Posted on 03/30/2005 3:01:07 AM PST by Melas
You Are What You Ride: Progressive Survey Finds Differences Between Harley and Sport Bike Riders Go Beyond Bike Type
Wednesday March 9, 1:33 pm ET
Both Dig Body Art But Harley Riders More Likely to Wear What They Ride, Says America's Top Motorcycle Insurer
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2005-- What can you tell about a person by the kind of motorcycle they ride? Plenty, according to a recent countrywide online survey conducted by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, the number one seller of motorcycle insurance in the U.S. The survey finds interesting differences - and similarities - between Harley-Davidson riders and those who ride sport bikes.
For example, everyone knows that Harley riders wear their passion for biking on their sleeve... literally. The survey finds Harley riders are three times more likely than those who ride sport bikes to own clothing or artwork that displays the brand of motorcycle they ride (93 percent versus 30 percent, respectively). Harley riders are also more likely to have body art such as tattoos and piercings (52 percent versus 40 percent).
The survey also finds that Harley riders are more likely than those who ride sport bikes to plan rides around where they'll eat (32 percent versus 23 percent).
Sport bike riders are three times more likely to eat at fast-food restaurants (18 percent versus six percent), while riders of Harleys are nearly four times more likely to pick restaurants with the nicest looking waiters/waitresses (11 percent versus three percent).
The survey confirms that both rider groups have much in common, too. For example, both say "freedom" is the number one reason they ride. And though sport bikes are commonly known as "crotch-rockets" or "road-rippers," only six percent of those who ride them say they do so for "speed" while fewer than one percent of Harley riders say the same. Both groups listed the same top excuses for justifying a quick ride: running errands, testing the engine and visiting friends.
Progressive's survey also finds that ninety-five (95) percent of all riders acknowledge their fellow bikers while riding. Waving is the preferred method of acknowledgement (37 percent), although Harley riders are nearly twice as likely to acknowledge other riders by pointing two fingers down (29 percent versus 16 percent).
Harley riders are six times more likely to only acknowledge those riding the same style bike (18 percent versus three percent).
Additional survey results include:
An overwhelming majority of riders (88 percent) donate time or money to charities. Two-thirds of Harley riders (67 percent) and one-third of those who ride sport bikes (33 percent) participate in at least one charity ride each year.
Sixty-nine (69) percent of all riders daydream at work each day about riding their bike.
Eighteen (18) percent of all riders call in sick to work at least once a year to go riding.
Women prefer to ride with their significant other (58 percent), while men choose to ride with their friends (63 percent).
Adding custom parts that enhance the look of their bikes was the number one choice for Harley riders (73 percent), while adding performance equipment was the top choice for those who ride sport bikes (44 percent).
Oooh, purrty.
Nah. You dun god.
Email me and we can take it off-line from the thread (the cool thing to do).
Great looking Bike, but I'm set on a Stock looking Magna.
Thanx...
Honda sure makes some tough engines. We didn't know how good their bikes were until they started making cars that put ours to shame.
Oops. There goes my Bible speakin' again.
god = good...ain't it the truth.
" If I could smack every stuck up biker on a Harley that refuses to acknowledge guys on Japanese bikes, I would. I love to see bikes on the road. I don't care if it's a Fatboy or a Honda Rebel. I'm not sure I count scooters though. Caio"
I ride a Kawasaki Mean Streak here on the Front Range of Colorado where there are LOTS of bikers. It's been my experience that the Hog riders are much more friendly the the Sport Bike riders in that they will generally wave at you when the Sport Bikers won't.
Honda Silver Wing.
It's a scooter, but it's a biiiiig scooter. < |:)~
It's got a TON of storage space under the seat.
Sabres were only made in 84 & 85. Magnas were made much longer and are more available. If you have problems locating, let me know...I have some Magna friends in Indy.
FReep, er ah, Ride On.....
Found my leather jacket at the swap meet. Warm shirts at the thrift store. I'm cheap. I like old stuff 'cause I'm old. I ride an '87 Softail Custom. Sweeeeet.
....an' I remember when Levi's were either blue ($3.75) or white ($4.75).
"Harley Riders also have more class: “Sport bike riders are three times more likely to eat at fast-food restaurants (18 percent versus six percent)"
Sport bike (and generally non-cruiser) riders just want a quick bite so they can get back out on the road and ride. When I go out riding around on the weekend I see more Harleys parked in front of restaurants, bars and taverns than I do out on the road.
Oh yeah, Harley riders are more likely to drink and ride.
"I like Ducatis, at the moment."
I had a bud in high-school (1968) that rode a Ducati. The guy would jump out of a second-story window in the school and take of on his bike. After everyone came back from the service he and a few of his friends moved in two doors down from me and joined the Outlaws motorcyle club. Within a few years he became president of the club and owned C&S cycles in Nashville, Tn.
The moral is that no matter what you ride there's always hope.
PS. He later went to prison for stealing Harley's and shipping them to Australia.
My uncle had one of those back in the 'day'. It had the shifter on the tank.
"My "crotch rocket" is a 1969 Triumph Trident T150, still in fairly mint condition, right down to its original Avon tires (or is it tyres?)."
I owned a 70 Triumph Bonneville and it was sweet. Wish I still had it. Sold it to a guy my father worked with in 72' and he wrapped it up almost killing himself.
For cheap hot weather gear, look for a nylon shooting vest, the kind that has the big "game pocket" in the back. When the temps get up around a ton, you get a couple of big ziplock bags, fill 'em with ice, and stick them back in that game pocket and snuggle 'em up right over your kidneys.
Triumph Rocket III inline 3 cylinder about 2300cc.
Just saw two Triumph knock-offs last week end. Jap bikes that looked like old Triumphs. They were Kaw'i's, I think.
"Well, now you know of one more. Love my wing - it's 11 years young, looks like new, never had any problems, smooth, quiet (so I can hear the stereo), comfortable, powerful and handles very well."
Got lots of friends in the Goldwing club here in Colorado who swear by them. After years of riding a Trimph I bought a Kawa Mean Streak that is really smooth (no more numb-n*ts) with the drive shaft and suspension.
Motorcycle Ping....Your Wing is being discussed, as well as others.
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