I just have to dive in here. I ride an Ultra-Classic Harley as well as my Busa. Since I am 59 years old, I have been in the riding bike scene for more than 40 years. When I first started I had a 58 750 Triumph. Then went to Harley sportster choppers. Back then it seems there was no other option. I went through the bad-ass period most of us back then. Too many movies I guess. Anyway I have had a Harley for most of my riding life. In addition I have had many Japanese bikes also. Mostly cruiser types until about 5 years ago. I discovered the sport bikes when I wanted a bike to lane split easier when commuting to work. Started with a 600 Ninja and progressed up the my 03 Busa. I still ride with lots of Harley friends and it doesn't matter to them if I am on the Harley or Busa. Maybe it's because I'm old now, but I don't get any negative vibes from anyone I'm around. If I feel like showing up to a Harley event on the Busa I do. If I want to ride the Harley to a sport bike event, I do. It's all in the joy of being able to ride. I hope I never get where I can't. You folks have seen my arm tats that have Live to Ride and Ride to Live. It is truly a way of life for me. And I love it.......
Just wanted to make sure you Harley owners here on the board and of course a few of my friends are excluded from my little rant above. It is a generalization and as such there are allways exceptions.
In Fairness, when I see a guy all covered in tats, (NOT THE GLUE ON KIND) who has a sweet Harley that looks like it is ridden. Maybe a little leathery around the mug...You know Old school? I give them a lot of respect, they have been riding the Hog or something similar for longer than I have been alive. Folks that are truly out there to ride. They get two thumbs up... If they want to harsh on my Busa thats fine, I'll rag on their Harley and mention things like handling, braking, acceleration, etc... But there isn't any real hostility.
The "Bikers" that I get ugly with are the poser "Credit Card" bikers... The 30-50 somethings that bought a Harley because they have become a status symbol. Something to park along side the Mercedes. Something to prove what rebels they still are. The Middle management crap heads who decided they had to get a Harley to prove to the world that they haven't sold their paper thin souls to the man. It's a derisive comment or headshake from one of these posers, these Image bikers, that lead me to get real ugly... Folks that bought a bike in the hopes that owning a particular Marque is going to somehow fill the hole in their lives. The Born agains, that decide they are "Tough Harley Rebels". Grrr.
When I get attitude from a Harley guy that has obviously been on Harleys forever I can deal with that, they are being true to themselves. Right or wrong I can just blur by them and it doesn't get to me nearly as much as the wanna bees that wouldn't know a Shovel from a Pan, or an AMF from an Evolution giving me attitude while wearing their Harley Boots, Gloves, and Harley Shades, and on and on... Thats when I get irritated.
I don't need for anyone to give me a wave or tell my bike is or isn't cool, I could give a damn. That's not my point, what I think I am getting at is you are either out there on the bike because it's your passion, it's what you live for and because riding is freedom in two wheel form. Or your a poser sh^t head and you do not get it, nor will you ever get it, and you should sit down, shut up and hope that a true OG biker doesn't come along and beat your ass and steal your shiny new 100th AE Hog because your a bobo and deserve it.
To recap...If your riding because it's your passion Cool I don't care what your on. If you riding because it's an image... Kill yourself and do the world a favor... or is that too harsh???
Oh and Just in case...I think I mentioned this before. I come from a riding family, Grandad owned a Honda Dealership in OK, Other Grandad rode Harleys, All 5 of my uncles ride from both sides of the family, 4 of 6 male cousins ride, Dad used to ride. Hell come by the house 20 years ago and you would have found a Blue framed custom Harley being assembled in the living room of one of my Uncles places. Leg in a cast up to the hips, rebuilding his baby. So It's not like I just up and decided to start riding and bitching on a web-board. I didn't really have a choice about riding, it's in the genes... Oh and I am good at bitchin...
Ok I gotta go take my medication or a nap or something....I'm really freaking going off....
) If they twist the wrist and it does anything more than make damned noise it scares the crap out of 'em! Hahahahahahahaha... 
