Harley Owners = Hard of Hearing I guess

[Screamin281]

Ok Jon, my dad has owned a HD since like 1972 and hes never had a problem with one. Victory makes a soild bike though ill give ya that. but damn all you people saying HD riders drive like idiots, have to even see how guys on rockets drive, yea even worse. and on top of that most jap bike sound like a vacuume on roids. I'd take a softtail, dyna, sportster or a vrod over any jap bike!

[Karps TA]

I don't have an opinion either way on the bikes, or even really the riders. Whatever a person is into is fine with me. But I'll always have a problem with the double standard this State has with HD and with cars. If the area even put in a fraction of the effort into making the major car shows and attendees as welcome as they do the Harley riders. Major car events come to the area and the cops crack down on them showing off, but Harley's are allowed to do crap that anybody else would never get to do. The stuff I saw during the 100th was ridiculous. Then add in the whole loud pipes thing, as plenty of people on this board have gotten tickets for loud exhaust on their cars. And I still want to see someone put together a poker run for cars once. I bet the police and MADD would shut that down in a heartbeat. But bikers get treated completely differently when it comes to drinking and driving. They get to park right up front at the bars and festivals, then sit there and drink all day long in front of cops, then just ride out like nothing happened. And don't forget the I have to wear a seat belt, but they don't have to wear helmets, cause that would ruin the Harley look.

All that stuff just rubs me the wrong way.

[pOrk]

I heard HD fixed the oil leak problem by installing an ice cream bowl under the crank to catch those nasty drips. You use the quick release bowl to detach from the bottom of the bike, pour the oil back into the filler, and ride off into the sunset!

[Berettaspeed]

harley riders are Rice on bikes. they always look in the garage to see who is looking. WE DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR STUPID BIKE!

Every light the de a flyby WTF? the Police need to come donw hard on these noobs. i dont care about a loud bike, its just why do you need to go WOT every time you stop, or feel the need to rev when your stoped?

i like the guys who have owned their bike for ages and dont feel the need to let everyone know they are there.

[wrath]

My Harley-Davidson irritations (completely ignoring riding skill or etiquette)...

People on new Harleys with loud exhausts. Your 42hp piece of **** sounds like a Bolens garden tractor, gets worse fuel economy, rides about the same, costs six times as much, and the only thing it does is give you a sore butt. Harleys are the most underpowered piles on the road today. Then the badass, on his $16,000-$22,000 bucket of leaking disappointment needs to run straight pipes so we know he was stupid enough to spend a Chevy Imapala's worth on a glorified bicycle. Oh, and because the earth-shattering 42hp pile has the oiling system of a brick, your buddies tell you to blip the throttle to fling some oil around if it idles more than ten seconds.

People on older Harleys. These people are guaranteed to have the most obnoxious exhausts ever and usually wear a tortoise shell hat for a brainbucket if one at all. They spent their kids' college education on a ten year old bucket of disaster. They're guaranteed to have so many exhaust leaks that as soon as they use any engine braking all you hear is popping. And since now the superior oiling system has barely kept the motor spinning for the 10,000 miles on its clock the thing no longer has 42hp... it's got like 28hp and the only thing it passes now are quadriplegics in wheelchairs but it sounds darn tootin' cool when it tries to pass a Toyota Prius.

[Mudd Runner]

Honda Spree moped FTW

[Al]

wrath is a h8er!

I'll check that 42 hp thing soon. That is, it's not 1987 anymore.

I put a little over 7k on mine since July 3, 10k is not far away.

Oil Leaks, NONE. Exhaust, stock with no holes. Rode it 1000 miles in one day and my butt feels fine.

Wrath, it seems that you really don't know about the oiling systems on these things.

Your parents must have had low expectations for you if you think that all of the money saved for college could only buy a 10-year-old Harley.


Now, I am not denying that Harley's did not drip oil in the past. The same could be said for anything made in the US more than 15 years ago (i have owned GM and Ford). But, just like the domestic cars, as long as there was oil in it, it would keep on running. If you want more on this subject, read Jay Leno's review on this subject.


I have NOT seen a Harley rider wipe out yet, but I have seen more rockets go down than I care to keep track of. Not to mention that this is in the past two months alone.


IMO, the worst bike riders are BMW owners. I've only come across one that wasn't a total douche.

[gottwins?]

i mean the harley cruises sound great...all that. Just hate being on the eastside for a drink this time of year. Can't even keep my eyes on a nice pair of tits before that gawdawful BRRRAAAAP shakes my eyeballs out of my socket.

LMAO I love this quote.

[Car Guy]

I don't have an opinion either way on the bikes, or even really the riders. Whatever a person is into is fine with me. But I'll always have a problem with the double standard this State has with HD and with cars. If the area even put in a fraction of the effort into making the major car shows and attendees as welcome as they do the Harley riders. Major car events come to the area and the cops crack down on them showing off, but Harley's are allowed to do crap that anybody else would never get to do. The stuff I saw during the 100th was ridiculous. Then add in the whole loud pipes thing, as plenty of people on this board have gotten tickets for loud exhaust on their cars. And I still want to see someone put together a poker run for cars once. I bet the police and MADD would shut that down in a heartbeat. But bikers get treated completely differently when it comes to drinking and driving. They get to park right up front at the bars and festivals, then sit there and drink all day long in front of cops, then just ride out like nothing happened. And don't forget the I have to wear a seat belt, but they don't have to wear helmets, cause that would ruin the Harley look.

All that stuff just rubs me the wrong way.

Couldn't have said it better.....

[gottwins?]

I don't have an opinion either way on the bikes, or even really the riders. Whatever a person is into is fine with me. But I'll always have a problem with the double standard this State has with HD and with cars. If the area even put in a fraction of the effort into making the major car shows and attendees as welcome as they do the Harley riders. Major car events come to the area and the cops crack down on them showing off, but Harley's are allowed to do crap that anybody else would never get to do. The stuff I saw during the 100th was ridiculous. Then add in the whole loud pipes thing, as plenty of people on this board have gotten tickets for loud exhaust on their cars. And I still want to see someone put together a poker run for cars once. I bet the police and MADD would shut that down in a heartbeat. But bikers get treated completely differently when it comes to drinking and driving. They get to park right up front at the bars and festivals, then sit there and drink all day long in front of cops, then just ride out like nothing happened. And don't forget the I have to wear a seat belt, but they don't have to wear helmets, cause that would ruin the Harley look.

All that stuff just rubs me the wrong way.

+1 on all of this..I got a ticket for loud exhaust when I was at 1300 rpms...bs

[whistlin six]

Idiots come in all shapes and sizes, no matter what they're driving.
No need to single out Harley enthusiasts.

They sound no worse than a fart canned four banger winding out first gear.

[Windsors 03 Cobra]

Kind of brash and undeserving generalizations here none the less I think my car is as loud as most Harleys and I wind each gear most times and I use poppy engine braking all the time I have never had a ticket or a concern if someone didn't like my loud ass exhaust.

Bike riders ? Live to ride, ride to die.

[lordairgtar]

Now a person can ride anything they want, but why do HD riders rant on American iron yet the Harley clothes and trinkets are all made in China. My GF has an official licensed leather jacket she won in a raffle that is clearly labeled "Made In China".

[Windsors 03 Cobra]

HD riders rant on American iron

I don't think many of them do anymore, most probably drive toyota's.

I remember a yearly event at GLD some motorscooter gang would host a HONDA DROP where they would bust up a honda bike, I don't think they even have that anymore.

It's too bad what has happened to the United States manufacturing sector.

[T-Bag]

I have NOT seen a Harley rider wipe out yet, but I have seen more rockets go down than I care to keep track of. Not to mention that this is in the past two months alone.


IMO, the worst bike riders are BMW owners. I've only come across one that wasn't a total douche.

1. Although over the top, Wrath's post was hilarious

2. The only reason you don't see Harley riders down as much is because

a. There are way more sport bikes than harley's here, don't try to argue that
b. Read the newspaper the next morning....harley guys wipe out after 2am when they are on their way home from the local karaokee tavern.

3. I have to agree on the BMW thing


All joking aside...it is kind of unfair to generalize all Harley riders based on the actions of the MAJORITY. Are there a lot of douche nozzle sport bike riders? Hell yeah, but not the majority....and at least 75% wear helmets.

P.S. My honda is more american than your Harley

[T-Bag]

Ok Jon, my dad has owned a HD since like 1972 and hes never had a problem with one. Victory makes a soild bike though ill give ya that. but damn all you people saying HD riders drive like idiots, have to even see how guys on rockets drive, yea even worse. and on top of that most jap bike sound like a vacuume on roids. I'd take a softtail, dyna, sportster or a vrod over any jap bike!

I'll wipe the floor with any softtail, dyna, sportster or v-rod you decide to pickup....then I'll let you do the typical harley fly-by and repeat the process in less than 1/4 mile.

I like my roided vacuum

[Knyghtmare]

And then there are the crotch rocket morons that have to have a multi-colored leather jacket that matches the paint job with matching pants, boots, helmet and t-shirt with japanese lettering all over it that they dont understand what it means, but tell everyone it means "badass". Then every night when they go to sleep they stare at their "Torque" movie poster and jerk-off to ice cube. Once asleep they dream of bein mad stuntaz doing wheelies through traffic with the helmetless bimbo on the back that they are trying to impress, but will probably kill. As long as we are talking about traffic, dont forget gunning it and weaving in and out of traffic 30 miles over the speedlimit to prove how fast it is? Not to mention that unless the person selling the bike is a responsible/experiences rider you cant find a used sport bike without the fairings scratched to shit or repainted from when it was put down.

Oh yeah the sport bike riders are SO much better...

I am less worried about HD riders than I am the idoit teenagers and 20-somethings who think they are better than everyone else because they own a 1340cc sport bike that they cant control, but hey its FAST! More idiots crash on sport bikes than HDs.

We all know there are stupid people out there with too much money. We can all be haters about something if we put our mind to it. Quit ******* crying geez.

[T-Bag]

And then there are the crotch rocket morons that have to have a multi-colored leather jacket that matches the paint job with matching pants, boots, helmet and t-shirt with japanese lettering all over it that they dont understand what it means, but tell everyone it means "badass". Then every night when they go to sleep they stare at their "Torque" movie poster and jerk-off to ice cube.

LMAO, that was pretty good.

I haven't even seen Torque, just the name makes it sound awful as most sport bikes pretty much lack torque

I bought my bike with scratched panels and a rebuilt title....but I got it for a decent price and the only reason it was salvaged was because the dude before my buddy who owned it (in MN) layed it down on its side after getting cut off and it knocked off the mirror and scratched up the left side. The insurance company salvaged it, the guy sold it to my buddy...he put a mirror on it and it passed inspection and got a rebuilt salvage title. After spending less than $200 I've got both side panels looking brand new (well...one is new).

[0TransAm0]

all this bitchen about takeing it up to 40mph in first to make noiose blah blah blah cuz you guys never done it in your car?? give me a friggin break its all the same only they do it on a bike and not in the car and the bike is louder bunch of frickin crybabies in here..

QFTMFT
We all know there are stupid people out there with too much money. We can all be haters about something if we put our mind to it. Quit ******* crying geez.

[lordairgtar]

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/hurt-report.html

Summary of Findings

Throughout the accident and exposure data there are special observations which relate to accident and injury causation and characteristics of the motorcycle accidents studied. These findings are summarized as follows:

1. Approximately three-fourths of these motorcycle accidents involved collision with another vehicle, which was most often a passenger automobile.

2. Approximately one-fourth of these motorcycle accidents were single vehicle accidents involving the motorcycle colliding with the roadway or some fixed object in the environment.

3. Vehicle failure accounted for less than 3% of these motorcycle accidents, and most of those were single vehicle accidents where control was lost due to a puncture flat.

4. In single vehicle accidents, motorcycle rider error was present as the accident precipitating factor in about two-thirds of the cases, with the typical error being a slideout and fall due to overbraking or running wide on a curve due to excess speed or under-cornering.

5. Roadway defects (pavement ridges, potholes, etc.) were the accident cause in 2% of the accidents; animal involvement was 1% of the accidents.

6. In multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents.

7. The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

8. Deliberate hostile action by a motorist against a motorcycle rider is a rare accident cause. The most frequent accident configuration is the motorcycle proceeding straight then the automobile makes a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle.

10. Intersections are the most likely place for the motorcycle accident, with the other vehicle violating the motorcycle right-of-way, and often violating traffic controls.

11. Weather is not a factor in 98% of motorcycle accidents.

12. Most motorcycle accidents involve a short trip associated with shopping, errands, friends, entertainment or recreation, and the accident is likely to happen in a very short time close to the trip origin.

13. The view of the motorcycle or the other vehicle involved in the accident is limited by glare or obstructed by other vehicles in almost half of the multiple vehicle accidents.

14. Conspicuity of the motorcycle is a critical factor in the multiple vehicle accidents, and accident involvement is significantly reduced by the use of motorcycle headlamps (on in daylight) and the wearing of high visibility yellow, orange or bright red jackets.

15. Fuel system leaks and spills were present in 62% of the motorcycle accidents in the post-crash phase. This represents an undue hazard for fire.

16. The median pre-crash speed was 29.8 mph, and the median crash speed was 21.5 mph, and the one-in-a-thousand crash speed is approximately 86 mph.

17. The typical motorcycle pre-crash lines-of-sight to the traffic hazard portray no contribution of the limits of peripheral vision; more than three-fourths of all accident hazards are within 45deg of either side of straight ahead.

18. Conspicuity of the motorcycle is most critical for the frontal surfaces of the motorcycle and rider.

19. Vehicle defects related to accident causation are rare and likely to be due to deficient or defective maintenance.

20. Motorcycle riders between the ages of 16 and 24 are significantly overrepresented in accidents; motorcycle riders between the ages of 30 and 50 are significantly underrepresented. Although the majority of the accident-involved motorcycle riders are male (96%), the female motorcycles riders are significantly overrepresented in the accident data.

22. Craftsmen, laborers, and students comprise most of the accident-involved motorcycle riders. Professionals, sales workers, and craftsmen are underrepresented and laborers, students and unemployed are overrepresented in the accidents.

23. Motorcycle riders with previous recent traffic citations and accidents are overrepresented in the accident data.

24. The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents.

25. More than half of the accident-involved motorcycle riders had less than 5 months experience on the accident motorcycle, although the total street riding experience was almost 3 years. Motorcycle riders with dirt bike experience are significantly underrepresented in the accident data.

26. Lack of attention to the driving task is a common factor for the motorcyclist in an accident.

27. Almost half of the fatal accidents show alcohol involvement.

28. Motorcycle riders in these accidents showed significant collision avoidance problems. Most riders would overbrake and skid the rear wheel, and underbrake the front wheel greatly reducing collision avoidance deceleration. The ability to countersteer and swerve was essentially absent.

29. The typical motorcycle accident allows the motorcyclist just less than 2 seconds to complete all collision avoidance action.

30. Passenger-carrying motorcycles are not overrepresented in the accident area.

31. The driver of the other vehicles involved in collision with the motorcycle are not distinguished from other accident populations except that the ages of 20 to 29, and beyond 65 are overrepresented. Also, these drivers are generally unfamiliar with motorcycles.

32. Large displacement motorcycles are underrepresented in accidents but they are associated with higher injury severity when involved in accidents.

33. Any effect of motorcycle color on accident involvement is not determinable from these data, but is expected to be insignificant because the frontal surfaces are most often presented to the other vehicle involved in the collision.

34. Motorcycles equipped with fairings and windshields are underrepresented in accidents, most likely because of the contribution to conspicuity and the association with more experienced and trained riders.

35. Motorcycle riders in these accidents were significantly without motorcycle license, without any license, or with license revoked.

36. Motorcycle modifications such as those associated with the semi-chopper or cafe racer are definitely overrepresented in accidents.

37. The likelihood of injury is extremely high in these motorcycle accidents-98% of the multiple vehicle collisions and 96% of the single vehicle accidents resulted in some kind of injury to the motorcycle rider; 45% resulted in more than a minor injury.

38. Half of the injuries to the somatic regions were to the ankle-foot, lower leg, knee, and thigh-upper leg.

39. Crash bars are not an effective injury countermeasure; the reduction of injury to the ankle-foot is balanced by increase of injury to the thigh-upper leg, knee, and lower leg.

40. The use of heavy boots, jacket, gloves, etc., is effective in preventing or reducing abrasions and lacerations, which are frequent but rarely severe injuries.

41. Groin injuries were sustained by the motorcyclist in at least 13% of the accidents, which typified by multiple vehicle collision in frontal impact at higher than average speed.

42. Injury severity increases with speed, alcohol involvement and motorcycle size.

43. Seventy-three percent of the accident-involved motorcycle riders used no eye protection, and it is likely that the wind on the unprotected eyes contributed in impairment of vision which delayed hazard detection.

44. Approximately 50% of the motorcycle riders in traffic were using safety helmets but only 40% of the accident-involved motorcycle riders were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.

45. Voluntary safety helmet use by those accident-involved motorcycle riders was lowest for untrained, uneducated, young motorcycle riders on hot days and short trips.

46. The most deadly injuries to the accident victims were injuries to the chest and head.

47. The use of the safety helmet is the single critical factor in the prevention of reduction of head injury; the safety helmet which complies with FMVSS 218 is a significantly effective injury countermeasure.

48. Safety helmet use caused no attenuation of critical traffic sounds, no limitation of precrash visual field, and no fatigue or loss of attention; no element of accident causation was related to helmet use.

49. FMVSS 218 provides a high level of protection in traffic accidents, and needs modification only to increase coverage at the back of the head and demonstrate impact protection of the front of full facial coverage helmets, and insure all adult sizes for traffic use are covered by the standard.

50. Helmeted riders and passengers showed significantly lower head and neck injury for all types of injury, at all levels of injury severity.
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