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).
Interesting survey. I like Harleys and crotch-rockets and I can't decide which one to buy.
we have other names for the so called sports bikes....rice burners, j*p bikes, and girls bikes.
Thanks to LM for giving me a chance to clean it up and repost, it was greatly appreciated.
Now, a couple of points:
1) riders of Harleys are nearly four times more likely to pick restaurants with the nicest looking waiters/waitresses I've never, ever, ever seen a group of Harley riders stop anywhere there were waiters, let alone good looking ones. Obviously PC here. :)
2) Harley riders are six times more likely to only acknowledge those riding the same style bike (18 percent versus three percent). 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
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.
4)Sixty-nine (69) percent of all riders daydream at work each day about riding their bike. Hell, I daydream about riding when I'm riding! I daydream about other bikes I'd like to ride, and places I'd like to be riding.
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 guess I'm the exception here. While I do have a lot of cosmetic items on my bike, they pale in comparison to the performance and functional parts. In addition to practical additions such as bags, racks, seat, sissy bar, I have aftermarket pistons, cams, ignition, air cleaner, pipes....The only difference is that my parts were chosen to provide maximum torque, streetable power, instead of high RPM horsepower ala the Japanese bikes.
OK...
Eighteen (18) percent of all riders call in sick to work at least once a year to go riding.
65% of all harley riders and 95% of my riding partners are too old to work, to cranky to answer questions, to scary to be interviewed without firearms nearby and arguably the hungriest group of people Ive ever had the pleasure to grow old with :-)
(Change it around since the last one, didn't want you to snort your corflakes thru your nose again. :-)
prisoner6
Buy what you can afford and what feels comfortable. Forget the hype!
I thought they were just "living the legend".
No mention of which rider's women have the most tatoos (property of Boo-boo, etc..), or largest "mammalian protuberances".
A poofter! :-)
Might want to check out how well your medical insurance covers first...;^)
Right behind this Vespa owner.. Whoo!Whooo!!
I like Ducatis, at the moment.
Interesting.
Only if I pedal REAL hard!
Vespa...sigh...I am SO jealous!
FWIW I also REALLY enjoy riding old Honda/Yanaha/et al 50's. That gives me a REAL ADRENALINE RUSH...
prisoner6
You can tell a happy biker by the bugstains on his teeth.
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 know of a few older Harley owners that went to a Goldwing. More comfortable and reliable.
That answer would depend on whether anyone sees you.
This thread is gonna be fun!
.......at the moment.
Well, if attention span is a good indicator, you need to keep lookin'. :-)
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