The American Cruiser Brand of Rude

[2112]

Oddly enough on the Eastern side of the 'pond' we don't have that many Harley riders, probably due to the iffy weather and the abundance of corners - neither of which go particularly well with HD's. We do however have a penchant for sports bikes which are the biggest sellers in the UK (although this is dropping as people have finally discovered 'adventure' bikes). The 'power rangers' can often be an aloof bunch, sticking to their own hunch backed kin (speed hump leathers on the road, really ?), reciting tales of 170mph overtakes and near misses and generally talking shite. I find I get less waves and nod's from this crowd than the cruiser mob. I even had a wave from a GS owner the other day for heavens sake !

 

[Bryce]

we call Drunk mo-bills or Meth mo-bills

We call them "liquor-cycles" (pronounced Lik-or-cik-el)
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=liquor+cycle

Ahhhhhhhhhh, but we are. My son calls us Stormtroopers.......maybe not cool to Hardly riders, but cool to the younger crowd.

Kids think I'm cool on my bikes when I'm dressed up in my "world traveler" motorcycle costume. I get waved at all the time by kids.

 

[snakebitten]

I don't know. I can't get past the fact that I'd rather share the roads with my black-sheep brothers from another horse breed, than almost anybody in a cage.
Besides, they are so entertaining if you just stretch your comfort zone a bit.

By far, they have the most interesting fashion statements for the ladies. No genre even comes close.

 

[groundhog]

Oddly enough on the Eastern side of the 'pond' we don't have that many Harley riders, probably due to the iffy weather and the abundance of corners - neither of which go particularly well with HD's. We do however have a penchant for sports bikes which are the biggest sellers in the UK (although this is dropping as people have finally discovered 'adventure' bikes). The 'power rangers' can often be an aloof bunch, sticking to their own hunch backed kin (speed hump leathers on the road, really ?), reciting tales of 170mph overtakes and near misses and generally talking shite. I find I get less waves and nod's from this crowd than the cruiser mob. I even had a wave from a GS owner the other day for heavens sake !

::026:: Yes indeed, arrogant power rangers !! I had the misfortune to have a chat with one in a bike shop recently and I struggled not to yawn as he told me he was glad he only had a CBR600 as it gave him the chance to perfect his knee down style and power sliding out of corners ??? before he upgraded to a bigger plastic fantasic rocket ship :
And we have to share the roads with him and others like him !!

 

[TimLaw]

One type of rider I've learned to dislike is the ultra badass wannabee on a Harley. I put on a lot of miles and these are the only bikers that are too good to throw out a hand. Unfortunately, there is a dealer nearby that draws in the Harley flies like a Mecca of dog shit. About 10% will wave and the other guys put there nose in the air. I can't count the times I've looked them in the face and flipped them off. Some are cool, others are arrogant assholes. Around my area we have the legit "I"m a Felon biker" and the "I a biker wannabee with a Harley" The later is somewhat funny to see because every stitch of clothing is from HD to include all the little bells and whistles on their overpriced bikes...the same grease stain leaving bike that falls nearly in dead last for reliability right behind BMW's.

 

[OldRider]

I think the "wave" is highly overrated. I'll help you out if your broke down, give ya a few bucks for gas if needed, probably even give you a good solid nod if I'm not busy, but please don't get upset or feel neglected when I don't "wave".

 

[AVGeek]

I think the "wave" is highly overrated. I'll help you out if your broke down, give ya a few bucks for gas if needed, probably even give you a good solid nod if I'm not busy, but please don't get upset or feel neglected when I don't "wave".

I've also found the wave to be a regional thing. In California, nearly every rider waved, while here in Phoenix, hardly anyone ever does.

 

[2112]

In most of Europe a 'leg out' is the polite version of a wave, particularly in France. Almost all genre of bikers go for this but the cruiser boy's tend to give a low slung 'V' sign - meaning 'two wheels' not the UK version of a 'V' sign...

 

[Don in Lodi]

In most of Europe a 'leg out' is the polite version of a wave, particularly in France. Almost all genre of bikers go for this but the cruiser boy's tend to give a low slung 'V' sign - meaning 'two wheels' not the UK version of a 'V' sign...

Ha, I always thought it was a V-Twin thing.

 

[bigbob]

Some Vietnam Veteran riders consider it an upside down V or non-V for victory to remember those who did not come home.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Ah. That works. I'll remember that one. Along the same vein as an upside down flag...

 

[2112]

Ha, I always thought it was a V-Twin thing.

I think it's supposed to mean 'two wheels' ? I'll keep an eye out to see if I get three fingers from a trike pilot to confirm this theory !

 

[groundhog]

I think it's supposed to mean 'two wheels' ? I'll keep an eye out to see if I get three fingers from a trike pilot to confirm this theory !

How the hell do those truck drivers manage ? They must have fingers and toes going all over the place ??? ::025::

 

[2112]

Some are inbred, gives an extra finger and a bit of webbing ::013::

 

[Idahohigh]

::002::

 

[Balmorerider]

May I just add to this conversation that it is no big guess what those thugs in Waco, TX, are (were) riding who just had that big shoot-out yesterday?

Also, I find it rather ironic that The Company advertises their bikes as an expression of rugged individuality when what we have here is a definite herd mentality.

 

[cliffo]

Hahaha. This was a good read..!!

All my buddies ride HD's and I always tag along on the Super10. Never had any issues with the wave, I always wave regardless if they wave back. I even came upon a moped thingy one day. Guy looked like he was winning a race or something. Waved at him and he looked at me as if to say, what the h@ll do you want.. I had to laugh.
::021::

 

[2112]

May I just add to this conversation that it is no big guess what those thugs in Waco, TX, are (were) riding who just had that big shoot-out yesterday?

I saw that on the news over here (UK) as it was such a horrendous event. It seemed to have been brewing for a while from what I gather from the press ? Nasty business and it sadly makes all bikers look bad...

 

[snakebitten]

Yep, today, as I venture out on the road, it won't matter that I am on a Tenere, dressed in ADV gear, WEARING a helmet, and listening to Gospel on my ear buds.
I'll be one of those "bikers" to many.

Sad really. Selfish folks living in a world they think they rule.
Couldn't be more wrong.

Having said that, I woke to an amazing sunrise, the blue birds are perched by my campsite singing.
Seems they are unaware of it all.
Think I'll just ride in THEIR world today. Bit more peaceful.

 

[TNWalker]

Enjoy that ride snake ! ::008::



Steve ::022:: ::26::