Foo - Let's talk crazy get ups!

At least there is some science behind the cycling garb, not to mention some thought put into comfort and safety, but would someone explain to me the costumes that every Harley owner wears. I know leather can save some skin in a fall, but why does every Harley owner suddenly don the bad ass attire? Teachers and ministers with tats and bandanas sputtering around on their bloated bikes make me smile.

Where else can a teacher or a minister get away with dressing like that?

One word - anti-establishment. It what we all secretly desire to be when we aren't being so responsible.

55/Rad

Where else can a teacher or a minister get away with dressing like that?

Must Re-sist urge too make in-a-ppro-priate ComMents!!!.....GAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Whew that was a close one! :D

I understand the leather, it's a great protective device used by the entire community, so you fit in. And leather is better than textile cuz textile can melt and fuse with your skin causing all sorts of problems.

That said, WTF? Why do they wear all that leather but no helmets?

I agree with you guys, and I know first hand. My father-in-law just bought a Harley last year. In this time span he has aquired several items of clothing that are questionable as too whether anyone should wear this in public. Every Saturday and Sunday he transforms from a Golf Course Super into a Harley riding Super badboy. I do have to say he wears a helmet although it isn't much of one.

Must Re-sist urge too make in-a-ppro-priate ComMents!!!.....GAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Whew that was a close one! :D

:roflmao:

Chaps.

Can't see why you need chaps unless you're driving cattle through brush. And you don't see a lot of wayward steers on the road around here.

Chaps.

Can't see why you need chaps unless you're driving cattle through brush. And you don't see a lot of wayward steers on the road around here.
Wind, water and debris protection on the bike. Roadrash off the bike.

I wouldn't wear 'em tho.

From a Harley rider 75,000 miles in last 5 years (also 4k on my Zurich each year) - you might want to look in a mirror - You might just see a person riding a kids toy wearing colored underwear!!! Tried to hold my tongue but failed.

i try to relate to bikers since we're all two-wheelers, but it bothers me that the harley croud seems pretty chronically overweight. it's strange but you see crotch rocket kids (honda CBRs and the like) and they look like short-guy bodybuilders most of the time, but the harley folks are generally built like homer simpson.

there's a biker bar in DC where i live that is a hangout for both cyclists and motorcyclists. the sidewalk out front looks great with the big bikes all lined up and then a bunch of fixies tied to every street post. i think they even have an old vintage Norton in the window.

A C-50 and a Fatboy and my garage will be complete.

:)

Its like buying a red Ferrari or growing your hair in a rock band. Its just "the done" thing.

When on my road bike I tend to wave at people on motorcycles. Some reason I almost never get a return wave from those on Harleys. Not sure why.

Not Harley riders, but I've actually been pretty impressed with some of the stuff that I've seen the crotch-rocket riders wearing. That stuff is padded to the 9s. The gloves even have ribs in them to keep you from breaking a wrist or the little bones in your hand - some even have metal on the outside of each bone in the fingers and thumb, too. They're not gloves, they're gauntlets!

Someday I hope to pick some of that stuff up for winter riding, along with a helmet with a visor and facemask. It should keep me a little safer.

As far as chaps, I think they're to keep cooler in summer than straight up leather pants. They still help keep the road rash down, too. It's when you see them riding with the chaps on and no pants that things get a little weird...

Re chaps: Thanks for the explanation. I guess that makes sense. I'm all for functionality.

When on my road bike I tend to wave at people on motorcycles. Some reason I almost never get a return wave from those on Harleys. Not sure why.

I come from a family of bikers (Harley is not a motorcycle, it's a way of life, etc etc), and I don't think that's any sort of eliticism or prejudice...perhaps they're just not noticing any gestures not originating from another Harley. My relations are pretty decent folk, and they don't do a lot of waving. I wouldn't take it personal. You just don't speak their language.

I don't think that's any sort of eliticism or prejudice...perhaps they're just not noticing any gestures not originating from another Harley.


If that don't beat all?!?! Sounds like elitism to me.

I too grew up on two wheels & a motor. German to Japaneese and all points in between. On any other ride, in the wind, is is the wind. It dosen't matter what you ride as much as that you ride. Everyone waves to every one... except for the Harley riders. To them, if you're not on a Harley... you're invisible. Yet, some of the most stand-up folks I know are 'Angels'.

With regard to chaps... They are great for abating the wind & road debris, though offer minimal protection from 'road rash' especially when sliding down the asphalt on your posterior. I'm particularly fond of full leathers w/ body armor. A pair of bicycle shorts underneath make for easy transition from leathers to slacks or shorts when I reach my destination. When it comes to roadway vs skin... the skin always looses, always.

One word - anti-establishment. It what we all secretly desire to be when we aren't being so responsible.

55/Rad

It's funny how non-conformists all tend to look alike. :)

When on my road bike I tend to wave at people on motorcycles. Some reason I almost never get a return wave from those on Harleys. Not sure why.

If you flip 'em the bird you might get a response. ;)

If that don't beat all?!?! Sounds like elitism to me.

The only point I was making is that it's a subculture, and it's easy to not notice things outside of your culture. It's not purposefully ignoring (which is what I would consider eliticism). When I pass rollerbladers, I don't take any notice of what they're wearing or skating on...but I notice every article of clothing and every piece of equipment on fellow cyclists. I don't ignore the 'bladers, or think I'm better than them...I just don't take an interest in that subculture like I do cycling. Same goes for Harley, methinks.

The only point I was making is that it's a subculture, and it's easy to not notice things outside of your culture. It's not purposefully ignoring (which is what I would consider eliticism). When I pass rollerbladers, I don't take any notice of what they're wearing or skating on...but I notice every article of clothing and every piece of equipment on fellow cyclists. I don't ignore the 'bladers, or think I'm better than them...I just don't take an interest in that subculture like I do cycling. Same goes for Harley, methinks.


Tho' the thing is, all motorcyclist belong to the same sub-culture.as I said... It's not what you ride but rather that you ride. I think the same can be said for the any other sub-culture. Rollerbladers don't check out the gear of other bladers and it isn't that the K2 folks won't acknowlege you unless you're skating on K2's, would you agree?

With the Harley crowd it is eliteisim, pure & simple. If it ain't Harley, it ain't a bike... just 'Jap Crap'.
Which leads me to my favorite motorcycle question: If H-D made an airplane, would you fly in it? :D

I've put more miles on my BMW in a year than most Harley ahem, riders put on their putt's in a life time.

I understand the leather, it's a great protective device used by the entire community, so you fit in. And leather is better than textile cuz textile can melt and fuse with your skin causing all sorts of problems.

That said, WTF? Why do they wear all that leather but no helmets?

NO S***! These guys cruise around going 60 plus mph and don't wear a helmet. I cruise around going 15 mph and I wouldn't DREAM of not wearing a helmet. Course, I am smarter than the average bear!!

My favorite part of the Harley USA "mistique" is that the official Harley brand attire is mostly make in Asia. Well, a good chunk of the Harley parts are made outside the USA also, so I guess it shouldn't be a suprise. :eek:

With the Harley crowd it is eliteisim, pure & simple.

I think there's a distinct difference between purposely ignoring or berating someone because you think they are inferior, compared to just simply not caring. Most Harley folk just don't care...it's not superiority, it's indifference.

But perhaps things are different in your neck of the woods. I can only speak of what I know, and the majority of Harley riders I know are good people without grudge or prejudice.

It depends on where you are, in Lacrosse WI, there is a pretty good # of 1%ers (who for the most part return respect) the rest of the Harley guys up there are genuine in their love for the bike and lifestyle (think American Chopper). Then there are the insurance salesmen that live in the burbs outside Chicago who would probably piss their leathers if they ever met up with the genuine article. Most tie up their dew rags, and pop in their extinguished cig half smoked by someone else (they don't smoke, its just a prop, and yes I know people who really do this), and head off with a group of yuppies for the weekend trying not to kill themselves.

I think there's a distinct difference between purposely ignoring or berating someone because you think they are inferior, compared to just simply not caring. Most Harley folk just don't care...it's not superiority, it's indifference.

But perhaps things are different in your neck of the woods. I can only speak of what I know, and the majority of Harley riders I know are good people without grudge or prejudice.


Woah... let's not put words in my mouth. I've trouble enough on my own thank you. I never said anything about berating someone. It's the choice of ride which they berate. Any big 4 japanese bike to a harley enthusiast is "Jap Crap". It just ain't AMURICUN. While they forget their Road King has Showa forks, ND electronics, a Mikuni carb, ad nauseum... all japanese. The only thing AMURICUN on a Harley is the paint job & the name. Now, I don't have an issue with that. Man, at least they're riding and it's one less cage to run my a$$ over when I'm out there. But the 'tude needs some work when they start calling my starts on first kick, 50+ mpg, oil tight, never trailered, three and a half season rall weather rider, Yamaha "Jap Crap".

Sheite! I've yet to see a H-D that dosen't have a drip pan under it in the garage, seldom are they riden to Daytona or Sturgis, and gods forbid it rains when they're there! Up goes the portable shelter!

Like I said before and I don't disagree with you most of the 1%'ers... like anyone else, if treated with respect in a face to face, one on one situation are stand up people. But get on my Jap Crap and they don't have the time of day. And like in any other population cross section, you're going to have a flaming gas hole or two no matter where you are