motorcycle related pet peeves

[mrhammer2u]

Use of the word "hipster" by burly biker types to slander another rider. Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? With your black t-shirt that HAS to either have an eagle, american flag, which Harley dealership you've been to (or all 3), your leather wallet attached to your hip via chain, work boots, facial hair and a cigarette? Who's being more trendy than YOU?!

Your bike is more manly than mine because yours is hard-tailed and/or kick start. Excuse me for wanting my bike to actually start and ride without killing myself.

The whole Harley is better conversation. Yea, those bike made in Taiwan, Japan, Mexico or wherever else and assembled here in Murica!
(I was talking to my bro-in-law this weekend who is a die hard Harley fan, who doesn't have a Harley. He also has a rebel flag tatooed on his arm and he's from eastern PA. I told him I'm considering a Victory and he responds back he likes "American made" bikes. To which I responded with the above mentioned facts and explained that Victory has a lot more American made parts. Yea,...that confused him. I think he is still in denial. I would have asked him to Google it, but then I would have to explain what Google is.)

Gas attendants who stand there watching me fill up my tank. Go away! I can handle this!

Sorry,...my morning is off to a rough start. Blowing off some steam.

What are your MC related pet peeves? Misery loves company

[Bergman16]

Ha, I filled up in NJ right after I got the bike and the guy was very helpful in showing me how to pull up that damn nozzle hood, but otherwise left me alone.

[IanDMacDonald]

My only pet peeve is Harley riders who do not wave. However, I understand their culture, and give my nod to their good-looking bikes. Rode a few, not impressed, but not knocking the bikes or their culture. I had a co-worker who transformed into the poster child Harley rider over a two year span. The funny thing is, the bike was the last thing he bought after two years of apparael, tattoos, boots, etc. His personality even changed.

[mrhammer2u]

Yea,...some Harley guys seem to need a ramp up period....lol! Much cheaper to buy boots and t-shirts than to buy an actual bike. Either that or their wife/mommy won't let them buy one...lmao!

[kevxs]

I'll never understand people that own bikes and don't ride them. If I didn't ride to work I would never have time to ride, therefore if I was unable to ride to work I would not own a bike. Really doesn't effect me either way but it still kinda bugs me. I plan on racking up as many miles as possible on my bike, I'm not saving it for anyone.

[WMarshy]

Obnoxiously loud pipes. Dont care if its a sport bike or a Harley. Loud pipes are not that appealing to me. I was at the gas station, filling up when a hot rod harley with obnoxious pipes and ape hangers came blaring in, filled up and blaired off before I could finish pumping the last gallon in my tank. I quickly caught back up to him on my way out of town though. He had to give me a real show though an let everyone know his bike was loud and fast and hammered it on the way out of town. I hanged with him for about two or three miles listening to that garbage. On a straight away he thought he was going to leave me behind but I had heard enough. Passed him in 4th and gave him the "your cool" wave.

[MarkD]

Oooh -- I like that this post is hitting a nerve. I, too get a little annoyed when a ''cool'' Harley rider is too good to return a friendly wave. I thought we were all bike riders, and have that in common. Oh well, not too big a deal. The loud pipes are an annoyance, too. I prefer a quiet ride. I get a little annoyed when I see a helmet-less rider, or a guy wearing flip-flops, shorts, and a t-shirt, or even a sleeveless shirt. For sure, it's his own business, but I just think proper gear is called for when on the road. Keep in mind, I did ride a Harley for a while in the 70's. Yup-- a real rip-roarin' 125 Rapido, made in Italy.

[DiverRay]

On the West coast, we have MORE than our share of V twin riders. Most DO seem the think loud pipes let cars know they are coming up from behind. Physics is one class I think they ALL failed, or failed to take. My quail bike has a Kirker, and it's louder than I like. I DO ride with all kinds of bikes, but I've noticed on the XS I get waves from the HD's, but NOT the BMW riders?!?! I guess it just doesn't look like it cost an arm and a leg. When I'm riding the BMW, then I get a wave.....

[BA80]

Obnoxiously loud pipes. Dont care if its a sport bike or a Harley. Loud pipes are not that appealing to me. I was at the gas station, filling up when a hot rod harley with obnoxious pipes and ape hangers came blaring in, filled up and blaired off before I could finish pumping the last gallon in my tank. I quickly caught back up to him on my way out of town though. He had to give me a real show though an let everyone know his bike was loud and fast and hammered it on the way out of town. I hanged with him for about two or three miles listening to that garbage. On a straight away he thought he was going to leave me behind but I had heard enough. Passed him in 4th and gave him the "your cool" wave.

[trbig]

I was with my buddy, Russ, when we were looking for a route for the original Bob Jones memorial rally in Arkansas. It was the first time we’d found a particular road that has since become our favorite. About halfway through, we saw a pull-off with a BMW rider sitting there. We stopped and were yammering on, acting like little schoolgirls with excitement. The BMW rider told us that the road hadn’t been paved very long, and Russ said, “This road is so awesome.. I feel like I just porked the prom queen!” Of course Beemer boy looked at him, looked over our old bikes with disgust, then managed to get his helmet on with his nose stuck way in the air and huffed.. “I have to go!” He started the bike, got on the road, then screamed away as fast as the bike would go. I looked at Russ, shaking my head from the snub, and told him, “Dude, sorry, but I have to go after him.” We arranged to meet at an intersection about a dozen miles down the road, and off I went.

Didn’t take me too long to catch him. His bike was faster in the straightaways, but this road didn’t have many, and in the corners I’d suck right up behind him and then sit straight up in the seat and act bored. I could have passed him, but doing that in the corners was a little sketchy.

I came up to the intersection Russ and I had agreed on and pulled over. Beemer boy was @ ¼ mile up the road before he realized I’d turned off. He turned around and came back, flipped up his helmet and started yammering like a schoolgirl with excitement about how awesome that was and that the road kept on going for quite a while if I wanted to ride with him, yada yada.. I brushed him off and told him no, I was just going to go find a place to eat instead. His shoulders slumped and he rode off. Maybe he learned a lesson on judging bikes.. but I doubt it. I have to agree that Beemers are even worse about waving than the Harley group.

[trbig]

Oh.. and my big peeve is people on a highway with two lanes each direction, and two people driving side by side (Usually two semis) for miles, effectively making a rolling road block. I'll tolerate for a very short time before I pass on the shoulders, looking back and shaking my head.

[DeanR]

Music speakers.....Listen to your tunes in your helmet, the world doesn't wanna hear it.

[motoman]

Music speakers.....Listen to your tunes in your helmet, the world doesn't wanna hear it.

Got that covered Dean........BTW, you wear out the carpet yet pacing for your 'launch' this way?.

[mrhammer2u]

I'm guilty of the loud pipes. I don't think they save lives though (that's a great bumper sticker BA80 ) My bike is my "hot rod". Although I do envy the quiet pipes for longer highway rides, which I try to avoid.

The BMW riders don't waive because they're bound too tightly with all their kevlar riding gear and winter gloves...lol. They look like Ralphie's little brother from A Christmas Story...all bundled up. I kid, I kid....easy beemer riders...

I pass a guy on the way to work everyday who rides a school bus yellow newer Goldwing type bike. He has the head to toe kevlar filled "snowsuit" WITH a bright orange construction type vest on top of it all. I'm surprised he doesn't ride with his hazards on as well. I get you want to be safe, but something about this just seems to take away from the freedom and exhilaration of riding.

[alaskey2]

When you finally trace down a problem, make the repair and then it rains for 2 weeks straight. I just want to test out my pick up wire repair!!