Modern Vespa

Of course you wouldn't. But what if it was for a good cause?

I was going into a store today and I noticed a parked Harley with it's light on. I made note of it, and kept an eye out for someone who was in the store wearing riding gear.

I was in the store for about twenty-five minutes.

On my way out, the bike was still parked there, light still on. I walked over to it and contemplated seeing if I could flip the light off, but didn't.

I was concerned that the owner would appear and think I was messing with their bike, especially if I had turned the light off before they spotted me.

Not sure what the right call was in this situation.

Were the keys in it?

Yes. Ok

I think you did enough by looking for the possible rider.

I did not see the keys, but TBH, I was reluctant to make it look like I was scoping the bike. It was parked in a regular car spot in a large parking lot.

It might also be worth noting that a helmet was secured to the back seat, and it looked quite medieval.

It had what appeared to be a spear head coming out of the top.

The bike was new. Clean. Did not match the agro skull cap.

Yes

A pickelhaube?

Googling...

(is that what those are called..?! Huh.)

Yep. A very crude, homemade looking one. Like, the pickel was cut out of sheet metal.

Some "novelty" motorcycle helmets are made in that style. Not DOT approved, I'm sure.

I definitely wouldn't be fondling that guys helmet.

Who said anything about a guy?

Nope, you did what you could. Kudos for that.

Gonna take the opposite approach. Because Harleys are often keyless, having the headlight on would show that the ignition has been unlocked, and therefore someone, even without a key, could jump on and ride away with the bike. By switching the key to the off position to turn off the light, you've not only saved the rider a flat battery, but also made his bike stop advertising that's primed and ready for a super easy theft.

I would walk up, turn switch, and keep walking in one smooth motion. Both to not draw attention to what I was doing by any shady people who might check out the bike after I leave, but also to make it clear (should the owner be near), that I have no interest in his Harley.

If he calls after me "your light was on and your ignition is on, you should turn it off" and keep walking.

Harley owners are just motorcyclists who ride happen to ride Harleys. If you do them a favor, they'll probably thank you. Just like *gasp* normal motorcyclists.

Source: I've owned two V-Rods and a handful of Sportsters over the years.

Ok

I mean wouldn't you be if you where making mortgage payments on something you only ride on days above 75° but below 95°, and only on the second saturday of each lunar new year?

Everything you said in your post represents the conflict I had whether to intervene or not.

I do want to point out that I only noted it was a Harley for the purpose of the story. I was not insinuating the risk of angering the owner was any different because it was a Harley.

If I had spotted someone in the store that looked like they were in a Hunter S. Thompson book, I would have still gone up to them and told them their light was on.

This^

I have turned off lights left on, and I'd do it again. Today's bikes are a pain when the battery is run down. They don't push start easily like the used to. Electronic ignition and fuel injection make it a challenge.

Yup. When I was a summer student there was an R6 outside the office building that left his lights on (key in the ignition). I thought about taking the keys out and leaving him a note with my number but was too worried about how I would or wouldn't know it was really his motorcycle, or getting in trouble with my boss (because I was 20 years old and new to life and didn't have a clue).

I settled on just flipping his key to the off position and hoping for the best.

Happened to come across the guy a couple days later (we arrived at the same time in the morning) and told him and he was very thankful. Doing favors always come with a certain risk, but most people are reasonable and possess the mental capacity to understand when a stranger has done something good for them. And the most diehard bikers know as well as anyone that its a brotherhood, and we take care of each other.

If we don't look out for one another, we're no better than the cagers. I don't expect fairweather riders to understand this, but the more riding is a part of someone's daily life, the more they'll get it.

Real HD riders only use the kickstart, so who needs a full battery?

Even with the older ones, unless it is running a magneto, a full battery is best. And that is with a kick start as well.

No, I would not touch anyone else's bike.

This is a teaching moment for OP's Harley Rider. Don't leave your keys in the bike with the ignition/lights on. I'll bet he/she is a new rider

This^^^

I wouldn't touch it either. The owner is probably glued to a monitor inside one of the buildings watching and watching the bike on a camera

Absolutely would not touch another's bike. Would assist if owner asked for help to pick it up. I might drool near it but not on it.

It...depends (for me). Depends on context clues from the bike, the area, the time of day. My first reaction is to want to help. Sometimes that blows up in my face.

I know that if I see someone taking an interest in my bike my hackles always go up, at least at first. It's almost never malicious and usually results in a conversation about "the bike/scooter that got away."
At first glance, though... it really helps defuse things when the other person is transparent about intent.

"Don't be suspicious, don't beee suspicious!"

I wouldn't but I'd thank someone who turned my motorcycle lights off.

I have been tempted but resisted more than once to latch peoples hoods that are popped and only being held shut by the hood latch safety hook

I agree! Except, as Tierney pointed out, even with kick start a good battery is needed to start unless you have a magneto. I haven't owned a Harley-Davidson with electric start in over 20 years.

For me I think it's brand/community dependent. As a Vespa/Piaggio owner, I see others as family, know what I'm looking at and what to do to resolve issues. If something clearly would need to be done, it's a better defensive position to be in....and easier and faster to do something. If someone had to touch one of my rides I'd appreciate someone more knowledgeable doing so as well.

I'd definitely turn the lights off. Otherwise, no touchy someone else's bike.

While I do Door Dash, I tell people when their brake lights are out. Even though I average 4 times when I DD, I would not touch. Armchair QB say's I'd have had customer service alert with loud speaker.

If it's a lone HD I might switch it off, but in a group of bikes .....no way. Groupthink can be strange.

YES. Ye gods, yes. Pack mentality is a whole different beast.