why is it that the sportbike community has to bash the H-D`s. it`s not what you ride,it`s that you ride.?

Answer 1

2 flavors.....being able to blast into a turn at 80 at a 60 degree angle for the sport bikes. being able to ride on any road for 500 miles stopping only for gas and eats.......cruiser....and it doesnt have to be strictly hd either.

but what bothers us hd riders is the fact that the bashers cant seem to move out of the mid-70's and the dark days of amf that almost killed hd. they still insist that hd's still leak, are prone to break down if the dew falls on it, etc.....and they obviously have never rode an hd.

now as far as sport bikes go, i would get 1 if i was closer to the buckeye hills section; that zone has probably the best sport bike roads in this state. i can get a serious workout crankin the sportster thru some of the curves, and i have scrapped a peg here and there. but since it would take 2 hours just to get to that area from here, a sport bike wouldnt be a good choice for me. another problem for me on a sport bike.....i dont think i'd be able to survive a season on ohio roads on one. they're just too hard to see in heavy traffic.

Answer 2

I absolutely agree.
On the road I try to give everyone on two wheels equal respect.
I don't start getting rude until someone starts bashing my Harley or H-D in general.
But if you look at every single answer or question posted on this topic you will find that it is almost always the Jap cruiser guys that start with the negative and derogatory statements about H-D.
They are the ones that are eager to give the thumbs down on anyone that has anything good to say about H-D.
It is almost as though they are on some kind of crusade to do as much damage to and put as many people off on the H-D name as possible.
And for what reason? I have no idea !
Harleys were never meant to be the fastest and most powerful bikes on the road, that is not the point of owning a Harley.
You own a Harley because you like the Harley.
Of course the Jap bikes are better and faster and more powerful but that is not what someone who is interested in a Harley is looking for.
You can make the argument that a Rolls Royce is not the most powerful or fastest car on the road or the best engineered, in fact the engineering and styling is way behind the times compared to other high end luxury cars.
A high end Lexis is far superior to a Rolls Royce in just about every way and less expensive.
But people that have the financial resources to buy a Rolls Royce will still spend the extra money to purchase one.
Why do you think that is?
It is because a Rolls Royce is not just another luxury car to their owners just like a Harley is not just a motorcycle to their owners.
To a Harley person, it is completely worth the extra expense, time and effort to maintain their Harley.
It is state of mind that you either get it or you don't and if you don't then go buy a Lexis or a Jap bike.
You can't compare a Harley with a Jap bike so I really don't understand the controversy myself or the mentality of the Harley haters.

Answer 3

I get "teasing" about my Suzuki C50, and then others have thought it was a Harley. It's the same way in the Auto world. Used to be Ford-Mopar-Chevy(GM)...Chevy guy here. Now it's import vs. "American" made. Whatever. Back to two wheels. Harley gets bashed probably because of the lifestyle that is associated with HD. No, not everyone is into the "lifestyle", but that is the connotation associated with HD owners.

I, personally will probably be purchasing a Road King Classic as my second bike, when I save enough for it.

It fits me. I don't ride sport bikes, because they are not comfortable to me, but I ride with a couple guys with them.

Also, I wave to everyone on motorized two wheels, yes even scooters. Sometimes they don't wave back. Most everyone else has waved back, and I usually initiate the wave.

Take care,
and Ride Safe!

Answer 4

like someone else mentioned... it goes both ways. I ride 'em all and wave at everyone. But this post is typical. It STARTS OUT bashing the sport-bikers. And then the sport-bikers have to get on here and bash back just to try and defend their right to ride what they want.
Personally... even though I am guilty of bein' a "basher", I am sick and tired of this crap.
Maybe we can make some sort of truce? I've noticed four distinct categories of supporters who always argue. Two of them don't always agree but seem to be up against the other two who also don't always agree.

Sport-bike riders/250 Ninja riders
VS.
Cruiser riders/Harley riders

Interesting to note that the Kawasaki EX250R Ninja stands alone. Proof that it's a popular and deserving bike.
... somewhere in the middle are the smart guys and gals who ride "standard motorcycles". I say smart because they made a good choice and have avoided the bashing by not trying to be so different and have humbly accepted the rest of us for what we've chosen. You don't seem to here many of them bashing either way.
Can't we just agree to disagree? And worry about helping each other with our bikes?
If not... I want to start collecting from the manufacturers for our support.

Answer 5

Funny, I thought the bashing usually goes the other way, now to say the sportbikes are much faster and handle way better is just a fact, maybe thats what the HD people just cant accept.
Whats wrong with a mid 40s guy blasting into a corner at 90?

Answer 6

You can bash my bike all you like, and it doesn't matter what you ride. Mine is a 1985 Yamaha Virago 700 with about 80,000 miles on it. Plenty of bashing been done to it already, it's a ratbike. It runs (sort of, the stator is fried), and it's completely paid for.
LOL.

Answer 7

Oh yeah! I dont care what you ride, I have both its just an appreciation of the machine. I like it when some riding the opposite will not wave, the jerks must think I do not own a what they do. I try to wave at everyone.

Answer 8

allot of sides to this argument. even the most fervent H/D owner / fan must admit that the sport bikes, and most metric bikes in general have superior engineering and technical innovations. but when you get down to it, there is only one bike, harley davidson, that offers it riders instant membership into a 'family; and status of riding probably the most American symbol across the country today. that being said, i'd love to own a harley davidson. my bank account says i have to own a kawasaki.

Answer 9

It may be because most Harley riders and non-sportbike riders have women riding on the back with them enjoying the ride. Most sportbike riders are alone. Their bikes are not really made for the comfort of a passenger so I am sure they get nagged for wanting to be out riding with their buddies while their wives are at home. I love it when my wife and I are out there on the road, enjoying the ride and friendship with other bikers and their wives. But, hey, if you want to be selfish and unconcerned about your passengers comfort go for it. If you think she enjoys it go on a 300 mile trip and see if she really does enjoy it. I don't have a problem with what people ride, I do see the passengers and feel sorry for them, you can tell they are not enjoying those tiny seats on the fender and having to sit with their knees up to their chests. Then there is the look on their faces as their boyfriend or husband whiz in and out of traffic at high rates of speed. But as they say, " to each is their own." Maybe it is because they are trying to justify their purchase of a crotch rocket to their spouses and girlfriends by making other bikers sound so un-cool.

Answer 10

As long as the Harley owner isn't claiming he has a "sportbike", then I see no reason to bash him.

But if the Harley owner freely admits to buying an image rather than a real serious motorcycle, then people should let up on him, sure.