Quote:
Originally Posted by BSiple
More because that look is worn out, and uncomfortable... at least for me. The stuff we wore because nothing else was available has now become way too... something (I'm trying to be nice to my Harley brethren). I'm trying to distance myself from all of that as much as possible, while still riding a Harley. But I digress...
Wow Jeff, I never took you as someone who cared what other people thought.
Guess I was wrong. Too bad.
Wear what you want to ride. Who gives a **** what anyone else thinks, but I guess you have to fit in with the Italian crowd now too.
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I quite admittedly started riding motorcycles in my younger days in a large part because it was different, and made a statement about individuality. It was a good way to show folks I didn't care what they think. My attitude has not changed. Going to more "modern" riding gear is just another manifestation of that. It just doesn't fit with the new Harley crowd, so it's a great way to subtly demonstrate to them that I really don't care what they think, either.
My two Harleys are not as loud as theirs; I went back to stock mufflers when everyone else I saw started running drag pipes and other extremely loud exhausts. I lost track of how many of them have asked me "when are you going to put pipes on it?" I love telling them I took the damn things off...
Showing up on a Harley in anything but the leather "uniform" is now a major fashion faux paux among the yuppie RUBs. It's as bad as showing up on a quiet bike. That's exactly why I'm going to start doing it. It will make them uncomfortable, probaly talk behind my back, point and laugh, and all of that. The more astute might actually start feeling like the cookie-cutter FNG poseurs they really are.
As far as I'm concerned, H-D has "jumped the shark". I love the bikes, and will (hopefully) always have a couple. I just really hate the "lifestyle" or "image" as sold by the Motor Company, and bought into hook, line, sinker, skulls, and flames by their faithful. I sat down the day my flyer came in the mail that was showing off H-D's new "dark customs", pen in hand, to tally up every place I read the word "attitude" in that flyer. I hit something like 30-40 and quit, maybe halway through. That's what they are selling today. They have compromised most of their bike designs in an effort to instil more "attitude".
I'm just not into that. A change in riding apparel is one of my ways of exclaiming "I ain't with them". There is some great stuff out there today, that is not made out of leather. As a touring rider, its versatility is far more attractive than leather and layering, then covering up with rain gear to boot. I want waterproof, vented, armor, light weight, and maybe even some reflective striping. That'll throw the H-D boys and girls into a snit...
Sorry to hear about the bike, Greg. It sounds like you are o.k., though. And thanks for the info.