Motorcycle Rant

[BushMasterBoy]

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

[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.

[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.