What a weekend...
I took home a Harley Davidson Springer 'Badboy' from the shop.
Strange how a person can be stereotyped by the motorcycle they ride.
I wore an open face helmet and had grown a small goatee.
I rode from Vic Park, City Beach, Scarborough, Swan Valley, Toodjay, Bindoon, Chittering, Muchea and back to Scarbs.
I saw a few Sportbikes along the way. I gave the wave to them all, nil acknowledgement received.
When I returned to Scarbs that night, there were about 10 Sportbikes parked in the usual position.
Now when I've normally pulled up on a Sportsbike at Scarbs, fellow motorcycle riders say hello whether they have met you before or not.
Not one person approached to say hello, I just received filthy looks from the other riders, in disgust that a 'Harley' was parked near there Japanese machines.
I recognised some of the faces of the other riders as past customers from the shop. In the past they have come into the shop after hours if I have been working late and chew the fat.
Did they not recognise me? Or could they not look past the fact that I was on a 'Harley' and couldn't be bothered to say gday.
To prove my point, the detailer from Causeway Honda was even there with her husband. Again no acknowledgement or greeting.
Now when I finally walked up to her, she looked startled and said "Oh its you, I didn't realise it was you".
Why do people stereotype or typecast people by the motorcycle they ride?
From where I stand a Motorcycle Rider is a fellow Motorcycle Rider no matter what type of motorcycle he chooses to ride.
I ride all different disciplines of Motorcycles each dat to and from work.
Depending upon which bike I ride, I receive different treatment from fellow riders and other motorists.
Perth is too small a place and community to have 'factions' of riders due to the style of bike they ride.
Isn't this the main reason people choose to ride. As so they don't have to conform to the norms of society and experience the freedom we all feel whilst riding. Nothing beats the wind in the face.
So why then do riders become so hell bent up upon creating these divisions amongst the riding community.
I'm not including the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG'S). That is a completely separate issue.
I find people who criticise others because of their 'personal choice' of motorcycle or fashion sense etc, don't have the courage or confidence within themselves to stand up and out of the norm, freely speak their mind and make a decision that may not be widely accepted for fear of 'peer pressure' from fellow collegues or friends.
For example;
Those who bag Harleys;
Ask yourself this question.
1. Have you ever ridden a Harley. And ridden I mean ridden. Nice long windy country road etc.
(Don't come back with a lame response of "I haven't ridden a Harley because I have no desire to!")
You can't criticise what you haven't experienced.
Yes I agree a Harley is no Sportsbike but it was never designed to be.
They are a Cruiser. To which they do a fantastic job of, 'cruising' so in turn Harley have done a great job in creating a motorcycle in its design frame.
So because a person chooses to ride a Harley because he enjoys 'cruising' rather than 'going hard an fast, country style' as Warp Speed puts it, does he deserve to be treated any different.
I think not.
Don't be so narrow minded and acknowledge all fellow riders no matter what the person chooses to ride.
Next weekend I will be riding a sportsbike, so maybe I'll be spoken to again if I turn up to Scarborough.
Out of all of this though I have gained a full understanding of why people buy and ride Harley's.
I have also confirmed my reasons though for not owning one!
I took home a Harley Davidson Springer 'Badboy' from the shop.
Strange how a person can be stereotyped by the motorcycle they ride.
I wore an open face helmet and had grown a small goatee.
I rode from Vic Park, City Beach, Scarborough, Swan Valley, Toodjay, Bindoon, Chittering, Muchea and back to Scarbs.
I saw a few Sportbikes along the way. I gave the wave to them all, nil acknowledgement received.
When I returned to Scarbs that night, there were about 10 Sportbikes parked in the usual position.
Now when I've normally pulled up on a Sportsbike at Scarbs, fellow motorcycle riders say hello whether they have met you before or not.
Not one person approached to say hello, I just received filthy looks from the other riders, in disgust that a 'Harley' was parked near there Japanese machines.
I recognised some of the faces of the other riders as past customers from the shop. In the past they have come into the shop after hours if I have been working late and chew the fat.
Did they not recognise me? Or could they not look past the fact that I was on a 'Harley' and couldn't be bothered to say gday.
To prove my point, the detailer from Causeway Honda was even there with her husband. Again no acknowledgement or greeting.
Now when I finally walked up to her, she looked startled and said "Oh its you, I didn't realise it was you".
Why do people stereotype or typecast people by the motorcycle they ride?
From where I stand a Motorcycle Rider is a fellow Motorcycle Rider no matter what type of motorcycle he chooses to ride.
I ride all different disciplines of Motorcycles each dat to and from work.
Depending upon which bike I ride, I receive different treatment from fellow riders and other motorists.
Perth is too small a place and community to have 'factions' of riders due to the style of bike they ride.
Isn't this the main reason people choose to ride. As so they don't have to conform to the norms of society and experience the freedom we all feel whilst riding. Nothing beats the wind in the face.
So why then do riders become so hell bent up upon creating these divisions amongst the riding community.
I'm not including the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG'S). That is a completely separate issue.
I find people who criticise others because of their 'personal choice' of motorcycle or fashion sense etc, don't have the courage or confidence within themselves to stand up and out of the norm, freely speak their mind and make a decision that may not be widely accepted for fear of 'peer pressure' from fellow collegues or friends.
For example;
Those who bag Harleys;
Ask yourself this question.
1. Have you ever ridden a Harley. And ridden I mean ridden. Nice long windy country road etc.
(Don't come back with a lame response of "I haven't ridden a Harley because I have no desire to!")
You can't criticise what you haven't experienced.
Yes I agree a Harley is no Sportsbike but it was never designed to be.
They are a Cruiser. To which they do a fantastic job of, 'cruising' so in turn Harley have done a great job in creating a motorcycle in its design frame.
So because a person chooses to ride a Harley because he enjoys 'cruising' rather than 'going hard an fast, country style' as Warp Speed puts it, does he deserve to be treated any different.
I think not.
Don't be so narrow minded and acknowledge all fellow riders no matter what the person chooses to ride.
Next weekend I will be riding a sportsbike, so maybe I'll be spoken to again if I turn up to Scarborough.
Out of all of this though I have gained a full understanding of why people buy and ride Harley's.
I have also confirmed my reasons though for not owning one!

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