You Are What You Ride

Yahoo Financial News ^ | 30MAR05 | Progressive Insurance

[Bear_Slayer]

I was raised in the San Berdardino area of So. Calif, back in the 70s. I remember the hordes of Hell's Angels that would come racing up behind us on the Freeway.

I remember going to a Park in San Bernardino and having to leave because the Hell's Angels showed up and were picking fights with people. So what?

None of these people had t-shirts with Harley ads.

People have become walking advertisments, and not just Bikers. There are only a few individuals that don't have some logo-type article of clothing.

Those that do, I believe, are not trying to demostrate who they are, but to convince themselves of who they think they are.

[R. Scott]

I know of a few older Harley owners that went to a Goldwing. More comfortable and reliable.

I rode Coast to Coast twice, one on a Harley FLH (1982) and once on a Harley FXRT (1985). Both times I was prepared with a tool kit – adjustable wrench, pliers, Swiss Army knife and black tape. I never experienced any problems with my Harley on either trip, but did stop to help riders on Gold and Silver wings several times. I found the comfort level was outstanding on both bikes.
I too know of some Harley riders who went to Gold Wings when they grew to old and infirm for their old bikes – but they had ridden hard tail choppers for decades and never sat a Dresser.

[uglybiker]

...or largest "mammalian protuberances".

Or the floppiest.

[Melas]

Might want to check out how well your medical insurance covers first...;^)

Lol, I'm a firm believer of policing our own. My dad rode a Harley in WWII, and he brought that passion back home to the states with him. My brother barely stood a chance, and when I came up, I had no chance, because both of them were deeply into Harley's that it was like the family religion.

[Melas]

I know of a few older Harley owners that went to a Goldwing. More comfortable and reliable.

They have their place, but as I said in an earlier post, they're horrible as commuters. The full fairing with lowers provides excellent protection at highway speeds, and makes for a wonderful ride. However, at lower speeds, the added weight makes them cumbersome, and the lack of airflow is suffocating in hot climates.

As for reliability, you're dead on. Nothing is more reliable than a GW. Those things have a duty cycle of over 300,000 miles now. The duty cycle of the Harley Twincam is an easy 100,000 which is absolutely nothing to sneeze at, but nothing lasts like the 4 and now the 6 cyl wings.

[R. Scott]

…without being being battered by the H-D's vibration and noise…

Obviously you are not familiar with the Harleys made within the last couple decades.

[Melas]

This thread is gonna be fun!

Amen, and we're more than due for a fun thread. I know I welcome the levity.

[Melas]

Me too. A Honda 50 with the little itty bitty wheels and a 3 speed tranny with a centrificul clutch. I think I was 6. I loved that little bike, and I thought I was real biker. The neighbors on the other hand thought I was a menace. Come to think of it, that's what the guy across street think every time I set off his car alarm with my pipes now.

[Melas]

Bad advice unless you know how he intends to ride. I greatly admire Wings, expecially the engine, but the Wing like all bikes that are really good at one thing, has some serious drawbacks if you're not riding in that niche, which in the Wing's case would be long distance riding.

[Melas]

Nowadays when I pass a bunch of rumblin' iron with leathered up riders, I don't know if they might be old friends or a sadistic pack of orthodontists.

I use a Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard. They're $39.95 at Fry's and you owe me a new one. This one is covered in coffee thanks to you.

[Melas]

Lol, don't pay attention to Joe. It means literally "Two wheels down" It's bad when the wheels are up.

[ChiefKujo]

[Vaquero]

R.I.P. Indian Larry

[Melas]

IMHO, there is nothing as overpriced as Harley Clothing...er..excuse me.. Motorclothes (tm). I've ridden all my life, and I wear plain black t-shirts with pockets on them, $6 for a pack of 3. Red Wing motorcycle boots. A ZR1 black leather patrolman's jacket, river road chaps, and socks from Wal-Mart (Harley sells $20 socks with the HD logo on them). I do own a Harley leather do-rag, because it was just too cool, and HD goggles and glasses are a pretty good deal.

[DuncanWaring]

Ping.

[Melas]

Sweet. I love the 100th paint jobs. I've often considered a Fatbob tank for my Sporty, but I just can't bear to part with the paint job.

[ChiefKujo]

Same here. Not one black (or any other color for that matter) t-shirt with a H-D logo or a dealer print.

[ChiefKujo]

Black paint adds 4-7 mph to your top speed.

It's a scientific fact

[Bear_Slayer]

Harley sells $20 socks with the HD logo on them

Do ones feet feel better with the Harley logo? I suppose it helps with balance. /sarcasm Who would know or care that another has socks with any sort of logo on them.

What are people thinking when they see those socks in the store?

[Melas]

I have two long sleeve HD t-shirts. One from the Dallas shop that I won as a door prize at an open house. The other from Champion HD in Roswell NM. It was just too cool to pass up. On the back of the shirt, there is a green skinned alien, in a HD half-helmet riding a softail. That was just too unique.

Like you, I don't understand $22 t-shirts. That offends my sensibilities just typing it. Don't even get me started on $600 dollar jackets that aren't as good as the $200 jackets at Wilson's leather.