Author Topic: herd mentality (Read 14354 times)

Chaos · « **on:** July 16, 2016, 12:00:44 PM »

Just got delayed up by a couple hundred bikers on some charity-poker-honor run, police blocking the intersection as they took off. 95% Milwaukee's finest, 10 or so various trikes. Almost no helmets (no full face), but lots of ape hangers, dew rags and leather vests. Saw 2 guys take off with their kick stands down and one run up the curb as he tried to talk to his gf on the back. Cannot relate to that mentality, seems beemer types usually ride solo or in pairs. Why the hell the chrome and noise crowd thinks it is so damn cool to act like a bunch lemmings is beyond me.

Motorhobo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2016, 12:08:57 PM »

That's because for them, riding is a special event rather than an everyday occurrence. I did a group ride for Pediatric Brain Cancer once with the dog sidecar. Next time I'll just give them $75 and do something else...what a poserfest.

Elipten · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2016, 12:15:18 AM »

You got that right.

kenray · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2016, 09:53:21 AM »

Same down here in the Houston Texas area. I don't get it, but when they are doing their thing it leaves the back roads open for me, no parade formations to deal with, yea!! Kenray.

F14CRAZY · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2016, 01:09:46 PM »

These days there are other choices if you want an American cruiser so I don't get why HD's keep selling

Motorhobo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2016, 01:20:42 PM »

Because of the 'lifestyle'.

Chaos · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2016, 01:48:49 PM »

there's usually some Victory and Polaris products mixed in with a HD herd. Same mentality.

F14CRAZY · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2016, 08:13:55 PM »

Quote from: Chaos on July 17, 2016, 01:48:49 PM

there's usually some Victory and Polaris products mixed in with a HD herd. Same mentality.

When parked I've had conversations with Japanese cruiser riders. I don't think the HD guys would give the time of day if I asked. Not sure on the other American brands though (yet)

Martin · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2016, 08:59:25 PM »

In Oz you very rarely get a wave or a nod from Harley riders, and especially if they are wearing open faced helmets. By the same token it seems to be mainly ~~older~~ more mature riders that do wave or nod.
Regards Martin.

jakgieger · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2016, 09:10:09 PM »

In Kansas, riders are rare...we all wave

Kinda funny how the farther you get from "civilization" the friendlier people get.

White Dog · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2016, 11:32:38 PM »

I actually received a nice compliment on my '95 K75 today. Guy from Long Island in town for a wedding. As soon as he got out of his car, he came running over to me as I was preparing to mount up and ride away. As for others waving --well, they see an old BMW coming at them they don't know what to think so the either do not wave or offer a hesitant half-wave.

Motorhobo · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2016, 04:40:29 AM »

I still get a lot of compliments with a k75. Especially the red one. It's probably because they look like motorcycles rather than Transformers with these gnarly bulbous multicolored monstrosities they put out nowadays.

I wave at anything with an engine and a helmet, which means I don't wave much riding in Delaware.

kris · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2016, 03:02:37 PM »

Boy, you guys are a tough crowd! I'm all for guys riding to raise money for a worthy cause...don't really care what they're on and what attitude they have. That's their problem/ prerogative. It's not cool to think you're cool 'cause you ride a bike. I think we all ride because we love the experience and, especially in our case, we have a soft spot for our funny old German bikes. Heinz'll put a smile on my face faster than a free blowjob! (did I just say that?) And as for my Kawi...her engine is a symphony at 4 grand. Could listen to her purr all day and all night. So let's not judge our potato-popper V-twin friends - at least not too harshly. They've been sold a bill of goods by some of the best marketing on the planet. And, in all fairness, HD is putting out a quality product they can be proud of. In my opinion, however, the nicest V-twin comes in a Moto Guzzi wrapper.

Enjoy it while you can!!

Motorhobo · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2016, 03:35:30 PM »

Quote from: kris on July 19, 2016, 03:02:37 PM

Boy, you guys are a tough crowd!

Well, I wasn't chiding the cause, I was saying the group ride wasn't for me - I don't enjoy it. Like I said, I'd rather give them the money. I'll hike for a cause, or walk for a cause, or eat food for a cause, or talk for a cause, but riding a motorcycle in a long line being constrained on all sides for a cause...not something I enjoy. Truth is, I just don't have that much in common with bikers or most people who ride motorcycles in groups. I have something in common who ride motorcycles pretty much every day because it's their PMT.

I apologize if I sounded like I was lumping all people who do charity rides into the 'biker' category. I know that's not the case but I personally avoid most places that have a high percentage of 'bikers'. My experience with 'bikers' has generally not been pleasant. There was one at the pub last night. He was wearing a shirt with cut-off sleeves. There was a dress code at the place. He got all bent out of shape and nasty because he went to a place with a clearly posted dress code but wasn't dressed appropriately and he made it their fault. He left in a huff, pointed his loud pipes where I was sitting and made me think he was a douchebag. I'm not saying all 'bikers' are like that. I'm just saying I generally avoid places where those folks hang out because they kind of bore me, they seem really angry, and I'm kind of afraid of them.

But that's just me.

kris · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2016, 04:07:38 PM »

Motorhobo,
My note was more tongue-in-cheek than anything else. It's fun to trade quips once in a while. I did not get the sense you were all over these guys. I'm with you. One of the things that allows me to justify owning two bikes (and all the expense that goes with them) is that I actually ride two bikes...for work, to shop, to show houses....you name it. I want miles on my girls. I don't mind stone chips. It all means these babies have been put to the use they were meant for.

Off the soap box now....gotta get on the Beemer to go show houses!! (and she's got a spanky new pair of shock boots on her!)

White Dog · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2016, 05:34:40 PM »

Why is it a vast majority of HD riders have to "blurp" the throttle when sitting at a traffic light? Sometimes I hear 2-4 blurps. Don't typically hear this on any other brand cycle--even those Honda cruisers with loud pipes.

bocutter Ed · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2016, 05:59:44 PM »

Quote from: kris on July 19, 2016, 04:07:38 PM

I want miles on my girls. <> (and she's got a spanky new pair of shock boots on her!)

Are you sayin' Heinz is transgender?

Bill · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2016, 06:32:19 PM »

I liken mine to a strict German mistress especially when resetting the ABS ,,,,, do everything right and she will reward you .....

Motorhobo · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2016, 06:37:03 PM »

Quote from: White Dog on July 19, 2016, 05:34:40 PM

Why is it a vast majority of HD riders have to "blurp" the throttle when sitting at a traffic light?

It's how they fart.

F14CRAZY · « **Reply #19 on:** July 19, 2016, 10:25:58 PM »

Quote from: White Dog on July 19, 2016, 05:34:40 PM

Why is it a vast majority of HD riders have to "blurp" the throttle when sitting at a traffic light? Sometimes I hear 2-4 blurps. Don't typically hear this on any other brand cycle--even those Honda cruisers with loud pipes.

I've felt like bouncing my brick off its rev limiter in return

Quiltzig · « **Reply #20 on:** July 25, 2016, 04:19:53 PM »

Quote from: Motorhobo on July 16, 2016, 12:08:57 PM

That's because for them, riding is a special event rather than an everyday occurrence. I did a group ride for Pediatric Brain Cancer once with the dog sidecar. Next time I'll just give them $75 and do something else...what a poserfest.

Agreed - they only break the bike out in fine weather to ride to a cafe or show off.

Real motorcyclists ride in all weathers, and are not (generally) looking at themselves!

F14CRAZY · « **Reply #21 on:** July 25, 2016, 05:08:18 PM »

Quote from: Quiltzig on July 25, 2016, 04:19:53 PM

Agreed - they only break the bike out in fine weather to ride to a cafe or show off.

Real motorcyclists ride in all weathers, and are not (generally) looking at themselves!

I've ridden in every month except January (though not a whole lot in December or February)

Martin · « **Reply #22 on:** July 25, 2016, 06:05:20 PM »

Got a cold winters day here 21o C. Might have to put the liner back in my jacket. :clap:
Regards Martin.

Motorhobo · « **Reply #23 on:** July 25, 2016, 06:10:45 PM »

I've ridden every Christmas Eve three hours from Maryland to New Jersey for the past 5 years and back on Christmas Day. Every year I marvel at the fact that there are no Harley Davidsons out in 30 degree weather. Then it occurs to me that besides myself there are no motorcycles of any make or model out in the 30 degree weather and that the reason for this is probably that I, not they, am the idiot.

Chaos · « **Reply #24 on:** July 25, 2016, 06:37:57 PM »

Quote from: Motorhobo on July 25, 2016, 06:10:45 PM

Then it occurs to me that besides myself there are no motorcycles of any make or model out in the 30 degree weather and that the reason for this is probably that I, not they, am the idiot.

year round riding is a big part of the reason I got the Ural. I'll ride down to about 5F, that's my limit without heated gear. In fresh snow the looks I get from dudes in pickups covered with HD stickers is priceless.

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Author Topic: herd mentality (Read 14354 times)