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CVO Social => Other Topics => Topic started by: VMAX-VROD on June 08, 2021, 11:24:44 PM

Title: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 08, 2021, 11:24:44 PM
I have a number of CVO Harleys and other bikes from most other manufacturers, as I have for years.

I’m not a test rider. I generally know exactly what I want and just buy it. But the local Harley dealership recently had a Demo Day, and there were a few models I wondered if I had any interest in. So I decided to take the day and go ride several of the new models, particularly the Panamerica and the latest CVOs.

I had showed up on my 2020 Yamaha VMAX and parked it innocuously in the row of customer bikes participating in the Demo Day. After the last ride, a California-transplant Harley rider was yammering on and on about how big a gearhead he was and his Street Glide was putting down a massive 105HP/TQ while his VRod was a monster putting down 120HP.

He said no one knew what a quick/fast Harley was because Harley guys don’t want to talk about VRods. So I responded that I’d talk to him about VRods, and he continued his spew about how superior he was and his bike was to anything else on the road. I just nodded and let him be ignorant for a bit. Then I told him I rode to the Demo Day on my little metric over there, and pointed to the VMAX.

He said, “Isn’t that a 4 cylinder?” I nodded yes. He said he really wanted to run it stoplight to stoplight, because he really thinks his VRod will put it down. I asked where his VRod was, and he said he’d ridden the Street Glide today. He then said I wouldn’t ever get anyone to ride with me if I had a VMAX. Or at least not anyone cool, as he put it.  I said I didn’t really have any trouble finding others to ride with me, regardless what I was riding. And I do have a decent collection of CVO bikes.

He said he wanted to get together for a drag race soon. He’s very sure his 120HP VRod will show taillights to my 174HP VMAX. I continue to be amazed at the stupidity and vanity of mankind, no matter where it comes from. Owning a CVO VRod with 118HP, I’m quite familiar with the comparative performance of the VRod and VMAX. It’s not even the same universe, street or track.

I just wish the Harley community as a whole had a better index of objective truth relative to performance metrics for all kinds of bikes. 100-130HP Harley baggers aren’t the pinnacle of performance. They are what they are, which isn’t a bad thing. But it takes a lot for a Harley bagger to run with a stock BMW K1600, much less something much stronger. I don’t get why there’s such intentional cognitive bias about performance amongst Harley riders. I doubt many of them are cross-shopping Superbikes for realistic purchases. The race replicas weigh under 450# wet and are putting down over 200HP at the tire when flashed and piped. That’s a different world.

Any comments? (Please, no more Cali braggarts.)
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Twolanerider on June 08, 2021, 11:46:06 PM
You've got more patience than I do for staying in the conversation as long as you did.  The whole "mine is bigger/faster/whatever" just bores and has for a long long time.  I just never really cared what anyone else rode or how anyone else felt about mine.  I like mine.  They make me happy.  That's good enough for me.  If someone else feels anywhere kinda/sorta the same we'll go riding and drink a beer.  If they can't shut up about all the rest of the noise I'll get on my slow old stock bike and ride the other way.

Not sure if age brings cranky or wisdom.  But it works for me :2vrolijk_21: .
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 08, 2021, 11:54:43 PM
You've got more patience than I do for staying in the conversation as long as you did.  The whole "mine is bigger/faster/whatever" just bores and has for a long long time.  I just never really cared what anyone else rode or how anyone else felt about mine.  I like mine.  They make me happy.  That's good enough for me.  If someone else feels anywhere kinda/sorta the same we'll go riding and drink a beer.  If they can't shut up about all the rest of the noise I'll get on my slow old stock bike and ride the other way.

Not sure if age brings cranky or wisdom.  But it works for me :2vrolijk_21: .

Exactly. I would’ve never brought up performance or my VMAX. The day was about the new H-D models and the Demo ride. Let’s just talk about human stuff and leave the genital comparisons to the animal world. I’d rather have heard what he thought about what he rode in the demo run. I won’t be contacting him for a street race.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: dayne66 on June 09, 2021, 12:08:25 AM
  If someone else feels anywhere kinda/sorta the same we'll go riding and drink a beer.

But......what kind of beer?    hahaha
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: OBB on June 09, 2021, 06:12:19 AM
Lemme guess. His SG was black wasn't it?
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Hondo2doc on June 09, 2021, 09:34:30 AM
Well that exchange was interesting to say the least.

Well us men (we’re all boys inside) all have a little of the “mine is bigger, faster, stronger, taller, better than yours” in us. To some degree.

To me I don’t care what you ride or how fast or who makes it. If you like the wind in your face then that works for me.

Also sounds like that boy forgot one key rule. I don’t care who you are or how bad ass or fast you think you are..........somewhere, some place there is someone badder or faster. Just the way it it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: TN on June 09, 2021, 10:43:17 AM
I use to be a shy quiet guy on discussions like that, I get louder and more obnoxious than the instigator now, unless I’m the instigator.    :drink:


Just a phase I reckon


Lets ride!
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: iski on June 09, 2021, 11:02:29 AM
Unless I find those "mine is so much faster than yours" conversations humorous - sometimes they are but usually unintentionally - I find Something Else To Do.  As a young whippersnapper I can recall a lot of those conversations where I was an active participant, and the races that followed, but as time went on they became mostly boring. 

Will offer this:  A lot of Harley owners/riders I know only ride with other Harleys.  In the Harley rider world, some Harleys eat other Harleys for lunch.  And some Harley riders get - shall we say - "opinionated" about it.  Which is my nice way of saying - assholes.  But in the non Harley world, much of the time Harleys are the lunch. Have observed this a number of times, and sometimes is accompanied by Harley rider loss excuses which becomes sort of pathetic  sooner than later.

Don't get me wrong, I like Harleys. A lot.  Have owned other brands, each bike has a purpose is the way I have looked at it always.  As for me & Harley, that has never been the "fastest bike on the street deal."  To each their own.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: tazmun on June 09, 2021, 11:35:58 AM
Lemme guess. His SG was black wasn't it?
And you have something against Black, Mike?😁
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: 2smoke on June 09, 2021, 01:13:53 PM
I found this story extremely humorous. I own 5 different brands of bikes at this very moment and I enjoy every one of them. I am always entertained by braggers and douche bags that tell tall tales. I've encountered "that guy" you mention in your story a bunch of times. I go to bike night at my local drag strip several times over the summer. I always invite "that guy" to line his bike up next to mine for a run down the 1320. Most never show. One showed up but made excuses why he couldn't run that night. I'd bet my morning coffee that guy wouldn't show-up either. And one more thing... if you think a V-Rod is fast you have NEVER ridden a fast bike.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Twolanerider on June 09, 2021, 04:34:13 PM
Fast bikes are why mine stay stock.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  It avoids all kinds of escalating levels of stupid.  Now if you want to chat all the details of the variations of stock and how we got that way; well, that's beer time again.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 09, 2021, 05:53:59 PM
Lemme guess. His SG was black wasn't it?

Oddly, his Street Glide was white with all black trim and accessories. It looked kinda weird the way he did it.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 09, 2021, 05:55:58 PM
Well that exchange was interesting to say the least.

Well us men (we’re all boys inside) all have a little of the “mine is bigger, faster, stronger, taller, better than yours” in us. To some degree.

To me I don’t care what you ride or how fast or who makes it. If you like the wind in your face then that works for me.

Also sounds like that boy forgot one key rule. I don’t care who you are or how bad ass or fast you think you are..........somewhere, some place there is someone badder or faster. Just the way it it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Absolutely true. Two wheels and in the wind is all that really matters. Slow or fast, Imperial or metric is all irrelevant except for personal purchase preferences.

And there’s always someone faster, for sure.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 09, 2021, 05:56:59 PM
I use to be a shy quiet guy on discussions like that, I get louder and more obnoxious than the instigator now, unless I’m the instigator.    :drink:


Just a phase I reckon


Lets ride!

I think I will be next time. I’m really tired of this mindset. Let’s just ride.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 09, 2021, 05:58:22 PM
Unless I find those "mine is so much faster than yours" conversations humorous - sometimes they are but usually unintentionally - I find Something Else To Do.  As a young whippersnapper I can recall a lot of those conversations where I was an active participant, and the races that followed, but as time went on they became mostly boring. 

Will offer this:  A lot of Harley owners/riders I know only ride with other Harleys.  In the Harley rider world, some Harleys eat other Harleys for lunch.  And some Harley riders get - shall we say - "opinionated" about it.  Which is my nice way of saying - assholes.  But in the non Harley world, much of the time Harleys are the lunch. Have observed this a number of times, and sometimes is accompanied by Harley rider loss excuses which becomes sort of pathetic  sooner than later.

Don't get me wrong, I like Harleys. A lot.  Have owned other brands, each bike has a purpose is the way I have looked at it always.  As for me & Harley, that has never been the "fastest bike on the street deal."  To each their own.

So well said. :)
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 09, 2021, 06:00:26 PM
I found this story extremely humorous. I own 5 different brands of bikes at this very moment and I enjoy every one of them. I am always entertained by braggers and douche bags that tell tall tales. I've encountered "that guy" you mention in your story a bunch of times. I go to bike night at my local drag strip several times over the summer. I always invite "that guy" to line his bike up next to mine for a run down the 1320. Most never show. One showed up but made excuses why he couldn't run that night. I'd bet my morning coffee that guy wouldn't show-up either. And one more thing... if you think a V-Rod is fast you have NEVER ridden a fast bike.

Exactly. But man was it a word-fest. This kind of guy never shuts up. Or at least not until he gets older, I suppose.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 09, 2021, 06:02:35 PM
Fast bikes are why mine stay stock.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  It avoids all kinds of escalating levels of stupid.  Now if you want to chat all the details of the variations of stock and how we got that way; well, that's beer time again.

Sounds rational and reasonable to me.

I’m used to these convos happening when I pull up on something really quick/fast. I’m not as used to listening to this stuff before they even see what you’re riding to know what they’re challenging.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: RivRaptor on June 09, 2021, 06:08:32 PM
Yeah, lets ride instead of trying to insult people on where they live.  Must be a newbie thing!  ,)
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: spook120 on June 09, 2021, 07:20:10 PM
My first response was one of wonderment if the OP was old enough to even ride much less race....
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 09, 2021, 10:36:59 PM
My first response was one of wonderment if the OP was old enough to even ride much less race....

Are you mistaken and referring to the Demo ride douchebag or are actually referring to me?
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Yellow09SERG on June 09, 2021, 10:57:36 PM
I have to laugh every time someone starts taking race. I daughters boyfriend rides a busa and if that isn't enough it's on the bottle too. He used to give me crap about racing him all the time. He is young like we all were once. Guess thats while he still rides a busa. Just for amusement one night I agreed to race him but it had to be on my terms. He was all over it. So the rules I asigned was starting line was the stop light on main street and green would be our light. First one to Beale Street, roughly 700 miles from here would be the winner. Didn't take him long for a kid to figure out who would win. If you in the wind you are good and every scoot out there has a purpose. I didn't want any part of him stop light to stop light and he didn't want anything to do with a slow old bagger once you started stretching out the days. Upside is doesn't matter if we are in town riding, or we are out riding for the day, the speed or the stops for rest always caterer to the bike that is at the disadvantage
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 09, 2021, 11:07:20 PM
I have to laugh every time someone starts taking race. I daughters boyfriend rides a busa and if that isn't enough it's on the bottle too. He used to give me crap about racing him all the time. He is young like we all were once. Guess thats while he still rides a busa. Just for amusement one night I agreed to race him but it had to be on my terms. He was all over it. So the rules I asigned was starting line was the stop light on main street and green would be our light. First one to Beale Street, roughly 700 miles from here would be the winner. Didn't take him long for a kid to figure out who would win. If you in the wind you are good and every scoot out there has a purpose. I didn't want any part of him stop light to stop light and he didn't want anything to do with a slow old bagger once you started stretching out the days. Upside is doesn't matter if we are in town riding, or we are out riding for the day, the speed or the stops for rest always caterer to the bike that is at the disadvantage

Truth
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 10, 2021, 11:25:34 PM
My first response was one of wonderment if the OP was old enough to even ride much less race....

I see you’ve personally demonstrated that the BMW GS culture is even worse than the bad aspects of the Harley culture. Thanks for that input from the Demon over-compensation crowd, too.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: tunaman on June 11, 2021, 02:07:49 AM
Cali insults aside, there are douchebags in all walks of society. I generally try to recognize them early on and gracefully exit the first chance I get… not worth my time to verbally spar with them or listen to their drivel.

Life is short.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: dayne66 on June 11, 2021, 09:39:02 AM
Cali insults aside, there are douchebags in all walks of society. I generally try to recognize them early on and gracefully exit the first chance I get… not worth my time to verbally spar with them or listen to their drivel.

Life is short.
I concur!
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: iski on June 11, 2021, 10:18:12 AM
I concur!

Concur as well. But I do get amused reading certain comments on some message boards.  One of the Standards of Douchebagdom is they are willing to prove their status given any opportunity.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Twolanerider on June 11, 2021, 01:12:01 PM

Concur as well.


Me too.  Didn't read back to see what I'm agreeing to.  But, especially if it's about Gary or Greg, I like to agree and go with the crowd.  So I'm in too.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: iski on June 11, 2021, 03:10:04 PM
Quote
Concur as well.

Me too.  Didn't read back to see what I'm agreeing to.  But, especially if it's about Gary or Greg, I like to agree and go with the crowd.  So I'm in too.

Am pretty sure "con cur" is the Spanish phrase for "with dog."

Not sure which dog this one is, but anytime a dog is involved is usually ok by me.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Twolanerider on June 11, 2021, 04:49:03 PM
Am pretty sure "con cur" is the Spanish phrase for "with dog."

Not sure which dog this one is, but anytime a dog is involved is usually ok by me.


If it's a dog that likes to travel it would be an FLTK9.  If it's a dog that likes to travel at higher cost it would be an FLTK9SE.  If it's an old dog that still likes to travel, has higher cost associated with it, always looked good, and mainlines its food it would be an FLTK9SEI.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: spook120 on June 11, 2021, 05:24:02 PM
I see you’ve personally demonstrated that the BMW GS culture is even worse than the bad aspects of the Harley culture. Thanks for that input from the Demon over-compensation crowd, too.
  I am not sure what the hell your talking about Newbie, but please continue to ingratiate yourself to those of us that have been here awhile.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Twolanerider on June 11, 2021, 06:37:30 PM
  I am not sure what the hell your talking about Newbie, but please continue to engratiate yourself to those of us that have been here awhile.


He's by no means a newbie.  See this link:  https://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=123001.msg1527341#msg1527341


And you spelled ingratiate incorrectly.


Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: spook120 on June 11, 2021, 07:04:03 PM
Thanks for the clarification and correction. Appreciated.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: ultra13 on June 11, 2021, 09:17:44 PM
Interesting convo here. I just walk away from people talkin big like that. I really don't care if you think your bike is faster than mine lol. That (speed) just gets you in trouble.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: iski on June 12, 2021, 12:09:08 AM

If it's a dog that likes to travel it would be an FLTK9.  If it's a dog that likes to travel at higher cost it would be an FLTK9SE.  If it's an old dog that still likes to travel, has higher cost associated with it, always looked good, and mainlines its food it would be an FLTK9SEI.


Indubitably. If I had a dog, it would be faster than your dog, if my dog was a red dog.

If this thread gets any more culture, it might turn into cottage cheese.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Twolanerider on June 12, 2021, 01:10:53 AM

Indubitably. If I had a dog, it would be faster than your dog, if my dog was a red dog.

If this thread gets any more culture, it might turn into cottage cheese.


I've got Greyhounds!  Old Greyhounds.  But still.... :huepfenlol2:
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: iski on June 12, 2021, 01:47:49 AM

I've got Greyhounds!  Old Greyhounds.  But still.... :huepfenlol2:

Yes they are fast.  And they have their own bus line.   8)
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Yellow09SERG on June 12, 2021, 02:02:18 PM
Yes they are fast.  And they have their own bus line.   8)
Yes, but they would be faster if they used synthetic in all 3....never mind wrong thread
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: iski on June 12, 2021, 03:56:25 PM
Yes, but they would be faster if they used synthetic in all 3....never mind wrong thread

 ;D
Concur.  Also would depend on the type of wax/polish/canine shine. 
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 12, 2021, 04:47:28 PM
  I am not sure what the hell your talking about Newbie, but please continue to ingratiate yourself to those of us that have been here awhile.

Weren’t you indicating that you were surprised I was old enough to ride, much less race? In old movie title terms, that was you drawing “First Blood”.
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 12, 2021, 04:49:14 PM

He's by no means a newbie.  See this link:  https://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=123001.msg1527341#msg1527341


And you spelled ingratiate incorrectly.

And you still have one of the best trios of CVOs anywhere. :)
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Twolanerider on June 12, 2021, 05:20:59 PM
And you still have one of the best trios of CVOs anywhere. :)


Thank you!  They're old but they please me.  In the spirit of this conversation we can all say that's really all that matters to any of us anyway. 

Hopefully all three are happy today also.  The old Road King right at dawn got 60 miles each way to a breakfast spot that's only about 20 minutes away (weird how that happens).  The older Road Glide went out (with me) for about tank of gas mid day for what was supposed to be lunch.  But I didn't feel like stopping so just kept riding; made a sandwich at home.  Then the even older FXR has got worked on for awhile since I got home.

I have always hated those old fashioned plastic round bolt toppers.  Never liked them even when they were more in fashion.  That bike came to me covered with them.  Most of the cam replacement project on that bike got done last night but while the bike was up on the lift and a little more "open" I've been swapping those stupid things for chrome bolts.  Almost everywhere.  I may not have every bolt but I had most.  It'll look a lot better tonight or tomorrow whenever I get far enough along to be ready to start again.  Even surprised myself and in my bolt stash had a 4" long 5/16" bolt so could swap out the ugly bolt for the front of the gas tank too!  Gawd it takes so little to make us happy :huepfenlol2: .
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: spook120 on June 12, 2021, 06:16:36 PM
Ok Mr. V  you win. Feel vindicated now?  Good. Done with this conversation. 
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 13, 2021, 06:31:55 AM
Ok Mr. V  you win. Feel vindicated now?  Good. Done with this conversation.

LOL. It’s not really about that.  :nixweiss: But exposing a perpetrator posing as a victim is always good and necessary. :2vrolijk_21:

Don’t pout. Just re-engage rationally and put it all behind you/us.  :apple: :jalapeno:
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: TN on June 13, 2021, 07:20:23 AM
LOL. It’s not really about that.  :nixweiss: But exposing a perpetrator posing as a victim is always good and necessary. :2vrolijk_21:

Don’t pout. Just re-engage rationally and put it all behind you/us.  :apple: :jalapeno:


^ this please, I've been known to let my typing or dictation overload my thoughts on more than one occasion.  :drink:


CAN WE RIDE NOW!
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 13, 2021, 07:24:43 AM

^ this please, I've been known to let my typing or dictation overload my thoughts on more than one occasion.  :drink:


CAN WE RIDE NOW!

Word.  :orange: :mango: :bananarock: :apple: :carrot: :jalapeno: :cucumber: :pineapple: :pepper:
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: Twolanerider on June 13, 2021, 01:09:12 PM
LOL. It’s not really about that.  :nixweiss: But exposing a perpetrator posing as a victim is always good and necessary. :2vrolijk_21:

Don’t pout. Just re-engage rationally and put it all behind you/us.  :apple: :jalapeno:


Or....... be like Elvis and have a peanut butter and banana sandwich.  If it was good enough for Elvis.....  :drink:
Title: Re: It happened again. Harley culture versus mainstream motorcycle culture.
Post by: VMAX-VROD on June 14, 2021, 07:52:01 PM

Or....... be like Elvis and have a peanut butter and banana sandwich.  If it was good enough for Elvis.....  :drink:

A most excellent idea. :drummer: