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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 27
New York City | Saturday/Sunday did my first Iron Butt Saddle Sore 1000 from Ormond Beach, FL to home in NYC (also did Dragon again on way down). Did it on my 2009 Ness Victory Vision. More on all that later. But two interesting side observations.
Though I was in Florida to see family and friends I chose my starting point to be just over 1000 miles from home. Had no idea that this very exit on I-95 was an epicenter of the Daytona Biketoberfest starting the very morning I was leaving (there is a huge Harley dealership and J&P cycle dealership at this exit). Saw some of the first arrivals Saturday morning and noted:
a) Every one of them was emblazoned with a minimum of six HD logos/names and some many more. So this is the independent biker that I am supposed to strive to be? More like slave billboards to a corporate overlord. Wow, they so cool.
b) As I drove north on I-95 I saw many bikers heading south, likely heading to the event. At least as many open trailers of bikes were heading south and a huge number of enclosed trailers that I can only suppose were also housing strapped down HD's. Now there are very good reasons to trailer some bikes, saw a couple of radical choppers and small bikes that are just not made for long Interstate trips. However, I saw a great number of Ultra Classics in trailers wending their way south. Excuse me, isn't that their ultimate touring bike? Why do I figure they were just going to park it in the hotel parking lot where I started and ride it the 12 miles down to Daytona to show off their tough biker ways with Massachusetts plates? Well the good news is that their resale value will stay high - VERY loooow miles!
Just my humble observations....
BPilgrim |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 16
Gledale, Az | That is a very interesting observation, This last July I rode my 2008 Victory Vision from Phoenix to the largest rally in the Northwest at Golden Shores ,Wa. 2.000 miles; I am sure I traveled the most miles to get there; but I was going to Tacoma anyway to see my brothers; saw thousands of HD's some trailered from such far away places like Seattle, Spokane, Portland? I don't see the point in that eiether. I was dissapointed that I did not see one other Vision there, surprisingly(or not) The non HD plastered logo people were telling me the Vision looks great and different; while the commited only to HD stayed away or walked by with blinders on, out of fear that there just might be something better out there I believe. I got many positive comments when stopping for gas and such on my journey from people in cars and Gold Wings, I loved it when I would stop for gas and a few people would walk past a group of HD riders to admire my ride; got a few glares over that, ha ha. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 49
Lillian, Alabama | Last year I my son and I rode to Sturgis (5000 miles round trip). When we got close to Sturgis we saw a big, beautiful, black Hummer with 3 Ultra Classics on a trailer behind it. I laughed when I saw that the license plates on the bikes and the Hummer was South Dakota. We were there a little early so we decided to visit the badlands before heading on to Sturgis. It was hot, over 100 degrees...but it was also a beautiful and enjoyable ride. Ok...we stop in one particularly beautiful spot to take some pictures...and this same Hummer drives up, the HD's still strapped on the trailer. The stop, ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW on the Hummer, take a couple of pictures and take off again without ever even getting out of the SUV!!!!! (it must have just been to hot for them). We saw them again in a few minutes doing the same thing at another stop. Anyway...we got to our hotel and these guys are staying in the same place. They got there first and finally had the bikes off the trailer. The next morning we go out to get on our bikes and those guys came out all decked out in HD denim, leather, boots, chains, and covered with tats (I'd bet $1000 that the ink was fake) and trying to look like the meanest, most bad assed bikers in Sturgis.
They must have been wondering why my son and I couldn't stop laughing. |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | I had a slightly different take on Harley riders last year when I went on a circular western loop route through 17 states and covering 6,400 miles.
Several times I had long conversations with Harley riders who were also touring the country.
All positive.
Ate meals with Harley riders several times at restaurants.
Had short conversations with Harley riders at gas stations and observation areas.
I was riding a 650 Burgman Executive Scooter.
The moral of this story is, there are posers and there are tourers riding all types of motorcycles.
The posers are brand loyal, the tourers are not.
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Cruiser
Posts: 97
Okeefenokee Swamp | I think that if somebody wants to pose,that is o.k. They spend their money and time how they want and I will spend mine like I want. I want to ride my Vision and see if I can wear it out.If those posers can look at themselves in the mirror and like what they see,who hell really cares.
I will say that I have to agree with Bigfoot,The posers are mostly brand loyal and the tourers are not. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 27
New York City | Bigfoot: I also have a Suzuki Burgman, though a 400. Now that I have the Vision I will largely use the Burg to scoot the streets of Manhattan (the Vision being a bit of a brute, especially to park between cars on the street). However, last year I took a 2400 mile trip through the Smokies on the Burgman, doing Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, Dragon (3 times) Cherohala, Route 28 (even better than the dragon I think). When I scooted through the mountains the Harley dudes smirked and avoided me. With the Vision they stared and asked questions. Either way, I just love to ride, not pose.
BPilgrim |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | ...great you did your Iron Butt, I've got one documented under my belt and a few more undocumented. It does get amusing to see folks that are no more than a weekend rider acting like they are the biggest baddest biker on the planet. I usually laugh inside and give them a "brother" wave to wish them well to ride safe. |
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Reflections on weekend Iron Butt
