Does it really matter what kind of motorcycle a person rides? I’d like to think the answer to that question is a resounding, “Hell, No!” Unfortunately, if you listen to how some motorcyclists talk about one another you might think differently. It amazes me that there’s not more camaraderie within the motorcycle community. I was on the /r/motorcycles sub-Reddit the other day when I came across a thread discussing the customary motorcyclist wave. The consensus seemed to be that Harley riders are pompous assholes that never wave to anyone but other Harley riders. As a Harley rider that waves to everyone, I was a little surprised. Almost to a person, the Sport bike riders who had commented related horrific stories about how they had been wronged by a poser on a Harley. All I could think is, “really”?
It’s sad that any one group of riders would disparage another. But, I suppose their perception is their reality and the fact is I have heard a few Harley riders make unkind remarks about those who ride “Jap” bikes…or basically any bike that isn’t a Harley-Davidson. As bikers, we should all accept some good-natured ribbing about our rides but we should avoid becoming mean-spirited and ugly about it.
Regardless of what we ride, we’re still a part of a unique and exciting community…and we shouldn't forget that fact. I don’t care what type of bike you ride as long as you ride. If I see you on the road, I’ll wave. I can only hope you’ll wave back and acknowledge that we're both part of something bigger than ourselves. We’re part of a community that loves life and knows better than most what true freedom is all about.
Let’s work harder at accepting and respecting one another. Let’s live free and ride hard!
I see all kind of bike riders waving, some a lower wave usually Harley guys, sometimes a little higher wave, usually other types of bikes. I wave back all the time and sometimes I wave after they start the wave. I don't care what anyone rides as long as you ride.
ReplyDeleteGeorge, it is interesting watching people and how they acknowledge each other. I always try to wave at passing bikers...on occasion I've missed a couple because I didn't see them but that's the exception. ~Curt
DeleteCurt,
DeleteI wrote about this (and I wasn't very sweet about it) on my blog here:
http://www.sashmouth.com/2013/03/not-even-nod.html
I've lightened up lately, realizing that California has the most assholishness riders in the country (thus far). I realized over some time that a wave is something I give, not something I give to get something. So now when I wave I don't care if someone waves back. I feel much better about the whole thing.
Yes, I agree that "As bikers, we should all accept some good-natured ribbing about our rides but we should avoid becoming mean-spirited and ugly about it." My Dad, God rest his soul, rode a Harley his whole adult life and would never even consider riding a metric bike. He referred to them as "Rice Grinders" and kept a handful of rice in his pocket. When he pulled beside one at a stop light he would drop rice on the ground and shout, "Hey, your bike is leaking!" He thought that was pretty funny, as did I at the time.
Let me also say my Dad was a 1%er and when a man is wearing his cut, most people don't give a guy like that any shit. If he was alive today he would be proud I ride and he would probably be more open to metric bikes just because I was riding one. So we can all grow and learn.
Lastly I want to address the word "Jap" with you. You may or may not know that my hubs is Japanese. He doesn't mind the slang word, but many Japanese people do, including his mother. I was relating a story about a Japanese interment camp and mentioned the signs that had that word in them. She was really hurt by that word. To her it was as racist as nigger, dago, spic, camel jockey, or chink. For some reason we have all become used to the phrase Jap Bike and it is socially acceptable, and really I understand. I'm not here to reeducate anyone because it makes sense to me why this is so common. Just use that phrase with caution, because it can be very hurtful.
I personally hate the word, but I'll only kick your ass if you say it in front of me. ;-)
Smooches,
Sash
www.Sashmouth.com
Sash,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the story about your dad. I can picture the scene clearly in my mind and can imagine how intimidating he must have been...I bet no one ever said anything about the rice.
I understand what you mean about words being hurtful and want you to know that I didn't use the slang to be derogatory but to reflect what I've heard within the motorcycle community. It's not slang that I use in normal conversation.
My wife is half-Japanese and I have nothing but respect for my mother-in-law. She was a wonderful woman. I'm not sure how she felt about it, but imagine she didn't appreciate folks using the slang either.
Hey, don't forget to remind me when you guys visit to keep a handful of rice in my pocket...I'll throw some down and tell you that Katie Scarlet is leaking. :-) ~Curt
Oooooh, I'm starting to like you more and more Curt!! ;)
DeleteI knew you didn't mean it hurtful. Nor did I mean the other slang terms in a hurtful manner.
To be honest, I think we've all become a bunch of pansies (not the first word I chose) with all this hurt-feelings business. If I get hurt I tell ya, bitch ya out a little, find a way to be fine with it inside myself, realize the problem is mine, and mine alone, and get the hell over it. Expectations of others always leads to disappointment.
:) Yeah, try the rice trick on me son-of-a-bitch and we'll see how long that Harley stays upright!
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Smooches,
Sash
ReplyDeleteGreat post Curt. As in any other groups in this world, there are friendly folks and there are the assholes. I've had just as many waves as non-waves from every bike family out there (Harley, Sportbike, BMW, etc...). Agree though that we need to concentrate more on the ties that bind us together than our different choices of bike manufacturer.
As a board member for ABATE of Wisconsin, I can tell you that the government doesn't care what kind of motorcycle you ride. There are a whole slew of new regulations coming down the pipe to restrict our freedoms. If we can't come together to fight for the common good, then our lifestyle will die.
BTW... I ride a Harley and I will wave at anyone on two wheels. See ya on the road.
We had this same discussion with a local riding group. For the most part w all wave at any other bike, riding permitted. What does that mean? Simply put: if our waving (left) hand is free. Sometimes it's not.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I agree, I see less communication back from HD riders. Not all, but most. having friends with Harleys it's almost seen as a status symbol among riders of HDs that they ride HDs. Everyone else is in a lower class of rider as far as they're concerned, whether you put 1000 or 50,000 miles on your bike in a year. If you don't ride a Harley you don't ride a motorcycle.
I can bring this in to focus with the story of a former friend Kevin. When I bought my first bike, a Ninja 600r, he rode a Yamaha R6. We rode a couple of times but not often due to my newness and his years of riding. After a few months when I was more comfortable on the bike I asked if he wanted to go riding.
He said no.
Why?
Because he was on a HD now. He'd sold his R6, bought a Harley and could now only hang out in Harley bars, with Harley rider wearing Harley accessories. He wouldn't ride with non-HD riders and spent the next year trying to get me to change from a sportbike to a HD.
A friend of mine is also a huge HD fanatic. She's never owned or piloted a motorcycle but preferred being on the back of another's ride. Her first experience with a non-HD bike was a 300hp Hayabusa.
At her house once, I was reading a coffee table book about the history of the HD from WWII until the late 80s. In it was a quote I'll never forget. I can't recall the name of the guy who was quoted but he was one of the founding members of the Hell's Angels. In his quote he sai something like, "We rode Harley's because they were made in America. Had we known the Japanese bikes were better quality, we would have rode them."
Personally, I think if you're riding, you're riding. It doesn't matter what you're riding (unless it's a Yamaha, then you're a douche). :P
Jason, I can understand why Kevin is a former friend. I can only say that not everyone who rides a Harley is like that...I know I'm not and neither are the folks in my local HOG Chapter. It's good to know that there are people like you who don't lump all Harley riders in the same category. I think as Harley-Davidson attracts younger riders, we'll see some of the old attitudes improve. At the end of the day you're right on, "if you're riding, you're riding...it doesn't matter what you're riding". ~Curt
Deletewhat about the jap bike mc thatattacked the family in the SUV... Even the Hells Angels are shocked by the NY biker gang who attacked SUV driver in front of his wife and toddler, with one member saying it was 'appalling
DeleteI've been riding since the mid 70's. From Harley's to Honda's, it doesn't matter what you ride, just ride. I wave to them all.
ReplyDelete