View Full Version : Are all Harley riders snobs?
myfirstsv
25-10-11, 01:08 AM
I must have see half a dozen or so this weekend and never got a nod back from any of them.
I don't think it's just me cos most other bikers seem happy enough to exchange a greeting as they go by.
If / when I finally get a Harley (which with my twin sons going to Uni next year will be about the same time as Hell freezes over) I promise that I won't blank any other biker.
Anybody else had the same experience?
I dunno if snob is the word I would use to describe a harley rider. Just dont even give them the benefit of an acknowledgement anymore. When I was naieve and thought all us bikers were in the same boat, I'd give everyone a nod. I quickly learnt to no longer bother with the Harley and Bmw riders.
The only Harley I would ever consider getting would be a vrsc night rod. Don't care how it handles, I cream my pants every time I see one. Sadly no can afford.
Its not their fault !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are too busy holding onto the dam thing, if they nodded it might put their neck out..lol. :riding:
Specialone
25-10-11, 05:26 AM
I used to like the look of harleys hence I wanted one, but after pulling my head from my ass, I wouldn't own one now.
Expensive, slow, make crappy power got size of the engine, not particulary built well, finish and quality of components not as good as it should be, uneconomical etc etc.
If i want a cruiser, I'll get a triumph one.
Balky001
25-10-11, 06:40 AM
I ride a Harley and I nod. The only thing is a hardly ever get a nod back or someone nodding first. Shame although that's probably down to previous experience with non-nodding hd rider of which there are too many!
Sir Trev
25-10-11, 06:57 AM
Lots of HD riders have them for the fun of having something different. Unfortunately more people buy them for the image and perceived "lifestyle choice" it portrays, and they're the ones who don't wave.
-Ralph-
25-10-11, 07:12 AM
HD riders think they are hard and cool, waving and nodding at strangers isn't hard or cool.
Don't think we should discriminate the HD riders. I certainly see a lot of cocky sports bikers on the road I couldn't care less about.
My mate had a HD .we went to the Bridgewater chapter meet.I took My chopped Yam XV.
The looks we got =:),But it out pulled and stopped all but a few Hog's.
Some are very snobby,(mostly the professional types)some are OK.Like most people you meet in life.
If i see someone wearing a peanut lid I'm laughing too much to nod.
Springbokki
25-10-11, 08:45 AM
I also find it amusing how non-bikers seem to think the Harley image is a "real" biker, as one of my mates was telling us about a guy on his PGCE course who rode one, and "there's this guy on my course who's a real biker..." - what the hell are we?! :D
rictus01
25-10-11, 08:58 AM
we all hold prejudices to one degree or another as we believe generally our own choices are right, I can't say I get the Harley thing, but then I don't get the 3,000 mile a year types either :smt102
As to the nodding thing? well when I have the time I'll do it but most times I'm a bit busy with the riding stuff, but on that point I do make an effort to recognize car drivers who make an effort for us bikers; allowing us to pass, never hurts to raise a hand.....
Cheers Mark.
Springbokki
25-10-11, 10:54 AM
Aye, I always wave a thank-you when a driver moves over, even when you're way back from the car. And I find lorry drivers to very considerate, but not most van drivers - but that's my experience, not a demographic.
The funny thing about nods, is that if I'm on the sporty CBR I get very few from cruiser esk bikers, but if I'm on the ancient beast of a BMW, cruiser esk riders seem to appreciate it, and I get more nods from that social group. Image..?
Geodude
25-10-11, 11:26 AM
Don't think we should discriminate the HD riders. I certainly see a lot of cocky sports bikers on the road I couldn't care less about.
+1. I try and nod to all when i can.
missyburd
25-10-11, 07:23 PM
Meh, now you know how people on mopeds and 125s feel.
I have noticed the same thing though. Don't lose sleep over it ;)
DJFridge
25-10-11, 09:50 PM
Mind you, even SV riders fail to nod sometimes. Yes, you on the blue semi-faired curvy (almost identical to my own, in fact) in Chichester on Friday morning. Oh, and you didn't have your lights on either!
Mind you, even SV riders fail to nod sometimes. Yes, you on the blue semi-faired curvy (almost identical to my own, in fact) in Chichester on Friday morning. Oh, and you didn't have your lights on either!
sorry was asslep :smt043
myfirstsv
26-10-11, 12:05 AM
Mind you, even SV riders fail to nod sometimes. Yes, you on the blue semi-faired curvy (almost identical to my own, in fact) in Chichester on Friday morning. Oh, and you didn't have your lights on either!
Yes......forgot about them as I went off on a rant.
Bikers cafe just outside Brignorth (worth a visit if you are ever up this way) a couple of weeks ago a red curvy parked next to mine and the guy looked like he'd trodden in something when I said Hi. Maybe his Harley was being serviced and they'd let him an SV for the day...
Specialone
26-10-11, 05:55 AM
Yes......forgot about them as I went off on a rant.
Bikers cafe just outside Brignorth (worth a visit if you are ever up this way) a couple of weeks ago a red curvy parked next to mine and the guy looked like he'd trodden in something when I said Hi. Maybe his Harley was being serviced and they'd let him an SV for the day...
I've been there tons of times, If it's sv I don't recognise I go ask them if they are orgers, if they aren't I tell them about our forum etc so they might join :)
Meh, now you know how people on mopeds and 125s feel.
I have noticed the same thing though. Don't lose sleep over it ;)
I nod to the geared moped and 125 lads - they are the future of motorcycling and should be encouraged to keep our hobby alive. Scooter riders don't get a nod because in Cambridge where I work you end up nodding to loads of students and commuting professional types. The younger scooter riders get encouraged to buy a proper geared bike when they come into my shop.
I don't nod to Harley and BMW riders - they have already shown their motorcycling days are all but over with their choice of bike so they don't need any encouragement. Instead I slowly shake my head to show how sorry I feel for them.
missyburd
26-10-11, 12:00 PM
Scooter riders don't get a nod because in Cambridge where I work you end up nodding to loads of students and commuting professional types.
How many folk do you know who have started out on scooters and then moved onto motorcycles/geared mopeds?
Not that I'm having a dig but why shouldn't students and commuting professional types be entitled to nods to, are they not road users also? And how do you differentiate between a student on the road because a scooter is the most affordable transport they can manage and when they can afford they'll be straight off doing their DAS to a commuting pro type who couldn't give a toss if you nodded at them or not? A nod's a nod, I'd rather make someone feel a tidgy bit better about getting a nod from a big bike than ignoring them. Just my thoughts anywho.
rictus01
26-10-11, 12:20 PM
I think you'll find it's as much to do with numbers at commuting times Maria, generally were you to nod at everything you'd end up like a nodding dog before you got anywhere.
Cheers Mark.
missyburd
26-10-11, 12:27 PM
Aye that's true enough :-)
The Idle Biker
26-10-11, 12:35 PM
If you wave furiously at them like I do, it can make you smile.
madmartyn
26-10-11, 12:36 PM
if you dont want to get nodded at or acknowladged in anyway what so ever as a biker of any description ride a rat i nod at everyone no one nods back ha ha, i pass the same fella on a sportsbike every single day i nod he stares straight ahead makes me smile everytime
Mate of mine has a Harley and never waves. He's not a snob though, just a grumpy ******
How many folk do you know who have started out on scooters and then moved onto motorcycles/geared mopeds?
Not that I'm having a dig but why shouldn't students and commuting professional types be entitled to nods to, are they not road users also? And how do you differentiate between a student on the road because a scooter is the most affordable transport they can manage and when they can afford they'll be straight off doing their DAS to a commuting pro type who couldn't give a toss if you nodded at them or not? A nod's a nod, I'd rather make someone feel a tidgy bit better about getting a nod from a big bike than ignoring them. Just my thoughts anywho.
If I nodded to everyone on a scooter in Cambridge I'd get RSI in my neck. The place is swarming with them.
You have to draw a line somewhere, and my line was drawn at scooters because the majority around here won't ever be serious motorcyclists, no matter how many nods they get.
Balky001
26-10-11, 01:06 PM
I'm with Lozzo although I don't use such loose judgement as I work in a compliance function. I usually ask the rider how many miles they have ridden over the last 5 years, whether they home service and what weather conditions they ride in. I then check they have proper but non-designer gear and the correct attitude. Then we back up and repeat the pass and I'll either nod or not depending on their responses.
STRAMASHER
26-10-11, 02:44 PM
if you dont want to get nodded at or acknowladged in anyway what so ever as a biker of any description ride a rat i nod at everyone no one nods back ha ha, i pass the same fella on a sportsbike every single day i nod he stares straight ahead makes me smile everytime
Big cheery Mr Handy "Hi-de-ho" style wave required there. Time to take it to the next level for the miserable ****. :smt116
I'm with Lozzo although I don't use such loose judgement as I work in a compliance function. I usually ask the rider how many miles they have ridden over the last 5 years, whether they home service and what weather conditions they ride in. I then check they have proper but non-designer gear and the correct attitude. Then we back up and repeat the pass and I'll either nod or not depending on their responses.
I manage the local Kawasaki dealership and we get all kinds of bikes and scooters in so I can make a judgement on who will or won't be a serious motorcyclist in the future. When I look at how many plan to move on to a bigger bike or take their bike test I can determine that pretty much none of the scooter owners ever will ever be serious about motorcycling, so... they don't get a nod.
Balky001
26-10-11, 03:23 PM
I know you manage the local Kwaka dealership, and that you also don't like kawasaki lime green!
Just out of interest, and I'm not baiting you, but why is it important that the rider are in it for the long haul (i.e. not scooter students, HD or BMW retirees)? I've never considered it as two wheels is two wheels to me but I know you're not alone. You hear people talking about weekend warriers etc being a pain or not real bikers.
-Ralph-
26-10-11, 04:49 PM
Just out of interest, and I'm not baiting you
Tut! Why not? Baiting Lozzo is one of life's little pleasures :lol:
Yeah Lozzo! Why is it important riders are in it for the long haul??? :mrgreen:
Balky001
26-10-11, 04:57 PM
Ralph, you is bad :)
Dave20046
26-10-11, 07:14 PM
Most are, I watched one last week do a proper biker on a brand new sportsbike on a hairpin trailing sparks all the way - I was disgusted.
You have to draw a line somewhere, and my line was drawn at scooters because the majority around here won't ever be serious motorcyclists, no matter how many nods they get.
Well it must be much different to sheffield, a lot of the bikers I know use a hack scoot for work or cycle unless it's a long commute.
I usually nod at them.
I ask them straight if they've any intention of getting a full licence and most say No. I don't mind that they only want a bike for commuting because that's their choice and I seriously don't think they feel any affinity with the motorcycling community, so why the need to try and involve them in it with nods etc. They don't care - it's just transport not a lifestyle statement or a hobby. For the 16 year olds it's a little rebellion and antisocial transport until they get a car and start piling bodykits and 20" alloys onto it.
And for the record, no, I don't like Lime Green :-)
On another point - I don't understand what a 'real biker' actually is. I'd love for someone to sit down and explain in detail, because all the descriptions I've heard so far have been proper crap.
Is it a Harley or cruiser rider?
Do you need a shaved head and a beard?
Do you have to belong to a club?
Do you have to do upwards of 10K miles a year?
Do you have to love classic bikes?
Do you have to ride all year round?
Do you have to do your own maintenance?
'Real Biker' is such a catch-all phrase, I'm sure everyone qualifies and everyone fails to meet someone elses requirements
Dave20046
26-10-11, 07:30 PM
I ask them straight if they've any intention of getting a full licence and most say No. I don't mind that they only want a bike for commuting because that's their choice and I seriously don't think they feel any affinity with the motorcycling community, so why the need to try and involve them in it with nods etc. They don't care - it's just transport not a lifestyle statement or a hobby. For the 16 year olds it's a little rebellion and antisocial transport until they get a car and start piling bodykits and 20" alloys onto it.
And for the record, no, I don't like Lime Green :-)
Round here the ones you describe tend to be sporting motocross helmets, bare hands and a fluorescent TW4T sign :)
myfirstsv
27-10-11, 12:42 AM
Perfect!
I shall remember henceforth to shake my head at any HD rider (and BMW cos they are also full of themselves)
On another point - I don't understand what a 'real biker' actually is. I'd love for someone to sit down and explain in detail, because all the descriptions I've heard so far have been proper crap.
The one that rides a bike. Simple :)
Supervox
29-10-11, 02:21 PM
Perfect!
I shall remember henceforth to shake my head at any HD rider (and BMW cos they are also full of themselves)
So your answer is to become one of 'them' - ie discriminating against someone because of what they ride? :scratch:
Nod or don't nod it's up to you but why get upset about it?
This message has been brought to you by someone who by your definition is full of himself & is also the owner of a lovely SV1000 :cool:
Well the Harly going along the road to Peldon didn't nod. But hats off for going round corners that HD's were never ment too.
Plus 2 gixer pilots didn't nod .so its more the individual than the bike I think.
Plus 2 gixer pilots didn't nod .so its more the individual than the bike I think.
Ya, bikes can't nod you know!:D
Balky001
29-10-11, 07:26 PM
I popped out for 30 minutes on the Harley today with my daughter on the back. Pan European. Look of disgust even though I nodded twice as thought his beard got in the way of his first one. Blackbird return the nod but looked confused and surprised (not sure if it was a nod or he was just dropping his head). Got a nod from two twist and go teens!!!. Er5 old boy looked at me with no nod. Zx6 nothing either although I think he was getting ready for a blast..Yamaha cruiser didn't even look. Got a lovely nod off a gsxr just before getting home Daughter asked why there are so many miserable bikers.... I said they were just old and grumpy. It was a bit damp and the arthritis must have been awful.
cb1000rsteve
29-10-11, 07:34 PM
Most Harley riders don't nod in case the extra movement causes more chrome to flake off!!!
myfirstsv
29-10-11, 11:34 PM
So your answer is to become one of 'them' - ie discriminating against someone because of what they ride? :scratch:
Nod or don't nod it's up to you but why get upset about it?
This message has been brought to you by someone who by your definition is full of himself & is also the owner of a lovely SV1000 :cool:
Bless :)
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