Embarassed a Harley Guy

[nomadwest]

Saturday stopped at Road House Cycles by where I live. Big Dog dealer and they sell used Harleys and just started selling used metrics. I'm looking at all the used Harleys and my eye caught one metric. It was a 97 Kawi 1500 classic. As I was admiring the nice condition and addons, another fellow stopped and did the same and then said "tunnel vision". I looked at him like what the heck. And then he said "thought i saw a Harley but its just a Kawasaki", laughingly. I got a smile on my face and said "Yeah I own a Kawasaki Myself". He turned red, started to tell me that they were nice riders too and walked off. It made my day
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/uploads/dudewest_RJRKQ.jpg

[unwind2]

Good one. I just love it when somebody babbles on and then tries to recoup.

[rlfaubion]

Will they ever learn?

[lomax]

...yea, its funny how that can go. I had a similar thing happen. My brother and I were in Winthrop, WA last Sept. There were a lot of bikes there. We were standing close to our bikes chewing the fat and a guy walks up and says "What we got here? Harley clones?" Guess he didn't clue in that these might be our Nomads! When we did tell him, he turned as red as my bike and backtracked real quick. Dang, we had quite a chuckle over that :)

[ds06nomad]

"Wanna get away"???

[dogdoc]

I get tired of the same old question,,, Is that a Harley???? He## NO.

[Yellow Jacket]

I had heard that there were Harley riders out there that looked down their noses at anything that's not a Harley but I had never met one until about a month ago.

The large airline data center where my company has me assigned (we are vendors maintaining our equipment) recently moved a bunch of people from from other buildings into the data center.

I had been keeping my eyes open for bikers and when I spotted a Harley poster in a cubicle I stopped to talk to the guy. After he told me all about his Road King, which I duly complimented, he asked me what I had. When I said I have a Kawasaki Nomad touring cruiser his response was "Oh, I'm sorry."

I started to reply, "You don't have to be sorry that you only have a Harley." But i didn't. I'm not dropping to his level. I just terminated the conversation very shortly after that. I haven't spoken to him since then because I don't have time to waste on narrow-minded "wanna-be" bikers.

[Top Cat]

Bob, you are a better man than I. I would have definatly sank to his level. those guys who think Hogly davidsons are the only real bike pi$$ me off.
I had a guy at work ( when I worked http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif ) ask me if I could have a harley ,would I? i told him if I wanted one I would be riding one. They don't sell them just to ignorant people you know. That ended that conversation http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[blowndodge]

I "USED" to ride with a Harley friend of mine until an incident that was typical. Him and I went riding down the coast last summer. I had ridden his Harley the previous year which cemented the idea that I had to have a V-Twin. As a couple we went on one of the few rides my lady went with me and he with his wife cruised down to a well known cafe.

The ladies were talking back and forth and when we got to the cafe and had breakfast, the ladies suggested we switch bikes to see who had the most comfortable ride. My friend who wears all Harley crap and had his wife tatted with Harley insignia said his "reputation" is on the line everytime he rides his Hog and wouldn't be caught dead on a Metric.

I could tell my lady was not amused at this and we took off together. Halfway back he tossed a belt and it jammed in his transmission and I kept going. When my lady asked me if I was not going to stop to help I told her, I don't stop for Harley riders.

Later that night we met up with them at a neighborhood bar-b-que and his wife was a little miffed at us, I told her that I didn't want her husbands reputation to be tainted by getting help from a metric biker, plus I had a reputation to uphold and if I had to stop for every Harley rider that I rode with that broke down I'd never get out of town!

I'm sure she got the point but he didn't and never will. I didn't lose a thing...

His reputation is on the line everytime he rides his HOG?...................... THATS SAD!

[blowndodge]

Unfortunately some Harley riders think that way. I've noticed that those riders are usually the one's with little riding skills like this guy I used to ride with. Most very experienced bikers that have Harleys never sound like a jerk. Only the"hangers on" talk like that.

My two harley friends openly admit that I have the better, faster, more reliable, less maintainence bike. They both used to ride Hondas but they like their Harleys and bought their Harleys only because it is a "Harley." Dumb reasoning I think but I don't care what you ride, as long as you ride and your not a dweeb. But Harley must be doing something right if they can have that much power and influence over people that their logic and reasoning go right out the window. I bought the nomad because all the research I did and people I talked to said it was a great ride + I thought it looked the coolest out of all the baggers. On top of all that it is probably the CHEAPEST dollar wise in its class. I call it a no-brainer.

[Top Cat]

Cindy and I ride alone quite a bit. We like to take 200 to 300 mile day trips. We ride with 3 other couples when they can get the time.
Two of them have Harleys and one has a Honda. They are all http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif people. When the Harley vs Metric comes up it is all in fun.
We all love to ride motorcycles and we each accept the others decision.
Now when we run into jerks at rally's that is a different story. Maybe I should leave the CW at home :-/

[blowndodge]

I agree. To get a big V-Twin set up for traveling across country at a great price, the Nomad has no rivals...

[davidjones1]

You know you would think that a man/woman that can afford to spend the kind of green it takes to own a HD would have the brain matter to be above stereo typing anyone no matter what he are she rides, I ride with two other couples that ride HD's they would never think of saying anything about what anyone rides, they know its about being out there on the rode enjoying friends and the ride. they love my nomad and they know they got screwed but they fell into the only real bike is a HD. one day we did the you ride mine I'll ride yours it took about 100miles to get mine back and now that HD is for sale (any takers)LOL.

[biscuitsngravy]

I like my big heavy Nomad and I was pleased with it's performance and comfort. I felt comfortable with the cost too. I'd guess that most HD riders are fine folks but there is a small percentage out there who have unreasonable egos when it comes to most anything they say or do. Just consider the source. Ask them what brand of car they drive.......... Honda? Suzuki? Nissan? Kia? Subaru? Mitsubishi? Ha Ha
BnG

[beezer]

I saw a Harley guy and his boy yesterday. The boy is growing up to be cranky like the old man. They both laughed at the name Nomad and were pushing Harley. When I changed the subject and asked about 4 wheelers they both said they had Yamaha Grizleys. I asked why not Polaris the boy said they're American and they're junk. I can't comprehend the stupidity. I started laughing at them and walked away.

[rflnomad]

I hear the same and we owned 3 Harleys!!!
The Nomad is a better bike than our Electra - Glide and I will say that until I die.
I do miss the sound ( had the HD touring mufflers with the fishtail end caps) but after BDs silencer removal thread, I am fine. The wife and I like to RIDE. Material things don't mean a lot to us. Hey...unless you have more money than Bill Gates, Someone will have more toys, chrome, flash than you! We refuse to get involved with that.
I see people with Harley's and they fall into the visual lifestyle so deep that it makes us laugh.
We liked the Harley's but we are happier that they are gone. The money saved went to buy property out of this state so we can move in a few years and be in nicer riding places.
I do hear jokes about the Nomad. But I let a co-worker take it for a short ride. He has a 2004 Deuce. He came back and was very impressed. His wife wants him to get one for 2008. I think he will.

[pabloh3]

I've ridden RoadKings and UltraGLides aplenty. My latest experience was 6 days on an Ultra in Sturgis. Everytime I'm done, I can't wait to get back to my Nomad. When one of my H-D riding buddies asks me why I don't ride a Harley, I just remind him that he drives a Lexus and not a Pontiac.

[Top Cat]

I've ridden RoadKings and UltraGLides aplenty. My latest experience was 6 days on an Ultra in Sturgis. Everytime I'm done, I can't wait to get back to my Nomad. When one of my H-D riding buddies asks me why I don't ride a Harley, I just remind him that he drives a Lexus and not a Pontiac.

This may be a dumb question but I gotta ask.
If you have a Nomad and can't wait to get back on it, why do you take the Ultra to sturgis?

[beezer]

[quote:wopeeejy]I've ridden RoadKings and UltraGLides aplenty. My latest experience was 6 days on an Ultra in Sturgis. Everytime I'm done, I can't wait to get back to my Nomad. When one of my H-D riding buddies asks me why I don't ride a Harley, I just remind him that he drives a Lexus and not a Pontiac.

This may be a dumb question but I gotta ask.
If you have a Nomad and can't wait to get back on it, why do you take the Ultra to sturgis? [/quote:wopeeejy]

because he goes to have fun and not get harrassed and have to play the my bike is better than your bike thing

[ianicky]

I'm amazed that Kawasaki / Metric bikes has such a strong following over there in the US, Ive always imagined all Americans being very patriotic and only buying American bikes etc, In the UK I'm afraid we have the same bone headed people that think that a HD is the ultimate bike and we also have had many experiences with HD owners that wont even acknowledge other Metric owners. I think its very sad because at the end of the day we all have one thing in common and thats our love of our bikes.

Ian

"I'd rather push my Harley than ride a rice burner."


I had an old friend that used to say that... his Harley had been in a basket for 4+ yrs.


Go figure......




You cannot talk sense to them.... don't waste your time.....

[socwkbiker]

Saturday night I was talking with a new Harley rider about bikes and he told me about a guy who owned a Harley, rode with the Hog group for 10 or 15 years, but then went and bought a GW. When he showed up for his normal ride, they wouldn't let him ride with them. What kind of crap is that???

I agree with Doc. I frequently get told nice Harley. Just stopped disputing it and said thanks. When people ask why I don't own one, I mention reliability, seat comfort, and fewer repairs. Funny, even HD riders agree with those aspects. You guys are also right, they drive foreign cars or 4-wheelers, but think buying HD is being patriotic. Wonder if they checked where the parts came from?

I have another Harley riding friend.... he told me he doesn't care about comfort, reliability, or performance..... just so it's a Harley!

How do you respond?




I don't.

[Top Cat]

[quote:lglbe38q]

This may be a dumb question but I gotta ask.
If you have a Nomad and can't wait to get back on it, why do you take the Ultra to sturgis?

because he goes to have fun and not get harrassed and have to play the my bike is better than your bike thing[/quote:lglbe38q]

OK now we heard from the peanut gallery!
I really wanted his reason Beeeeeezzzzzzzzzerrrrrr, not yours, thanks anyway http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[socwkbiker]

I have another Harley riding friend.... he told me he doesn't care about comfort, reliability, or performance..... just so it's a Harley!

How do you respond?




I don't.

You walk away laughing?

[flightdoc]

Last summer I had a fellow soldier park his street glide next to me and within 2 minutes he told me how I was going to lose my shirt on the Nomad dropping in value. So the first thing out of my mouth was.............I like the looks of your bike.......he didn't know what to say since he didn't bother at least lying to me about my bike and it's looks........I then asked if he paid the customary $4000 over msrp for his bike.....no answer.....I said whose going to lose his shirt????

http://www.bikernewsonline.com/uploaded_images/cmp-motorcycle-billboards-chevy-740163.jpg



A little good natured brand bashing never hurt anyone!! ;)



We love all bikers regardless of brand! :-*

[beezer]

[quote:6p3x22zy]

because he goes to have fun and not get harrassed and have to play the my bike is better than your bike thing

OK now we heard from the peanut gallery!
I really wanted his reason Beeeeeezzzzzzzzzerrrrrr, not yours, thanks anyway http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif[/quote:6p3x22zy]

I'm sorry TC. I must have had too much coffee this morning. ???

[jayc]

I've ridden RoadKings and UltraGLides aplenty. My latest experience was 6 days on an Ultra in Sturgis. Everytime I'm done, I can't wait to get back to my Nomad. When one of my H-D riding buddies asks me why I don't ride a Harley, I just remind him that he drives a Lexus and not a Pontiac.

I bet he rented the Hog at Sturgis.

[jayc]

Last summer I had a fellow soldier park his street glide next to me and within 2 minutes he told me how I was going to lose my shirt on the Nomad dropping in value. So the first thing out of my mouth was.............I like the looks of your bike.......he didn't know what to say since he didn't bother at least lying to me about my bike and it's looks........I then asked if he paid the customary $4000 over msrp for his bike.....no answer.....I said whose going to lose his shirt????

I love this arguement. I don't care about resale. I bought my bike to ride. My last bike I had 22 years. This will probably be the last bike I buy.

[flightdoc]

Jayc, I feel the same as you. I never bought a bike in my life for some kind of financial payoff.
Only for the love of the machine and the freedom it represents to me.

[socwkbiker]

I heard something like that when I bought mine. I told them that I wasn't buying a bike to sell it, I was buying a bike to ride it. But I guess that's what HD riders think of when they buy theirs.

[kawiman]

Personally I love the fact that some Harley owners are so vocal about thier predjudices. Saves me time at bike hangouts from taking time to get to know them. I can just move along to someone else.

I was riding today with a coworker who owns a Road King. He is not your normal "I ride a HARLEY" rider, and I do enjoy his company. But we were both at a traffic light and I was slightly behind him and just happened to notice how bad his handlebars were shaking. Mine were perfectly still and I couldnt help but wonder if the guy in the truck in the turning lane was noticing this or not.

If I had the $ (which I dont) I would never even consider a Harley. I would use the savings for road trips and rallies. My wife and I could have some nice trips with the extra cash! ;)

[gshep]

It's too easy to embarass a "Harley Guy" Kind of like engaging in a battle of wits with an unarmed man. But I have to admit, it's a " Target rich environment"

Shep

hb hjnkjlm

[socwkbiker]

[quote]quote]

Nico, will you stop using photobucket? I can't see shiit!!

[Todd]

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/untitled-2.jpg

Never heard of "that" site ???

[quote:vyyfkel7]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/toddf1_2007/untitled-2.jpg

Never heard of "that" site ???[/quote:vyyfkel7]

lol...come on...you go there all the time!!!

[quote[/quote]

[Todd]

[quote:a7i03qup]

Never heard of "that" site ???

lol...come on...you go there all the time!!![/quote:a7i03qup]

Not li'l ole me ;) ;)