I just dont get it - Bike displacement and Americans

[Mintbread]

Regardless of the outcome, it was the US that forced Japan into the war.

[gsJack]

..................Once again I'm backed into a corner and expected to justify the bike I ride. Not gonna do it,Pops ......................... my "excessively large" motorcycle.............................I'd look down from atop my two-wheeled land yacht and give you a friendly biker wave

Pops doesn't work for me Zoo, my kids are 53 and 51 years old, probably closer to your fathers age. My oldest grandson is 33, closer to your age I think. Just call me Gramps if you want.

Don't want to nit pic, but the quotes around "excessively large" might lead someone to think I called your bike excessively large. I did not and it is not, the Meanie is probably typical of most of the large cruisers in size, weight, and displacement. The few that go beyond this in size now are getting a bit excessive. I did use the term excessively loud and this is particularly true in our area right now, nobody wants a nice low rumbling sound anymore, it's more like a contest to see who can make theirs the loudest.

I stand by my opinion that large chrome plated cruisers and and plastic coated sport bikes dominate our IMAGE based market and I often lament the fact that all the smaller, less powerful, more practical bikes available to the rest of the world are not sold here because of our preference for the IMAGE bikes.

I do appreciate your willingness to wave at me as you pass but have a bit of a problem with the looking down part. With me on a tall standard bike and you on a low cruiser, I would think I would be looking down at you to return your wave. Quite possibly I'm a bit sensitive on this issue, but I'm asked so often by big cruiser guys as to when I'm gonna get a big bike, or a real bike, or a man's bike, etc that I get the idea that they are looking down on me. When they ask, I just look them in the eye, smile, and answer them my standard answer; "if I had a bike with a bigger engine, I wouldn't have anyone to ride with."

[ZooTech]

I don't look down on you for riding a bike with less engine displacement, Jack, it was just a joke about the overall sentiment this board seems to have about liter bikes in general. And I, too, have spotted some bikes that went to market overseas but never here that I wish were in our showrooms, but that's what happens when a bunch of bored soccer moms gripe about horsepower ratings and emmisions and bikes like those don't make the cut because of it.

But make no mistake about it (back on the subject now), I don't apologize for my bike's size or the resources it consumes whilst entertaining the hell out of me. And don't worry, Jack, there are no hard feelings on this end...just another difference of opinion.

[oldnslo]

I guess somebody missed the accuracy disclaimer. It's called opinion, ya know. This isn't really a debating society. I don't mind being wrong, and will freely admit it, at least occasionally. Next time, let me know when the post will be graded, and I will work much harder to be totally factual, and without any opinion bias of any kind. I know doing so makes it boring for those who like to fight over nothing, but we try to please.

[Gadjet]

"ZooTech

We have more fat or overweight people for our total population than any other country. We also have more diet plans to take it off.

Again, just a reflection of our prosperity. And let's not forget that Americans are by far some of the most productive people on earth. American productivity numbers rank among the highest in the world. Not bad for a bunch of overweight, brain-dead hicks from the red states.

No, it's a reflection of the shear number of cheap fast food places with drive through windows and home delivery, catering to the 'I want it now' crowd, who are too lazy to get off the couch/off the video game and actually get some fresh air and excersise for a change.

Maybe that's Japan's new scheme for taking over the US. Get the entire country hooked on their video games and wait for them all to become fat, lazy slobs riddled with heart disease and clogged arteries, then just walk in and take over.

[PhilD9er]

"Regardless of the outcome, it was the US that forced Japan into the war."

Why, by boycotting Japan for invading China and causing the deaths of millions? Or are you going back to the Tokagawa Shogonate and that embarassment in Edo harbor?

OP, your sh-t is a bit creepy. Like most Americans I ride a bike that's under 1 liter displacement. What the F is your problem?

[Analog]

I am not going to apologize for being born in a country that has problems, but is still better than everyone elses.

It is this type of statement that justifies a lot of peoples opinions of Americans.

I have all the freedom I want. I live in a beautiful, clean, culturally diverse country that has every liberty that yours does.
The difference is my country does not have the ignorance, arrogance and the social problems that are a by-product of your self proclaimed superiority.
I have never had a need to bear arms for my or my families protection, nor will I regardless of where I go in the country.
I can buy a multi-litre chrome transporter and cruise around on roads without speed limits till the smile falls off my face.

On one hand you state that your country has problems, then on the other you state that it is the best country in the world. My country does not have those problems, does that make us better?

Ok, now you sound really jealous for one, and for two, you're putting words in my mouth. -- And 3, you're being helplessly stereotypical. Where does all this anger come from?

Let me tell ya something: I actually do have the need to bear arms, and I do every week when I collect from 3 buildings in South Central LA and 2 in Inglewood over the course of a month. I have had to before. I have seen a man get shot in the face with a 22 6 feet in from of me and live.
And I still feel grateful to live in this country.

I recycle, I don't eat animals, and I have a relatively small "chrome transporter" that I proudly worked a long time to get, and you better belive that I'm going to cruise around with a smile on my face, although there are speed limits in every state, so I'm not sure where you're getting your info from... oh, that's right, you're making all of it up.

I am not a "patriot". I am extremely upset at many of the things that the people in power here have done and continue to do. I notice all the problems that this country has and I have seen first hand how good I have it here, so I am going to use my freedoms to my advantage, and you might understand that too if you were well traveled. Try going to ElSalvador and seeing how many of the childern live there. Stay for a while and watch how the authorities operate and how the common population is treated by them. Then try going someplace much worse, like one of the many countries in Africa that are in a constant state of war, where human life is regarded in the same way you regard a spider in the shower. Myabe if you take a look outside the world you see on your talking picture box, you might think that America is not so bad.

The truth is, you don't know a darn thing about me, or anybody else for that matter, you are simply generalizing a country's population based on what the government is doing abroad.

So in short, yeah.. I'm not going to apologize for being born in America. why should I?

[Mintbread]

You are obviously not very good at paying attention.

"I" is the key word, not "you".
I can do all of these things in my country. We have roads without speed limits, not you, so don't you dare tell me I am just "making things up". Everything you just said has further justified my opinion of you being a self absorbed ignoramus.

Jealous? You wish...

[DivideOverflow]

What country do you live in? (I seem to have missed that part). Are you french-canadian?

Most civilized countries have their good sides and bad sides. I'm glad you like our country, but there is no need to get mad at Americans for liking theirs. Everyone expects us to be disgusted with ourselves for some reason... I dont want you to be jealous, I'm glad you enjoy where you live. I'm not arrogant and have no illusions about the country I live in.

What I do have is an appreciation for what this country does offer me. The opportunity for a great standard of living, jobs in any field I want to enter, toys to amuse me when I'm not working, and the ability to afford things I love. I'm a "poor" college student and I can still afford my own apartment, a motorcycle, a car, and food. I work during the summer, and go to school during fall and spring. Can I do this in another country? Probably. Do I really really enjoy doing it here? YEP!

I guess a lot of people would consider me buying a motorcycle "excessive" since I already own a car.. but you know what? It isn't their money, I value my recreational time. Other cultures have similar values, and spend their money on things they enjoy and are able to afford. This is what the whole thread was about: "Why do Americans buy motorcycles with car engines in them!!" Simply, because we can, and it looks like fun. Life is too short to worry about what other people think of your recreational choices.

Now you kids have gone way off topic and turned it into an America bashfest! It is very popular to do, and understandable to an extent. As a country, we are pretty successful, and we are proud of that fact. The problem is a lot of us really dont care about people in other countries, and have no real clue about any of them. Therefore, Americans tend to make the mistake of inadvertantly (or advertantly) looking down on people outside of this country. A lot of people are not like this, but there are people like that all over the world.

/back on topic
Bottom line, people are going to ride what they want to ride. It comes down to personal preference and use. You will find that a great deal of people who have very large bikes only ride them on weekends for pleasure. Kind of like having a big boat.. do you need it? No.. is it fun? YES!

[Kal]

I can do all of these things in my country.

NSW? New South Wales - Austrailia?