Motorcycle Rant

[lead_magnet]

(Disclaimer: Before reading grab a bag of chips and a beverage and get comfortable)

Hello Pals and Gals,

I would like to preface this rant by stating that I have been riding motorcycles since I was a wee lad. I have owned several types of motorcycles, and for several years I didn't own anything with more than two wheels. It was common for me to log about 10K miles a year, most of which was in city traffic with little highway use. I know those numbers aren't jaw dropping, but it helps to establish that I am not some regular asshole who bought a "fox" t shirt then started calling myself a dirt bike rider. I would also like to add that this rant will likely upset some of you for various reasons.

It all began this summer. I was in the depth of a the longest dry spell I had gone in my life without a motorcycle, nearly 8 months. Now, I am a family man, two kids, wife, gainfully employed, but certainly not rich. I finally snapped and begged my very beautiful, very accommodating and loving young wife to allow me to purchase a motorcycle. We didn't have too much money, but she had saved $3,000 of her OWN money and she offered to use it towards the purchase of a brand new motorcycle. What a wonderful world I was living in.

I used to ride dual sports because I loved the ability to go anywhere and explore the earth. Then I started riding sport bikes, and was thrilled by the raw performance of those wonderfully engineered machines. With our new geographic location being set between two 40 miles stretches of road to get to anything worth being at, I thought perhaps a cruiser is more in line with what I need. Yeah, that's it, something comfortable, with a good passenger seat for my aforementioned perfect wife. (she really is that awesome) I'm turning 31 in a few days, and she isn't any younger than when we met so I thought, sure, a cruiser, that's the responsible thing to do. It would certainly be more comfortable for her, and she deserves it! She once troopered her way from Las Vegas, NV to Colorado on the back of a crotch rocket with a 40lb backpack strapped to her back. Yeah... a cruiser, that will be awesome!

So now we're after a cruiser, where to turn? Where else but Honda? Why, some of the best motorcycles I've owned have been Hondas, from the 1969 50cc Mini Trail I learned on when I was a kid, to the 2004 599 I loved when I lived in Las Vegas. Ever reliable, well built, refined and elegant. A Honda...FUCK YEAH! So, lets check out the Honda cruiser line, I thought. Then I stumbled upon it, there she was! A 2014 Honda Fury, in all her black and chromed glory. Lean, low, menacing. So we set out to find one, and we soon did and the Honda dealership in Pueblo West (not going to knock them, they gave us great service, highly recommend them as a dealership). We found a brand new 2013 Fury with 0 miles on her and black as black can be. We bought it. My first cruiser.

Fast forward a few months to present day, now that all of the "my shiny new bike is soooo badass" has worn off and what are we left with? Just a few, glaringly obvious facts that I cannot ignore... and I will present them to you now. Some of you will hate me for it, some of you will try to argue and say that I am wrong. If you search your feelings, you will find what I say to be true. This will apply to all bikes, not just the one I now have decorating my living room.

Hard Fact of Life #1: CRUISERS PERFORM IN THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS! Yes, even your super awesome cruiser. They suck..... let that sink in.... CRUISERS SUCK .... smell it, taste the aromas, and accept it. I will now expand on this concept and give you the "why".
Reason 1: They do nothing well. They don't corner well (pegs grind at far less than extreme angles.), They aren't fast (before you start with "screaming eagle" this and "cubic inch" that, just stop. They aren't. The ones that are quick in the straight line are all but dedicated drag bikes and modified beyond any sort of practical use, and the suspension can't support high speeds sustained, esp though corners), They don't stop well (nowhere near the braking power of a sport bike), they aren't as stable at slow speeds, they have very limited ground clearance. There are two things that a cruiser has, comfort and they can go in a straight line. Every bike can go in a straight line, so lets look at this comfort factor, they have nothing a Goldwing doesn't, so they lose here too, not to mention BMW and several other manufactures make bikes that kick every cruiser's ass in the creature comfort world.

Hard Fact of Life #2: THE ONLY REASON TO OWN ONE IS TO LOOK COOL! Its like having a $10,000 Affliction T-Shirt. It doesn't do anything a plane T shirt does, other than tell chicks that your a "tough guy". They're loud, and flashy. If you try to justify this by saying, "I just like to tour the open road man", then get a touring bike, it WILL do it better, I assure you, with things like traction control, adjustable dampening shocks and fly by wire controls. If you try and justify them by saying "I just need something to get around town", then buy a naked bike, or a street fighter, or a dual sport, all can accomplish this easy task, and on most you have a higher seat high so you can see around traffic better, and their more maneuverable. But wait... then everyone will know you have a little penis, better fool them buy buying the loudest bike you can with chrome and get a couple of tattoos while your at it.

Hard Fact of Life #3: THE CRUISER CROWD ARE DIM WITTED AMATEURS! Having spent a few months unfortunately lumped in with them, I am no impressed. As all riders know, when you ride bikes, you meet other riders and conversations follow, usually about bikes. When I used to ride sport bikes, I would often find myself with people discussing such things as proper riding position, weight distribution, maximizing braking force while maintaining traction, tire compounds and designs, gear and other ways to fine tune the art of going fast safely with with great efficiency. When I rode dual sports I would find myself discussing, yet again, riding techniques, what tires work good in what conditions and would share great and challenging locations to ride and trails to conquer. EVERY encounter I've had with a fellow cruiser rider has had one thing in common... not all conversation was the same but at some point, they all bring this up... pipes. Yes, pipes. "I have (insert bullshit pipe brand here) on my bike, they sound great". Never once has anyone said anything remotely close to "hey, I was reading the other day about the use of the front brake into a corner and how..." or "have you seen the new (insert bike here) it weighs XXX lbs and has XXX ft lb of torque. It's always that bike LOOKS bad ass! or That back SOUNDS killer. Basically it all revolves around "I did such and such to make more people look at my bike" or "if i had such and such bike more people would think it was cool". I swear on all that is holy if I hear the word "pipes" one more fuc(*#ng time I'm going to lose my mind.

All and all I have summed it up to one...just ONE justifiable reason to own a cruiser other than looking cool or being noticed. The reason is..... *drum roll* .... you are either too fat, or too short, or a combination of both to be able to fit on a proper touring, sport, or off road machine. Sorry guys. There is NOTHING your cruiser can do, that another machine can't do better.

Someone is going to respond with "but my Harley" , please don't. Of all the bikes to try and justify, that one you just cannot. They're shit. Absolute, total overpriced shit. One surefire way to let the world you know fuck-all about motorcycles, show up on a Harley.

/Rant

Now I'm left here, hoping to god that the 2,000 miles I put on her didn't depreciate it too much and that I can trade into a machine worthy of my adoration. I'm a certified DUMB ASS sometimes. Can't believe I bought this thing. For a cruiser, its bad ass... fuel injection, starts every time, rides smooth, has a great headlight, but at the end of the day its still a cruiser, and you can't un-bolt that a ride on. It is pretty as fuck though. [facepalm]

[PSS]

Dude, he bought a Honda Fury!!! Oh!!!!!

[TriggerHappy]

9/10. Best part was the affliction T-Shirt. Needed more cussing. You sir, need a supermoto.

[WETWRKS]

I pulled a photo of him off his Facebook page. I think this explains it all...

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w214/wetwrks/0bd992dec2ce6d0d24804cd0bb843720.jpg

Kidding...just kidding. :)

[rondog]

Wife and two kids - you need a minivan, not a motorcycle. Wife needs her hubby, kids need their dad. With the way you want to ride, you'll be lucky to make it from 31 to 36.

[sportbikeco]

You bought a brand new Honda fury and are hoping it didn't depreciate in value lol. I wouldn't say you have a lot of room to tell people they know "fuck-all" ( your words ) about motorcycles.

[sportbikeco]

Look into Yamaha fz1, used ones are cheap. Love mine.

[kidicarus13]

Your rant is spot on although you may have hurt a few feelings. Sell the Fury no matter what you end up buying.

[ruthabagah]

9/10. You nailed it. Love the final part about harley riders too... each time i see one i always think about the movie wild hogs

[TheBelly]

Weak. 3/10

too many paragraphs. Not enough cursing.

are you ranting against yourself here? I mean only YOU put YOU into that situation.

Weak.

[sniper7]

You guys need to watch the south park episode on Harleys/loud motorcycles. Absolutely hilarious.

[glocklp]

I have a GSXR 600 and absolutely cannot stand cruiser riders! I will give the motorcycle wave to anyone on two wheels, I even give it to scooters lol. 90% of the time I get a return wave, now when I wave to a cruiser...... NOTHING! They act like they are too good for it.

Than you have the proper riding gear issue, everyone bad talks sport bikes, at least most of us wear full face helmets, pants, jackets, gloves etc.... I love seeing the fat hardly ableson rider with his old dirty "live to ride,ride to live" tank top with no helmet riding down the street.

Harley....... Please don't get me started of technology..... Please no ape hangers...... Please no more drag pipes...... Please more sturgis 1982 shirts........ Please just no more

[ZERO THEORY]

Someone is going to respond with "but my Harley" , please don't. Of all the bikes to try and justify, that one you just cannot. They're shit. Absolute, total overpriced shit. One surefire way to let the world you know fuck-all about motorcycles, show up on a Harley.


Don't forget to start the morning by spraying on your aerosol Harley cologne, putting on your Harley shirt, having a cup of coffee out of your Harley mug, checking the time on your Harley clock, putting on your Harley "cut", walking out to your Harley edition F150, grabbing your Harley glasses, then firing up your Harley and heading over to that sports bar with the Harley posters on the wall.

If you cross paths with anyone that doesn't already know, be sure to somehow inform them that you ride a Harley. Don't even refer to your bike as a bike, make sure you always call it a Harley. And should you be around people who already do know that you own a Harley, continue to remind them. This can be done by making your wallpaper a Harley-inspired picture, acquiring a Harley mousepad, and setting your avatar picture on your inter-company interface as you next to your Harley.

[Bailey Guns]

You bought a brand new Honda fury and are hoping it didn't depreciate in value lol. I wouldn't say you have a lot of room to tell people they know "fuck-all" ( your words ) about motorcycles.

Nailed it. Although I thought the rant was well written and articulate, the last thing I need is someone who's bitching about the Fury he bought telling me how bad other bikes suck. Sorry...0 points for credibility.

Disclaimer: I like Harleys, I've owned several of their touring bikes and every one did everything I wanted in a bike. And I've never had a problem worrying about depreciation or getting my money back (most of it, anyway...though I've sold a few for more than I paid) on a Harley when I decided to sell it. Just sayin'...


Hard Fact of Life #3: THE CRUISER CROWD ARE DIM WITTED AMATEURS!

Hmmmm...

[glocklp]

I owned a Harley before and I swear I wasted my money. Seemed like an hour of riding equalled out to two hours of fixing her again. It leaked oil, just a few drops but still, I took it to the dealership and they said " it's a Harley" well that was the final straw. You don't have a design flaw than just say that. Stupid.
Harley Davidson.....The most efficient way to convert gasoline into noise without the side effects of power.

[GilpinGuy]

What I get a kick out of are the costumes that Harley guys like to wear. A guy at work shows up sometimes with his "leathers" on. He has patches like "Ask me if I give a shit!", "I'm with stoopid--->" and "Live to Ride, Ride to Live". This dude is about 50, middle class family guy. I mean, it looks dumb as shit to me and not badass at all. It's literally a costume. To each his own.

He also claims to carry a long chain with him so he can whack it across someones hood if they get too close to him. Yeah, sure.

I used to ride bikes when I was younger. If I got anything now it would be a dual sport for reasons stated in the OP.

[Hound]

Ummmmm kinda confused here. If you have been riding for as long as you say, as many types of bikes as you say, hanging out with other bikers as you say......... How did you not know this YEARS ago? I own crotch rockets, always have, but that does not mean I never got to ride the other types of bike or talk to those types of riders. Of course they talk about their pipes... They drag them everywhere and the look is the point after just getting out, which is the primary point of cruising by definition. I will also say that not all 'Cruisers' are poor, ignoranrt riders. The guy I go riding with the most rides a Grey 1988 GoldWing. Most would consider that a step below a cruiser on the performance ladder. Well, I am here to tell ya, using that bike he qualified as a 'Faster' instructor. Faster is a highly regarded track riding school. He has also rode with a precision formation group. Think doing a chicane at 110 MPH is tough... try not hitting others or falling over at only 5-15 MPH. He is also a state instructor over the summers. If you have been riding for as long as you state you have.....then you have to have heard "It's the Rider" and that still holds true. Don't be hating on riders because they have a different riding style than what you like, find a different group. Don't be hating on the bike because it is setup for those that like that style of riding. Sell the bike or tuck the pipes up and learn to get more performance out of her. Did you never do a test ride or factory day tour? I give your rant a 0/10. This is like bitching about buying a pistol and standing out on the 1000yd range complaining about the poor performance or the time wasted coming up with a match 1000yd handload after being into guns for years. How did you not already know?

[crays]

street/cruiser/dual/tour ... ford/dodge/chevy ... 9/40/45 ... glock/xd/hk/Sig ... meh

people who bitch about what others choose to ride are as bad as people who brag about what they ride

ride what you like, and don't worry about anyone else

OP, sorry to hear that you are currently stuck with a motorcycle you don't care for. Hope you can find the right deal to get what you like.

Sent via Mobile Work Avoidance Device

[hollohas]

What I get a kick out of are the costumes that Harley guys like to wear.

Both types have people in stupid costumes...

Example A

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/1RyUFTbrTkfEKbecAmL_g8eqwznZ6mrGa2prlGVZJMWU9tCf3t tLEO-iLkiBVcPlHx-4Jp7UfyVt2Ai7lqWyXDioOts8n5yVaVHedSIivcf5nMcxMw=w4 57-h322-nc

[Great-Kazoo]

You should have purchased a used road glide. It was the best of both worlds for us, HD mc with BMW[ish] style fixed fairing. Little work to give it some oomph and nothing was impossible. Practical , well it's not a gixxer carving the canyon, laying down on one side, left knee dragging the pavement. Or a Leadwing where i put 10 cd's in the cassette, jump on it in montana, by the time i get to flagstaff remove my winter gear and out on my shorts & shirt that match my riding jacket, helmet and color of motorcycle.

What it was , was fast with both left & right floor boards worn down to semi sharp edges, It didn't sit out front of some bar 5 min from home. It had a hitch to pull the trailer out of state, was out front of someone who thought they had a fast mc, and didn't ride in a herd of Hondapottamus, or costumed wanna be's. In fact none of my mc's, be it HD or BMW collected dust, looked good in front of a bar or had ooodles of chrome. When we jumped in the saddle we rode. Be it a mid summer nights run to cheyo or a late dec / jan run to clear our heads.

You knowing better, should have purchased another dual sport. Fortunately you didn't, so i could read how another person was duped in to the cruiser mystic. Sorry you had to learn the $$ Hard way$$ . Take the hit in spring time and get a KLR. I would

[Graves]

Both types have people in stupid costumes...

Example A

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/1RyUFTbrTkfEKbecAmL_g8eqwznZ6mrGa2prlGVZJMWU9tCf3t tLEO-iLkiBVcPlHx-4Jp7UfyVt2Ai7lqWyXDioOts8n5yVaVHedSIivcf5nMcxMw=w4 57-h322-nc

And ^this^ dbag crowd seems to be growing like crazy lately.
I guess with older dudes on metric bikes comes a bit of snobbery.

[GilpinGuy]

Both types have people in stupid costumes...

Example A

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/1RyUFTbrTkfEKbecAmL_g8eqwznZ6mrGa2prlGVZJMWU9tCf3t tLEO-iLkiBVcPlHx-4Jp7UfyVt2Ai7lqWyXDioOts8n5yVaVHedSIivcf5nMcxMw=w4 57-h322-nc


Haha! Very true! [LOL]

[glocklp]

At least the guy has leather jacket and helmet on. Not just those Harley ass less chaps lmao!
and for all you making fun of "jap" bikes...... Where does your Harley come from?? Sure is not 100% American made......

[Great-Kazoo]

At least the guy has leather jacket and helmet on. Not just those Harley ass less chaps lmao!
and for all you making fun of "jap" bikes...... Where does your Harley come from?? Sure is not 100% American made......

This project?
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u129/51jim/gun%20pic%20place/12-17-2011080929PM4.jpg
The pieps were a mock up to see how we were going to fab a 2 - 1 system

Or this one?
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u129/51jim/gun%20pic%20place/91708148-4c42-41e3-b9c2-2caa8866bc16_zps70588b3c.jpg

Both were built in an upstairs 1 bedroom apt. Having the spouse work the brakes as we rolled them down was fun..

[GilpinGuy]

yah the jap bike riders are better because they dont have things with harley logos... Whatever

here is what the jap riders wear... like any of them are sponsored by anyone, but they wear their little outfit to pretend. trying to become hood ornamennts.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-SQvVa1guX2IbI5dSveDBnawfjVuI2pRsTlwtVrh2ATix-44kdQ

I certainly wasn't saying one is "better" than another. In fact I wrote "to each his own". This picture reminds me of the bicycle guys with the spandex and the logos. Like they're all sponsored too. Whatever makes you feel good I suppose. I can laugh though.

[Birddog1911]

That's nice, honey.

[glocklp]

Those leathers are not just for sport bikes, the white one is a Harley one

[GilpinGuy]

Those leathers are not just for sport bikes, the white one is a Harley one

Maybe for a Buell?

[Great-Kazoo]

Maybe for a Buell?

[ROFL2] You upstaters, funny guyz

[BushMasterBoy]

I went with the Kazoo and got a KLR650, $700 and I love it! (OK I got $1300 into it now) It is a 2 wheel sport utility vehicle and it will go places your other bikes will not go. I wish I had a sidecar for it! And a rifle rack...The Honda Fury is cool though. Enjoy the open road and romance the wife with it!

[TFOGGER]

I'm staying out of this one... Owning a motorcycle shop, I've come to appreciate that different people ride for different reasons, which matter mostly to them. I've got customers on Harleys that log 40K miles in a year, I've got sport bike customers that will ride in the snow, and I've got dual sport guys that have never been off the pavement, as well as people that go to the other extremes in all categories. It sounds like the OP tried an experiment, and learned from it. I've done the same. Move on to the next adventure.

Ride safe, guys(and gals)!

[buffalobo]

Weak. 3/10

too many paragraphs. Not enough cursing.

are you ranting against yourself here? I mean only YOU put YOU into that situation.

Weak.
^^This.

You bought the wrong bike for your needs and everybody else is a dumb ass?

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

In fact I wrote "to each his own". This picture reminds me of the bicycle guys with the spandex and the logos.

I was just thinking as I read this thread how funny it is that you guys give me crap as a roadie. [Coffee]

[thvigil11]

"There is NOTHING your cruiser can do, that another machine can't do better."


I equate this to the arguments about "Owning such and such gun will fail you in battle and you aren't an operator, blah, blah, blah"

I own guns that I could trust my life to, just as I own guns that are just fun to shoot. (Webley Mark IV will never accompany me in "SHTF")

By the same token, I have owned bikes were all about cornering, HP, ripping up streets. I have owned bikes that were multipurpose dual sport. I have owned off roads, Cruisers, Touring, etc. Each has their own usage, and each has their own charm. If your only concern with 2 wheels is about upmost riding performance, then yes, cruisers are not for you. Just like if your only concern with firearms is being a Tier 1 super ninja, then you probably won't be interested in blasting targets with a 1907 Berthier. However, aesthetics can be just as important to an enthusiast as performance is to others. Add to that nostalgia, historical appreciation and even a desire for a cultural connection (ie, The wild hogs, or biker culture) While these things may not be for everyone, many do appreciate them.

So I ask you, is Cowboy action shooting invalid because they are not skills that help you in the streets of Fallujah? Especially the dress up part!
Should I not desire a 72 Lemans (the first car I owned) because there are far bettter muscle cars out there? More modern, more HP, better handling, etc.

I'll close by saying, don't like it, don't buy it. To each his own.

But then again, I guess I am just a too fat, too short POS in your mind, so why bother listening to me.

[thvigil11]

Oh yeah, I really want one of the 2 wheel drive Urals with the sidecar. Those look like fun a hell.

[harley]

[TFOGGER]

Yeah...I ride bicycles too...in fucking spandex. [panic]

[TFOGGER]

Oh yeah, I really want one of the 2 wheel drive Urals with the sidecar. Those look like fun a hell.

[harley]

Just remember to put it back in 1 wheel drive on the pavement, if you want to be able to turn when the road does...

[thvigil11]

Just remember to put it back in 1 wheel drive on the pavement, if you want to be able to turn when the road does...

Yeah, test drove one once and learned that lesson real quick. Also had fun tilting the side car off the ground, wife who was riding is said car was not as pleased.

[glocklp]

Have any of you seen the new ninja??? It's called the ninja H2 1000cc supercharged.

[davsel]

Wanted a cruiser - bought a Honda Fury - bitches about all cruisers and cruiser riders.
[fail] 0/10

Stay safe



ETA:
Wanted a .45 ACP pistol - bought a Hi-Point 34510 - bitches about all .45 ACP pistols and .45 ACP shooters.

Wanted a pick-up - bought a Subaru Brat - bitches about all pick-up trucks and pick-up truck owners.

[encorehunter]

I have owned both rockets and cruisers. When I was younger, I had a short circuit between my brain and right wrist. I decided I needed something slower so I went to a cruiser. It was nicer to take my time and enjoy the scenery of Colorado, instead of seeing how fast I could take the corners. To each their own.

If you wanna brag about your rocket, then lets see how fast you can get to 200mph. The baby rocket bikes aren't that much fun to play with.

[sandman76]

I'm a Harley guy. Probably guilty of wearing too much Harley logo crap. I do not wear chaps. Ever. My bike is not quiet but it's not so fucking loud that I piss my neighbors off either. I actually don't remember more than one or two discussions about pipes. Most discussions revolve around where we've been, what we've seen and where are we going next. I've seen places in Colorado that I would most likely not have in my truck.

I'm kind of old and the sport bike/ dirt bike thing is pretty much not in my wheel house any more. But I am a rider. I've put more than 62K on my 2005 "cruiser". Never leaked one drop of oil and has been perfectly reliable.

I never say shit about anyone on two wheels and what they ride. I'll wave to anyone. Even the warrior I saw going down Broadway dressed in leather from head to toe, full faced helmet, on a 50cc scooter at 95 degrees in July.


In retrospect I wish I'd gone with the touring line when I bought my bike instead of the Softail. The thought of buying anything like the Honda Fury never crossed my mind. Seems more like a toy than any kind of a serious cruiser type. A Valkyrie? Maybe.

[Chad4000]

LOL.. love this post.

I would consider myself a sport bike guy (please dont use the term crotch rocket lol) but Ive got a 100th anny wide glide bobber now. Been riding since I was about 19. The harley I have now, been garaged for a few weeks because of weather, went to start it up the other day to charge and whatnot and it started smoking out of the battery box... and now I have no power lol.. I havent dug into it, but Im sure it's an easy fix. the last conversation I had at tailgate in Parker, (I know I know) was most certainly about pipes lol.

my honda sportbikes, literally never broke down. not once. Not sure what that means, but it's the truth. hahaha

[Hound]

I never say shit about anyone on two wheels and what they ride. I'll wave to anyone. Even the warrior I saw going down Broadway dressed in leather from head to toe, full faced helmet, on a 50cc scooter at 95 degrees in July.

This ^^^^^

The general rules of riding:
1) Be safe
2) Ride you own ride, don't be pressured in to doing what the other guy is doing
3) Don't pressure others to do what you are doing unless they are violating rule 1
4) Look after each other, there is enough to worry about outside of your riding when on the road
5) Remember to enjoy it, there are a limited number of riding days in anybody's life

(That does not mean ya can't smirk at the scooters though ;) )

[thvigil11]

This ^^^^^

The general rules of riding:
1) Be safe
2) Ride you own ride, don't be pressured in to doing what the other guy is doing
3) Don't pressure others to do what you are doing unless they are violating rule 1
4) Look after each other, there is enough to worry about outside of your riding when on the road
5) Remember to enjoy it, there are a limited number of riding days in anybody's life

(That does not mean ya can't smirk at the scooters though ;) )


6) Keep the shiny side up!!!

[TFOGGER]

(That does not mean ya can't smirk at the scooters though ;) )

My wife puts 3000 miles a year on a scooter commuting and running errands. She's terrified of regular motorcycles, but commutes in all weather on her 150cc scooter...go figure.

[HoneyBadger]

OP: Your bike is poop.


[Coffee]

[sellersm]

<trying to find a witty way to work crossfit into this thread>

[thvigil11]

<trying to find a witty way to work crossfit into this thread>

He shoulda just bought a Toyota! [Flower]

[crashdown]

He shoulda just bought a Toyota! [Flower]

Nope.. Glock is better.

[wctriumph]

Yep, pretty much right but as a rant, eh. 4 / 10

[Aloha_Shooter]

I ride a Road King sporadically. How sporadically? I just cleared 5000 miles on it and took possession in Dec 2004. I don't wear chaps or have any clothing that says Harley on it other than a couple of tee shirts. To me, it's a more comfortable horse that I don't have to worry about feeding and combing at the end of the ride and I really don't give a rat's butt what anyone thinks of it or me for riding it.

If i have to ride a rice burner, I want a real world version of this:

http://www.kamenrider.net/riderv3/hurricane/hurricane.jpg

Any kamaaina my age should recognize it but for those who don't, see http://www.kamenrider.net/riderv3/hurricane/hurricane.html.

My second choice would be this:

http://news.tokunation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/SHFiguarts-Side-Machine-001-928x200.jpg

For an explanation of Side Machine, see http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/July-2012/Kikaida-Hawaiis-Favorite-Superhero/

[spqrzilla]

I know fuck all about motorcycles ... but awhile back I saw a BMW bike in a parking lot that sure was sweeeeet.

[colorider]

Op needs an adventure touring bike. Bmw gs, Ktm xxxx adventure, vstrom etc. bust up the canyons, ride the dirt, whatever you want. Your skill level or willingness to push yourself is the only limit to the adventure.

[Dave_L]

So you bought a cruiser and are mad it wont do anything but cruise?

[fly boy]

so I shouldn't mention that I own one of these:

52615

[thvigil11]

so I shouldn't mention that I own one of these:

52615

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/588/827/f67.png






[ROFL1]

[TheGrey]

:)

My Dad and his friends ride Harleys and Indians. They're a part of the Patriot Guard. In nice weather, they cruise around the state, but they do it because they enjoy the camaraderie and the ride itself. They even have a couple of t-shirts or jackets that have the Harley logo- when people find out you have a Harley, you get Harley-related merchandise for gifts. It gives my Dad great pleasure to ride a Harley- and he has his own reasons. Personally, I am terribly devoted to my Grand Cherokee for sentimental reasons that have no basis in logic.

I feel your pain and annoyance. I've made purchases that made perfect sense at the time, but when the shine wore off the apple I was forced to admit that I had erred in judgment.

I've seen a lot of motorcycles in Denver- I bet you'll have no problem trading it in for one better suited to your needs!

[spqrzilla]

What I don't get about Harley's is paying $100 for a $19 t-shirt.

[PugnacAutMortem]

I will say I rode my Pops' Honda VTX 1800 for awhile...it was a beast and it was fun to ride, but the most fun I've ever had on a bike was on my sister's and mine 1983 Honda 450 Nighthawk. It was agile and easy to operate. If I were to go across country, I would pick the VTX 10/10 times. But for just putzing around town, that Nighthawk was a blasty blast.

[sniper7]

All other bikes are for pussies!

https://badbikegang.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/bat-pod-7677431.jpg

[henpecked]

I think the op bought the Honda and caught crap from his buddy's. So trying to save face with them he posted here.
You can ride what ever you like....your still special with all of us.

All kidding aside would your wife ride it?

[fly boy]

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/588/827/f67.png






[ROFL1]



lulz, NO.

[Scanker19]

Sometimes I drive my Toyota Camry while wearing leather costume, sometimes even the ass-less chaps with no pants.
Camry fo life!!! Bitches.
unrelated: I hate the term ass-less chaps. I think by definition all chaps are ass-less.

[Great-Kazoo]

Sometimes I drive my Toyota Camry while wearing leather costume, sometimes even the ass-less chaps with no pants.
Camry fo life!!! Bitches.
unrelated: I hate the term ass-less chaps. I think by definition all chaps are ass-less.

Hook Ups / Missed Connections is over there >

[sniper7]

Sometimes I drive my Toyota Camry while wearing leather costume, sometimes even the ass-less chaps with no pants.
Camry fo life!!! Bitches.
unrelated: I hate the term ass-less chaps. I think by definition all chaps are ass-less.

Must be a Toyota thing

[glocklp]

Does anyone know if you can run with LED lights on your motorcycle and I legally?

[Great-Kazoo]

Does anyone know if you can run with LED lights on your motorcycle and I legally?

turn signals, tail lights, or you talking that pimp your ride chingaso stuff ?

[Big Wall]

Don't forget to start the morning by spraying on your aerosol Harley cologne, putting on your Harley shirt, having a cup of coffee out of your Harley mug, checking the time on your Harley clock, putting on your Harley "cut", walking out to your Harley edition F150, grabbing your Harley glasses, then firing up your Harley and heading over to that sports bar with the Harley posters on the wall.

If you cross paths with anyone that doesn't already know, be sure to somehow inform them that you ride a Harley. Don't even refer to your bike as a bike, make sure you always call it a Harley. And should you be around people who already do know that you own a Harley, continue to remind them. This can be done by making your wallpaper a Harley-inspired picture, acquiring a Harley mousepad, and setting your avatar picture on your inter-company interface as you next to your Harley.


You've met the owners and management of the company I work for haven't you?

You forgot the Christmas tree in the lobby totally decorated with Harley ornaments.

[glocklp]

Pimp your ride lol, I have them on the front, rear and middle mainly for cars to see

[sniper7]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xGyKBFCd_u4

Must be done

[Duman]

What a useless, retarded, thread whose only purpose is to increase post counts. [Coffee]

[sniper7]

What a useless, retarded, thread whose only purpose is to increase post counts. [Coffee]

Yep!

[jerrymrc]

Cabin fever is setting in early here at CO-AR15.[panic]

[The Norseman]

so I shouldn't mention that I own one of these:

52615

Texas wheelchair?

[Holger Danske]

Im gonna have to take my fox tshirt back to Walmart....

[fly boy]

Texas wheelchair?

Wy summer snow mobile. :)

[ray1970]

Lol. I haven't met anyone who bought a metric cruiser and wasn't disappointed.

[Great-Kazoo]

What a useless, retarded, thread whose only purpose is to increase post counts. [Coffee]


Myself, shameless postings.

[crays]

All bikes are for pussy!

FIFY

[sniper7]

FIFY

I think that is a whole other thread...the different kinds that are attracted to the different bikes, and their most likely common denominator.

[ZERO THEORY]

You've met the owners and management of the company I work for haven't you?

You forgot the Christmas tree in the lobby totally decorated with Harley ornaments.

If you work in a large complex off of Pine Ridge Road, then yes I have.

[blackford76]

You guys need to watch the south park episode on Harleys/loud motorcycles. Absolutely hilarious.

AMEN [Beer]

[Doc45]

Hmm, reminds of me the Dirty Harry line about a man knowing his limitations. But what the fuck do I know, I've only been riding for 46 years (raced moto-x & flat track the first 6), have owned mulitples of most brands except BMW (1), Suzuki (none), Ducati (none). The answer is that there's no one motorcycle that does everything. As I've aged, with my bad knee and back, the style of bike I've ridden has changed. I sold my '99 Road King when it had 76k miles on it in '09, really miss the '07 Honda Sabre 1100 I had, it was fun and as reliable as one could hope. My '06 HD XL1200R was an awesome bike, the only thing is I ever did to it was new tires (outside of routine oil service).

I've had bad example of everything I owned and great ones. Get over it.

[Big Wall]

If you work in a large complex off of Pine Ridge Road, then yes I have.

I guess I should have known there was more than one place like this. They even like orange post it notes because they are like Harley orange.

[Hoser]

I am very happy with my Beemer GSA.

[Irving]

Technically, this is a cop bashing thread.

[Great-Kazoo]

Technically, this is a cop bashing thread.

Does this 223 brass look like it's still usable ?

[glocklp]

I am a good driver....... I am rain man on a bike......

[jerrymrc]

Does this 223 brass look like it's still usable ?

Would be if it were .223 but it is 5.56 so no, it is bad .223 [panic][Flower]


Technically, this is a cop bashing thread.

If that is the case then I can close it right? [beatdeadhorse]

[BushMasterBoy]

The very first model! She looks a little different now, this was the first day I got her...

http://ufotestpilot.com/klr3.jpg

[ray1970]

F**k it. I'll "contribute" to this thread.

First, except for mopeds, I feel each and every type of bike is cool in its own way and they all have their place. As far as who rides what type of bike, it really depends on what the rider is wanting to get out of their riding experience. Like firearms, everyone has their own taste and preference, their likes and dislikes. Not one bike out there is perfect for everyone. Just like not one firearm is perfect for everyone, no matter what you Glock fan-boys think :-)


Here's why I don't ride certain types.

Sport bikes- a bad lower back, bad wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles really takes the fun out of it for me. Combine that with a spouse who likes to ride hundreds of miles every time the bikes come out and they just aren't much fun.

Dual sports- growing up on dirt bikes, I kind of like them. They do make sense here in Colorado where you can really explore unpaved areas. Unfortunately, The same issues I mentioned above about the sport bikes pretty much takes a lot of the fun out of the dual sports as well.

Metric cruisers- no thanks. Had a few. Are they reliable? Yep. Look good? Mostly. Hold their value? Nope. Solid, quality construction? Not really. Lots of plastic and stuff that snaps together. These things are marketed for people who really want a Harley but can't afford one. When they get one they are usually disappointed because it isn't a Harley.

Touring type bikes- I'll use the BMW, Honda Goldwing, Kawasaki Concourse type bikes for my references here. Creature comforts out the wazoo and plenty of bells and whistles. Comfy for all day even if you're old and crippled like me. Personally, I just don't care for the looks of most of them and some of them can be rather expensive. Also, resale value usually isn't very good.

Now, since I do happen to ride a Harley, if anyone wants to know why then read on.

I pretty much ride a Harley for the same reason some people drive old muscle cars. Is an old Chevelle faster than everything built today? No. Handle better? No. Have more bells and whistles or creature comforts? No. Is there just something to love about the simplicity of it? The classic looks? The lopey idle and the throaty exhaust note? You betcha.

I didn't buy my Road King to be one of the cool kids, or to pretend I'm some sort bad ass biker gang member or something. I bought it because I liked the look of it, it fits my slow, laid back riding style, it's comfortable enough that I can ride it all day even with my physical ailments, it's simple and requires little maintenance, and (bonus) if I had to sell it I could get a large portion of my money back out of it.

[Ah Pook]

Dual Sports? Since they are nowhere near as "cool" as #1 or #2, riders tend to be a little more normal, less social. They have the bike, usually because they really like it or really like to ride. Higher chance of introversion in my experience. Almost always ride alone. There are not roving mobs of Dual Sports and they don't always keep up with #1 or #2. They are not fast, and you don't roll around in a hells angels jacket trying to rewrite themselves as a badass. The reason these people (imho) tend to be more normal, is they don't have the douchbag attractors (speed, chrome, noise, tricks, etc.). At least from the KLR riders I've seen, they probably have the best safety record for wearing gear. You don't buy a DS to "fit in" or to be a "badass" so the personality disorders are just about absent. There are no roving mobs of DS riders either. You can't even fit in with dirtbikers since your dry weight is 200% of theirs. Basically jack of all trades - master of none, fit in with none.
You pretty closely described how I live my life.

I'm going to go buy a KTM dual sport right now and I don't even ride. [gohome]

[kidicarus13]

These things are marketed for people who really want a Harley but can't afford one. When they get one they are usually disappointed because it isn't a Harley.


And that marketing tactic is what keeps HD in business although reality is you're getting half the bike for double the $. But to each his own.

[Bunny]

^ couldn't agree more

[BushMasterBoy]

Its a ranch bike! I herd critters on it. More likely to get stuck in the mud, than damage crashing. I'm running a 19" front wheel(not the standard 21") with a wide tire for the soft soil.

But in retrospect, bars might stop me from catching a cholla in the crotch. Chasing a horse on a motorcycle...wtf was I thinking?

[ColoWyo]

And that marketing tactic is what keeps HD in business although reality is you're getting half the bike for double the $. But to each his own.

Awesome. Well said. The fact it's true makes it even more awesome.