HD admirer refuses to acknowledge my Guzzi...

[oldbike54]

 Dunno Huzo , all of the HD riders waved today , even the ape hanger genre  In fact , most of them initiated the motion today , not unusual here in the heartland of America . Yeah , we have some antisocial HD types here , in the minority it seems .

 Dusty

[Gliderjohn]

My Guzzi experiences with H-D riders have almost always either positive or just ignored. Years ago I was invited  by some H-D riders to a biker bar that I did not frequent. It was a nice spring evening and the front door was
proped open. As I was walking in this drunk biker looked out and said "Who the hell rides Italian shit?" Kudos that he at least knew my T-3 was Italian. Immediately another biker looked at him and said "Thats a Moto Guzzi man, shut the F*&% up. 
GliderJohn

[charlie b]

You could include me in some of that.  I usually make it a point to ignore most other riders anywhere I go.  That includes kinda gruff replies if they ask questions or make comments, no matter what they are riding. 

About the only kind of rider I will chat with is another Guzzi, another person on a rat bike, or someone who looks like they might need some help.

And, yes, I am a bit anti-social  :)

[LowRyter]

I wave and look at 'em in the eyes, that shames to wave back.

Better yet to wave at them on an oncoming curve when they are hanging for dear life.  Then you can see a tinge of fear when they wave back.   

[ohiorider]

As the temps drop into the mid-50s, seems like anyone on any brand bike is predisposed to wave back, or even wave first.  When it begins cooling off, the weather begins to separate the fair weather riders from those who ride until the snow falls.  And there seems to be some respect among all riders for those who'll put up with a bit of discomfort for the pleasure of the ride.

Bob

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^^ true.

[oldbike54]

 Forgot to mention , the two HD riders from today both commented on how the new 1400 Cali looked interesting . Both were riding early 2000's Road Kings with some miles on them , and said the 1400 was on their radar as replacement bikes .

 Dusty

[Tom]

 

[johnr]

I've never really understood this kind of thing. If I'd done a few more psychology papers maybe I would. I suspect it is all something to do with self validation through elitist grouping.

brider, I am interested in what the woman you were talking to thought of the exchange. Did she say anything about it later?

[oldbike54]

I've never really understood this kind of thing. If I'd done a few more psychology papers maybe I would. I suspect it is all something to do with self validation through elitist grouping.

brider, I am interested in what the woman you were talking to thought of the exchange. Did she say anything about it later?

 John , most high end products are marketed this way . If you aren't wearing brand A sneakers , or Brand C jeans , you are somehow personally inadequate . Don't know about NZ , but here seemingly rational people pay 30 bucks to purchase hats with the Nike logo , effectively paying to advertise for a multi-million dollar a year company that can bloody well pay for their own advertising 

 Dusty

[Penderic]

Feelings! 




 
Upper Left hand corner.

 
And nuthing on TV!

[pete mcgee]

Harley riders.....
What can I say, over here they have an over inflated sense of self worth and self importance.
To the point that after 30 years of riding, I ignore them, they are too frightened to take their hands off their bars to wave , I couldn't give a fig what they think of what I ride, they just don't register anymore.
They are generally ignorance personified.
And I don't care.
If you ride and enjoy what you ride who cares.

Cheers

[balvenie]

Harley riders.....
What can I say, over here they have an over inflated sense of self worth and self importance.
To the point that after 30 years of riding, I ignore them, they are too frightened to take their hands off their bars to wave , I couldn't give a fig what they think of what I ride, they just don't register anymore.
They are generally ignorance personified.
And I don't care.
If you ride and enjoy what you ride who cares.

Cheers

Well said

[Kev m]

Harley riders.....
What can I say, over here they have an over inflated sense of self worth and self importance.
To the point that after 30 years of riding, I ignore them, they are too frightened to take their hands off their bars to wave , I couldn't give a fig what they think of what I ride, they just don't register anymore.
They are generally ignorance personified.
And I don't care.
If you ride and enjoy what you ride who cares.

Cheers

That there are those on the brand that reflect those sentiments is undoubtedly true.

Where I depart from the sometimes butt hurt here is in the estimation of percentage.

I think this is the sometimes vocal minority and not generally representative of the whole.

[Huzo]

You could include me in some of that.  I usually make it a point to ignore most other riders anywhere I go.  That includes kinda gruff replies if they ask questions or make comments, no matter what they are riding. 

About the only kind of rider I will chat with is another Guzzi, another person on a rat bike, or someone who looks like they might need some help.

And, yes, I am a bit anti-social  :)

That's completely fair enough, but do you have a particular reason to take that stance or is it 'cos it's always worked and I'm not being critical, just interested.

[Tom]

Not all HD riders are the "poser" types. 

[charlie b]

That's completely fair enough, but do you have a particular reason to take that stance or is it 'cos it's always worked and I'm not being critical, just interested.

Yes, it's  cause I just don't like to converse with people I don't know.

That's why I don't go to many rallies or other get togethers.  And, when I do I usually stay around the outside edges where there are fewer people.

Also why I usually ride alone.

[Huzo]

Yes, it's  cause I just don't like to converse with people I don't know.

That's why I don't go to many rallies or other get togethers.  And, when I do I usually stay around the outside edges where there are fewer people.

Also why I usually ride alone.

Ok Charlie, the simplest answer is usually the right one

[DanD]

As the temps drop into the mid-50s, seems like anyone on any brand bike is predisposed to wave back, or even wave first.  When it begins cooling off, the weather begins to separate the fair weather riders from those who ride until the snow falls.  And there seems to be some respect among all riders for those who'll put up with a bit of discomfort for the pleasure of the ride.

Bob

I find this to be true in the SW corner of OH. Tonight was in the 40s and mine was the only scoot in the lot. No one to wave to on the 22 mile ride home at 12 AM.

Been in most of the mentioned situations in one form or another. I say let it go. Hell, I only half heartedly wave, if at all, if it isn't a monsoon or below 40. 
 

[tris]

........
Jackal: Double take then ask is it a: Honda, Ducati, Harley, Custom Build, BMW........ or "I knew a guy that had one........."

Griso Carc: Does not matter what they ride or even if they ride always gets compliments........

My old Cali just confused the Harley riders over here. They start to give you a wave and then slowly realise that there's something "not quite right" 

I've had more positive comments about the B11 then I ever had about the Cali

Fundamentally, the only persons' opinion about which bike I ride that I hold in much regard  ..... is mine

[Rough Edge racing]

 I sometimes snicker at the cruiser bikers dressed to kill. And some are on non HD cruisers...But most I believe are just enjoying their motorcycle...

  But this "poser" stuff can be taken quite far if you like...How many 4x4 vehicles are in non snowy climates and never driven off road ,  Poser?  What about all the Diesel PU trucks that never do any real work, owned by posers wanting to look like tough truck guys? And closer to home, what is the purpose of 100 plus HP sport bikes used on the street? Is it to pose as being a fast guy? 

[Kev m]

I think we spend far too much time worrying about whether or not someone is a "poser".

Who cares?

I mean if someone is going around claiming they built a bike they've never turned a wrench on, or pretending to be a vet and never served, or the like, then sure it's a bit sad.

But geez, so a guy is enjoying his Harley, or race replica, or truck, or whatever, then really, unless they're being a jerk, who cares?

[Rough Edge racing]

I think we silent far too much time worrying about whether or not someone is a "poser".

Who cares?

I mean if someone is going around claiming they built a bike they've never turned a wrench on, or pretending to be a vet and never served, or the like, then sure it's a bit sad.

But geez, so a guy is enjoying his Harley, or race replica, or truck, or whatever, then really, unless they're being a jerk, who cares?

 Exactly....

[redrider]

This weekend, one of my students asked me if I liked hd. I said "No, not really." The looks from the group were of the shock, how can you say that variety. I explained what I like in a bike and why hd does not qualify. Nods of agreement ensued.

These were novices. No real riding experience, just social media hype and subliminal advertising messages from the unwashed masses to shape opinion.

My experience has been that most of the wing ding crowd are pompous a$$hats. (You see and hear a lot working in the service dept.) All makes have them in some quantity.

I ride my own ride, mostly.

[JeffOlson]

I always wave at other riders, regardless of what they are riding, and regardless of what I am riding (Vespa or Norge). Almost all riders wave back (if they did not wave first), even the vast majority of H-D riders (even in Oregon and Washington, the land of hipster Prius-driving hand-wringers!)

I think a few bad apples spoil our perception of other people that we lump into the same basket. (See what I did there?  )

[willowstreetguzziguy]

"Expect the worst and you'll never be fooled." The great Willie Mays said that about baseball. The same thing with riding my Guzzi... I don't expect anything. But if a conversation I sues, it's usually with a knowledgable mototorcycle person. And it's a good conversation because they're somewhat knowledgeable. I even had a guy in a Kmart parking lot ask me if my Guzzi(1200 Sport) was a Norge!

[blackcat]

I generally wave at everyone except for Goldwing riders and guys with apehangers. I'd wave at the apehanger guys but I'm always afraid that they might hurt themselves if they let go of the bars.

[Steph]

I think we spend far too much time worrying about whether or not someone is a "poser".

Who cares?

I mean if someone is going around claiming they built a bike they've never turned a wrench on, or pretending to be a vet and never served, or the like, then sure it's a bit sad.

But geez, so a guy is enjoying his Harley, or race replica, or truck, or whatever, then really, unless they're being a jerk, who cares?

You're right who cares. At the Ace Cafe, on the north circular, one evening this summer, loads of bikes and only 3 Guzzis. The LeMans I and the LeMans II posers refused to ackowledge me too 
 Btw, this 'waving' concept is non-existent here in the UK. I'm used to it being from Canada, but had to readjust my ways here

[twhitaker]

You're right who cares. At the Ace Cafe, on the north circular, one evening this summer, loads of bikes and only 3 Guzzis. The LeMans I and the LeMans II posers refused to ackowledge me too 
 Btw, this 'waving' concept is non-existent here in the UK. I'm used to it being from Canada, but had to readjust my ways here

The wave thing doesn't work so well if you drive on the wrong side of the road like they do in England.

[Mr Pootle]

We nod to each other in the UK. When I'm out on the V7 nearly every biker nods. I went for a test ride on an Indian Scout last month, and although I nodded to every biker who came toward me, none responded. I suspect they thought I was riding a Harley.