I was just down in Arizona, and everyone has a Harley. When I say everyone, I mean friggin everyone. And I was in the low-rent section of Arizona, so its not like people there make a lot of money. I know Harley would let a marsupial finance one of their bikes, so its not like you have to make a lot of money to buy one, but I was truly surprised that everyone had one. What I did notice, however, was that none of these guys had loud pipes (like me), and none of these guys wore the mandatory Harley costume (like mine). Even though I have these things and I couldn't believe these other riders didn't spend the time or money to make their bikes as loud as possible (what good is it having one if you can't advertise it?), I still couldn't get over how common it is to own a Harley. I now feel somewhat duped that I bought into the "lifestyle" and that my "investment" is pretty ordinary. Perhaps I should have bought quality over lifestyle. What do you think?
2006-09-07 07:26:32 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Dude, you ride a Harley. It's gay. So are you. Only your mom ever thought you were "special".
2006-09-07 07:34:13 · answer #1 · answered by Clutch 2 · 4⤊ 3⤋
You're right. Everyone and their mother has a HD.
I think it is fantastic so many people have discovered their passion for riding but I am also turned off by the sheer amount of clone HD bikes lined up in my town every weekend.
I at least want variety if a they are going to take all the parking spots!
So to be different, I bought a Triumph Bonneville circa 1970.
ya ya I know it's rougher than a cushy HD. It doesn't even have electric start...but it is unique and beautiful and a hellofa fun ride.
My dad sold his Harley and bought a Royal Enfield w/sidecar and an old BSA. He also got 2 little Wizzers to run around town on when gas hit 3.30 a gallon here.
Keep your HD for long long rides because they are very comfortable but also get another bike, something unique.
I linked you 2 beautiful non-Harley bikes.
Happy Riding,
Murk
PS. Getting a full riding suit and dumping the leather chaps and vest and stuff is one way to start to break away from the mold.
2006-09-07 08:23:13 · answer #2 · answered by murkglider 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! How sad for you that you can't see that you bought quality & lifestyle that obviously everyone wants a piece of. Do you blame them?! Also, can't you recognize that no Harley is like the other. That's the beauty of them. Each individual can customize it to their own taste with accessories, loud pipes, custom paint, etc. You must go through life generally looking at the glass half empty. Try it the other way around and you might be surprised & also get a life!!
FC, along with soooooo many others, it's called Harley Envy. It's not for everyone but until you experience "it", don't act like you even have a clue as to what it's all about.
2006-09-07 08:16:29 · answer #3 · answered by COblonde 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why the hell do you think you need to have loud pipes and wear the mandatory Harley "costume" to own a Harley??? Loud pipes are obnoxious and they don't even make you go fast. You want fast, buy something other than a Harley. I've been riding for years and never thought once on any of my bikes I should wear something or customize it a certain way just because of what the badge on the side of the bike says. You're a sheep! You're a sheep just following the rest of the heard! Get a friggin original thought in your brainwashed head and do something on your own without thinking you need to do it a certain way to fit in. DAMN! You're so concerned about the image and your perception to everyone else that you're totally missing the whole point of owning a bike. You want to feel "special", call your mom. You want to dress ridiculously like that and fit in, go to the Blue Dolphin. You want actaully be a "biker", then buy something that you like because you like it and ride it bacause you like to ride. Pure and simple. I don't own the coolest or fastest or the most expensive bike out there, but who cares. It's a bike, it's my bike, and I like to ride it. I don't dress a certain way and it's bone stock and I put about 1000 miles on it a month. I'm not pretending to be something I'm not. Stop being a poser!
2006-09-07 09:38:15 · answer #4 · answered by SS427CID 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well being a rider since I was 15 year old. I say, it's all about comfort these days. I ride a HD and my dad rides a yamaha, he paid 6k for a great look a like bike, which was only 1 yr old. It has more safety options then the HD has, which pissed me off. I think the only good thing is, we can sell our Harleys some day and possibly make money. No one who rides anything else will.
It's not the outfit that makes a rider, it's the desire in the man.
On a road trip I wear a full face helmet, Vanson leather perforated jacket, leather boots, kevlar gloves, blue jeans.
I'm more about safety, and yes my bike is loud as the NASA Space Shuttle taking off.
2006-09-07 11:36:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harleys are the male equivolent to high heeled shoes and purses- fetish products!
Bunch of retirees in Tommy Bahama shirts with disposable income toolin' around town in "choppers". You can blame the reality TV shows for the customized Harley Trend.
Everyone follows the orders from the boob tube.
Take your Harley to the Harley Hotel and Casino, then to the Harley Clothes Store, then to The Texas Cheesecake Harley Depository Restaurant, then...
Harley is a fetishized brand, a gimmick. People think they're buying a lifestyle (not a machine, which is what you should be doing), they're buying into an intricate marketing phenomenon which has reached saturation level. I'm sorry if you're offended, but you are a follower. You and all the West Coast Chopper t shirt wearing A&E watching drones out there.
Consider a bike like mine, a Ducati Paul Smart. It's an honest machine with a real pedigree.
2006-09-07 07:41:01 · answer #6 · answered by Duque de Alba 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Man whats this sh$t about MANDATORY COSTUME AND LOUD PIPES. This whole question shounds like bull crap!!! First of all not everybody customizes their bikes, some just ride them!! As for the clothing, if you bought into all of that Licensed Harley Logo clothing then you are nothing but a wanna Be.
2006-09-07 15:55:38 · answer #7 · answered by ftyatb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, quality is one way to go. That is the path I chose.
However, there is something to be said for fitting in and being like everyone else. You've got your instant acceptance, and you know those people would come through for you if you ever asked them for help.
That's the drawback to being an individualist. You have to rely on the goodness of mankind; you can't just wave a membership card and get what you want or need.
Oh, and after reading other posts, I have to admit that it's true - you've got yourself a paint-by-numbers kit there (remember those?) Sure, you all have a picture of a cute kitten or whatever, but you can use ANY color paint you want!
PS - I gave you a thumbs up to buck you up. Just a little nod from the Jap crew.
2006-09-07 09:14:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harley is making super motorcycles. they choose well-known maintenance as all motorcycles do, yet that's approximately it. each producer will enable a lemon or 2 get with the help of them and you will hear the guy who have been given caught with it and all his issues. i'm particular Harley has some lemons interior the bunch too. yet specifically they're reliable, good, comfortable, sound super, seem super,and sense super once you're driving one. i began driving on eastern motorcycles yet as quickly as I rode a Harley I knew a Harley grew to become into what i could be driving from then on. in case you have an interest in racing, then a Harley isn't for you, yet whilst that's no longer your purpose for driving, a Harley would be a brilliant decision. do no longer enable the nay sayers substitute your recommendations. in case you like the Harley, get it, holiday it, savour it.
2016-12-18 06:25:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have to be "special" you wouldn't understand!!!
I've been riding since I was 6, on the highways at 15, I'm 42. I've owned all kinds of bikes and never gotten rid of one with less than 100K miles on it. Motorcycles are a form of transportation, the freedom that comes with it is just a bonus to the great gas milage and being closer to nature.
If you own a bike to feel special.. I feel sorry for you. I have 3 Harleys a Triumph and a BMW in my garage. If you are into bikes it's not a substantial "all at once" expendature. I started riding on a tricycle and traded it to the kid next door for a bicycle.... I've never stopped trading up !!!!
If you wanna feel special learn how to be yourself.... instead of a R.U.B. (rich urban biker).
I hug and kiss from my 4 year old is all I need to feel special....
2006-09-07 07:53:48 · answer #10 · answered by Randy D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you should have bought for quality over lifestyle, because its you that makes your Harley and yourself stand out. If you wouldn't have changed your pipes to Screamin' Eagles I'm assuming, you would be just as they are, riding for the name. Since you chose to customize your bike and your self by getting the extras, its not every ones bike its yours. My dad has owned Harley's since I can remember and he has not had one without custom pipes, added chrome, and a personalized sissy bar to represent him. I also have an uncle who owns one but its a plain jane because he chooses it to be that way. He is constantly teasing my dad about the money he spends making his customizations, and my dad just says "It represents me and not you, its what I want and enjoy". So you should feel proud to own your own personal Harley because its not ordinary when you make it your own. It might look like someone elses but underneath, the little extras make it unique, and a personalized representation of you and your likes. LIVE TO RIDE
2006-09-07 08:10:29 · answer #11 · answered by Tigger7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋