Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: bad Chad on August 19, 2016, 05:08:21 PM

Title: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: bad Chad on August 19, 2016, 05:08:21 PM
Just parked near the front of the store, I was walking in, when a 20 something dude hanging out the window of his beat up yellow Ford pick-up yells this to me.  I have a lot on mind mind lately and my first instinct as I turned to see who it was, was to flick him the bird.   I actually started to, then  as I was raising my arm and beginning to get my finger up, I thought maybe he's goofing with me?  So instead, I just threw up the peace sign and sarcastically yelled back, "yea right" as he drove off.

As I thought it over, I'm pretty sure he wasn't kidding, and flicking him the bird would probably not have been the smart thing to do anyway, I know my wife would admonish me for doing so!  I wish I would have had the quick sense, to yell something like, "this from a guy in a yellow POS pick up!"  But, hindsight is twenty twenty as they say.  I'm sure I'm not the only one to experience, this, any other stories?
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: PJPR01 on August 19, 2016, 05:25:08 PM
Just another asshole...pay him no mind!
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Aaron D. on August 19, 2016, 05:29:09 PM
I have learned to embrace deafness. It is one of the blessings of aging as a motorcyclist.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Guzzistajohn on August 19, 2016, 05:34:29 PM
Wouldn't give an asshat like that the satisfaction of knowing I even heard his ignorant pie hole.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: normzone on August 19, 2016, 05:41:03 PM
The twenties-something guy is probably a Guzzista on his way to pick up parts. Back in the pony tail days, long hairs would shout " Get a hair cut!" at each other.

Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: oldbike54 on August 19, 2016, 05:41:58 PM
 All good advice , but I must admit that in my youth the bird would probably have been flipped ..

 Dusty
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Trogladyte on August 19, 2016, 05:45:08 PM
Yeah - sounds like a prize plonker.

But what does it mean?

Surely a MG is a real bike in anyone's money. Or do you think he's a pocket rocket rider with unscuffed knee sliders, who thinks that anything without no 46 on it is just hopeless.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: bad Chad on August 19, 2016, 05:48:17 PM
I know he heard and saw me pull up, based on logistics.  But I'd bet $50 he didn't know it was a Guzzi, and likely doesn't even know what a Guzzi is.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: nick949 on August 19, 2016, 05:50:35 PM
There is plenty of evidence that ignorance is alive and well in the world. He may have been being ironic. Either way, best to ignore it.

N
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: pete mcgee on August 19, 2016, 05:56:49 PM
Probably just another Harley tee shirt owner (can't afford the bike) proving once again that Harleys were invented to prevent cock wombles riding decent motorcycles.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Gliderjohn on August 19, 2016, 06:25:26 PM
That is one of the few negative comments I have received from H-D folk, usually get positive comments. In the Guzzi world I don't ride all that much but when I have had that statement thrown at me I have challenged the talker to compare odometers and usually that shuts them up.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: fotoguzzi on August 19, 2016, 06:40:12 PM
Big mouth little dick.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Kev m on August 19, 2016, 06:43:52 PM
Meh,

Simple Zen:

His words mean nothing to you unless you give them the power and him the respect of giving a crap.

If he was joking, kudos to the kindred soul.

If he was being a dick, laugh at the fact that he's obviously a moron.

Either way it's not worth another minute of your time.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: lucky phil on August 19, 2016, 06:46:33 PM
What a terrible thing to yell out to a Guzzi rider......... unless you ride a small block of course:)
Ciao
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Kev m on August 19, 2016, 06:49:57 PM
That is one of the few negative comments I have received from H-D folk, usually get positive comments. In the Guzzi world I don't ride all that much but when I have had that statement thrown at me I have challenged the talker to compare odometers and usually that shuts them up.
GliderJohn

Being a Harley fan too for a couple of decades I've probably spent more time at Harley dealers, at Harley Rallys, and Harley runs ON GUZZIS than most here. I've literally only heard a comment like that once or twice and every time the speaker made it clear he was joking before we parted.

Maybe it's me (attitude or appearance), I dunno... But I've had so many positive Harley encounters it's ridiculous.

One that stands out was when, on my Jackal, I spanked a Harley rider on a light-to-light drag race in front of a bunch of his friends and he said "well, if was gonna get my ass kicked, at least it was Italian."  :boozing:
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: tazio on August 19, 2016, 07:39:28 PM
only encountered the "get a real bike" bullsh!t 4 times.
I was on my beloved Sportster each time.
Each one came from some blob on a "Real Harley"(BIG V-twin).
Doesn't prove nothing, and really doesn't make a whole lot of sense.. 

 
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: balvenie on August 19, 2016, 07:40:49 PM
Stupid only gets stupider. Walk away. Easiest way to avoid contamination.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: lucian on August 19, 2016, 08:02:06 PM
The day I picked up my custom14 my brother and I rode from Maine to Derry New Hampshire , myself on a t100 bonnie and he on his heritage softail. We left the dealership and had to stop for gas to top of the harley for the ride home.Two harley riders also at the station came over and circled the new custom repeatedly and proceeded to shit all over it. One comment I remember was " my friend had one of these moto guzzi's and you have to take the whole motor out just to change the clutch,how stupid is that" This went on for ten minutes when it hit me that they hadn't even looked at or mentioned my brothers  beautiful chromed out heritage nostalgia. Eventually I had enough and asked them if they were done drooling on my new bike yet. One of them said good luck trying to sell it. I replied that I bought it to ride not to sell . And with that they gave it up.  That was my first spectator experience as a first time guzzi owner. I've had many more positive experiences since , and everyone I let try it has only had kind words afterwards. I guess what I'm trying to say is people shouldn't knock it until it they've tried it.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: ITSec on August 19, 2016, 08:19:16 PM

1 - One comment I remember was " my friend had one of these moto guzzi's and you have to take the whole motor out just to change the clutch,how stupid is that"

2 - One of them said good luck trying to sell it. I replied that I bought it to ride not to sell.

3 - I guess what I'm trying to say is people shouldn't knock it until it they've tried it.


In order...

1 - On almost all HDs, you have to pull the primary drive to change the belt. How stupid is that?  :tongue:

2 - Excellent response. My Norge is completely sell-proof - who would buy a bike with 115,000 miles on it?  :bike-037:

3 - Everyone here is an example what happens based on that thinking!  :grin:
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: LaMojo on August 19, 2016, 08:28:40 PM
Just shout back JEALOUS? and start laughing. 
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Lcarlson on August 19, 2016, 08:43:38 PM
In the spring I took a guided ride sponsored by the local H-D dealer ( all brands welcome). It was all HDs except me. Before we took off, though, one of the ride leaders said to the group "by the way, that Moto Guzzi is a GREAT bike." The Harley guys seemed confused.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Gliderjohn on August 19, 2016, 08:43:58 PM
Quote from Kev m:
"But I've had so many positive Harley encounters it's ridiculous."

To not misunderstand as I said:
"usually get positive comments."

Most H-D owners get it concerning a Guzzi, if not they do not know what it is and are mystified if anything.
GliderJohn

Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Kev m on August 19, 2016, 08:56:51 PM
Jon, noted, sorry if my comments seemed to suggest otherwise.

ITsec, or stated another way, all BT's require that, but no Sportsters (20-25% of Harley sales).
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: tazio on August 19, 2016, 08:57:51 PM
What a terrible thing to yell out to a Guzzi rider......... unless you ride a small block of course:)
Ciao

(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a538/broughsuperior/smallblocks_zpsc28ffdb6.jpg)
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Bulldog9 on August 19, 2016, 09:08:30 PM
LOL, the Hardley Abelson crowd cracks me up.

Yeah man, good call to be cool about it.  Had someone ask me that today "So do you ride a real bike?"  "Define real Bike"    "You know, a Harley, or Indian"    Nope, I like to ride not repair ;-)   Then the 5 minute speech on how much more reliable Harleys are now..... LOL
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Guzzistajohn on August 19, 2016, 09:21:09 PM
What a terrible thing to yell out to a Guzzi rider......... unless you ride a small block of course:)
Ciao


👍Funny
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Penderic on August 19, 2016, 10:50:34 PM

(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/gesture_zps9pcl39a0.jpg)
Words and Gestures.....


Triumph riders could utilize the Bard's Barbs ...

(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/Insult%20poster_zpsh4nn712p.png)

(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/shakespeare_insult_kit_zpsmu69fc1g.jpg)


and the Guzzi riders could use visual hand signals ....

(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/italiangestures2_zpsosnhzajx.jpg)






Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: ITSec on August 19, 2016, 10:57:24 PM

ITsec, or stated another way, all BT's require that, but no Sportsters (20-25% of Harley sales).


I was keeping the tone in line with the original post and the reply - so a bit of exaggeration was needed  :laugh:

Besides, isn't there an internal snobbery in the HD community, with Sporties and the bottom and V-Rods barely acknowledged?  :evil:

I do know that when I worked as a motorcycle salesman, any HD/S&S powered machine that came in trade had an automatic price demotion for having a left-side belt, particularly choppers and customs. A bike we might offer $6-8000 for if configured with a belt behind primary would bring the seller an extra $1K to $2K for a left primary / right belt configuration.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: rodekyll on August 19, 2016, 11:33:50 PM
When that comes from a guy in a truck I like to respond "Like the real bike you're riding?"

If he's not on anything -- which is generally the case, I look around and say "I'd like to see a REAL bike -- just to know what I'm missing.  So which of the REAL BIKE (singular --mine) in the lot here is yours?
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: John Ulrich on August 20, 2016, 12:01:22 AM
You gotta laugh at it.   A young poser in a shop once called me a "Harley wannabe" to his girlfriend.  I was hanging up signage for the local AMCA show during lunch talking Guzzi to another Guzzi rider there.   I turned, smiled at him and said "if I wanted a Harley I'd buy a Harley".  I'm not sure if he was more surprised I heard his remark or that a person would not want a Harley.   :popcorn:
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: pete roper on August 20, 2016, 01:05:53 AM
Point out to them that the bike you're riding doesn't even have a clutch! That's usually enough to nearly trigger a myocardial infarction! :evil:

Pete
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: pat80flh on August 20, 2016, 05:53:33 AM
"A real bike?   Like your Schwinn? "
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Texas Turnip on August 20, 2016, 07:11:04 AM
When I get the remark about a "real bike", I act puzzled and say I know about all bikes from AJS to Zundapp, but I haven't heard about this "Real Bike." Who makes it? How many cc's? Dealer locations? etc. That gets 'em.

Tex
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: oldbike54 on August 20, 2016, 10:18:46 AM
 For years my reply was , "Harleys aren't tough enough to stand up to me" , or occasionally , just to sorta confuse 'em , "like a Vincent" .

 Dusty
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Shorty on August 20, 2016, 11:22:49 AM
I gotta agree with the previous poster.  I got  the real bike comment the most when riding my Sportsters. Funny world view when 900 or 1200 CCs is not a real bike :wink:
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Orange Guzzi on August 20, 2016, 11:41:41 AM
I pulled into a local water hole last Friday night.  Parked the Guzzi next to two H.D's when a guy walked up to Me while the two H.D. owners were standing by, He said, that is a really nice bike.  He started asking all the questions.  Of course it is hard to describe my Guzzi.  I call it E Pluribus Guzzi.  Considering it is made of many years and models from 1974 thru 2006. 

Opinions are like, well you know, we all have one. 
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: rodekyll on August 20, 2016, 11:47:45 AM
I had one named Legion, for it was many, and a bit evil.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Penderic on August 20, 2016, 12:20:06 PM
Ya - I've been in the company of a bunch of other brands too, and it's not just the Harley guys.

(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic002/ignored_zpse0nnf6fx.jpg)
Hey guys, where are stopping for lunch?  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Cam3512 on August 20, 2016, 01:03:31 PM
I get more confused questions than a-hole comments (can't ever remember one).  Many times riders of other brands actually KNOW about the vintage Guzzis.  If you wanna have some fun, walk over to their bike and ask the year, then check the mileage.  99 out of 100 times the miles are so ridiculously low, a smart-ass comment is way too easy.  For the 1 in 100 with real miles, there's always a complement.  I swear many TRY to keep low mileage as a badge of honor! 
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: tazio on August 20, 2016, 04:09:50 PM
Confucius say, bike on trailer gather no miles.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: nick949 on August 20, 2016, 04:26:25 PM
I've only had this said to me once. 

It was by a non-bike-riding, immigrant fearing, Dodge driving, know nothing twerp who thinks Nascar is the apogee of culture and whose understanding of the world dissolves outside a 50 mile radius of his home.

Needless to say, I gave it the consideration it deserved.  :whip2:

Nick
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Huzo on August 20, 2016, 04:47:01 PM
I'm no Dr Phil, but..... I wonder if it's the same mechanism as the little boy at primary school who wants the attention of the young girl (and doesn't even know why), but is too scared to go up and offer her candy, so he pushes her over instead to try to establish dominance. In later years he'd replace that with a verbal insult then go home and " take out his frustrations". He just wants to be part of the scene but realises he exists on the fringe. In Australia if a young bloke yells something like that when with his mates it can work if you say...."does your mum know you've got her car" ? 
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Turin on August 20, 2016, 04:57:45 PM
I've never had an unpleasant conversation with a Harley owner.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: tazio on August 20, 2016, 05:08:25 PM
Conversation (as in two-way)? Me neither. All pleasantries.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: guzzisteve on August 20, 2016, 05:27:39 PM
What the hey Chad, you were wearing the pink bandana weren't you!!
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Tom on August 20, 2016, 05:43:35 PM
I've never had an unpleasant conversation with a Harley owner.

Most of the older HD dudes that are riders, know Moto Guzzi.  Besides, you're not a small guy.  :grin:
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Rich A on August 20, 2016, 09:05:23 PM
Maybe, "Well, I'm still learning I only have 50,000 (pick a number) miles on this one."

Rich
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Mooney78865 on August 21, 2016, 12:23:56 AM
Best I had was on the way home from the AZBDR with my Stelvio. Traffic was stopped for construction and I had motored to the front of the line of traffic. There were three HD riders, all with passengers, up there too.
I was dirty, the bike was loaded, sporting knobby tires, filthy. I don't think any of the HD 's had a seat height above my knees. One rider asked me "what kind of bike is that?" I replied "it's an adventure bike" then the inevitable "what?" My reply, "think of it as a 130mph bike you can ride off road" Passenger says "that's a funny helmet", I think, " your wearing a salad bowl for a helmet, a tank top, shorts, and knee high boots, and you think MY HELMET looks funny??? Fortunately traffic was starting to move. Education of the masses tends to be an exercise in futility.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: ogsurf on August 21, 2016, 06:28:51 AM
Everyone is sure he was a "Harley Man". I think he sounds more like a "Schwinn Guy".
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Joliet Jim on August 21, 2016, 09:05:21 AM
What the hey Chad, you were wearing the pink bandana weren't you!!

and probably doing that Breva HUG thing
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Muley on August 21, 2016, 09:10:42 AM
Everyone is sure he was a "Harley Man". I think he sounds more like a "Schwinn Guy".

Yes!   All of you are too quick to fly off the handle when someone criticizes your baby.  He was a real biker who rode one of those 20 lb. chain drive machines.  Anyone who can ride a "real bike" with the seats designed to eliminate the solid area between your a-hole and jewels is a person I'd never shoot the bird at.  They are obviously tougher than me :rolleyes:

Note:  anyone who can beat a modern Harley in a (short) drag race on a Jackal is either riding a souped up Jackal, weighs in at 90 lbs. or is racing against someone who doesn't know their bike very well. :wink:
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Guzzistajohn on August 21, 2016, 09:19:45 AM
Interesting how a thread about a negative subject can go on and on here.
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: bad Chad on August 21, 2016, 10:15:44 AM
and probably doing that Breva HUG thing

Dam Straight!  I always ride barefoot when in my shiny black leather!
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on August 21, 2016, 10:24:05 AM
Dam Straight!  I always ride barefoot when in my shiny black leather!
and pink bandanna.  :cool:
Title: Re: "GET A REAL BIKE!"
Post by: Kev m on August 21, 2016, 11:14:51 AM

Note:  anyone who can beat a modern Harley in a (short) drag race on a Jackal is either riding a souped up Jackal, weighs in at 90 lbs. or is racing against someone who doesn't know their bike very well. :wink:

Probably the latter, but for the record, it was about a decade ago, and I think was on a late-EVO Softail, so slow even by Harley standards.