Why do "Harley" riders call japanese bikes metrics as a put down?

Question

Just because Japanese bikes are better built, more reliable, faster, quieter, and better in every way, I see no need to insult out of jealousy.

I am not a rider. It is just common knowledge.

Answer 1

because they spent 10 grand on an image instead of a bike and they are still not comfortable with themselves.

Answer 2

The fact that you're not a rider is glaringly obvious in the wording of your question. You're taking at face value something that someone has told you, that being that Japanese bikes are superior to all American bikes, which is not, as you put it, "common knowledge."

As a former Japanese bike owner/rider and a current Harley owner/rider, let me tell you that if we want to use a term to insult those who ride Japanese bikes, we don't call them "metrics," we call them "ricers." And we call you non-riders "cagers," because you ride around in your nice, safe, secure cage of a car all day long and have no idea what it's like to ride a bike or be a biker, all the while thinking that you're better than we are and know everything about bikes and bikers. Actually, we pity you.

There was a time when Japanese bikes were everything that you said, but that time is long past. Harley-Davidsons are now just as reliable and well-built as any Japanese bikes; I've owned my Harley for four years now and have had ZERO trouble with it.

As for being "faster," well, all I have to say there is that you obviously don't keep up with motorcycle motorsports, because if you did you'd know that Harley-Davidson won the Nationals last year in the drag bike competition. So much for Harley not being "fast."

And we don't want them to be quiet. They're not made to be quiet, and we like them that way. So on that point, you won't get an argument because we LIKE them loud! Again, if you were a biker and had almost been run over by a cager who couldn't HEAR you in the lane next to him and didn't SEE you because he was too busy talking on his cell phone, you'd understand these things.

Besides, I like riding a bike that's made out of iron and steel, not plastic and fiberglass.

May I suggest that next time you limit yourself to things you actually know something about?

Answer 3

I ride a Harley and I have never called a Japanese bike a metric. Never even heard of this. Sounds like you are putting down Harley's instead or Harley riders putting down Japanese bikes. Maybe it is you that has the problem with jealousy. Why do you even care if you do not ride?

Answer 4

Did you know that the Japanese have never invented anything, they have only perfected the idea's developed in the USA. The Japanese are very good at perfecting our idea's. This is a fact.

Yes, I do agree that most of the Jap bikes have more safety features on their bikes than HD offers. Yes they are quiet, but so is a Harley when it's brand new.
The design of the 4 cylinder Jap bike engine was designed in the USA, then perfected in Japan. I lived their, so I know this is true.
It's all about personal choice on bikes, I like'em all.

Some Harley riders are only interested in USA made, the truth is, the new Harley's have metric bolts on them.
They have improved their ride and speed, but will never run zero to 60 in 2.2 seconds. It's not their purpose, it's more about style.

Now look at all the Jap cruisers they are copy cat bikes of all the HD models. This was allowed by the USA consumer & HD.

Answer 5

The term metric is really an industry term not a put down. Basically it is used because HD uses Cubic inches when referring to engine size and Japanese bikes use CC when referring to engine size. Also, bolts on HD's use Imperial sizes, ie 1/2", 1/4" etc and Japanese bikes use metric wrench sizes.

Answer 6

Like I mention before...
Its funny to hear these comments from either side. I have seen Harley's riders driving a Honda car and I have seen Metrics driving a Ford.

Grow up people!

Answer 7

My first bike was a 66 Sportster kick start. Jap bikes were not even considered unless I wanted a 350 Honda Dream. I've owned just about every bike on the market. To a Harley Rider, a metric bike is like burning the American flag. Buy American. They are working diligently to keep that loyalty. Yes metric scooters are more reliable. But wait till you have to resell it. H.D. is an investment. I choose two wheels period, regardless of make.

Answer 8

It's really just a loud minority of people who put down others' bikes - and it goes both ways!

It used to really annoy me - I was never into harleys but I wasn't aware of any rivalry either. Then I started hearing things which REALLY put me off them to the point where I had nothing good to say about them. And of course there were the harley riders who endangered me on the road simply because I wasn't on one myself.

And now I've come full circle - back to not caring. Give me crap about what I ride and you'll get it back in spades, but I'm no longer annoyed with EVERY person who rides a harley.

Answer 9

Hmmm- The children have spoken, must be true.
When was the last time you saw a 1935 Honda, or 1914 Suzuki?
The thing about a Harley is- if you don't know, you simply don't know.
Another bit of common knowledge, if you are not a rider, you have no real basis for your opinion. Try keeping your idiocy to yourself. Without the experience, you don't KNOW anything.

Answer 10

It's not out of jealousy, believe me. We Harley riders know jap bikes are generally superior mechanically. We call riceburners metrics because they're manufactured in a county that use the metric system, and they use--almost exclusively--metric fasteners and measurements.

There's no point in me trying to explain to you why Harley riders choose Harleys over other brands. The sarcasm in your post tells me tht you obviously wouldn't--and don't want to--understand.

Enjoy!

Answer 11

European bikes are also metric and it's not a "put down" it's a classification. The same way one would refer to a foreign car.
I suppose metric rather than foreign with regard to bike because most bikers are" hands on " with their machines requireing the use or either U.S. or *** Metric*** tools.

And I will add that you and your kind do an injustice to the riders of metrics who are not shitheadedpunks.