Boofer wrote on 06/07/11 at 17:14:20:


Thats me too - I ride alone, and enjoy it for ME.  There are several MC rider groups here, but I'm not interested.
And thankfully I have no one to impress so its all good!

I agree with the majority of what has been said here.... I love this group!  I've said it over and over for years... I am a motorcyclist, not a biker and have lived by the philosophy of "be true to what you own, be true to yourself, and be proud to ride it the way you choose".

Where I live is "snob" central for HD and other biker wanna-be's.  We have a huge HD dealership out next to the freeway with a Hooter's next to it so it becomes a major stop for most riders.  Especially during the summer and of course Sturgis week.  Our town is the gateway to Estes Park and the Rockies, so you get to see and experience all kinds believe me.  However, I do my thing, my way and try to be courteous, but I could care less what others think of me or my bike.  To each their own and I wish them all the best.

LA -

I've enjoyed our political debates on the Tall Table, and I'm with you in most of your comments here.

I don't do the "bar thing" because I won't ride any bike after even one drink or beer - motorcycles are risky enough without any degree of impairment on the part of the rider.  I treat my bike riding like I do my flying - neither is done in stormy weather, at night anymore, nor after drinking anything alcoholic.

However, I don't automatically dislike HD riders anymore than I would someone who chooses to drive a Buick.  The fact that I don't care for either of those vehicles doesn't make someone who does any more or less to me.  Each to his own - I drive a manual car, but I know I'm in the distinct minority.

Nor do I think a BMW rider is necessarily a snob; could be, but maybe he's a guy who knows and appreciates engineering, but it on two or four wheels.

Also, to whoever mentioned it, not all lawyers who ride bikes are wannabies.  A female lawyer friend of mine in Chicago has a Sportster, not a Road King, and is a very down to earth person.

I've talked to a lot of folks who own HDs as their first bikes.  They made that choice for many of the same reasons they may buy a Ford or GM car - they don't really know engineering, dealers are plentiful if you have a problem on the road, and maint. shops are everywhere that can work on them.  If you're not a wrench yourself, like I am not, accessibility to maint. shops can be very important to a buyer.  That's one reason I bought my S40 rather than a new Royal Enfield.  Even though I love the heritage of RE, and their new bikes are reasonably reliable, the nearest RE dealer is 60 miles from me.

Have fun.

I don't dislike "bikers".  I think dressing up in all the GEAR^TM is a little silly, but if that's what you like ...

I wave back at everybody.  If they don't wave it doesn't hurt my feelings anymore than if i meet a fellow subaru driver who doesn't wave!
 I initiate the wave if i meet someone on a cold, rainy or otherwise miserable day on the way to work - i figure they're kind of like me

I ride alone and wave at everyone. Wave at kids on their bicycles, it makes their day. [/quote]

And don't forget to give a toot on the horn. Then their parents will see you and wave back. It's a contagious kinda thing.  

I know a lot of Harley riders that are good regular folks! It's the "Harley Lemmings" out there spending their money trying to buy their reputation that I have the beef with! I don't do the bar to bar stuff, I dress in jeans and plain grey t-shirts and I RIDE! If they don't like it, they got three other directions to look!

I wave at anybody on 2 wheels,.. anybody that looks at me on 4 wheels,.. kids,...
...even dogs...  
... cats never look...
...