Something positive about Harley newbies
#21
07-09-2010 | 09:58 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,882
Likes: 3
From: So California
I got pulled over on my Honda in the 70's. I was speeding and the face plate on my speedo was cracked.
I played dumb about the speed I was going and the officer let me off with a warning. I was just a dumb kid afterall.
Got my first Harley in 1986. I've never been pulled over on it. I did get compliments from LEOs about my bike. Show respect and get it in return.
I played dumb about the speed I was going and the officer let me off with a warning. I was just a dumb kid afterall.
Got my first Harley in 1986. I've never been pulled over on it. I did get compliments from LEOs about my bike. Show respect and get it in return.
#26
07-09-2010 | 10:50 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 24
From: Ozark Country
LEOs, firefighters and the American Soldier epitomize "tough breed" to me. They take the hard road which requires dedication, self discipline and at one point in time took an oath to protect and defend our constitution and they wrote a blank check up to and including their life.
And yes, this so called 'tough breed of bikers' included the same individuals that took the oath in the military which included writing a blank check 'up to and including their life.
Many of these veterans turned bikers put their life on the line many times for their country, as shown in the below little known fact shown below;
"The average infantryman in the South Pacific during World War II saw about 40 days of combat in four years. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter."
And many of these veterans/bikers volunteered and 2, 3 or more tours.
#27
07-09-2010 | 11:12 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 15
From: Wisconsin
Old Fender Guy and Frenchman,
This is all good stuff and I'm with you 100%, but believe me, and you know it, the money and ego have taken over. There's a lot more of them than there are of us, yes, we are a dying breed, things will never be the same and those today will never understand, not because they can't, but because the new rider of today thinks they know it all already. Some days I'm actually happy I'm sliding through the back half of life.
We've all seen the sayings and they ring so true:
"Bikers are a rare breed, Harley Riders are a dime a dozen"
"Fifteen grand and fifteen hundred miles don't make you a biker"
"I was ridin' Harleys when Harleys weren't cool"
"Silly Yuppie, trailers are for boats"
And the list goes on and on, but there's a reason these were written in their time. I haven't seen any that rag on old, experienced bikers yet, maybe you new guys can make some up???
This is all good stuff and I'm with you 100%, but believe me, and you know it, the money and ego have taken over. There's a lot more of them than there are of us, yes, we are a dying breed, things will never be the same and those today will never understand, not because they can't, but because the new rider of today thinks they know it all already. Some days I'm actually happy I'm sliding through the back half of life.
We've all seen the sayings and they ring so true:
"Bikers are a rare breed, Harley Riders are a dime a dozen"
"Fifteen grand and fifteen hundred miles don't make you a biker"
"I was ridin' Harleys when Harleys weren't cool"
"Silly Yuppie, trailers are for boats"
And the list goes on and on, but there's a reason these were written in their time. I haven't seen any that rag on old, experienced bikers yet, maybe you new guys can make some up???
#28
07-09-2010 | 11:16 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 1
From: Monroe, Louisiana
Hey Frenchman, how do you define a "tough breed", will those tough old tan, leathered and tatted guys put their life on the line for you if you are a perfect stranger to them........didn't think so, LEOs, firefighters and the American Soldier epitomize "tough breed" to me. They take the hard road which requires dedication, self discipline and at one point in time took an oath to protect and defend our constitution and they wrote a blank check up to and including their life. The "tough breed" you are so enamored with have no loyalty to anyone or anything outside of their club or circle of friends. It don't take ***** to drink, talk smack and run around in a "gang" where you can pick your victims if you feel the need to re-enforce your ego by beating some poor schmuck senseless. You go ahead with your bad self, instead of dialing 911 put your partners on speed dial.
I pretty much agree. Firefighters, LEOs, and Soldiers have to put their lives on the line on a regular basis for people they don't even know. What I don't get is why 90% of the cops I've had encounters with have to be such a$$hats. I believe we should have respect for the law,and I do, but I don't have to respect the individual writing me a ticket and treating me like I'm a hardend criminal. If I deserve the ticket, give it to me, but whats up with the smug attitude?
#29
07-09-2010 | 11:27 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 448
From: 1500 ft above sea level
Most of the bikers I knew back in the 1970's were recently discharged Veterans, with the majority having survived combat conditions over in the 'Nam.
And yes, this so called 'tough breed of bikers' included the same individuals that took the oath in the military which included writing a blank check 'up to and including their life.
Many of these veterans turned bikers put their life on the line many times for their country, as shown in the below little known fact shown below;
"The average infantryman in the South Pacific during World War II saw about 40 days of combat in four years. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter."
And many of these veterans/bikers volunteered and 2, 3 or more tours.
And yes, this so called 'tough breed of bikers' included the same individuals that took the oath in the military which included writing a blank check 'up to and including their life.
Many of these veterans turned bikers put their life on the line many times for their country, as shown in the below little known fact shown below;
"The average infantryman in the South Pacific during World War II saw about 40 days of combat in four years. The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter."
And many of these veterans/bikers volunteered and 2, 3 or more tours.
#30
07-09-2010 | 11:31 AM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
When I graduated from high school in 1966 my draft lottery number was 16. There was a "conflict" going on somewhere in the world called Viet Nam. My first motorcycle was a Honda 160 Scrambler followed by a Honda 305 Scrambler. Didnt want or even consider a Harley. Rode the **** out of those bikes. Dont ever remember having to work on them except new tires. Some of my buddies never made it back. Fast forward a decade, now graduated from college and could afford to buy a bike again. Bought a used Honda 550/4 that had been "chopped". Thought it was bad as hell. Later replaced that with a brand new 1979 Honda 750/4 10th Anniversary Model. Never even considered a Harley. Fast forward a decade, now married with two rugrats. Bike is gone, working to support a family. Making good money, making the house payments, paying off new cars, etc. No bike in the garage.
Spending time on the lake in ski boats with the family. Fast forward two decades. Kids into their own thing now, no "family time", decide its time to ride again, buy a used bike.......1998 Harley 1200 Sportster for $10K. Ride that bitch for 6 months and realize shoulda listened to my brother and bought a bigger bike. Dump the Sportster for a new 1999 FXR2 that I saw in Daytona at Bike Week. Fast forward a decade. FXR2 now has 67K miles on it and is parked next to a 2010 StreetGlide with 5K miles on it. Raised four kids, put'm all thru college, accumulated two ex-wives. No mortgage now, bills are paid on time, lookin' forward to retirement and riding every day when ever and where ever I want to go. I wear jeans, a Harley t-shirt, and fingerless gloves, chaps when needed. Had long hair, now mostly gone. This country is going to hell but its still the best place in the world. My watch is a Rolex. Does this make me a RUB? I ride alone.
Spending time on the lake in ski boats with the family. Fast forward two decades. Kids into their own thing now, no "family time", decide its time to ride again, buy a used bike.......1998 Harley 1200 Sportster for $10K. Ride that bitch for 6 months and realize shoulda listened to my brother and bought a bigger bike. Dump the Sportster for a new 1999 FXR2 that I saw in Daytona at Bike Week. Fast forward a decade. FXR2 now has 67K miles on it and is parked next to a 2010 StreetGlide with 5K miles on it. Raised four kids, put'm all thru college, accumulated two ex-wives. No mortgage now, bills are paid on time, lookin' forward to retirement and riding every day when ever and where ever I want to go. I wear jeans, a Harley t-shirt, and fingerless gloves, chaps when needed. Had long hair, now mostly gone. This country is going to hell but its still the best place in the world. My watch is a Rolex. Does this make me a RUB? I ride alone.