Ever mistake a Japanese bike for a Harley Davidson?

Question

I ride a Hog and I've never much cared for them buzzy little metric bikes. This summer I've actually waved to some of the new copy Japanese bike riders by mistake thinking they were actually Harleys. No red blooded Hog rider would ever wave intentionally to a non-Harley bike rider, especially one of those crappy wanna be Harley models. Some of the guys riding these wannabe bikes are even starting to dress like us so it is harder and harder to spot the Japanese junk. They probably paid about a third of what my Road King cost me and you can bet they don't have $2,000 worth of officially licensed Harley Davidson clothing like I do (WEAR IT LOUD, WEAR IT PROUD). How do others tell the difference between the granddaddy of all V Twins and the late model Japanese junk (that will be in the scrap heap when my Road King is just getting broken in)? I'm tired of making the mistake of waving to these posers!

Answer 1

Although I am a Harley girl from way back I still say 'live and let live'. Wave at them, secure in the knowledge of your own superiority.

Answer 2

Dude ,that is the lamest thing I ever read on here ,i looked at your other questions about your sluggish road king and where to park your trailer at Sturgis so you could ride in , Are you for real are is this a made up joke ,you bought 2000 dollars worth of leather so you can look the part and act like a biker , I rode my Jap bike from Florida to the black hills and waved at every bike in town and had no fear of keeping up with sluggish Road Kings , I hope your kidding in this question cause a real biker would pull beside of a wannabe and smack some sense into ya , So go put your Harley on your trailer with all your clothing tied to it and drive around the block a few times ...Seems I'm always seeing a Harley on a trailer you guys ever ride the dam thing further than your local bar ?

Answer 3

As somebody who puts more miles on a 27 year old Japanese bike than his car, I'm tempted to think this question is a prank.

At least most Harley riders around here have better manners. Sure, they may get in some good natured teasing, but when I see them on the road they wave. And I know it's not because they mistook my bike for a Harley, as mine doesn't look like one at all.

But I'll admit that some of the newer, larger metric cruisers do look pretty similar to Harleys if you don't look closely.

Answer 4

Been riding for a long time and have known riders from all walks of life. My ride is a metric, 1300 VTX. Most of the Harley riders I have known have been more human than clone. You sound like a biker wanna be clone poser, one that brags about how much they paid for the bike, wear all the clothes, and only have 500 miles on the bike in a year.

We are and should be only one thing, a brotherhood of bikers. It don't matter what you ride, it is what is in your heart and life that matters. A mind set of I am better than you is kind of a lousy way to have.

My group has all kinds of bikes in it, even though we are know as "X RIDERS". We don't care what you ride, we even let Harleys ride with us when they can keep up that is.

Answer 5

Get over it man. If you want to be loyal to your brand that's one thing. But if you think Japanese bikes are junk, then you just don't have a clue what you're talking about. There are many thousands of good Honda's, Yamaha's and others that are 25, 30 or more years old that are still going strong. Sure you paid more for your ride, but what you're paying for is NOT superior engineering, it's a name and history. So don't be such a snob. Go ahead and wave, cause ALL bikers are part of the same big fraternity.

Answer 6

HD! Long time no see!

I err more on the side of thinking harleys are jap bikes. Frankly, except for a few models, I usually can't tell what the heck I'm looking at!

Gosh, I wish I had some pointers for you. But you have a true dilemma. You could wave at no one, but then what's the point? How would you then show your loyalty to all things harley?

How about....only wave at the bikes which have US flags waving in the wind? You can bet no jap biker would dare put a US flag on their bike! There are exceptions to every rule, but 9 times out of 10, if you follow this rule, you'll be waving at someone in your own exclusive club.

I'd have written more, but I need to see my doctor. My tongue is stuck in my cheek!

Answer 7

I agree that the Jap bikes are looking and sounding more like Harleys all the time But then look at Harley and the V-Rod sure looks a lot like a Jap bike to me I prefer Harleys by choice but have owned Triumphs and a couple of Jap bikes in my time . Hell man its all about having your knees in the breeze . I will ride just about any thing made execpt for a crotch rocket I can not stand those damn things If I want to lay across something It will be my ol' lady not no damn crotch rocket.

Answer 8

I have found it very easy to distinguish the difference between Hardleys and Metric Cruisers. The Hardleys are the ones busted all to chit on the side of the road as a result of thier inferior engineering.
I find it absolutely hilarious seeing all these posers on Hardleys with all thier over priced garb on. To have to pay through the nose just to fit in and have acceptance is clearly a sign of low self esteem. Oh and the pecker heads who try and look tough with the skull faced bandanas are pure comedy.
As far as not waiving to someone for the sole reason that he doesn't ride a pile of Milwaukee fecal matter is very juvenile to say the least. I wave to everyone regardless of what they ride. Its not what you own. Its comradery. If you saw someone on a metric cruiser go down wouldn't you stop and help? If your answer is no then you better bless that silly *** homo bell dangling from your frame cuz karma will one day greet you with a vengence.

Answer 9

Immitation is the best form of flattery.

From a distance, we all look good. Unfortunately, you can't always tell genuine beauty until you're up close. And often beauty goes beyond the brand. Keep waving.

BTW, when I couldn't afford a Harley but built my own red blooded bike from the Custom Chrome frame up, did you wave at me?

Answer 10

first off.. get a clue.. ive been on bikes since i was knee high to a grasshopper, started out on old triumphs ... my father had the first jap bike in easy rider... it was a xs yamaha 650 chopper... he currenty has 6 harleys, about 20 triumphs and lots of other bikes... but you wanna know what he loves riding the best... the bike that even fooled me... its a 1500 kawasaki vulcan, the ony differance is the case, and not much of that... you sound like a RUB and for those of you who dont know what that is... its a rich urban biker who thinks they know everything and wears all kinds of harley garb cause they can afford it... my picture is in easy rider numerous times... first time i was on the back of a triumph bonneville when i was 7 in a 3 piece corderoy suite right after church... either way... you sound like an **** and if you can wave to someone cause of the bike they ride.. you need to get off the road... my family has riden with some very very perdominate bike clubs and we show respect for every bike on the road... just cause you make money doesnt mean your a biker!

Answer 11

Not everyone is Blessed with MONEY

I Drive what I can afford whether a HOG or a Kaw.

So be it

when you break down I will look the other way

The clothing is for protection whether it says HOG or Nothing

Bikers should stick together no matter what the ride is..
If you wana be a pig about it and brag about your pocket book
So-Be-It