Why is there so much hate between harley riders and sportbike riders?

Question

I ride sportbike and I wave or give the thumbs up to everybody. When I was a noob I started to waved to harleys and they didn't wave back. I was like WTF? Then it was just understood that that's the way it was. Don't get me wrong, there a few cruisers that do wave, but most don't. But I still wave to everyone even if they dont, 'm givin the thumbs up to the kid on the pocketbike or the geezer on his clapped out scooter.I don't care. If you are on 2 wheels you are going to be my victim! haha. We are all on 2 wheels, I think its all BS.

Answer 1

I own a sportsbike and do not act stupid. I have friends that have Harleys and I ride with them sometimes. They think there bike is better until we have to pull over so they can work on them. Its kinda funny.

Answer 2

Back in the late 60s and early 70s japanese rice started to flood the market. I purchased my first bike then. It was very easy to go out and purchase a brand new 800 dollar 350cc japanese motorcycle and many people did due to the fact that Harleys were so expensive. They were the only manufacturer of motorcycles in the states at the time. Harley riders resented this right from the start and it REALLY began to annoy them when they found these cheap japanese models would race rings around Harleys. Harleys were, and still are the most outdated and ancient, inefficient motor designs in the world! The v45 design is still a joke! The front combustion chamber gets all the cooling air and the rear gets robbed. This is, and always will be a major design flaw! The only reason they survived were the sound they made and their popularity. Dont get me wrong, I still love my Harley but I also know that rice is far superior in engine efficiency and design! This holds true when it comes to handling also! For years I resented Harley Davidson for the role they played in domination and destruction of the American motorcycle market. At one time there were some 200 manufactures in the states. The war and following depression shot most of the companies down. Harley would have never made it and only survived due to military contracts. When the boys who survived the trenches and made it back home, their desire to feel the freedom they fought for sent a good number of them out to buy a motorcycle. The only choice they had was a Harley. I really got a chuckle back in the day when I bought my first Kawasaki KZ 1000! It had a roar unequal to any and sounded like American muscle! There wasnt a Harley in the tri state area that could outrun it! The only time I ever had a close race was when a fellow in a local city spent 15 grand on a Harley and then spent another 11 grand in performance enhancements. He was tough but I still beat him....funny because I only spent 700 dollars for the KZ and it was used! By the way, I have my deepest love for my Trumpet! 850ccs and the entire bike with the exception of the lower front frame cradle, wheels, engine, and braking system was all hand fabricated! It helped a bunch to work in the machine shop of a plating factory. I must say, its not only a custom...but it is a piece of art! Check it out on my 360 page!

Answer 3

I think it to mostly be a pre-decided attitude of the riders. Most likely they had their minds made up to have an attitude before they ever bought the bike. Regardless, the TRUE riders don't care what anyone rides, just that they ride. There are too many new riders on both sport bikes AND Harleys that create a bad image and cause problems through their own ignorance or lack of riding skill and experience. Brand new riders going out and buying either a GSX-R or a 1200cc heavyweight cruiser is just asking for an accident.

Answer 4

Correct in your wording about the HD and SB relationship. I ride a HD and have been on one for many years and I too have waved at SB and not gotten a wave back. Did I take this to heart, did I stop and worry why I didn't get a wave back, did I just go home and burry my head? No I just went on with my ride and didn't give it any thought. I have friends that ride SB's and some even ride with me, so to lump all HD riders in one group is not fair and a unjust statement to say the least. We as riders must stick together now more so than ever before because if the EPA has anything to say we will not be able to do any mods to our bikes HD and SB alike. Cagers have always disliked us (I mean everyone that rides) because of the noise that our bikes make or how fast they are or for what ever reason, so lets not loose focus that we as riders are in this thing together and lets all try to play nice. If I saw a SB on the side of the road broke down I would stop and that goes for any bike. I would hope that someone would do the same for me. Its not what you ride just so that you ride. Remember this the destination is not important its the journey getting there whether on a SB or HD make it a good one. So with that said ride safe and often.

Roadog.

Answer 5

Because most Harleys are made for cruising, and sport bikes are just horsepwer and torque, the SB riders seem to feel they have to go as fast as they can between lights. You almost never see a Harley rider wasting gas by racing from light to light. The SB's are 100 times more apt to cause, or be involved in an accident that is speed related, but the public points the finger at all motorcyclists. We, Harley riders, and other big cruiser riders, feel that riding is an enjoyable pastime, and dislike ANYONE, who through their attitude and irresponsibility, gives the rest of us a bad name. Big Bike riders perform massive community services in the way of charity runs, with all the proceeds going to the organizations. What do the SB riders do to support their community? Nothing I've ever seen!!

Answer 6

I have no hate for sports riders. I think its good no matter what a person rides. Its all about personal choice, and no one should dislike someone else because of what they choose to ride. I personally love the cruiser bikes and ride every chance I get. I have may friends that ride everything from scooters to pit bulls. I run with a couple clubs now and then and any style bike is accepted in them. I have a Harley and I refuse to belong to the local HOG chapter because it is so discriminatory.

When the discrimination stops then as a whole motorcyclist will get enough strength to actually have a say in the laws and government of America, until then we have no say.

Answer 7

There's Harley riders and then there's everybody else. I don't care what kind of bike someone rides. It's a motor and two wheels and a ton of fun. Too bad we can't all enjoy it the same way without the astigmatism of not being the same as everyone else. That would be boring, life is variety. Make your own choice and don't worry about what the guy on the hog thinks. He doesn't have to pay for your ride.

Answer 8

i imagine it really is better of a collection element. i have never experienced a unmarried rider it really is had some thing undesirable to say to me about my holiday, no remember which one i'm on. Heck, many cases they're going to come over and ask about the motorbike (probable with the aid of saddlebags, tank bag, tent and snoozing bag I actually have on the motorbike :) ) I actually have rolled right into a gasoline station the position there are a collection of Harley riders and gotten the seem from numerous riders and no human being comes up. Even that would not ensue for all time. i replaced into up at a Tim Horton's in Canada again in July and there have been a collection of riders on countless motorcycles. the most important question from them replaced into "you rode from Colorado to Newbrunswick on that?" :) yet I actually have talked about that there would not seem any anti-rice posting in the HD forums i have been in yet there are some anti-hd posts in the non-hd forums. specifically topics like: a million. Why do not they wave. 2. Why do they stress an previous, non performance motorbike. 3. what's up with the pirate clothing. which could't be very shielding in an twist of destiny. For me, I actually have an appreciation for all varieties of motorcycles.

Answer 9

Harley Riders probably don't like SB riders for the same reason most people in Cars detest them: There are those that weave in and out of 80 mile/hr traffic like there is nobody else on the road. Yeah we know you got a fast bike, but dang do you have to cut people off and put yourself and others in danger????See Ya on the next tree and another % for the statistics. I am on the interstate daily and that is a common sight. NEVER ever seen a Harley owner act like that.
But what do I know, i am just a Newbie.

Answer 10

Nice answer Roaddog. I ride a Yamaha VStar, which is a cruiser and not a sport bike, but I do notice the snobbery. I used to "hang" with Harley riders all the time, and Harley was the only word, but all I have ever wanted to do was ride. Didn't care what. One guy called me a "Virago-riding bit##" and I told him to whip out his check book and buy me a Harley. Otherwise, shut the F#*k up. It does happen but the way I figure, its their loss, not mine. Anyone as closed-minded as that I do not want to have anything to do with anyway. I am secure enough with myself that I get what I want, not because everyone else has it.

Answer 11

Hey man, I ride a Harley, down here in sunny Florida. And I wave when people wave to me. So keep it up. It doesn't matter what you ride, just as long as you ride. If everybody had a bike the world would be a different place. Hang in there...