Culture: Imports Vs. Domestics

[Jeffreybomb]

I've always wanted to ask this: are riders who buy imports treated differently than the bikers who snag Harleys?

I really wanna start riding soon here, but I'd rather not have to deal with being "looked down upon." A lot of imports are just cheaper in price than Harleys are. The lower pricetag definitely makes the bikes more attractive to new riders like me.

[Itzamna]

They might not wave at you but that's about it. Some people might be a little crappy towards you, but most riders seem to have the attitude that two wheels are two wheels. I've never had any run-ins with someone being mean towards me for my import.

Don't buy a bike because other people think it is cool. Go and find a bike you really want and get that one. You don't want to end up spending a bunch of money on something that wasn't what you really wanted. Who cares what the others think. You'll be enjoying yourself and that's all that really matters.

[Wizzard]

It's about your own scoot , not what someone elses ego thinks . I've known quite a few HD Owners whose bikes sat in their garages while they and their friends sat around looking at them while drinking a beer and thinking how kewl they all were . While I putt by on my metric everyday with my knees in the breeze .
About 6 years ago I built an extreme HD Ironhead in my living room from the ground up , it was the easiest MC engine I ever worked on but all the Milwaukee vibration was just way over rated and it had to go .
See Pic in the HD photo gallery .
Regards, Wizzard

[Aggroton]

buy what you like and can afford...i asure you what ever you get you will love and thats all that matters.

[Ninja Geoff]

There will always be domestic fans that look down on imports and vice versa. Just don't be one of those guys. You live in FL, the street scene there is mostly imports. Just find some ricers to hang out with . Like Wizzard said, it's all about your bike and what you want to ride. Ride it and be proud that it's yours.

And if some dude on a domestic gives you a dirty look, just don't sweat it. It's like the import cars vs domestic old school argument. When you look at it, there's really a lot of similarities there. Guys on Harley build up engines, swap pipes, add crhome and other cosmetic touches just as street bike riders do. The only differance is where the bike was designed.

[cb360]

I'd rather not have to deal with being "looked down upon."

You have successfully identified the absolute last thing you should be considering when looking for a bike

[Wizzard]

You have successfully identified the absolute last thing you should be considering when looking for a bike

Amen Brother...........

[Jeffreybomb]

You have successfully identified the absolute last thing you should be considering when looking for a bike

Amen Brother...........

Hahah, nice.

[Jeffreybomb]

Actually, along these same lines, I see a lot of guys talking about street bikes. I'm assuming that term is interchangeable with sport bikes?

Right now, I'm looking at the Honda line of cruisers, such as the Aero (although a friend of mine who owns one says that, being six-foot-five, I might do better to get myself something like a 1300).

But -- after reading more and more of this forum, it seems like maybe a 1300 (or even an Aero) might not be a great choice for a first bike?

I haven't had a chance to sit down and read a lot of these topics. However, I have yet to come across another post by another tall rider.

Suggestions?

[Wizzard]

I don't recommend these for your first bike but as something to maybe aspire to . These two Yamaha RoadStars have a great deal of class . These belong to some friends .

Regards, Wizzard