HD admirer refuses to acknowledge my Guzzi...

[brider]

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

In the interest of full disclosure: The woman did not, and has not, acknowledged my Cal II either, in the (3) times we've chatted while standing by the bikes. I dismissed this slight by the fact that her DR200 was the very first bike she's ever owned or ridden, and doesn't know SQUAT about it or any other bike, nor has she formed an opinion about any other bike. She is completely enamored by how her bike looks; she thinks it's soooooo cute, especially the $200 set of bark-busters she had the shop install. It's kind of scary, like the way she had no idea her front tire was flat, that there are people like her riding bigger, faster, and potentially more lethal projectiles that shouldn't be. Thank god she only drives 4 miles to work on back roads. So my original post was certainly not intended to defend her attitude.

It was the twit in the mini-van who amazed me, with the fervor in which he was praising the absent HD. And I'm SURE he wasn't trying to impress the woman; I sensed he was trying to impress me since he knew me (barely). How can you expect to impress anyone, in any way, when you pull up in an '89 Pontiac mini van?

I saw the woman later that day at a company all-hands meeting, and she said nothing about the morning exchange other than something about she couldn't get the bike into neutral and almost crashed it at a stop sign, and she was looking up the phone # of the dealer at that instant to call them to complain (remember, she just dropped 5-bills for a 3k tune-up, another 2-bills for her bark-busters). Imagine this person on the road on a 1200cc, 800-lb weapon.

Today: Some of the best riding weather CT has to offer: Clear 40-ish in the morning, 50's on the way home, Harley rider hasn't been seen since the beginning of October. I rode in, of course, and will continue to do so up to the threat of black ice or snow/rain.

That reminds me: There's a flyer for a Harley for sale in my bldg. 2003, I think, with like 13k miles on it, advertised as "...serviced yearly at dealer." Really? I would be worried that a dealer was tinkering with my bike every 1,000 miles. No thanks.

Last: My comment about NJ drivers was based on the observation that EVERY time I get past an incomprehensible slowdown on the local roads or highways, it's a NJ plate that's causing the jam. You can ask my wife and kids, happens every time. That's obviously an exaggeration, but every stereotype has a small basis in fact......

[bad Chad]

Hmm, generally when I read in a thread like this one, "who cares", I interpret that as someone who really does care, but wants others to think their beyond that.

If you really thought, "who cares", or "why should you care", you would bother writing it in the first place.

I could be wrong, I am from time to time, but they again, I care, so maybe I'm biased?  All good food for thought.

Or if my suggestion tics you off you can explain me away as a liberal, pink bandana wearing dreamer.  As our good buddy indy Chuck would say, <shrug>

[johnr]

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

This may be as much as anything else a function of population density. What is it in the UK? Something like 64 million? And that on an Island smaller in area than NZ. People start valuing personal boundaries when they are scrunched up. I mean, I'm beginning to feel the squeeze here and that with a population pushing past 4.5 million (+ about 1 million visitors a year)

When I started riding in 1966 there were very few motorcycles on the road. In fact most people still travelled by train.  On the rare occasion you saw another one on the road there was always a wave. If it was traveling the same way as you as like as not you would stop for a chat. 

This is not the case now in the day when every one knows someone with a motorcycle. One waves or one does not. No store is set by it nor is there an expectation.

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

There is that too. We, being a self respecting non Napoleonic country, still use the correct side of the road too.  Back in the aforementioned 60s over here we all rode British bikes. It was rare to encounter a  beastie from other lands, especially actually on the road, but they were for looking askance at and maybe poking with a stick to see if they did anything. 

British bikes all had a built in throttle brake, and in those times I met few people that didn't use it. This meant a right handed wave was entirely feasible.

Not so today.  I don't know off the top of my head of any machine that comes out with one as standard now. Though in fact the Guzz is the first bike I've owned without one. I find it as awkward as hell and intend to remedy that lack first thing after getting it on the road.

Speaking of which, I might just toddle out and do a bit of work on it.

[ritratto]

In Italy, they wave with the left leg stuck out. I thought it was cool.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I have never understood waving to other moto riders... why would I take my hands off the bars to seek validation from some person I dont even know, speeding in opposite directions? 

[Triple Jim]

Where I live, car drivers sometimes wave at each other, motorcycle riders usually do, and if two people walking pass in a parking lot, they say hello to each other.  If you walk in a store and ask where something is without first saying hello to the guy working there and asking how he is, he'll probably assume you're not from the area.  It's not really seeking validation, just being friendly.

Yesterday while I was on my daily bicycle ride, a group of four Harley riders passed going the other way.  I waved and a couple of them waved back. 

[Kev m]

Hmm, generally when I read in a thread like this one, "who cares", I interpret that as someone who really does care, but wants others to think their beyond that.

If you really thought, "who cares", or "why should you care", you would bother writing it in the first place.

Because I'm politely (or passive aggressively) telling you that you're a moron for bitching about _________.

That's very different than actually caring about what the morons are complaining about _______.

[emoji13]

[Kev m]

I have never understood waving to other moto riders... why would I take my hands off the bars to seek validation from some person I dont even know, speeding in opposite directions?

That sounds sadly cynical to me.

Why would it have to be validation, why can't it just be a polite greeting, a well wish.

I guess that's why I'm not offended on the rare occasion it's not returned, it means nothing to me.

My actions only reflect on me.

Their actions only reflect on them.

[Lannis]

Because I'm politely (or passive aggressively) telling you that you're a moron for bitching about _________.

That's very different than actually caring about what the morons are complaining about _______.

[emoji13]

Yebbut wow.  Isn't that the very thing that turns a discussion (about ANYTHING) on a board like this from a discussion into a personal attack that are the things that the moderators should really be concerned about?

People are discussing an issue, even if it's "I like blue"  "I like red" "Oh yeah?  I like blue more!" ... and then someone says "You're just an idiot" or "Why don't you shut up discussing this?"   

Who needs that level of control, such that they tell people to shut up about discussing a subject that they supposedly 'don't care about'?   

Sounds like they may not care about the specific subject, but they DO care about telling 'morons' what to do and what not to do?   That's WORSE .... 

Lannis

 

[Kev m]

Lannis, if you can't tell the difference between "I like blue" and "I think _____ people suck because" than we don't need to waste our time here.


PS, a friend should tell a friend if they're being a moron.

[oldbike54]

 You're a moron 

 Oh , wrong kind of bait .

 Maybe we should let this one rest fellas , thanks
 
 signed , one of the moderators .

 Dusty

[Daleroso]

I agree. Thank you. I'm surprised at it's length. Why is it important if someone notices your/my bike?

[Nic in Western NYS]

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  :)

Not antisocial in a clinical sense.  You would be looking to prey on those that look like they might need some help. You're actually pretty pro-social!

[Penderic]

Here's one answer: "Its all about me and how great I am look!" 




What's the question again? 

[segesta]

Living in the heart of "Harley Country" (south central Pennsylvania) where Harleys are built and rule in numbers, my experience with Harley riders and their comments has been of respect for the Moto Guzzi. That could change tomorrow, but its been good for the past 3 years of ownership.

Same here in Chicagoland. Guzzis are just so rare that everyone, even dentist weekend gay pirates on their shiny Credit Glides, stops and asks.

[craigclu]

I hadn't really thought of it until this thread but I realize I pay little attention to HD's....  I'm a friendly sort and I certainly have conversations as appropriate with their owners but they're as common as Subarus in a Unitarian parking lot and have become somewhat invisible to me.

[bad Chad]

Same here in Chicagoland. Guzzis are just so rare that everyone, even dentist weekend gay pirates on their shiny Credit Glides, stops and asks.

That's not my experience in Chicagoland. I think it may depend on what kind of Guzzi.   I seldom have anyone say anything to me on the Breva or v65.

[TodkaVonic]

Level 1: take a few minutes to research his ride; paying particular interest to its shortcomings---electrical issues? False neutrals? Throttle lag? Then the next time he pounces, you can very politely remind him of all its problems. 
Level 2: above plus, research "nicer" (i.e. more expensive) Harleys. After reminding him of the problems with his, mention that the new SoftGlideElectraFat XTR1200FreedomRider   doesn't have said issues.
Level 3: above two plus arrange the conversation in front of the woman of interest. Casually remark to her that you had considered the nicer Harley, but, really it's apples and oranges, and you prefer Italian motorcycles...and food, speaking of Italian food, have you been to Luigi's?

If all else fails, just talk about his minivan. I hear men who drive minivans LOVE that.

[Penderic]

Sorry to say: Once they have been imprinted, they are virtual impossible, impossible, to rebrand! 

[unclepete]

Harley's brand recognition / loyalty has to be envied by all marketing folks .
A co-worker and I were talking about bikes years ago . He had emigrated from Czechoslovakia about 4 years prior .
I was riding a BMW K100RT at the time . He asked me , since I had a good job and surely could afford it , why I did not ride a Harley .
I asked , " why would I " , and he said " they're the best " .
This from a guy that had not been on a bike since he was a teen on a two stroke .

[oldbike54]

 Uncle , a friend's wife made the statement that HD's are the best based on one short ride as a pillion . She had zero experience on motorbikes before or after .

 Dusty

[Tom]

Had a guy tell me that I "should get a real bike, like Harley."  I was on my Buell S3 Thunderbolt.  All I could do was walk away laughing. 

[jumpmaster]

Uncle , a friend's wife made the statement that HD's are the best based on one short ride as a pillion . She had zero experience on motorbikes before or after .

 Dusty

Well - if she was on the back of an Electraglide or Road Glide, it would be hard to find a more comfortable perch for a pillion.  If she was on the back of an older Sportster, the orgasm she got from the vibration may have influenced her opinion 

[oldbike54]

Well - if she was on the back of an Electraglide or Road Glide, it would be hard to find a more comfortable perch for a pillion.  If she was on the back of an older Sportster, the orgasm she got from the vibration may have influenced her opinion 

 It was one of the alphabet glides , as for the other thing , improbable 

 Of course this same woman questioned why so many young folks were installing motorbike engines in cars . Had to think on that for a bit , then it dawned , she was referring to the sound 4 cylinder car engines make on open exhausts . She wanted to argue that she knew they were MC motors , until the other folks present began laughing .

 Dusty