Modern Vespa

I've always thought Harleys were cool. Not sure why; maybe they've indoctrinated me when I was younger and didn't realize it. In any case, I had to get some air filter oil today and my local Harley shop was just down the street so I went down to get some.

I also ended up looking at the Sportster, supposedly one of the best buys in Harley's line up. I have to admit, it looked pretty cool but it's pretty heavy. I may get one at some point in my life. But what was really cool about the local Harley shop was that they had free tacos every Saturday! I didn't know that... you get 3 free tacos and you can pick your meats: carne asada, pollo asado, or al pastor. They even had cactus, grilled Mexican onions, etc. so you know it's the real deal. I ended up getting my free tacos and talking to all of the Harley riders out there, asking them about ride quality, handling, maintenance costs, etc.

All in all, they seem to be a really good group of guys and were totally welcoming me on my sky blue ET4. I really enjoyed myself and thought I would share my experience considering how much of a bad rap some of them get.

I think you'll find that most Harley people are very Vespa friendly. The machines are kind of polor opposites in terms of weight, the way they handle, etc. But the reasons people are attracted to Vespas and Harleys are often similar. Both are well established brands with a long tradition. Both are built using a lot of steel and less plastic. And the people who ride Harleys are generally very passionate about their bikes, not unlike Vespa riders.

Of course you'll find some riders in both camps who look down their noses at the other side, but I think that will be a minority. If you ever get to that point where you decide to seriously consider being a Harley owner, I don't think it means that you have to give up anything about what you love about Vespas. The two co-exist in my household quite peacefully.

-Craig

Harleys are cool. Unfortunately a lot of the Harley owners are not. I have never met a more closed minded group in Australia. Obviously not all but a heck of a lot are.

If you have a Harley you are allowed to be seen with them. However there is a hierarchy in the group. An 884 Sportster gets you tolerated. However they call it a girl Harley. They keep asking when you are getting a grown up Harley.

The Harley Owners Group have a policy that when a non Harley guest rider is invited to a run the non Harley rider has to ride at the back of he pack. I was invited by Harley mates to attend but told my Triumph would have to hide at the back. I just laughed at them. I said pass guys. I don't spend my weekends being told where and how to ride by some uptight wanker. That is what I do all week long at work.

The other sad thing is how they dress like OMCG members. Why try to look like a criminal? I spent my life putting these rapists, murderers and drug dealers in jail. It amazes me how many people ape their appearance.

So in short while a lot of nice people ride Harleys, overall they deserve the bad press in Australia at least.

Dude

Just people look like something, doesn't mean they are. It's just clothes my friend. Does not maketh the man. Although I do find it amusing that a large group of self-professed 'individuals' manage to wear a uniform...

Other than that I completely agree with you. I like Harleys, but asking a Triumph rider to ride at the back of a pack of hogs is like asking the Queen to push your old Datsun. She can do it, but it's never right...

food to be had at just about all the dealers and a nice place to rest and cool off. the thing you guys are missing is when you ride a Harley Davidson Motorcycle your on the road with a family and old friends, No Harley rider will pass you stuck on the road or in need of something. I thinks its time Scooter Riders just get over the bias.

Sorry, but the notion of having a complete stranger stop and help me just because I ride the same marque of bike is frankly a little bit creepy

Here, thank deity, any PTW rider will stop for another if they notice them to be 'in distress' in time. That latter bit can be tricky on some roads.

I guess it would be better to be stuck 200 or so miles from the next town we'll stop for all riders in need just give a signal

Harley are cool. I've had them.
The thing about weight and motorcycles is when you ride a bike it is about balance and skill. You are not carrying the machine. A muscle bound person who is unskilled will drop a scooter. A skinny dood who knows what he is doing will be able to ride anything easily. I'm only 150lbs but I've owned numerous big bikes, including a Goldwing 1800 which weighs almost twice as much as a Sportster! Easy to ride if your skill level is up to it.

As an aside, a Harley 883 low is only $100 more, new, than a Vespa GTV!!!
It is $6999. Many people do not realize how affordable the Sportster lineup is and buy a knock off cruiser that costs more! A Honda Shadow 750 cruiser costs more than the equivalent Harley Sportster, and has a smaller engine, shaft instead of belt drive, much cheaper finish etc.

I gotta be honest, I have found scooter riders on the whole to have far more issues with riders of motorbikes than the other way round. You can even see it on this site with the numerous complaint threads. Sad really.

That's more like it, and what I've come to expect / love about the 2-wheel community. If somebody were to cruise past my moribund vehicle and not stop to help just because it wore the wrong badge...well you just fucking carry on sunshine Don't change a damn thing, you're perfect

Postscript: I really like the Sporty. Really. It just doesn't even come into the question when I can buy a Brit bike for the same money that craps all over the Harley in every department, apart from the 'looking-like-a-pirate' bit. I wouldn't mind that so much, but I'd just be one more little pirate in a sea of millions

Yeah, really.