Harleyrider,

No, I am not picking on anyone’s choice of bike. If you read my last sentence in my last post I state that we are all brothers. What does bother me, however, is the fact that by far the unfriendliest riders on the road seem to be the Harley riders.

Example: When I started street riding when I was 17 (I'm now 42) I had a Honda 90 (yup, a 90). When I would ride around everyone would wave, Harley riders included. I believe that years ago more people rode because they love bikes and we all thought of each other as brothers, even a kid on a Honda 90 qualified as a rider.

Now you have lawyers and bankers who trailer their bikes to Sturgis and drive around like they are badass bikers with an attitude. They claim to be individualistic but they all have the same black leather jackets, the fake helmets and shirts that have Harley Davidson written all over them. To be honest it makes me sad seeing those people out there with real riders. They put 500 miles a year on their bikes and think they are better than everyone else because they have a Harley. Big deal. Riding down to the bar once a week to play pool and drink beer doesn't make you a badass biker. It makes you a poser.

I have ridden motorcycles on the street all my adult life. I've taken 2 cross-country trips on a Yamaha 750 triple with my 65+ year-old father at about 4500 miles each time. I know this doesn't compare with a lot of these Goldwing riders out there but it is fairly respectable. Last year I rode my Valkyrie by myself to Colorado and met many great folks out on the road. This does not make me any better than anyone who really rides for the love of the sport, but it does make me a rider who really rides.

Sorry for the long-winded response. I must admit I do love my Valkyrie Tourer. It is the best all around motorcycle I have ever owned or ridden for that matter. I like Harleys for the way they look (beautiful chrome) and by the way they sound (no bike sounds better) but they are not for me. I commute to work every day it is not raining and each year I take a long solo ride across country. Who knows, maybe some day we’ll see each other on the road and we’ll BOTH wave. Kind of makes you feel good when that happens, no?

Oh, I wanted to add one more point. The Harley riders I'm talking about are the ones you see around a city. When I'm on the open road, almost everyone waves, regardless of bike make or model. I personally think that is because out in the middle of nowhere, people who are riding truly feel that we are all brothers in that we share the love of the sport of motorcycling.


[This message has been edited by RedShift (edited 02-14-2001).]

 

RedShift,
Now we agree! I hope to pass you some day, I'll be waving whether I know it's you or not! It won't be on my very chromed Harley though, because it is not comfortable for continuous riding. One side note, I am a trailer queen, not because I'm afraid to ride, but my wife has to have about 8 sets of clothes per day. They don't make enough leather bags to carry all that on one bike. The bike would look like Lucy and Desi's car on the ill fated vacation with the neighbor's and the M-in-L. I think Fred used about two miles of twine in that episode! By the way only 35, but I have been on two wheels on/off road since age of 8.
Take care and watch out for soccer moms with a drink in one hand, cell phone in the other, and looking into the back seat of her Excursion!

Keith

 

seacrow: sounds like you got an awesome bike.the sabres are beautiful. wanted one last year when i got rid of my zx6r due to insurance increases from tickets. wound up getting an ace 750 which is kinda slow for my taste but it keeps the ins. affordable. up here in wis it seems absurd to pay $1000 per year to ins a vehicle that is only driven 8 mo. out of the year.
most harley folks who don't wave are the ones who never even thought of owning a bike until harley became the status symbol everyone needed to prove their bad selves. i've even had them swerve at me as i tried to pass. the funny part is that i grew up riding with my dad and his "friends" all on harleys way before they were socially acceptable. myself i've been riding since i was 6 if you count that first mini-bike with the lawn mower engine. i've had almost every type of bike and i never minded waving at foreign bikes when i rode a harley and i don't mind waving at harleys from my honda.
BTW: to all who posted pics those are some nice looking scoots. makes me want to go get mine out of storage, still a little chilly here though.

 

Steve the Webmaster...GREAT choice in bikes. Here are my babies...Who cares what you are riding...whether it be a Hog, Jap bike, or scooter..the best bike is the one you own. Dont let anyone tell you different. I like Harleys, but just cant afford it now. 15000 for bike...then another 5000 to get it to run. My buddies FXRS just dynoed at 110 hp and 120 ft/lbs. Quater mile hes got me....backroads...forget it. I do agree with Redshift to a point. I have gotten my ***** busted many times by Harley riders. Most of the time its a comment like "I dont know how you ride that thing" I just tell them to look at the odometer. 27,000 miles in 3.5 years. They change thier tune a little after that. Above all other things...ride smart, dont drink and drive!!! See you all in Laconia!!!!!
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1999 F150 4x4 XLT BLACK ORP 4.6 5 SPEED 3.55
LUND HOOD SHEILD
K&N
FLOWMASTER SERIES 40 SINGLE OUTLET
CAPTAIN CHAIRS
PIONEER 6815's(for now)
SUPERCHIP
AIRBOX MOD
WAAG BRUSH GUARD
SPIRALMAX
KENWOOD 9015
SUPERCHIP STICKERS
MTX THUNDERFORM
KICKER 240 AMP
PIAA 9007'S
LUND RACERBACK
LUND LUNAR VISOR
NO DOOR CRACKS!!!

[This message has been edited by BLACKENEDFORD (edited 02-15-2001).]

[This message has been edited by BLACKENEDFORD (edited 02-15-2001).]

 

The only bike I ever had was a 78 Kawasaki LTD250,I loved it but I couldn't keep it.(Mom hated it ) I only dream about riding now. It wasn't meant to be,sigh,LOL,,,,,98

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
Yokahama AVS/ST's
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Stillen Quad light air dam, sweet!!
Euro taillights
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
[b]Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
Viper alarm
On the way/wheels,tires, etc..etc.......
the monochromatic boogie is done,cool!.
Come see my new pictures@ www.my-f150.com

officialtomwaits.com
reverendhortonheat.com

WOW,what a cool site!

FENDER GUITARS ROCK!!!
Had to take the picture out,it was way too out of date ,,,,98

[This message has been edited by 98SCREAMER (edited 02-16-2001).]

 

Started out on a 1958 Cushman, going to date
myself,,,ha.
Had everything from Nortons through Wings
to Harleys. There is a place for all of them.
Damn I love them all.

Oh bye the way, just got my new F150, 4.6,
Sueper cab with factory moonroof, Cd, etc.
love it so far, a Caddie compared to my ole
Ranger.

 

UPDATE!

After 3.5 months and almost 5K miles, it's time to say goodbye to the Sabre. I found a perfect 2000 Valkyrie Tourer in Black and Red two-tone with only 2200 miles on it. The price was $11,998. I jumped on it quick. I am picking it up today at 10am. I love it!

See you guys on the road.

 

Valk Tourers rule, or something

 

Seems I'm the only BMW rider on here.

this is not mine, but one like it. I have hard bags, tank bag and windshild.

Used to love Harleys, now they are like A$$holes, everyones got one.

Bought the Beemmer because I see very few. The model I have even seen fewer.
Another reason I bought the Beemer is because of the quality, more beemers with over 100,000 miles than any other make of scoot.

Only mantienance is valves at 6,000 oil changes and spark plugs. Fuel Injection no worries, shaft drive no worries. Triple Digit touring no problem. 600 mile days piece of cake.

I looking to Keep this bike at least 100K kind of an experiement with oil changes every 10,000 miles on Amsoil.

Other bikes that I like are the Duc ST4, Buell S3T, and Triumph Sprint RS and ST. also woulnd't mind having one of the new Yamaha FZ1's. Good ergos for long distance but can handle the curves like a crotch rocket.

Being from El Paso. I have to rider over 120 miles just to find some curves. But what curves they are. Some of the best in the world in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico. Also over in the Gila national forrest.

If anyone ever comes through this area give me a hollar and we can do some riding.

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My Home Page


Lubrication Forums

[This message has been edited by msparks (edited 05-16-2001).]

[This message has been edited by msparks (edited 05-16-2001).]

 

hey BBQ,

I love this bike man, I put my first 100 miles on it today. I love it. Rode the wife like she's not even there. Amazing! That was an adventure on the Shadow. This Valk is in perfect condition, not even a blemish on the winshield.

BTW, you've got room for another piece of chrome on yours.

 

I have been on riding bikes ever since I about 6-7. I mostly ride off-road bikes because I like playing in the mud and find it less dangerous to dodge a tree then a car. I did ride street/race bikes for awhile. I rode my brothers 98 600 Ninja a few times and was very impressed. He then traded for I think it was 99 Ninja 1100. Man that bike would fly. I could hit 110 and back to 45 in a spot where you can only take a good sports car up to about 60. If I ever have the money and time I would love to get a street bike. Now I mostly spend all my riding time off-road on our 98 Yamaha 600 Grizzley 4x4 ATV or on race dirt bikes and on my cousin's practice motocross course. Here's a pic of the 1100, can find pics of the old bike or four-wheeler

 

Not wanting to scare you off, I've been into bikes, all nationalities, styles, for 35 years. This is my 4th trip down, and have had minor injuries each time. Listen to these folks...take the course, drive like some nut in a cage is looking for you, wear proper riding gear (dress for the fall, not the ride) and ENJOY!!!

Who would have thought...2:30 in the afternoon, in a
populated area of the county, and a 100 lb doe comes
screaming out of a sideroad. I'm on RT 17 just north of the
Chuckatuck Creek Bridge...Doin 50, I catch a blur, and there she is...hits the front fork and headlight area,
steering goes left, bike leans right, and I bail
out.....per the driver behind me, I hit on my ***,
flip 10 feet in the air, land on my right side, helmet
smacks the pavement(yes, I WAS wearing a STEENKIN HELMET), and I'm sliding on my belly, feet
first, 100 feet off the road onto the shoulder...(I
only remember getting away from the scoot', hitting
the deck, and sliding)....bike continues another 50
feet, off the road and hits a tree.....citizens
stopping all over, I'm hearing them on their
cellphones..officer down..DON'T SAY THAT!!!!(I'm in
uniform.... yea smartasses, it still fits!!!) I have a
guy holding C-spine, and I check myself out...hands
work, feet work, pains in both arms and right
belly....Carrollton Fire arrives first, great job on their part, it was a comfort hearing that Q2 siren screaming.... they call
Nightingale. Take over C-spine and first aid, out come the crash scissors, and off comes the uniform (glad I changed my
undies and not wearing the bikinis)..cut off my duty belt, logroll me onto the board..Isle Of Wight Rescue arrives, another
great group of professionals...into the box, and trauma alerted. I talk the medic into cancelling the bird, so it's off to
Riverside....IV attempts enroute...misses the first one standing still, gets the second one bouncing across the James River
Bridge (this guy works like me, better on the run)..rest of the ride a blur, into the trauma center...push, pull, prod, poke, peek
...X-rays and cat scan....all Negative...the verdict: roadrash to both elbows, right knee, left pinky...melted polyester from our
high quality uniforms embedded in the abrasions....Ok, time to scrub..got me an off-duty Newport News medic moonlighting.
He's cackling to himself, "heh heh heh, a cop AND a medic!" Fortunately, the nurse likes cops,is a former Navy pilot and
respects Chief Petty Officers, so it's 10 of morphine, 45 of demerol, with another 15 if ya want it! The scrubbing goes quite
well...Trooper arrives, wants to why I'm killing his deer...Hey everyone, c'mon up, it's vendetta time against them varmints. I
ask where the deer is..rescue tells me if they know the guy who cleaned it up, it's probably already dressed out!
I'm all bandaged up and I stagger out of the ER 7 hours later, wearing some old pair of khaki chinos, a hospital gown, my
doo-rag, and a stupid grin. Why?
I'm buzzed great (nurse couldn't see wasting the narcs, so here's a chaser!) Not bad for a 50 mph deer strike. In-laws drive
me home, off to bed...BOY, talk about tough getting up the next morning..

Survival tips: I was wearing a regulation helmet for a
change...all bashed up. Guess I'll retire the "
DOT" beanie!
Next, wish I had a leather jacket on...the polyester
melted like a fire and stuck to the skin. I was
wearing body armor, and it shows a hit to the right
flank area where I hit..thanks Second Chance, the
letter is enroute. You cops out there, wear your vest! It protects you from other stuff besides bullets. According to the trauma
doc, it saved me some serious internal injuries. The jacket would have prevented some really nasty road rash on my
elbows..as it was it eroded through the uniform shirt and turtleneck shirt.
Get away from the bike...I felt it dipping down and
the rear coming up, so I bailed....it ain't no fun
having 800 lbs of steel chase you down the road and
pin you against a car or tree.
My leather gear and weapon were ground down pretty
good from sliding on my belly...credit that with
preventing more road rash...more leather between me
and the road. My boots also took a beating and
probably prevented ankle injuries. My glocves are all worn down but only chewed up my left pinky a bit.
I credit surviving this wreck to experience, prayer,
and 'almost' proper riding gear. With the payraise
coming I think I'll invest in an Aerostich suit...red,
white, green, aka Italia.

The Road King is trashed. I have all the receipts for
the custom work, so I shouldn't take too big a hit.
Besides, the 2002's will be coming out in a couple
months...I should be healed and ready by
then...meanwhile I'll play with the Sportster, if my
wife gets off it long enough.
If you ride, you WILL take a fall..this is my 4th, none my fault, all with minor injuries, no broken bones (hear the wood
knocking?) Be prepared for the worst, and the worst will bypass you.
Stay safe out there, and keep it between the
lines.....Rube

P.S. On Tuesday, my birthday!! $%*&$@# F%+*&%# antlered rats!



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"There is no hunting like the hunting of a man and
those that have hunted armed men long enough and
liked it, never care for anything else thereafter."
E. Hemingway

 

http://www.msnbc.com/local/wmaq/nbc993ofumc.asp


busted going 160 mph

 

Glad you are ok. You tell a story well. I ride very safe at all times. However, I must say that this Valkyrie is comfortable cruising at 90-105mph. I love this bike but I also respect it. Yesterday, on a rural stretch of flat, smooth road, I opened mine up a little and finally backed off at 120mph. My buddy blew by me on his like I was standing still. He probably hit 135-140. to see such a big bike going that fast is amazing. Awesome bikes.

 

After a bike, everything else seems slow.

As for the Jap bike vs. Harley it just depends on what you want. I've had several Jap bikes, including a Yohimira equipped screamer. A Moto Guzzi LeMans, sweet handling, don't bend the rims (real magnesium $$$$). The Jap bikes are faster, handle and stop better, and cost less.

The Harleys have one thing that wins in leaps and bounds......CLASS.

For those that run into the unfriendly Harley riders, just keep in mind that there's a jerk in every crowd and it has nothing to do with what they ride. My friends and I have done bike week on Jap bikes and had a blast. We even opened some eyes and got a few free beers from the Harley guys after putting our crotch rockets in one of the burn out pits.