Honda or Harley?

[ZooTech]

I wasn't aware that engine displacement corresponds directly to masculinity. Interesting.

Careful with that joke, Sev, it's an antique!

And if I understand Mr Zoo's logic correctly, a 1600 Mean Streak is technically a "Chick's Bike" in Ohio.

Yup! Just ask Loonette!

[ronboskz650sr]

It's interesting, when I catch anyone gawking at my bike (probably wondering what it even is), if I look directly at them (full face, dark shield)...they look away very quickly. When they see me wave in a friendly manner, they look back and wave, too. This goes for "chicks" and "he-men" alike. Doesn't seem to bother anyone that it's a 650cc UJM. Maybe it has something to do with a 10 month riding season (12 for some of us). Nobody cares what anybody rides, and gawking is impolite. Still, a friendly wave cures it all.

[scan]

Although I do know what Zoo is talking about, it is crazy that some folks feel that way. I have heard the Sportster is a chick bike thing a few times (and not just in Ohio, OK?). I have not heard anyone say anything about Japanese bikes as far as chick bikes, even small ones. But I have only been around this world for a couple years. Funny though in this short time I heard the Sportster = chickbike. I personally find it to be my favorite Harley - but I am not a cruiser guy.

[ZooTech]

It's interesting, when I catch anyone gawking at my bike (probably wondering what it even is), if I look directly at them (full face, dark shield)...they look away very quickly. When they see me wave in a friendly manner, they look back and wave, too. This goes for "chicks" and "he-men" alike. Doesn't seem to bother anyone that it's a 650cc UJM. Maybe it has something to do with a 10 month riding season (12 for some of us). Nobody cares what anybody rides, and gawking is impolite. Still, a friendly wave cures it all.

Well, keep in mind nobody around here "looks down" on small bikes by any means. It's nothing more than the typical "guy razzes other guy" antics. My friend Deanna and I razz our mutual friend Keith all the time for driving a Ford ZX2. It's definitely a "chick car". He even opted for the automatic transmission! And so, following suit, we continue on to his Sportster 883, too. But he never defends it or disagrees with us...he just turns red and laughs it off (and immediately starts talking about that elusive 1200 kit!). And when I called him yesterday to ask him if "it's the nose-bleed seat at a Harley Davidson concert" was a good description of the 883, he agreed whole-heartedly.

All in good fun.



BTW: I wave at dudes on scooters all the time. If it has two wheels, you're gettin' a wave from me.

Although I do know what Zoo is talking about, it is crazy that some folks feel that way. I have heard the Sportster is a chick bike thing a few times (and not just in Ohio, OK?). I have not heard anyone say anything about Japanese bikes as far as chick bikes, even small ones. But I have only been around this world for a couple years. Funny though in this short time I heard the Sportster = chickbike. I personally find it to be my favorite Harley - but I am not a cruiser guy.

Yeah, you're right. One day even my sister (who has never met Keith) came over and we were talking about motorcycles and how her husband was going to get one. Keith mentioned the 883 and she was like, "Hell no, that's a chick bike!". Needless to say, he was rather pissed!

Anyway, later on, after she left, he went on and on about how everyone at work (and now even my sister) refers to the 883 as a "chick's bike" yet bikes like the V-Star 650 escape the very same label with less displacement.

C'est la vie!

[sapaul]

Just my opinion, but do not buy any bike that you have not ridden, ask any guy that goes to a BM dealership and gets the 1200 GS shoved down his throat. If you ride the bike and it makes you "feel" then you will know. Those that have to ask, do not understand. As for the chick bike badge, who cares, if it feels right, it's right.

[High_Side]

Funny though in this short time I heard the Sportster = chickbike. I personally find it to be my favorite Harley - but I am not a cruiser guy.

I've always liked Sportsters as well and really dig the 883R (Orange and black). I rode one years ago and it was a really well balanced great shifting little bike. When stopped at a traffic light the front wheel would almost hop off of the ground it was shaking so badly , but as soon as you idled away it was perfectly smooth.
There is nothing cooler than a souped up sporty done up like a flat tracker! Chicks bike my arse!

[Toyuzu]

Something noone has yet addressed - the original poster expressed some concern about the water-cooled Honda. I feel he should be more concerned about the air-cooled Harley, if he does much riding in traffic.

I rode my air-cooled Yamaha FJ 600 to Laguna Seca recently for the Moto GP race. Sunday morning heading up to the track for the race, I was stuck in bumper-to-bumper for at least two hours, and it was a warm day. My poor Yamaha got pretty hot. It died a couple of times, and I had to roll-start it because sitting at idle so long wasn't charging the battery.

Ducatis were dropping like flies (the air-cooled ones). I only saw one water-cooled bike with any trouble though. It was a Ducati also. (a 996 dumping all of it's coolant all over the side of the road)

I can't comment on How Harleys faired though, I think there were only about three of them there.

[TechTMW]

Aren't you guys allowed to lane split????

[Toyuzu]

Aren't you guys allowed to lane split????

Yes, but unfortunately, the roads on the track property at Laguna Seca are not wide enough to allow lane-splitting. A few guys were trying, but there were moto-cops everywhere giving tickets for crossing the center line. The shoulder wasn't wide enough, either. It either dropped into oblivion, or rose sharply and left no room for a bike between the hill and the cars.

Next year, I'll either get a small scooter just to ride around the track, or a bigger water-cooled bike.

[ronboskz650sr]

That's what happens when you let cars into a motorcycle race.