Then there is the BMW rider - 'How dare you wave at me!' This goes way back for me. I remember riding with my Dad going to rallies when I was a kid. He was the ultimate friendly biker. He would stop a talk to anyone on any motorcycle. We once stopped at a diner for lunch and a BMW rider was getting on his bike. We pulled up next to him on his Honda 750. Dad said "hi how you doin'" The man just glanced up at us and the bike as said nothing as he put his helmet on and rode off. I asked dad why he was so rude. Dad said he was a typical BMW rider. He didnt say it with malace, just mater-o-fact about it. Again there are BMW riders, and motorcyclist who choose to ride BMW's.
disclaimer: Now I realize that not every biker fits these descriptions, this is just an observation and a general broad brush statement. So dont go getin' offended.
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