Riding to an Image

[Bubba1]

I know there are almost as many reasons to ride a motorcycle as there are motorcycles and some may take this as bashing HD's but it is not. The guy could have been riding a Honda or a Kawi and my take would have been the same. What is it about the need to maintain the "image" when riding a cruiser?

Early yesterday morning, it was still cold for Tucson, maybe in the low 40's, a guy on a HD passed me (I stayed with him for several miles), he had no windshield, a half helmet (give him credit for at least that), no gloves, no eye protection, a light leather jacket, jeans, and boots. He was riding in a typical cruiser "clam shell" position, legs stright out in front with the wind blowing up his pant legs (had to be good for the boys), and trying to smoke a cigarette. But whatever, he kept his bad boy cruiser cool. Of course all I could think of was what a dumb a**.

[loren]

I dont have the answer, but I have seen the same thing in wisconsin in foul weather

Only a goldwing sissy would wear rain gear, I was told

[5Ross]

Some guys are just tougher than me. I wear or don't wear what it takes to be comfy. The only person I have to make happy is ME when riding....

IMAGE....... That and $1.00 might buy you a cup of coffee in some places...

[XCOP]

Many of us think it is always about a guy wanting to maintain an image. Maybe it is. Maybe it's just that there are all sorts of folks out there that do all sorts of things we might not do, or the way we do them.

Pretty easy to just chalk it up the the sterotype.."image". Why do folks go in WalMart at 2 in the morning wearing the goofiest "outfits" you can imagine, or go swimming in Dec. in ice covered ponds.

Who knows? It's entertaining some times though.

[Poppi]

Originally Posted by 5Ross

Some guys are just tougher than me. I wear or don't wear what it takes to be comfy. The only person I have to make happy is ME when riding....

IMAGE....... That and $1.00 might buy you a cup of coffee in some places...

With wisdom comes - non importance of image maintennace.

[loren]

Originally Posted by XCOP

Pretty easy to just chalk it up the the sterotype.."image". Why do folks go in WalMart at 2 in the morning wearing the goofiest "outfits" you can imagine, or go swimming in Dec. in ice covered ponds.
.

the answer is poor potty training habits as a child

[rickathome]

Originally Posted by loren

the answer is poor potty training habits as a child

You're surely not still setting down to take a leak are you?

[FazerDude]

If maintaining an image brings someone a bit of comfort and happiness in this often miserable world, then I am happy for that person.

I like to maintain my image as a comfort and safety seeking GL1800 riding canyon carver.

[jellyspapa]

Originally Posted by XCOP

Many of us think it is always about a guy wanting to maintain an image. Maybe it is. Maybe it's just that there are all sorts of folks out there that do all sorts of things we might not do, or the way we do them.

Pretty easy to just chalk it up the the sterotype.."image". Why do folks go in WalMart at 2 in the morning wearing the goofiest "outfits" you can imagine, or go swimming in Dec. in ice covered ponds.

Who knows? It's entertaining some times though.

I think it's more of a need for attention. Sorta like the folks with weird hair, rings in the nose...gazillion piercings,etc. Guess they just didn't get enough of it growing up.

[TravelinLite]

Originally Posted by 5Ross

..The only person I have to make happy is ME when riding....

That's a great idea.

[greyghost1950]

Originally Posted by Bubba1

I know there are almost as many reasons to ride a motorcycle as there are motorcycles and some may take this as bashing HD's but it is not. The guy could have been riding a Honda or a Kawi and my take would have been the same. What is it about the need to maintain the "image" when riding a cruiser?

Early yesterday morning, it was still cold for Tucson, maybe in the low 40's, a guy on a HD passed me (I stayed with him for several miles), he had no windshield, a half helmet (give him credit for at least that), no gloves, no eye protection, a light leather jacket, jeans, and boots. He was riding in a typical cruiser "clam shell" position, legs stright out in front with the wind blowing up his pant legs (had to be good for the boys), and trying to smoke a cigarette. But whatever, he kept his bad boy cruiser cool. Of course all I could think of was what a dumb a**.

Just let people ride what they want to, how they want to without nitpicking everything.....I rode Harleys for lots of years and I must say since I've been riding this wing....I prefer the company of the Harley riders....thier not as plastic as the wing riders...

[Rocketman911]

Originally Posted by Bubba1

I know there are almost as many reasons to ride a motorcycle as there are motorcycles and some may take this as bashing HD's but it is not. The guy could have been riding a Honda or a Kawi and my take would have been the same. What is it about the need to maintain the "image" when riding a cruiser?

Early yesterday morning, it was still cold for Tucson, maybe in the low 40's, a guy on a HD passed me (I stayed with him for several miles), he had no windshield, a half helmet (give him credit for at least that), no gloves, no eye protection, a light leather jacket, jeans, and boots. He was riding in a typical cruiser "clam shell" position, legs stright out in front with the wind blowing up his pant legs (had to be good for the boys), and trying to smoke a cigarette. But whatever, he kept his bad boy cruiser cool. Of course all I could think of was what a dumb a**.

Maybe it wasn't a cigarette he was smoking!!!

[catch]

Originally Posted by greyghost1950

Just let people ride what they want to, how they want to without nitpicking everything.....I rode Harleys for lots of years and I must say since I've been riding this wing....I prefer the company of the Harley riders....thier not as plastic as the wing riders...

How true!!
The only problem I have with them now " Harley Riders"
is they can't keep up!!

[Grampawinger]

My first ride on the back of a big twin was when I was 12 years old and the neighbor, mentor, took me for a ride on his big Harley. I have loved the sound of a v twin ever since and always will. I still have a very strong urge to get an Uldra Glide with loud pipes........drool.

I'm too darn old to test endurance like I used to and too wise to risk hypothermia on a bike or at home even when the heating bill is now over 250 per month.

Live and let live and judge not lest ye be judged. I still like to laugh at the dumb a$$ed things that people do when they are "acting out" and showing off.

ps: I sit down to pee very often......only when no one is lookin.

[Richard Clem]

Bubba,

Exactly what was wrong with what he was doing? Was he riding safely? Why let it bother you? Seems a waste of energy. I have 2 bikes. The other one isn't an H-D, but it is a Harley wanna-be. And when I ride it, I pretend it's a Harley if it suits my mood. I wear levis and a half helmut and a scruffy leather jacket. I'm still the same person that I am on my GW (be it good or bad). Relax a little. You're missing an opportunity to meet some good and interesting people.


Hoping I'm on the wing if we meet,
Richard

[KYBLUE]

Originally Posted by catch

How true!!
The only problem I have with them now " Harley Riders"
is they can't keep up!!

I sure the sport bike crowd is saying the same about you...amazing.

If maintaining an image brings someone a bit of comfort and happiness in this often miserable world, then I am happy for that person.

Wow, how true is that statement....a little happiness.
Let the man ride, knees in the breeze is all that matters.....

[bpd221]

Originally Posted by XCOP

Many of us think it is always about a guy wanting to maintain an image. Maybe it is. Maybe it's just that there are all sorts of folks out there that do all sorts of things we might not do, or the way we do them.

Pretty easy to just chalk it up the the sterotype.."image". Why do folks go in WalMart at 2 in the morning wearing the goofiest "outfits" you can imagine, or go swimming in Dec. in ice covered ponds.

Who knows? It's entertaining some times though.

My guess is he was frozen in that position and just kept going til he warmed up, ran out of gas or hit an ocean.
As far as the people going to walmart check out the www.peopleofwalmart.com. Xcop if you have never seen this page you will get quite a chuckle.

[BMXDad]

It's no different than seeing a couple riding 2 up on a Wing, wearing full matching clothing from the helmet, right down past the day glo yellow suits, to their tennis shoes.

Where what you want, and don't worry about everybody else so much.

[twyn]

One of the side benefits of being in the PGR is getting to know quite a few guys that ride HD. They've ridden in weather where I've taken my truck instead. My hat's off to them, cause they are some of the toughest riders I know with kind hearts.

[illusionblue_wing]

I don't worry about what the other guys doing...I just ride my own ride,wearing what I want...I am not riding for a fashion show,I am riding for Me...And yes some riders are tougher than other and people have different comfort levels???? Oh Well???

[TXREALTOR]

Originally Posted by 5Ross

Some guys are just tougher than me. I wear or don't wear what it takes to be comfy. The only person I have to make happy is ME when riding....

IMAGE....... That and $1.00 might buy you a cup of coffee in some places...

But when you are that cold wouldn't you waste a good cup of coffee from shaking so much?

Please report all coffee abuse to the need for caffeine hot line.

[biglefti]

I have a friend that tells me everyone's different. That's the way it should be. BTW, it ticked me off when I bought my wing and had to quit wearing all of my cool cruiser gear <G>!

[FazerDude]

Originally Posted by illusionblue_wing

I don't worry about what the other guys doing...I just ride my own ride,wearing what I want...I am not riding for a fashion show,I am riding for Me...And yes some riders are tougher than other and people have different comfort levels???? Oh Well???

Well said.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Bubba1

I know there are almost as many reasons to ride a motorcycle as there are motorcycles and some may take this as bashing HD's but it is not. The guy could have been riding a Honda or a Kawi and my take would have been the same. What is it about the need to maintain the "image" when riding a cruiser?

Early yesterday morning, it was still cold for Tucson, maybe in the low 40's, a guy on a HD passed me (I stayed with him for several miles), he had no windshield, a half helmet (give him credit for at least that), no gloves, no eye protection, a light leather jacket, jeans, and boots. He was riding in a typical cruiser "clam shell" position, legs stright out in front with the wind blowing up his pant legs (had to be good for the boys), and trying to smoke a cigarette. But whatever, he kept his bad boy cruiser cool. Of course all I could think of was what a dumb a**.

I bet that guy was a Dog stuck in the back of a pickup in another life,and was just taking a Ride down memory lane..

Only now He gets to play with the throttle and choose the road to ride on..

[JDBRIDER]

I have come to the realization that being a tough guy is WAY overrated. Being comfortable is what its all about.

[bbach]

When I see a guy riding like that and dressed like that, I see a guy on a motorcycle. Nothing more nothing less.

[FazerDude]

Originally Posted by bbach

When I see a guy riding like that and dressed like that, I see a guy on a motorcycle. Nothing more nothing less.

Well, I do cringe at the thought of it, but I figure if he's happy, good on him!

Different strokes is all. If everyone was the same, it would be an awful boring world...

[wing7]

I can't believe the dumb azz had no eye protection!

[pvt93]

When I started riding back in the day, almost all riders had Jeans and a Jean jaceket, some wore helmets and some didn't depended on where you lived. Then I was stationed in Europe, everybody wore eith full riding suits or 2 piece suites and full face helmets. They all laughed at me for my jeans, so I conformed and bought the 2 piece leather riding suit. (I rode a Kawasaki 750 Turbo sportbike) I got ride of that and got a got a Voyager XII and most of the riders of touring bikes wore textile riding suits, so I conformed and got a textile suit. I quit riding because of a bad wreck and about 15 years passed, then I got a cruiser and they all wore leathers. Well I knew how hot they were and decied to keep wearing textile 2 piece. Not one of my riding buddies said anything about what I had on. Now they did give me griefe when I got the wing, and sold my VTX but never what I wore.

[bluestone]

Maintaining an image is about belonging; about group identification and about impressing women. Whatever feelings accompany the image are the internal feedback or reward for the effort.

What really surprises me is the notion (see Harley and Kawasaki ads) that motorcycling is about freedom. Freedom's a big concept, but it's not defined by what you can do or where you can go between gas stations. How do you measure freedom by the gallon?