do you know why you should never disrespect a true harley rider?

I am a veteran, I am also a PGR rider, and belong to an MC club with 500 members. You have to remember that the whole "culture" of the biker began after world war 2. Returning veterans needed excitement and danger, the calm civilian life was killing them. Plus they were used to the camaraderie of belonging to a group of like minded people. So they founded the Hells angels and other clubs. Yes, they have changed over the years to the fighting gangs, the drug gangs etc, but they still shared the same begining. Most people associate a harley with the word "biker". But many biker clubs now allow japanese bikes like the big hondas in the club. Plus, british bikes (triumph) have always been accepted as a "real" bike. I've owned 26 bikes in 42 years of riding. Some I loved and wish I still had, others I hated and would never own again. I rode dirt bikes, crotch rockets, cruisers, baggers, customs and touring bikes. I don't care what a person rides, as long as they ride, and don't run their mouth against other bikes or riders. I stop and offer help to anyone on any bike. Unless I'm deep in thought, I toss a wave at any rider. Yes I ride a Harley (my last five have all been harley's). And yes it is a big touring bike that is like riding a couch down the road at 80mph. It turns out 30HP more than it did stock, later on I will bump it up another 50HP or so. I don't want some kind of a racer, that is not my thing anymore, I got that out of my system long ago. but I do enjoy the extra ponies when I need them. I don't apoligies for dropping $30,000 on a special edition bike. If you can't deal with that, go suck an egg for all I care. I've earned the money to buy that bike, and I've paid my dues. At just under 6'3" 300lbs with a shaved head and numerous tattoo's, I am an ex cop, an ex weight lifter and I don't give a damn about presenting some image .I ride what I want and I enjoy the hell out of it. I've ridden 1500 miles on a hard tail and pissed koolaide for a month because of the bruised kidneys. I've ridden 1000 miles on a crotch rocket and had my back so stiff It hurt to stand up. But I can ride 2000 miles on my Ultra and still be just as pain free and relaxed as when I started. No, that's not true, I'm more relaxed when I finish the ride. But I have done the same thing on other brands of bikes too. Gold wings, BMW's, Brit bikes, Kawasaki's etc. So I am with you on your sentiments. Ignore youngsters like skippy (magz), some day they will grow up and figure it out for themselves. Meantime, they hide in annonymity and run off at the mouth. In real life, they tip toe around a real biker because they know what would happen if they really did mouth off to one. By the way, I'm adding a star because I found your question to be thought provoking, and I like what you are saying. My family is diverse in MC choices. My oldest son (26) rides a big Yamaha crotch rocket, My middle son (21) rides a Kawasaki ninja and my daughter (17) rides an HD nite rod. As soon as all these kids stop running down other riders or other bikes, the better it will be for all of us.

Riding is very personal to me. I have owned 2 yams, 1honda, and 2 harleys. I ride a 2000 bagger with 52,000 miles on it, most of those miles put on during iron butt trips I make riding the Rockies. I have met so many awsome people, on my trips. Some rode Harleys, some Hondas, Suzukis etc........

One of my fondest memories was that of a 72 year old biker I met up with at a rest stop near Lacrosse Wi. He told me how he always wanted to travel on a bike, but never found time, so he was making up for lost time. He had been on the rode for a month and you could tell as he was pretty weathered.

We traveled together for a whole day and well into the evening. I was heading for Sturgis and he was going on to Alaska.

I have rode from Chicago to Glacier National Park and thought I set the world on fire. This old guy was doing Alaska!!

For the record he was doing this on an Interstate(Honda) and was planning on riding the entire summer.

Yeah, at 49 I have made some great trips and thankful for the

chance to do so. In my mind that guy, on his Honda, is doing what I wanna do when I grow up, he is a biker.

What you ride don't define who you are.

One reason why so many true american heros ride Harleys is because Harley has been part of military for years.They have done what they can to accomadate the military and everyone else serving our country and community(police,firemen)The miltary even asked them to make an enduro and they got together with ktm and built an enduro.I own a harley and I will be the first to say there are idiots are harleys that will look down on you if you ride another brand,Dont judge us all by a few inmature guys or kids that prob let ther bike sit in the garage more then they ride just to say I own a Harley.

Great post, I think it would be great to be able to say most people respect the rider not the ride. I chose to ride a Harley, but have no issues with other makes, we are all on two wheels. I will generally wave back as long as it is safe to do so.

As for the military part, it would be interesting to see how many veterans ride and post here. I am a veteran of the first gulf war, USMC 1989-1993.

Edit: Randy C (below) - great post!

Well, I agree with you, to a degree. Being a Harley rider has nothing to do with the behavior or attitude. In your third paragraph you mentioned "old/true HD rider." Well, old & true is the most important part and applies to anyone regardless of their bike. And really, true is even the most important. Because a young person, like my self as I am 24, can be a true rider and have respect for all riders and all people in general. Old men still have a lot to learn and they can learn it from someone half their age, even if they ride a Suzuki Hayabusa and are 20 years old. And the same is true for young people, we have a lot to learn from older riders. But being a true rider is the golden ingredient.

Dude thats great. But what bike a guy ride does not make the person. I know people like that, that don't even ride a motorcycle. It sounds like your saying if you ride a Harley your a great human being. I guarantee your dad would be cool on a moped.

I've been riding motorcycles since I was 13 yeras old, all kinds,all sizes.I now own & ride a 1975 Sportster XLH, a 2003 FLSTC Heritage Softail, & a 1975 Bultaco Pursang.

I am also a Vietnam vet (1970 --1971). Most HD riders I know give back the same they receive... We'll treat you like like you treat us...

LOL, Somehow I don't feel my Honda Rebel 250 makes me any less of a "true/blue" rider than some guy on a hog. LOL, I have owned a few bikes and they have all been "rice burners". I wave at everyone riding and if they don't wave back its no skin off my nose. Ride Safe.

Not exactly sure what your question is, but your statement is right on man! Since Harley don't make dirt or small bikes any longer most all Harley riders started out on jap bikes themselves. I ride a Harley and belong to a club and it is my opinion that no mater what bike you ride "RESPECT EARNS RESPECT"

Honestly I dont care what you ride I respect you for being a rider. I feel like we are all a rare breed out for a little extra thrill. Its those car drivers I worry about. But no matter what you do people are still going to hate.