Harley Davidson and this guys site.....an example of obsession gone wrong

[bozack]

Let me first preface this with the fact that I personally do not own a Motorcycle nor do I have any intention of ever buying one, however I came upon this site on another board and just thought I would put it up and see what kind of reponses it got...I personally wonder if this person has ever owned a Harley...scary to think that someone can get so enraged/obsessed with an item to go to such great lengths...

oh well, here is the site.

http://www.goingfaster.com/angst/noharley2.html

sad what some people turn into, and he refers to this site as his "hobby"...scary if you ask me.

 

[Atrail]

Too much to read.
Everyone knows Harleys are not cutting edge from an engineering aspect. They are truly American made. Look how many recalls they have, especially Buell.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Hogs are for people who want to cruise.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Whoa!

Great rant! Too much angst though.

 

[Ronstang]

The guy is basically dead-on accurate for the most part, so what is your point?

 

[Cyberian]

He says he rides a Kawasaki Ninja.
You're right though, I couldn't get that worked up over as trivial a thing as what kind of bike people ride.

 

[bozack]

I agree Atrail, people don't buy them for performance rather for their classic look/style and their image....why anyone would compare them with sporty eurobikes and take a whole website to complain about it is beyond me, especially as seeing how the creator of said site has no intention of every buying one and has never personally owned one...why complain about something that doesn't interest you?...just thought it was interesting and scary at the same time to see just how demented some people can be on the net...either that or how some have way too much free time.

 

[bozack]

Ronstang, my point is twofold...one if he openly admits he has never owned a Harley and has no intention of buying their current product then why obsess? because he is pissed that Harley doesn't cater to his needs even though there are numerous other companies out there that do??

and secondly it is sad and scary to see someone get so worked up over something so trivial, and even worse when you see them dedicate a good portion of their life to propogating their opinions...definately a sign that we as a society have gotten too obsessed with material posessions or that we have nothing better to do.

Why anyone would bother to draw the comparisons that he does is beyond me, and the NASA example is somewhat ironic given their current state of affairs..and I used to work for them. He mentions many times that he has gotten railed for not owning a Harley, I think his frustration is a combined of the facts that he is tired of justifying his purchasing decisions to the "illiterati" and also that he takes issue with the pricing structure of a product that *he* deems as inferior using his standards and criteria when IMHO it is totally subjective...he values performance and cutting edge technology while others value classism and the image which Harley represents...

 

[Atrail]

Someone should start a POLL.
What percentage of people in this world suffer from dementia or are in some form or fashion, crazy?
I think the figure would be quite high.

 

[friedpie]

He probably jacks off to the Fast and the Furious.

 

[MGallik]

He's articulate and pissed at HD riders for their attitude towards other bike riders. I ride both and understand.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: MGallik
He's articulate and pissed at HD riders for their attitude towards other bike riders. I ride both and understand.

Tolorence.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I didn't read much of it, but he's right. Harleys are about the image. I believe they make more money from the merchandise than from the bikes. And bikers all look the same.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: friedpie
He probably jacks off to the Fast and the Furious.

Because he hates Harleys and rides a Japanese bike? You seem a tad bitter.

 

[grrl]

Originally posted by: bozack
...it is sad and scary to see someone get so worked up over something so trivial, and even worse when you see them dedicate a good portion of their life to propogating their opinions....

It definitely seems over the top. So he pissed Harley is mainly about image? YAWN!

Fvck. Life should be so easy we can waste time ranting about such nonsense.

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: bozack
Ronstang, my point is twofold...one if he openly admits he has never owned a Harley and has no intention of buying their current product then why obsess? because he is pissed that Harley doesn't cater to his needs even though there are numerous other companies out there that do??

and secondly it is sad and scary to see someone get so worked up over something so trivial, and even worse when you see them dedicate a good portion of their life to propogating their opinions...definately a sign that we as a society have gotten too obsessed with material posessions or that we have nothing better to do.

Why anyone would bother to draw the comparisons that he does is beyond me, and the NASA example is somewhat ironic given their current state of affairs..and I used to work for them. He mentions many times that he has gotten railed for not owning a Harley, I think his frustration is a combined of the facts that he is tired of justifying his purchasing decisions to the "illiterati" and also that he takes issue with the pricing structure of a product that *he* deems as inferior using his standards and criteria when IMHO it is totally subjective...he values performance and cutting edge technology while others value classism and the image which Harley represents...

No offense intended but I find it ironic that you are accusing someone of obsessing.....have you read your own posts? I don't care what the guys motivations are I think the site is funny because there is a lot of truth in what he says.

 

[KenGr]

An interesting read but the guy bases it on a major misconception... That a Harley is a motorcycle. It isn't. It's a Harley. HDs make pretty miserable motorcycles but they are the absolute best Harley Davidsons in the world. Honda and Yamaha have been trying to build Harleys for years and continue to fail because they insist on making them motorcycles.

I've ridden Suzuki's and Yamaha's and Ducati's and never had any interest in owning a Harley because I was always more interested in riding than cruising or collecting. But I certainly appreciate them for what they are. The only Harley I'd really be interested in owning is my brother's '77 CR. You take one look at it and you know it's different and special. After 26 years it looks up to date and timeless. Most bikes today look like yesterdays fad in 5 years.

 

[burnedout]

No offense intended but I find it ironic that you are accusing someone of obsessing.....have you read your own posts? I don't care what the guys motivations are I think the site is funny because there is a lot of truth in what he says.

In present-day context, with all the yuppies and such tootin' their proverbial horns on weekend scoots, yes, unfortunately the author speaks much truth.

There were days not too awfully long ago when the rice-burner crowd looked upon those of us who really rode as sacred revolutionary beings. No contempt existed at the time. Both them and us knew their rice-rockets would go faster, but they knew that we partied harder with a greater conviction for the subtle aspects of life in general.

Those were the days, before the Europeans came over in droves buying up every used Harley-Davidson in the country, when one could really experience Americana on a Shovelhead for a comparatively paltry sum.

There were days when those of us who really believed in our scoots rode till the temperature got down into the 30s. We hated the helmet laws, so we modified our lids according to how we really felt.

There were days, [long pause] when those of us who rode real American iron felt a brotherhood amongst us. We gave each other the shirts off our backs. We graciously shared everything - even the babes - and laughed about it years later when recalling a much fonder time.

There were days when the old timers would crack a smile when a gentleman pulled up on his scoot and say "I rode one of them things during the war, young feller".

Those were indeed the days. And they weren't that long ago.

**Proud Harley-Davidson Owner Since 1983**

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
No offense intended but I find it ironic that you are accusing someone of obsessing.....have you read your own posts? I don't care what the guys motivations are I think the site is funny because there is a lot of truth in what he says.

No offense taken however you must remember that while some of my posts might seem as *obsessive* to you I must stress that I would never even consider giving up a good portion of my life to dedicating a webpage to them...a post takes but a few minutes to write, what he is doing IMHO is over the top...I could see if he had been a previous Harley owner and was dis-satisfied with their product, but instead he is lambasting the company for not making something that he wants, it would almost be like me getting upset and ranting about Ferrari for not making a sub $40K SUV and then creating an entire website dedicated to slamming the company.

 

[SaigonK]

Way to crap on the Harley.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Harley Davidson. It's not a motorcycle company. It is a pagan cult religion for brain dead trend humping fashion lemmings

I've owned 11 bikes, every brand but Harley, I've ridden 1/2 dozen of them, & would only consider a Buell if I had to buy something that was @ least part Harley...

He's not that far off...

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: burnedout

No offense intended but I find it ironic that you are accusing someone of obsessing.....have you read your own posts? I don't care what the guys motivations are I think the site is funny because there is a lot of truth in what he says.

In present-day context, with all the yuppies and such tootin' their proverbial horns on weekend scoots, yes, unfortunately the author speaks much truth.

There were days not too awfully long ago when the rice-burner crowd looked upon those of us who really rode as sacred revolutionary beings. No contempt existed at the time. Both them and us knew their rice-rockets would go faster, but they knew that we partied harder with a greater conviction for the subtle aspects of life in general.

Those were the days, before the Europeans came over in droves buying up every used Harley-Davidson in the country, when one could really experience Americana on a Shovelhead for a comparatively paltry sum.

There were days when those of us who really believed in our scoots rode till the temperature got down into the 30s. We hated the helmet laws, so we modified our lids according to how we really felt.

There were days, [long pause] when those of us who rode real American iron felt a brotherhood amongst us. We gave each other the shirts off our backs. We graciously shared everything - even the babes - and laughed about it years later when recalling a much fonder time.

There were days when the old timers would crack a smile when a gentleman pulled up on his scoot and say "I rode one of them things during the war, young feller".

Those were indeed the days. And they weren't that long ago.

**Proud Harley-Davidson Owner Since 1983**

I have been riding a loooooooooooooong time, before there was a Japanese sport bike. I miss my old Brit bike, my Norton. Back then when you rode, everyone was pretty cool. There was us and those in cages. When a bike passed the other way, you gave the universal welcome (not the finger) you stuck out your left hand down at an angle. Just a freindly acknowlegement. Then the poseurs came. The lawyers replaced the riders. HD guys THEN became asses. Of course that is not universally true. I know some devoted HD guys who have retained the spirit, but now for the most part they suck. When I pull up to a HD guy now, I expect than when I smile and nod, they will turn their nose up. Occasionally, I am suprised. Most often, not. I happen to work at a place where this guy wears the leather all the time. Belongs to some Boston MC HD club. We would give the obligatory exchange of hellos. Not now. He knows what I ride. I purposefully walk straight at him now and say "good morning" and he literally sticks his nose in the air and refuses to look at me. I make him walk around me just to avoid me. When people see him, they say "What a dick". Just because I ride something other than a Harley. I suspect that is what set this guy on the website off. Not the machine so much, but the rider and it is really too bad. I have ridden with guys on everything from Aprillas to Vespas and have had a blast. Maybe these bad HD riders should keep ignoring us. Lets the rest of us enjoy life instead of sitting around talking about their next chrome job.

If you get up this way Burnedout, lemme know. Know some great back roads!

 

[AvesPKS]

Is this information accurate and complete?

Heh, it's funny that the advertisements that pop up on this website have to do with Harley Davidson accessories...

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Harley Davidson. It's not a motorcycle company. It is a pagan cult religion for brain dead trend humping fashion lemmings

I've owned 11 bikes, every brand but Harley, I've ridden 1/2 dozen of them, & would only consider a Buell if I had to buy something that was @ least part Harley...

He's not that far off...

How many bikes have you had that were crusiers? And what kind and type were they?


Harey makes just as much power for the engine size and design compared to Jap crusiers. I use to have a Jap crusier and if I could afford a Harley I would have one in a heart beat. Very nice, great low end power, and very smooth if you get a 1999 or newwer.

And if you knew anything about Harley yu would know they make bikes that fit their target market, and they seem to be doing to very well. Heck their new V-Rod, DOHC water cooled engine, has been selling kinda slow as its hard to upgrade it and custom make it to fit the person that buys it because of the engine type and F/I.
So before you blast a bike company look at their product from a target markets eyes, does it fit, in the case of Harley- yes it does.

 

[zCypher]

I personally don't like the "fart-bike" style (the way I like to call it ), but I don't care if someone else wants to ride that bike. I like the sportbikes which is probably what I'm gonna go for next summer (car this summer), but who cares if others ride HDs? That's ALL there used to be back "in the day".

Same with riceboy/japfanboys... 20 years ago camaros and firebirds was all you saw on the road. You didn't see freaking sentras, corollas and civics all over the place, and when they came out, they SUCKED! Yes they've improved, but give the people who like the american muscle a break, it's simply a preference.

that is all