Triumphrat

akenaten · 07-12-2007

I'm starting to wonder about the bashing of Harley owners. Now I'll admit that I've done some of that bashing myself. The gay pirate uniform wearing RUB that can't be bothered with other makes irritates me too. But what I find is that on the Harley sites I go to is that bashing other makes is a rarity. And when someone does it a lot of people defend the other brands. So I'm begining to wonder who are the real ***holes.
I frankly find more vitriol against other makes on this very site. The level of contempt for Harleys around here is amazing. Now I know that some are bashing the stuck-up RUBs. But many also bash the bikes themselves. That's what I find the most disconcerting.
I love my Bonnie just as much as I love my Sportster. But if we're going to start talking how "superior" Triumph is to other brands then some around here need a reality check. Yes a Daytona can beat a Dyna Or a Vrod in the curves. But can it beat a Gixxer? No it can't.
My point is that at least online I'm not finding the level of hatred and contempt in the harley community that I find here in the Triumph community. A rivalry is one thing. But what I'm reading around here is something else.
You may start flaming me at your leisure....

Catenaccio · 07-12-2007

Well said.

omaz · 07-12-2007

You'll get no flames from me. I pretty much agree with all you said and I'm glad someone finally said it.

miker · 07-12-2007

No flames from me either AK.

When I got up this morning it was about 45 deg F. I went to the garage this morning and looked at my Tiger. 6 months old, heated grips, screen all the mod cons to make a comfortable commute. Then I looked at the silver cover that hadn't been off my '82 Harley since April 24 and said "Bugger this, I love the old girl so much it's a shame to see her sit under covers for so long" So I ripped the covers off, put the key in and she fired first go. I rode her to work, which is about 35 miles. Sure, I missed the heated grips, and the screen, but I sure wasn't missing the Tiger's clinical nature. My Harley has been with me for 13 years, and is now 25 years old. It took me the same amount of time to get to work as if I was riding the Tiger. Two different bikes for two different moods. I'd hate to not have that choice......

Other riders looked at me funny, and I couldn't understand it until I met up with a mate who said "How come you're wearing a Dri-rider Summit jacket on a Harley?" I said, "why not? It's keeping me warm!"

I used to frequent the Harley Email Digest, which was a great source of info and has been going for three times what this forum has been going for. You won't find other brand bashing there, but you will find the old timers having a go at the RUBs and the gougers and the speculators who buy Harleys cheap and try to sell them on for a profit.

So what if Harleys dont handle, or their riders can't ride. Everyone here, at one stage or another has been on a poor handling bike. Everyone here at one stage or another has been a beginner.

As I said in another topic, luckily Harley is still going, if it wasn't all the Harley riders would be on Triumph Americas! Perish the thought! :-D

Let it be......
Mick

Yak · 07-13-2007

"Daytona can beat a Dyna Or a Vrod in the curves. But can it beat a Gixxer? No it can't."

Daytona 675 vs Gixxer 600 or 750... ...perhaps.

Greaser · 07-13-2007

Holy *****, where do I send the Kleenex?
Why do you care so much anyways?
Trying to validate your Sportster?

BTW I've owned both and the Harley was complete and utter rubbish. I'll bash 'em as much as a bloody well please.

[ This message was edited by: Greaser on 2007-07-12 23:42 ]

stevent · 07-13-2007

I've owned both, 5 Harleys and 3 Triumphs in fact, as well as 3 BMW's, 2 Suzuki's and 5 Honda's, 3 Kawasaki's, 3 Yamaha's, a CZ, a Bultaco, a Hodaka........I'm probably missing a few...

I like Harley's 'specially older ones.. you won't hear any bashing from me. What I don't like is the attitude some Harley owners have, mostly newbies, that their bikes are the be all and end all in motorcycling.

For the record I've had more reliability issues with Honda than anyone else and I put less miles on them than any other. The Triumphs Harley's and Suzuki's were virtually bullet proof with the BMW close behind.

Bashing Harleys is really just a sign of ignorance for the most part. If you've owned one and had problems then fine, fire away, if you're just repeating what you heard from a friends uncles cousins brothers sisters boyfriend then you're a fool.

:flam:

denman13 · 07-13-2007

akenaten, I don't think I've ever bashed a Hog here except maybe once or twice in light humor (no more than I've bashed myself a/o my own bike.)

I don't know that I see that many people bashing Harleys as much as perhaps the few who do, do so frequently. Hogs are problematic machines but this is hardly news and most Harley riders know this but ride them cos they love them. Not my first cup o tea but I begrudge no one who rides one. As long as they're not jerks (which is hardly an exclusively Harley club.)

If I had unlimited money (or at least a lot of it,) I might have a Hog in the garage just for kicks.

I'll admit though, I really have issues with the guys who ride through my neighborhood at 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning, hitting the throttle hard so the pipes blast their bone-shaking loudest. I mean, is that really necessary?

SlowPocono · 07-13-2007

My thinking is very much aligned with the sentiment of akenaten’s original post. Some motorcycles are better for some things than others but there is no such thing as a bad motorcycle.

I’ll offer a hypothesis concerning the observation that there is less “other brand” bashing on the Harley sites.

Might it be that the lower strata Harley types don’t even use the internet? I’ve witnessed the glee exhibited when these “Harley guys” talk about PHYSICALLY smashing, shooting and incinerating “rice burners” at fun get-togethers. These guys act out their hatred instead of posting on internet forums. Hell, they probably don’t even have computers, internet access or the capability of using a browser.

I guess what I’m suggesting is that our loveable Rat Net Harley bashers are either more technologically and intellectually adept or are capable of sublimating their desire to obliterate Harley Davidsons.

Our intolerants are better than their intolerants. Yippee!!! Rat Net Triumphs again!

I mean, I'm just sayin'... ya know?

KingBear · 07-13-2007

This is ridiculous. Shawn posted a similar thread some time ago but it was locked down before I had a chance to post a reply.

Yes, we make fun of Harley (and other) riders on this forum. I often refer to them as Bloody Pirates because of their all-black uniforms, etc. We goof on their elitist and exclusive attitude, and brand them as joiners and sheep.

But it's all meant in fun and tongue-in-cheek. I doubt that many (if any) TriumphRats have genuine hard feelings against Harley riders. I know I visit Harley shops and chat with riders. We exchange waves more often than not. There's no harm intended, and I read other's Harley-goofing posts with the same light-hearted tone with which I post my own. One of the shortcomings of this type of communication is that you are joining with people who you generally do not know, and you don't understand their sense of humor and cannot hear their tone of voice or see their facial expressions or gestures. It's just text on a screen, with a few smilies thrown in.

So lighten up, have some fun, and stop assuming that everything is mean-spirited. The only humor policing we need is identifying those who have none.

By the way... :moon:

[ This message was edited by: KingBear on 2007-07-13 10:12 ]