Met a Harley guy today

[Lannis]

I've ridden the tail and we rode the back together.  Now you tell me of another even more visceral road I need to put on the list!

It's a long ride ... up near Colon, Michigan.   

Local Chambers of Commerce are soon going to run out of body parts of snakes and mythical creatures to tout in their tourist literature as motorcycle rides.    The last one I saw was "Strippers Run" ... and I suspect I know what group named that, although it might seem prejudical of me to say which ... !!   

Lannis

[Arizona Wayne]

Far as my attitude of Harley riders, my 1st impression is if I wave to HD riders and they don't wave back, it's because they think since I'm not on a HD like them I don't deserve a wave back.   If HD riders wave @ me I will wave back to them, but that doesn't happen often.

Used to be most MC riders wouldn't wave to me  when on a scooter but nowadays more wave. 

When I'm on my MP3 I wave to trikes and some times they wave back.

Tho I've met uppity BMW riders on the road we wave to each other.

Since my Aprilia 500 scooter looks like a euro bike at the front most anybody will wave to me. 

[giusto]

What kind of oil did he have in the hawg? Let’s discuss a subject that’s never been covered here

That's too funny

 

[Irn]

Simple moto.  Thumbs up, a wave, a smile, or just "hello what a great day how is your ride" when off the bike,  being nice gets nice back. If they don't want your niceness move on, regardless of make, model, religion, skin color, or even politics, being nice first usually works.

[Ncdan]

I make friends with the harley guys frequently when I ask � ever been spanked by 1064cc�s
At the next light the typical question is � what the hell is that thing� 😎

[Rough Edge racing]

Far as my attitude of Harley riders, my 1st impression is if I wave to HD riders and they don't wave back, it's because they think since I'm not on a HD like them I don't deserve a wave back.   If HD riders wave @ me I will wave back to them, but that doesn't happen often.

Used to be most MC riders wouldn't wave to me  when on a scooter but nowadays more wave. 

When I'm on my MP3 I wave to trikes and some times they wave back.

Tho I've met uppity BMW riders on the road we wave to each other.
Since my Aprilia 500 scooter looks like a euro bike at the front most anybody will wave to me. 

 Why is it so important that that they wave back? Why wave at all? I ride a Ducati right now,well not right now it's snowing, I rarely wave first,I would rather just look at them for a second... Some Harley riders wave..Once in awhile I spot a Ducati and them I'm waving like crazy " Hey,lookie here I got a Ducati " Waving causes anxiety..." should I wave? will they wave back? Now I hate them because they didn't wave back "
 

 

[oldbike54]

 Wave , don't wave , those of us who do it are doing so for ourselves anyway . Like saying hi , or opening a door for someone and giving them a smile .

 Smithswede , PJPR01 and I were in the parking lot at Woolaroc a couple of years back , sorting out an issue with Swede's V7 . A small group of HD riders pulled in and were giving Paul's Norge their rapt attention . One of them finally asked what it was , and Paul being Paul asked "what does it look like?" The Harley rider said "Well , it looks like a Moto Guzzi" . We ended up having a nice albeit short conversation with them , one of them even self deprecatingly made mention of how we were the long distance riders , they were lightweights having only ridden about 50 miles up from Tulsa 

 I once had a Harley guy say I was the nicest person he had ever met who was riding a BMW 

 Dusty

[Arizona Wayne]

Why is it so important that that they wave back? Why wave at all?


It's acknowledging that we are bikers and proud of it, no matter what brand we ride.  Comaraderie...if you don't feel that way about other bikers I don't know what to tell you.   We are a unique species.   

[Huzo]

It's a long ride ... up near Colon, Michigan.   

Local Chambers of Commerce are soon going to run out of body parts of snakes and mythical creatures to tout in their tourist literature as motorcycle rides.    The last one I saw was "Strippers Run" ... and I suspect I know what group named that, although it might seem prejudical of me to say which ... !!   

Lannis

Is there really a place called Colon ?
And here was I thinking Lithuania was the arse end of the world !
Sheesh..

[Guzzi Gal]

Wave, don't wave, those of us who do it are doing so for ourselves anyway.  Like saying hi, or opening a door for someone and giving them a smile.

I once had a Harley guy say I was the nicest person he had ever met who was riding a BMW 

 Dusty

^^^

I'll wave at pretty much anything with less than 4 on the floor (and sometimes those too), if able.  If they don't or can't reciprocate, it's all good, I enjoy sharing the love regardless.
 

[Kev m]

People generally find what they expect in this world.

I generally find most motorcyclists aren't assholes, but there are always occasional exceptions.

And I generally smile and wave to them too, as it seems silly for me to allow them to effect my day negatively.

[oldbike54]

^^^

I'll wave at pretty much anything with less than 4 on the floor (and sometimes those too), if able.  If they don't or can't reciprocate, it's all good, I enjoy sharing the love regardless.
 

 In Oklahoma we wave at folks on tractors , fisherpeople in boats , people sitting on their porches , heck , we wave at dogs on occasion 

 Dusty

[Ncdan]

Wave , don't wave , those of us who do it are doing so for ourselves anyway . Like saying hi , or opening a door for someone and giving them a smile .

 Smithswede , PJPR01 and I were in the parking lot at Woolaroc a couple of years back , sorting out an issue with Swede's V7 . A small group of HD riders pulled in and were giving Paul's Norge their rapt attention . One of them finally asked what it was , and Paul being Paul asked "what does it look like?" The Harley rider said "Well , it looks like a Moto Guzzi" . We ended up having a nice albeit short conversation with them , one of them even self deprecatingly made mention of how we were the long distance riders , they were lightweights having only ridden about 50 miles up from Tulsa 

 I once had a Harley guy say I was the nicest person he had ever met who was riding a BMW 

 Dusty
You know the bottom line is that a good person is just that regardless of what they are ridding and a butthole is just that regardless of what they are ridding. I’m glad to say I know the difference and respond accordingly.

[oldbike54]

 ^^^^

 Yep .

 My best bud in Nacogdoches was a real live biker , rode a panhead chopper , looked like a grizzly bear , about 6'4" and 280 lbs of badass . Except underneath all of that was a gentle soul capable of great acts of kindness and decency . He built a small business working on motorcycles after moving into the area , he welcomed every type of rider and worked on every brand of motorbike . Guy was a real peach .

 Dusty

[Mr Pootle]

Over here, as in America, if you see a motorbike coming in the opposite direction, you nod or wave. Most BMW, Japanese and European riders acknowledge you in the same way. Harley and Harley lookalike riders rarely do. I can only think that it�s because they�re having to concentrate so hard on all the bends that they daren�t take their eyes off the road.

[Ncdan]

^^^^

 Yep .

 My best bud in Nacogdoches was a real live biker , rode a panhead chopper , looked like a grizzly bear , about 6'4" and 280 lbs of badass . Except underneath all of that was a gentle soul capable of great acts of kindness and decency . He built a small business working on motorcycles after moving into the area , he welcomed every type of rider and worked on every brand of motorbike . Guy was a real peach .

 Dusty
Sounds like someone I’d like to call my Buddy Pal :)

[Lannis]

Is there really a place called Colon ?
And here was I thinking Lithuania was the arse end of the world !
Sheesh..

Several places in the USA called "Colon", many more in South America.

However, it was sort of a joke;   I said "gut", Jim riposted with "visceral", and I was continuing the gastrointestinal theme.    We didn't quite make it to Uranus, but that was next.

Lannis

[Tom H]

Hi again today Chuck!

I was on my ambo, maybe I should have brought my HD had I known you were showing up at Guzzi Classics. Then it again would have been another nice guy on a HD

For the Wave. I try, but in my freeway ridding, I'm usually paying more attention to the cars around me than to what's on the other side of the divider. If the traffic is light, then I have the chance to wave more.

Tom

[Lannis]

^^^

I'll wave at pretty much anything with less than 4 on the floor (and sometimes those too), if able.  If they don't or can't reciprocate, it's all good, I enjoy sharing the love regardless.
 

I'm sort of the same.  Come to think of it, I seldom look across to see if they're waving back.

One thing I always make sure to do is whenever I see someone in a car or truck, who is getting ready to make a left turn across me, or pull out into the road I'm on, and he COULD have gone, but put the brakes on to let me pass first, I give an obvious thank-you wave and nod or thumbs-up, to let them know I appreciated them paying attention and noticing me.

I ride with a guy, a very good rider, who waves at almost everyone he sees.   If someone is working in their yard, or sitting on their porch, or walking out to their car, he gives an enthusiastic wave as if he's really glad to see them.    That's a lot of waving on a 300-mile backroad ride, but it sure beats the "what-do-you-want-damn-you" look and the flapping get-back whip that so many others affect these days ....

Lannis

[Guzzi Gal]

One thing I always make sure to do is whenever I see someone in a car or truck, who is getting ready to make a left turn across me, or pull out into the road I'm on, and he COULD have gone, but put the brakes on to let me pass first, I give an obvious thank-you wave and nod or thumbs-up, to let them know I appreciated them paying attention and noticing me.

Yup, I do that too.   

[Arizona Wayne]

When I'm referring to waving to other bikers going the other way I'm not talking about in high congestion traffic where you need to keep your eyes on the road all the time .......I'm talking about on a 2 lane road where I do most my riding that isn't bumper to bumper @ 80 mph.  Guess I forgot I'm spoiled since I don't live anywhere near a metropolis any more. 

[giusto]

Is there really a place called Colon ?
And here was I thinking Lithuania was the arse end of the world !
Sheesh..

Colon is a village in St. Joseph County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,173 at the 2010 census. The village is located within Colon Township. Wikipedia
Weather:
26°F (-3°C), Wind E at 6 mph (10 km/h), 92% Humidity

[twowheeladdict]

But we use characteristics such as sex, race, clothing, and what kind of motorcycle we ride to guide our INITIAL reaction to people every day.   We sort of live by it.

A friend you've never met except on the Internet (you don't even know what kind of bike he rides) says "Hey, some of us are going to meet at the Sheetz on Main Street 0800 Saturday morning, take a sporty ride up into the mountains on the Gut of the Dragon,  and stop at a great French bakery for lunch.  See ya!"

You show up at the Sheetz, and there's TWO groups there.   One is a group of guys on Harleys in the official Outlaw Non-Conformist Uniform with plastic beanies, and the other is a group on Ducati sport bikes in one and two piece leather gear in full helmets.

Which group do you ride up to and say "Hi!" in anticipation of a ride?   Careful ... because when you answer, it means you have made a judgment call based on "Appearances".    And because they are "groups", a little "lumping" and "blanket" is happening too, even if you don't explicitly SAY "those guys don't look like they'd enjoy a French bakery ....

Or someone says "Meet the CFO of Hideocon on the sidewalk outside the bank" and that's all you know.   You show up, and there's TWO people there - one dreadlocked black guy sitting on the sidewalk with a brown paper bag in his hand, leaning against the building, singing to himself, and there's one 50-year old woman in a business skirt and blazer.    Which one did you step up and introduce yourself to, and how did you make that call?   By lumping characteristics of CFOs together?   By making a blanket judgment call based on clothes?

These are extreme examples, but let's not virtuously pretend that we don't ALL make judgment calls based on appearances and groups, extended to individuals.   We do it every day.   We CAN make a considered decision to treat the guy sitting on the sidewalk with the same respect as a human being with which we treat the CFO, and that's what makes the difference.   

Lannis

The formula used by Hollywood to expose our preconceptions.  Usually done with a comical undertone as to not offend us.

[twowheeladdict]

Far as my attitude of Harley riders, my 1st impression is if I wave to HD riders and they don't wave back, it's because they think since I'm not on a HD like them I don't deserve a wave back.   If HD riders wave @ me I will wave back to them, but that doesn't happen often.

Like I have already said, I believe this has more to do with the makeup of the workforce in your area than the brand of bike.  I can be on any of my bikes and the vast majority of riders will wave back at me.  I always initiate the wave because I am not stuck up and require the other to wave first.  I treat others how I would want to be treated and if they don't wave back that is their problem, not mine.  I am still enjoying my ride.

[Kev m]

Like I have already said, I believe this has more to do with the makeup of the workforce in your area than the brand of bike.  I can be on any of my bikes and the vast majority of riders will wave back at me.  I always initiate the wave because I am not stuck up and require the other to wave first.  I treat others how I would want to be treated and if they don't wave back that is their problem, not mine.  I am still enjoying my ride.

This.... So much this

[Chuck in Indiana]

Hi again today Chuck!

I was on my ambo, maybe I should have brought my HD had I known you were showing up at Guzzi Classics. Then it again would have been another nice guy on a HD

For the Wave. I try, but in my freeway ridding, I'm usually paying more attention to the cars around me than to what's on the other side of the divider. If the traffic is light, then I have the chance to wave more.

Tom

Hi again, Tom..
Sorry for not recognizing you..it's my lot in life. The place that stores faces and places in your brain took a pretty good hit when Iwas a kid. Iget to meet people over and over ..
Yep, another nice guy on a Harley..

[guzzi4me]

What kind of oil did he have in the hawg? Let�s discuss a subject that�s never been covered here

You just HAD to go there didn't you?

Sheese!!!

Have fun, ride often,

Jeff

[analog kid]

I can only think that it�s because they�re having to concentrate so hard on all the bends that they daren�t take their eyes off the road.

Yes, that and the fact they need to keep both hands on the grips lest their savage beast rear back, snort fire and spit them off. 

[Tom H]

Chuck, no problem. I have a hard time with names of people I see only once in a while. I remembered yours due to your posts on this board because some names are burned into the old brain. And I had to see the bike to be sure

On the wave. There is a guy that commutes north on the 405 while I'm going south. He has a red/burgundy Harley. For the last about 10 years we wave at each other when we can, just a quick lift of the hand. I have no idea who he is except that we go past each other almost every morning. For a bit I didn't see him. Actually was concerned if he was OK, did he loose his job or the like. Then he was back again. BUT, there is a similar colored bike that goes by occasionally that never waves, IIRC, his bike is more on the red side.

Tom

[Chuck in Indiana]

As the Harley guy said, You gotta take the bitter with the sweet.
Here's some bitter:
IMG_20171219_124249220_HDR by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
IMG_20171219_124257945_HDR by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
ARE YOU KIDDIN ME?? The MZ is sitting there, chittering away. A single cylinder liquid cooled bike with a humoungous stock muffler is too loud??
I can see in our increasingly totalarian future this gizmo taking a picture and automatically sending you a ticket. WTF?

Here's some sweet to go along, though. In the (smoky) distance are the Santa Monica mountains where we'll be trying out our new sticky tires..
IMG_20171219_130024914 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr