Harley epiphany

[Michael Moore]

For years I've never really "gotten" the whole Harley riding thing, and today I realized why. I was following a guy on a sportster who himself was following a motor home that was creeping along.  The guy had many opportunities to pass, and despite all the slagging we do on Harleys, I'm sure he'd have gotten by the bus in an instant, and certainly could have handled the corners quicker. But no, he seemed content to ride behind the thing, staring at a vast expanse of fiberglass.

And then it hit me - what strikes me as odd about Harley riders is that they don't take advantage of the inherent capabilities of motorcycles. They pretty much ride them like they were cars. To me, one of the main benefits of a bike is you can do things you couldn't (or wouldn't) possibly do in a car, like pass quickly, corner fast, or lane split.  But Harley riders seem to seldom do these things, and I just don't get why. Their bikes are certainly capable. Maybe it is a whole mindset that is alien to the Ducati rider. I dunno.

[desmoquattro]

 

Harley Riders...just cagers on two wheels.

[Itsasickness]

They are rolling couches

[ROBsS4R]

Sorry what is this about 

I got distracted by looking at Itsasickness avatar 

[Spidey]

It makes perfect sense to me.  A lot it has to do with the engine characteristics of those bikes and the ergos.

Cruisers go lump-lump-lump-lump.  It's actually more pleasurable to ride them at lower RPMs because of the feel and the vibration.  It's soothing.   You sit back with your feet up and your arms outstretched, not really making any sharp moves (or any moves at all).  It makes you wanna just . . . uh . . . cruise along.  It's a bit hypnotic.  And it's way different than a car, which has no real sensation when it just lopes along.

You're right that cruisers/Harleys don't take advantage of the physics of power to weight, etc.  But those bikes are about a different kind of riding -- just enjoying being out in the open on a lumpity-lump sounding/feeling moto.  It's just a different kinda fun.  Less adrenaline, to be sure (and less fun--much less--in my book).  But still fun.  On the right day, that'd totally be my cuppa tea.  

Two wheels good.  Four wheels bad.  [moto]

[Michael Moore]

It makes perfect sense to me.  A lot it has to do with the engine characteristics of those bikes and the ergos.

Cruisers go lump-lump-lump-lump.  It's actually more pleasurable to ride them at lower RPMs because of the feel and the vibration.  It's soothing.   You sit back with your feet up and your arms outstretched, not really making any sharp moves (or any moves at all).  It makes you wanna just . . . uh . . . cruise along.  It's a bit hypnotic.  And it's way different than a car, which has no real sensation when it just lopes along.

You're right that cruisers/Harleys don't take advantage of the physics of power to weight, etc.  But those bikes are about a different kind of riding -- just enjoying being out in the open on a lumpity-lump sounding/feeling moto.  It's just a different kinda fun.  Less adrenaline, to be sure (and less fun--much less--in my book).  But still fun.  On the right day, that'd totally be my cuppa tea.  

Two wheels good.  Four wheels bad.  [moto]

Yeah, you're prolly right. I'd take one over a car any day, but then I'd probably be trying to get a knee down on it too. 

[Drunken Monkey]

Alternatively, they know that passing a motor home on a Harley means trouble.

harley crash at deal's

[Speeddog]

That's a classic.

Dang, hope he was all right.

[Desmostro]

Alternatively, they know that passing a motor home on a Harley means trouble.

http://www.youtube.com

   Oh - it hurts it hurts RONTFLMAO  

No I apologizes for laughing at the pain of others which on a basic level I think is a little twisted, but that was M F funny.
It's just that he was going about 20 when he disappeared quietly into the ferns with a nice wide tarmac next to him.


You know it's not the cruising I don't get. Cruising - what ever. You go slow sometimes.
It's the brand identity that I have a problem with.
Did you hear the people in the RV. "Let's get out of here before they kick our asses."
Fat-assed 60 year olds are not going to kick anyone's ass.

They are so laughable with this "I'm too good to look at you and I'm a bad ass going 23MPH in a straight line with my custom leather tassels," brand.
This squeezing the last drop of blood out of the post war look - I don't get.
The 'it's really really loud and shiny and shakes like a freaking epileptic and always broken and costs are by the pound' I don't get.

[Michael Moore]

Funny video. I guess the whole "ride it like a car" thing is made up for by the "outlaw" thing. ("Don't stop, they're going to beat our asses.")

Some guys can ride some can't. The one's who can't make the brand look really stupid.

<glass house> Cough. Last MOB group ride </glass house>

[desmoquattro]

<glass house> Cough. Last MOB group ride </glass house>

Actually, that's an astute observation..from both you and Desmostro.

[Itsasickness]

I thought the view from the RV WAS the Harley riding

[Itsasickness]

Sorry what is this about 

I got distracted by looking at Itsasickness avatar 

I always feel its appropriate to honor Women who admire Ducati's, mmmmm nice personality 

[Desmostro]

I always feel its appropriate to honor Women who admire Ducati's, mmmmm nice personality 

It's just that the tan line on that model makes it look like a fairly new appreciation 

[Drunken Monkey]

I always feel its appropriate to honor Women who admire Ducati's, mmmmm nice personality 

Wait. That's not your butt?