I just bought my first Harley, 2007 Super Glide, and I love it. I have had numerous bikes over the years, Honda, Susuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, BSA, Triumph. What surprised me after decades of riding is the animosity some people have toward Harley owners, even fellow bikers. Most of the time you get a big thumbs up but too often a scowl like your a deviant about to rack and pillage the town. I never had any kind of reaction from anyone riding a metric. I had a confrontation with someone wanting to know "Why I wanted to be so loud" (I am running legal pipes VH with "quiet baffles", deep but not that loud.) Noone ever commented about about Triumph with drilled out Dunstall pipes, much louder. (I was a lot younger then) I find it a little humorous and surprising. I just want to ride and have fun. But I was totally surprised at the reactions I have gotten, if they ever actually rode a Harley they would know what a kick it was, and other bikers would really know what pride of ownership really means. Harley owners take better care of their bikes, they hold their value, they care about their bikes. Ever see a Harley rusting out in the yard like a 3 year old metric? Any way I'm on new ground here and loving it.

 

Welcome to the Harley family. Have fun on that new bike and post a picture when you can.



[IMG]local://upfiles/13603/676AB5DE724C43F592A61BDC7E1812E8.jpg[/IMG]

 

Congrats, and welcome to the forum.

 

[sm=welcomesign.gif]from Iowa and welcome to the fold!


Rax

 

New to the world of Harley myself, and haven't had any of the type of thing you've mentioned. Almost the opposite actually. I find I'm getting compliments left, right & center (although somewhat biased, I do understand...it is the coolest bike in the city...). I sense people can be somewhat nervous (6', 225 lbs, black leather jacket, HD bike...considering the rep, understandable, but I find it endlessly amusing...I'm a lover, not a fighter...LOL), but relax when they realize I won't bite. I think I've gotten more comments, compliments, and spontaneous conversations with strangers in the last six weeks, than I did in the first 21 years of riding my metric bikes. Aside from the fact I don't think I've ever gotten more enjoyment out of any of the bikes I've owned, I find that the Harley is a conversation starter. A good thing in my opinion.

 

What kinda a bike do you have?

A Honda.

That's nice.

A Harley.

Really?????????????????????????


I get that all the time.

 

Welcome to both of you newbys. Glad to have you aboard!!

 

madden???????? "John......is that you"

Welcome aboard and don't worry about the animositything, it's probably not the Harley, I'm sure it's you[sm=icon_rofl.gif]

 

80% were positive. I just bought a Yamaha, no reaction. I just bought a Harley, 80% wow. I just thought it was funny how people reacted to a Harley, some stereotype in a bad way.

 

Never had that happen to me. Always compliments and such.