The rules of the forum have my respect and preventing intentional nastiness is a no brainer, but it seems it is leaning a bit further towards PC regarding a few threads I've seen recently. I don't mean to make a criticism, just an observation.

I think my point is just wanting to know what kind of 'bashing other brands/rides' is considered to be insulting/acceptable? There has always been historical rivalry and respect between triumph and harley riders and riders from both sides have never withheld making remarks in the pub or at meetings in the fear that they might hurt the feelings of a rival brand owner, they are always made on the understanding that it is friendly banter and mickey taking.

There are insults and there is respected rivalry, I am sure a harley rider browsing these forums would not shed a tear if he saw his brand being described as agricultural or chromosexual, just as a Japanese sports bike rider browsing harley forums saw his brand being referred to as a organ donors, soulless or plastic fantastic.

At bike meetings i have been to, this friendly remark trade off is frantic, but on the understanding that we are all here for the same reason, and the respect grows from that people ride their own ride for their own reasons, and couldn't care less if other people think negative about it. My bonnie has been referred to as a pale imitation etc etc, I tell them what I think about their less than perfect (in my opinion) ride, and we end up having mutual respect, is this just a uk thing?

I enjoy laughing and joking about the white collar weekend around town fair weather fake tattooed harley riders, but is this generic generalization considered to be on the same level as a malicious insult?

On this site, we're respectful of anyone who rides a motorcycle - regardless of what they ride.

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I'm with you, Beast. It's part of the motorcycle culture, it's never really meant to deeply wound, and IMO some people need to get over their insecurities.

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http://youtube.com/user/ncyonder

The problem is that eventually someone does become offended. It would be incorrect to assume that everyone who rides a Triumph has the same beliefs and preferences.

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Originally Posted by Shawn

The problem is that eventually someone does become offended. It would be incorrect to assume that everyone who rides a Triumph has the same beliefs and preferences.

One can't go walking around on eggshells all the time, trying to avoid offending people. No matter how hard you try, people will still get offended. One would hope that a biker would be made of hardier stuff, and wouldn't weep at the first sign of a thought or opinion contrary to their own fragile view of the world. Just my $0.02.

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http://youtube.com/user/ncyonder

Well, I for one, when confronted with riding a "rice burner", just plan to respond "no, more like fish & chips"

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I for one will never give up banter, it is a cherished heritage in my country, has been ingrained into my psyche and I would very offended if I was made to give it up. PC is very bad in europe, and it actually ends up offending everyone, not that it has got to that level here of course not but I just hope there is a bit of common sense when reading a comment like 'those yuppie chromosexuals with a disposable income'. I for one cant even comprehend why that could be remotely offensive to any triumph rider with a sense of humour, let alone a harley rider who wouldn't dream of putting the hells angels to shame . If anyone is offended by jokes I make id always pm explaining the joke, and unless they are devoid of all positive emotion they would laugh it off.

Motorcyling is a game of "Mine's bigger that your's" And that is a fact. I hate HD's. But I have no problem riding with them. Most of my family and friends ride them. They're idiots. They bash my "jap-crap" and "brit-s**t" way more venomosly than anything I see on this sight.

Hell, look at the rivalry between bonneville riders and speedmaster/america riders. The moderators don't seem to upset by some of the vitriole spit between us. It's all in good fun, and the moderating is getting a little heavy to me. I don't mind the language being censored, but good natured ribbing is a part of life. If you can't take an insult to the brand of bike you ride, then you are in for a long life of depression and solitude. And good riddance to you.

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No one hands out medals for "keeping it real"- Torr

When life gives you lemons, you paint that s#*t gold!

I think we are all able to handle criticism about our love for Triumphs, none of us would be here if we weren't.

In the old days, we used to criticize other brands from a functional perspective.

For example, we would post something about a group ride where we had to wait on an Indian because it wouldn't start - he should have brought his Trident instead of that stupid cruiser.

Another example is when a rider had to turn around and help a Harley owner out of a ditch when he couldn't lean over far enough to keep up. The bike looked best on the trailer when it was being taken over for a trade-in on a Triumph.

Or another classic; She would have stopped and said hello if he wasn't riding that silly CBR - next time someone needs to loan him a Daytona.

If we took the above examples, and turned them into personal attacks, they may end with negative comments about the riders themselves - which is something we don't allow here.

Hope this helps.

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So poking fun at the guys with a disposable income, who ride glorified chromed out two wheeled agricultural machinery straight out of American choppper, equipped with fake tattoos, bandannas, the lot, and shout 'innit' or 'badass' at every traffic light or the guys who have a love affair with speed and plastic while us real motorcyclists keep their dignity isnt allowed? I don't consider that personal, as I am not picking out individuals by name, and not doubting their personal integritiy. There is a p!ss take for every group/sub group of people and I doubt it would ever get vindictive here, as we are triumph riders ie REAL MEN and know where the boundaries are!

http://www.capc.co.uk/ridiculous_pol...orrectness.htm

Take a look at this link to see how far it can go if lead down that path, it is hated by the general public in the UK. It might come to the point where the word chrome is banned because it might offend the bling patrol!

I have been on the receiving and giving end of p!ss take and think nothing of it, I know a kid who has just passed his test and rides an R6, hes a nice lad but he gets on my nerves riding up and down on that revving rocket, and I always tell him, with a nudge and a wink that I am praying for the day he ends up in a ditch, he respsonds by telling me a ride an old mans bike....then I tell him well anyone can go fast in a straight line etc etc its a night of entertainment for the people who listen to us!

But anyway in the future i cant change the general way I talk, as that upsets my freedom and its the way I am, although I never swear or be vindictive, but I will add the nudge nudge wink wink incase people might take it the wrong way. Ive said my piece though and cheers for your input guys.