Get something with long legs, good suspension and brakes and a healthy dose of character. (click the pic.)
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).
God what a twit I was..... surprisingly the girls liked it, I guess it didn't look as gay in those days as it would now.
I'm sure you looked very happy riding that bike. Oh wait, you meant that "other" kind of gay.
That Bonnie is a beautiful bike. Congrats . . .
Back in 1968 the Bonneville was considered a big bike, for serious enthusiasts only. Now it is a veritable lightweight by today's standards!
I commute (currently by car) to work each day in a large, eastern seaboard city. It's 20 miles -- one mile of neighborhood streets, two miles of divided six lane, 17 miles of interstate WITH HOV access for motorcycles. There is ample motorcycle parking at my workplace.
I'm 6'1", 250 lbs, 31" inseam.
What I want is a Gold Wing ABS; I've considered the BMW K1200LT and a HD Electra Glide Ultra Classic; reason would dictate that I could get by with a Honda Shadow Aero.
Yeah, one day I want to tour the great US West on a bike, with or without the wife. (She's resisting that inner demon to be like her Mom (dead 40 years ago) and Dad (who at 70 still rides a cruiser).) I don't have to buy anything at all, except the b.s. traffic and the HOV lane restrictions mean I come to work at least an hour before I have to, and I can't get home in less than 50 minutes if I'm stuck in the non-HOV lanes.
And it's been 25 years since I last rode. I'm taking the Basic Motorcycle Riders course this weekend.
I'm thinking of getting the Shadow Aero, ride a year or two, give it to one of my kids, and then getting the Wing and give the wife the chance to ride two-up with an experienced rider.
Advice appreciated!
Follow up: wife's Mom and Dad met in a biker bar in Tampa, 1947. We have a great picture of her sitting on an Indian. Man, was she good-looking!
What a great story! Riding has sure changed since I was in high school in the early 70's. Back then, there was somewhat of social stigma to owning a motorcycle. No more.
If you go to Carrows coffee shop in Santa Barbara on a Sunday morning, you are as likely to meet a CEO biker, as an auto mechanic one. And, yes, we all get along just fine.
Unless Congress shuts off your Child Tax Credit revenue stream, I predict you'll have a Harley within 5 years.
You can rent just about anything, so if it's been that many years, do some homework by renting. You will find your nitch.
PS- We're about the same size. I ride an Electraglide Classic with the tour pack hung up in the garage for when i need it. My advice is nonpartisan, but my preference is HD. :-)
Oink
This statistic doesn't bear your contention out.
It says 1 out of 5 Harley riders won't acknowledge another rider 'cuz they are not on a Harley.
New Mexico is Ground Zero for dentists and accountants dressing up and acting like dicks on their Harleys on the weekend....
I'll call your New Mexico accountants and dentists, and raise you Florida lawyers, Rabbis, Judges and boat Captains with a side order of Real Estate agents wearing chaps in August!
<|:-)~~
LOL! Yeah... doing 100mph in 10th gear with the engine barely turning over hearing nothing but the wind and a ride like glass is pretty dull.
For extra dullness, my next bike is going to be a BMW K1200GT.
Perhaps vibration, wallowing around in the corners and parts falling off is exciting.
I did ride a friends Road King once. I almost killed myself trying to merge--I was coming down the ramp and twisted the throttle for the horses I'm used to and all it did was get louder and the rear view mirrors got all fuzzy. I had to scramble for a new space to merge because I simply didn't have the power....
I'll cut him some slack; he's probably never ridden anything that has soul, and thus feels compelled to denigrate and criticize what he can't understand . . .
I dunno, I had wanted a CB1000 Custom since they first came out when I was 13. They only made them one year--In Marysville Ohio. It's a very weird bike.
I like it, and I'll wave at you on a Harley, but based on statistics, you won't wave back....
Yep! Bikers and Credit Card Commandos, setting down together and drinking latte.
Who would have thunk it!
Get something with long legs, good suspension and brakes and a healthy dose of character. (click the pic.)
We have a Suzuki TL1000R (The wife's bike) and a very much modified XLH. My current "Company car" is a VRSCR. Virtually everyone we know is either an active or former motorcyclist. Except for grocery shopping, everywhere we go, we go on two wheels. (8^)
The shadow Aero is a fine bike. Go for it.
Why are you repeatedly and intentionally trying to be offensive and pick a fight? I'm not sure I understand the reason behind your belligerance. Do you truly hate us so much because we ride Harley's?
Besides, I really, really do dislike RUBs (Rich Urban Bikers).
Baby boomer dentists who wear logo gear and pretend they are '1 percenters'.
I rode a BSA 650 Lighting when I was young and good looking. Leaked oil like a sieve and the Lucas electronics were a joke.
To start it cold you had to tickle both carbs and kick her about 4 or five times. If it was warmed up by riding she would start on first kick and leave a little pool of oil as a calling card! (c:
Wish I still had it...
That Rocket 3 lives up to its name I bet! (c;
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