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).
I adore the CBR -- fantabulous bike. Or the new BMW sport bike --> it's more in the Hayabusa range (find the Suzuki machine too bulky for my preference). All in All, I'd prefer the CBR any day, even over a Hornet or a Moto Guzzi
The first bike I ever had was Honda 50. A lot of good times.
= )
prisoner6
Melas wrote, "Interesting survey. I like Harleys and crotch-rockets and I can't decide which one to buy."
Buy one of the newer Gold Wings (2001-present). You'll never regret it. It has the power of a crotch rocket (1,832 cc). You'll be able to ride all day without being being battered by the H-D's vibration and noise. You'll have modern technology (liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, quiet six cylinder engine), instead of the antiquated air-cooled, noisy V-twin.
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.
Yep, goldwings will bore you to death with their magic flying carpet ride! Just hope you guys remember when your moving vs. standing still. :-)
I was based in Sapin 68-72. I had a Bultalco 250...what a blast..
3)I'd love to see more sport bikes get involved with charity events. I don't know if we should blame the sport bike riders for not showing up, or if the Harley guys shoulder the blame for not making them feel welcome.
I don't know if they might be old friends or a sadistic pack of orthodontists.
Wave anyway! :-)
Also a nice running "all there" 73 or 74 Combat Commando 750 Roadster to sell for a friend. (If anyone is interested, freepmail me.)
Is there a story behind the two-fingers down? I've gotten that before from fellow-bikers, but I wasn't sure whether they were flipping me off. :-)
two-fingers down = V-twin wave.
They're all good. Most of it depends on how you ride. No bike is good at everything. Goldwings and Electra Glides suck big time in stop and go traffic in the Texas' Summer. Sportsters are horrid for long trips with a passenger. Crotch rockets suck for long trips period. Low Riders are the slowest bikes in the twisties next to Schwinn's. Etc, etc. Some bikes are better jacks of all trades than others, but not everone needs a jack of all trades bikes.
A good example is a fellow freeper here who goes by Blackie. He traded in a Sportster for a Suzuki SV650, and from his posts he couldn't be happier. Now I have a friend who traded in a SV650 for a Sportster and he couldn't be happier. The difference is no doubt riding style.
From his posts here, I get the feeling that recreational rides through the twisties, with sport bike riders are Blackie's thing, and the light, nimble, responsive 650 is perfect for that type of riding. The Sportser is decidedly less suited for that ride than the Suzuki. No one likes to do that kind of ride knowing you'll be bringing up the rear, way rear. Being last is bad, but so far behind you can't see the other bikes is no fun.
On the other hand, the much torquier, heavier, Sportster fits my friends bill much better. My buddy was looking for an economical commuter bike that he can ride every day, and that could double as a 1up tourer. The 650 just can't compete with a Sportser for that kind of riding. The 650, while it has plenty of HP, is less torquey so the rider shifts more which isn't good on a 700 mile day. The 650 just can't compete with a Sportster with racks and bags for the cargo capacity my buddy needed.
On the other hand, if 2up riding is your thing, with any distance at all, you'd be a fool to buy either bike. For that kind of riding, you couldn't do much worse than either the sportster or the Suzuki. For that kind of riding you'd want a full boat tourer like the Electra Glide or Goldwing which are great touring bikes. You just don't want to get caught in a traffic jam, creeping along at 15mph for an hour on one. The complete lack of airflow at those low speeds is a recipe for heat stroke on one. They're not a good commuter bikes at all.
Vehicular hell.
I hate you. You said in 1 one sentence what I just blew through a dozen paragraphs on.
You've seen Boo-Boo's woman? We tried to get her picture on the milk cartons, but the Dairy group said they were afraid it might scare small children.
Got me beat my bike is a sit down low rider with pedals and a trainer on it so it is stationary.
But But But, I love you man!! :-)
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