| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 9:15:16 AM | Some folks love to get out on the open road, others don't. I can understand it perfectly (I'll borrow/rent a bike once in a great while), but I can't really explain it. Does that make sense?
It's like any other motorozed sport, like boats and ATV's: Some people love doing it, some do it to enhance their own outlook on life, and some do it to get a penis extension w/o the surgery.
For some (in huge cities where parking is expensive), it's even more practical to have a bike than a car.
I'm perfectly content w/ a Jeep most times though - take the top off in summer, but still have the loud music and plenty of room for the little dude, and a ton of other stuff if needs be. | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 9:59:16 AM | My God Keljo, is Vespa still around? If they are I think their futures are going up first thing Monday morning. I'm sorry for what place in your past bikes play. Just remember their are many great people that ride, let them know you don't want to hear about it and it is just something that doesn't enter into your relationship, the average biker is just as capable as the average person of being respectfull. Of course I'm probably talking beyond significant others for you here.
Kept, I don't hassle people that don't break the law. A sand dune in California or Indiana will regenerate quickly, a meadow at 12,000' in Colorado or 10,000 in Wyoming will not. One is legal to traverse, the other not. So if a person is reasonable I respect that. Believe it or not their are 4WD and other "backcountry" combustion enthusiasts that practice a "leave no trace" ethic. All they leave are there light tired tracks for they're concientous enough to not drive on a wet mountain road or trail and rut it all to h*e*l*l. I know that's who you are too man. to be honest we replaced a pickup on the ranch with a Polaris Ranger 4 years ago. It has a 1,000 pound dump bed (awesome for manure and building college boy muscles) and is less taxfull on existing tread than a pickup.
The reasons more than anything I hate Harley's (Bare in mind not necessarily the people that ride them) are the sound and the no helmet attitude.
Helmets: People cry freedom. Well how about those folks have their freedom but pay an insurance premium that covers the mellons splitting open on these highways? Wait, how many million dollars between how many Harley, etc., owners would that be? No helmet law is public indulgence and funding for selfish behaviour IMHO. If I'm wrong, maybe some biker will start an insurance company and we'll have another great thing from bikers, honestly accepting the stratospheric liability they electively subject themselves to.
Sound: I'm car camping on the Barbers Point Road more than 2 miles off of US Hwy 26/287 near the Fremont and Teton County Lines in Wyoming just east of Togwotee Pass in the world's first national forest, the 2.2 Million Acre Shoshone. It's an idyllic spot after a night out in Jackson before a big ridge hike in the morning, something I've done many times. In much of a lifetime twice I've heard semis climbing that pass from my bedroll there, and just barely. This past summer the odds caught up with me and some guy harelyin' his hunnie westbound up and over the pass as the sun rose behind him just after 5 am reverberated off the Breccia cliffs like impending armagedeon above me.
I'm sure the guy was enjoying himself and thinking something like "It's a highway. So what." That's understandable however much I disagree with it, but you know I'll show my disagreement. I look at as the headwaters valley of the Wind River, not a highway, part of 20 million acres of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, almost all of it public land and the greatest habitat for large mammals, particularly ungulates, in the entire earth's temperate zone.
This is a question of rights here, who's rights take precedence. 1) A Harley Owner's right to the freedom of the road, to drive past obviously signed National Forest Campground after obviously signed National Forest Campground with tents and campers in sight just off the highway and wake up those people as well as those of us much farther away at an unreasonable hour, is that individual freedom to be respected here? 2) The rights of far many more people to sleep and greet nature's dawn just as Teddy Roosevelt had right there a hundred years before, is that a right to be respected at the temporary (Couple hours later would have been OK) inconvenience of one or perhpas two people? That's a rotten apple giving the groups of riders that go through at a reasonable hour a bad name that promotes negative stereotyping. I can't convey how loud those things are reverberating off exposed vertical geology thousands of feet high. I certainly sympathize with keljo on the sound bouncing off our steel and concrete canyons too.
Well, another ramble, time to get out and enjoy the day. I was supposed to go camping but of course someone else decided against it. One last question:
Forgive me my biker firends I've disquieted. I could use a wee bit of help though. I've always wondered, perhaps someone can explain the sound, vibration thing. Is that what you ladies are digging on, several hundred horsepower, a dildoless thrill? I've asked people in person and never get straight answers it seems. Guess I am somewhat of a belittling a*s*s at times but this is not one of them. I'm honestly trying to understand, the sound and vibration fetish doesn't make sense to me. Obviously it does to some of you. Ignorance can honestly blow when yo aspire to write.  If you read this thank you for indulging the 63 Rambler within me. | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 10:00:36 AM | | I'm Puerto Rican.. and love harley's don't have one.. but some day.. I'm getting one. :) | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 10:33:55 AM |
And the men that ride them look like Peter Fonda wannabe, 70's washups.
Ha ha ha, I hope I look nothing like Peter Fonda. Boats with thru the hull exhaust are 10 times louder than any bike. Peeing off the side of the boat, dumping garbage off a boat etc is much worse than the pollution a Harley makes, but then that might be ok?
Midlife crisis, had a bike long before I hit midlife.
They are too slow? If I wanted a crotch rocket, I would own one, I don't ride for speed. In my area, those are the riders that are giving motorcycle owners a bad name, especially when they show a picture of the rider plastered all over a bridge abutment due to excessive speed.
I think when someone bashes something so hard, maybe there is an underlying reason? | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 11:25:52 AM | Personaly I have owned three bikes. Two suzuki and one harley. When you buy a motorcycle you are doing just htat. When you buy a harley you are buying the name tag and the image. My two suzuki's run like a drem. They are kinda loud but if I wanted them louder I could always take the baffels out of the pipes. The harleys just vibrate too much. I was on an iron bike ride and the one ladies pipes vibrated off. It's like cars. You can buy a 500 horse power sports car for 100,000 dollars. It won't be very comfy, and the insurance will be insane, and you'll be too afraid of something scratching the paint than anything.
Or you could buy a late 80's camaro for the same power, at literaly a fraction of the cost and build up the motor into a 383. . sorry. I'm rambling. But my two suzukis have decent speed, good power, a nice look. And I spent less on both of them than I spent on the harley. | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 11:43:39 AM | | It's the snob's bike of choice until you talk performance, then you have to go with BMW. | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 12:39:40 PM | | What is it about Harley's ? Well if you've never rode one, then as the saying goes; If I have to explain it to you, you probably wouldn't understand anyway. I've ridden bikes since the age of 13, from Kawasaki dirt bikes, streetbikes like Kawasaki KZ 500, 750, 900, & 1000's, Honda 500, 750s etc, and although nice to ride for each purpose they're intended for, either dirt or street rocket, since buying my first Harley, I knew I'd never ride another brand of bike. There is no comparison in outright horsepower between a Harley and a rice rocket, but again, the Harley is built for comfort not speed, and is a great bike to go on a nice long ride on. I've rode my bike from Ottawa to Sturgis South Dakota and back and I would never attempt such a ride on a rice rocket. Perhaps a japanese touring bike would be just as good on the long haul, but I've become a firm believer in Harley quality given the fact my Bike is a 1997 and has never had a problem besides the starter. Not too many Jap bikes that have been ridden 50,000 kms over 9 years and have that kind of record, but I can find many Harley riders who have experienced the same quality since the Evo motor was introduced. | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 1:35:01 PM | If we have to explain it, you wouldn't understand it. It's either in your blood or not... | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 1:37:19 PM | what does the bike stand for you men...isnt it bout ridin in the wind....enjoyin the air against the body and face....travellin an a passion you enjoy?
or is it ...used for a chick magnet..to be cool.... ...lol.
something bout bikes that gets me ...vaaaaaaroooooooooooooooooommmmm...hhehehehe | |
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olio1
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Joined: 1/28/2006
Msg: 37 | |
| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 1:39:32 PM | I don't think much of them profiles with guys and their harleys.
I have always avoided them. Need more substance I guess | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 1:43:37 PM | i believe its a passion for most ...something they love to do..an its all good.
as most have been in relationships...have had to get rid of the bike at some point when startin a family..now theyre single again and doin what they love the most...an good for you all enjoy your passion..dont let others take it away from you. why should we be deprived of any of our passions? | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 2:14:27 PM | I love to drive or ride any bike period.To me,the feeling is exhilerating! The feel of the bike between my legs,the rush of the wind,the total feeling of freedom as you ride.As far as the Harley goes,the sound & vibration are what draws us to them.Best of them all! vvvrrroooommmm!!!!   | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 2:18:58 PM | Bikes are good. Harley's are a fetish.
If you have never been for a ride on a bike, you should try it. | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 2:23:09 PM |
That's easy... it's a vibrator on wheels
^^^ Yes...and the most expensive one I've ever sat on.... I don't ride myself, however, all the boys in the family either rode one or ride one, and I've been the passenger many, many times. You either love it or you don't...but I don't presume and judge anyone by what they drive/ride/push or pedal. | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 2:25:48 PM | | The answer to the question is simply that people that own and ride Harley's like them. Same as any other interest or hobby in life, people do it cause they like it. As far as the image and the pics in profiles and stuff goes, well there is a biker subculture and lifestyle for many. So no doubt when they post that type of pic what they are saying is "my lifestyle is part of me so if you don't like the subculture then you probably won't like me!" | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 3:15:29 PM |
Posted By: olio1 on 1/28/2006 4  32 PM Subject: What is it about Harley's? Message: I don't think much of them profiles with guys and their harleys. I have always avoided them. Need more substance I guess
olio1, I read your profile, you'll even a bigger hypocrite then workinggirl.
or do you call "Prefer Not To Say" substance ???? | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 3:40:49 PM | what is it about a Harley,hmmm,,well maybe you can't afford one and thats why your sooo sinacul,,I own one,,Had them all,but Love my Harley best,,and no,,I don't ride to enpress anyone,,I ride because I feel free,,and enjoy it..But it sounds like you haven't or soemone snubbed you..to bad,,I think its a great way to get around,,I've been riding for 34yrs..had my family and teached them how to ride also,,and respect others,,no matter what they ride..mine has a nice sound,,not over-priced or junk,,I think you have your underwear on to tight,,, or you've been drinking to much | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 3:59:18 PM | | olio, need more substance? WTF does that mean? I guess that means every person with a Harley is shallow? That's as shallow as saying everyone without a profile picture and that has "prefer not to say" all over their profile is a fat ugly person. | |
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Keljo
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Joined: 12/28/2005
Msg: 48 | |
| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 5:21:59 PM |
My God Keljo, is Vespa still around?
Oh course they are! They even have a Sport Vespa.....now that is a BIKE that gets me all hot and bothered......add a hot Italian guy with a picnic basket and a bottle of wine and we can ride all day..... | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/28/2006 7:04:24 PM | I like Harley's but would never own one. I will stick with the so called "Rice Burners"....A motorcycle is a motorcycle. A Biker a Biker. I see no difference it makes on the manufacturer. I own a mint 1982 CB900 Custom Honda...36,000 original miles. And proud of it.. ...makes no difference what the Hard Head Harley Huggers say or think. I am feeling the same road beneath my azz.....the vibration of the ride.....the wind in my hair.....the occasional bug on the face.....and best yet.....your old lady on the back of my bike..... ..J/K.....But hey.....Harley's are very nice bikes but I do not see them as the only bike. | |
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| What is it about Harley's?
Posted: 1/29/2006 12:18:58 AM | | If you say it is like riding any other motorcycle, well, you really don't know. I own a Hertitage and have been riding motorcycles for almost 39 years. I have had them all, the Jap bikes, minibikes, etc. There is nothing like my Harley. The sound, the smell, the feel, the attitude. There is nothing like it. Comparing a Harley to any other motorcycle is like saying a Corvette is like any other car. Trying to describe riding my Harley is like trying to describe the sunrise to a blind man, telling someone what it feels like to sail a boat, how a first kiss makes you feel, what it feels like to make love. You really can't. It is something you have to experience to appreciate. It isn't speed, power or anything of that nature. It is unique to everyone that has the chance to experience it. There are a lot of great motocycles out there, but there is only one Harley Davidson. I am an American by birth and a Harley rider by choice. Like the old saying, "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand." | |
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Loves Harley's! 