by rick
1. Them: "Is that your bike?"
- while I'm standing there in a padded jacket putting gas in the tank.
1994 Monument Valley (Bluff) cross country trip on my R90S wearing a blue 'Stich in 110 degree heat.
2. Gas station clerk: "Hey, are you snowmobiling?"
Me: "Yeah, and the snow around here SUCKS!"
3. Out on a ride on the M50 with the wife and I get the I need to tinkle sign from the back seat. While waiting on the wife I am standing in the parking lot smoking a cig. I noticed a guy looking at the bike and do my best to not make eye contact, but when a kid went by on a Ninja 250 he saw his opening. Mind you he is driving a POS truck of some kind. He wanders over and laughing says "what was that? A 100." and rolls right into a HD lecture while he is looking over my 800CC jap bike. He asks me how I like it and such and I tell him I like it but might want to get a bigger bike down the road. He responds with "Well, at least its a Harley and that's all that matters."
When I told him it was a Suzuki he gave me a dirty look, dropped his cig, and left without a word.
4. At a Starbucks last week. Early morning, but warming up quick and humid. I walk in, full attgatt, a woman and her handler have just got their coffees and turn to look at me.
Her: "You going somewhere cold?"
Me:"Nope, somewhere windy"
She looks out the windows to see if the weather has changed since she came in.
Her: "Its not windy out there"
The handler leans over: "He's on a motorbike"
She replies: "Yeah I get that, but it isn't windy out there"
I have no answer.
Post from: "Keep The Rubber Side Down"
You forgot one of the classics.. You walk into a restaurant with your leathers on and your helmet in hand, and someone asks, " You ridin your bike today?" ........(so many answers, so little time ;D)
Well we usually get... "Nice Indian"... but that's another story.
I remember back when I was 16 and just learning to ride. One day, I found myself in the back seat of my grandmother's car with my dad; she was driving. We were at a stop light and there was a motorcycle facing us, waiting to drive through the intersection.
My grandmother said, "Watch that motorcyclist try to drive through the intersection before I have a chance to turn in front of him; what gal!"
My dad and I scrunched down in our seats speechless.
The guy survived.
Varooom
"I did'nt know Kawasaki made Harleys"
Derr!
Rod
Them ,"You know for a few more dollars you could have a Harley"
Me, "If I wanted a Harley ,I would have bought one son."
My favorite is "Nice Harley", my response is "I wouldn't own a Harley if you gave one." The next words out of their mouth is,"Then what it is." I reply "It's better than a Harley, It's a drifter." cagers what can you say?
Let's not let this degenerate into a harley vs us discussion. there are PLENTY of those stories around.
I had a lady look at my bike and ask if it was a harley. I said no, its a Vulcan Drifter... she looked at the graphics on my tank and said..."oh a swedish harley"... I just laughed and told her the word on the tank was Gaelic. Blank look.... ahh... war cry for Clan Campbell... she said ok... but as she walked off she told her friend... he's with an outlaw biker clan and that bike is a Swedish harley... he friend looked back at me as they picked up their pace.
I stopped at a little convenience store for fuel. A guy on a slightly customized harley pulled up next to the door about the time I went in. He looked at the Drifter and did the nice bike thing... but he identified it as a Vulcan... I complemented his bike... He pulled off his gloves and said..."I'd rather have yours any day!"... took me totally by surprise. I just smiled and wished him a safe ride.
I love the Swedish Harley story ;D
In Maine guy looks at my Florida plate and asks did you ride up here. So many good answers but I said yes, he said thats a long way.
Mark
LOL... firm grasp of the obvious it seems!
1. (most common) "Why is your bike so loud?"
2. (Random douche at a gas station) "Nice assless chaps." (me) "Sorry I can't hear you over how awesome I am!"
3. (occasional random drunk chicks) "Can I have a ride?" To which I point at the luggage rack with complete lack of anything resembling a rear seat...
Usually, when someone asks me if I rode my motorcycle to work, when I'm standing there holding my hemet and jacket, I just tell them "No, they're shooting me out of a cannon later tonight." Usually the men laugh, but the women just say " Oh, Ok" and walk away.
I live in Wisconsin so I ride as long as the roads are not slippery or salt covered (just needed to setup my story).
I will come into work at least a couple times a year when the temp is in the lower 30's or upper 20's and someone will say "Isn't it too cold to ride a motorcycle today?" and my response is always "Nope, it's just too warm to take the snowmobile in today."
While in Hawaii on vacation, I rent a bike for a couple weeks. Pull into a local watering hole and this drunk chick asks me where I'm from. I tell her Canada. She says " Wow, that must be one long ferry ride." As I try not to laugh too hard I notice her husband sitting beside her repeatedly banging his head on the bar crying, "She's good in bed". So what else is a man to do? I buy him a beer, pat him on the shoulder and say to him, "I hope so".
Earlier this year I had a friend over from Florida he jumped on the back of the 1500 so we could have a look down into my wonderful city.
At the time I had a set of short LOUD pipes on the bike and after we had a walk around the cathedral I started the bike up whilst we were putting our lids on.
As it sat thumping away a guy came across and said "There`s only one sound like that in the world"
So being pedantic I replied "What sound is that then ?"
He said, "That Harley sound"
Cheekily I replied, "I think you need your hearing sorted along with your eyesight" as I pointed to the Kawasaki badge on the tank. My friend just stood there laughing.
"What year is your Harley" seems to be a popular one.
Some of my most annoying.........[them] ya know a friend of mine was killed in a M/C crash...etc,etc
[ me on a Nomad]...Nice V-Rod...didn't know they offered a bagger version....
[them] I been thinkin' bout buyin' one, but id have to be a Harley..& a big one. [me] have you owned a M/C in the past..[them] no but I know I'd ride hard so I'd need a big one.
[guy on H/D,EVO] how do you like your little Kawasaki?...[me] are you smart enough to subtract 1340 from 1470?..[them] no answer...[me]..that's how much bigger mine is than yours.
And my favorite...not bashing but!....I was on a BMW....[them] nice little BMW...when ya going to move up to a Harley?..[me] my first motorcycle was a Harley, & I've been moving up ever since...
This one is my all-time favorite.
After talking about my ride:
"Yea, but isn't riding a motorcycle dangerous?"
"Did you forget to put on your seatbelt?" I can't blaim anyone else for this. I usually say it to myself about once a month. I thought it was a newbie thing but I'm still saying it 2 years later. Still a newb and always will be.
When they tell you that they had a friend die in a motorcycle accident, after consoling them for their loss, tell them that you have had several friends die in car accidents.
So, for some strange reason, we have no snow, and pretty nice weather, with highs in the upped 40's. I couldn't possibly leave the bike parked, so I went for a cruise again today...Stopped at a fast "food" place for lunch, and got into this exchange: That your bike? yes (I have my jacket on, helmet and gloves on the table). Aren't you cold? No, you just have to dress for it...it's not that bad for January. What kinda Harley is that? I never heard of a Harley Drifter.....you can fill in any blanks from here you want. I really think that people are starting to use the term "Harley" like you would use kleenex...generic. Sometimes you just have to shake your head and smile. Going out again tomorrow, they are promising snow for Wednesday, and they more "normal" temps.
I've thought for a long time that non-bikers look at a big bike and think "harley"... its even more obvious they have no clue when the bike has big ole Indian-ish fenders!
I work as a service manager at a diesel shop, i ride a bike year round (luckily here in south ga i can) but since i've gotten the drifter ive had atleast one a day ask me about my indian....
I always get people ask questions about it and then pull out pics of their old run down harleys and talk about how good they are
I obviously cant make any sarcastic remarks as im at work but boy do i feel it on the inside
when i had a vtx 1300c all done up i would get people come in and say, i was gonna ask you what kind of harley that was until i saw it said honda.... and then proceed to show me their bikes....
I think the best ones are when its pouring down rain and im in my rain gear about to come home, they ask me if im going to ride in it.... i just smile and step outside
My son-in-law and I stopped for coffee at a small road-side cafe a couple of years back; he rides a Honda VFR 800, I was on my Drifter. A couple of guys pulled in on their Harley's as we were getting on our bikes, the one guy asked how I liked my Indian... I just smiled and said "I love it" he replied "you know it's not a real Indian, don't you?" DUHH,! I bought it, I licensed it, I ride it;... Yeah, I think I have that figured out.
Oh well, if you can't laugh with them, laugh at them.
Regards and such,
Fred
Pulled up at the National Cemetary this last holiday to help 88 other bikers put wreaths on the grave stones (4000). Most of the bikes were Harleys, but my Drifter 1500 was there. Immediately a group of people walked past the Harley line up to look at my Drifter. A man said Wow! Look it's an Indian. Another man was there and said. No, its not an Indian. I have an Indian. He said it's way, way,, better than an Indian. He said, It's a Kawasaki Drifter. I looked at him and smiled. He said to me, Man am I jealous. After finishing up and coming back to ride home, there was still a crowd around the Drifter. The same guy was there pointing out the features on it for me. (For annoyance part, I get the "that is not really an Indian" comment.) I included the above to point out there are a few people out there who 'get it'.
I agree, Kimbershooter; it's just the naivete of some people that makes me chuckle sometimes; on the + side, I get more people liking it than otherwise, aside from the local H.O.G. chapter, who tend to get hung up on the "if it ain't a Harley, it ain't $h!t! Which poses another question: if it is a Harley, is it $h!t? LOL ;D
Regards and such,
Fred
iam sitten outside a truk stop, 30degres geten suited up. a guys says its kinda cold aint it, i said yea an my heaters only puten out 50lbs pointen to my oil pressure guage. he said his son fixes motorcycle heaters. an he was dead serious. WOW.
Wonder how much he charges? I think that would be a good business... wonder if he works on AC too?
them "wow, is that bike yours?" (as I stand there with gear/keys in hand) - me "no, I stole from the neighbors"
them - "isn't that a big bike for you" - me "isn't that car too smart for you?"
them (if you are one on one without their buddies around) - "well, it's not what you ride, it's that you ride" - me "I disagree. I'm proud of my ride. I'll park beside you any day and we'll see which bike people come to look at!"
Them (with their buddies around) - "I only ride Harley's. I am different, a breed of my own, billy badass, blah, blah, blah" - then they try really hard to all be alike! Same clothes, same shoes, same bike - usually black, same ignorant attitude. Ha! Ride all day by yourself just because you love it - instead of meeting up with your drunk pals to spend most of the day in bars TALKING about how cool you are...
and this was my all time favorite, which actually kind of scared me a bit (too late of course as I had already opened my mouth and inserted my foot) - harley guy "come over and sit on this bike (a sporster), you can lift it, it's not too heavy" (group of four, 1 sporty and 2 baggers and a 1200) me " I wouldn't take that bike if you gave it to me, it's the ugliest bike I've ever seen, and of course it's not too heavy" as I climbed on the biggest bagger there and proceeded to stand it upright, followed by "and you all need to spend a day cleaning these dirty ass bikes anyway! How you gonna find all your oil leaks and loose bolts if you don't clean them?" hahahahha
Just had to touch on the "harley" group as I read some of the previous posts...the attitude is pretty lousy if there's more than a few of them around .... they feel the need to impress each other for some reason?...
Seems they have to try to impress SOMEBODY.....Don't see many H-Ds with Dragon emblems or Iron butt stickers...
Yeah, there are still those who think you can buy cool and 'brotherhood'. I had a triumph chop way back. A club wanted to recruit me but told me I'd have to get a HD. The reasoning... for parts and expertise... those bikes needed a LOT of attention!
No worry. Let them drive up the price of one brand. That means my dollar can buy top quality bikes of other brands. Too many good bikes out there to restrict yourself to one brand.
last night I pull up to our church. This guy comes over and said," I thought you had a harley by the way it sounds." He then says "Nice INDIAN" I tell him it is a Kawasaki and he says, "NO way" I said yep it's a drifter . He was totally impressed with the looks. I just said Thanks and smiled.
Ride with Pride
;) Then last summer I had my 2 brother in-laws down from Nova Scotia, ( they seem to be tired of all the HD's up there, some sort of anti-pushy American thing maybe). But we rented a Road King and a Heritage Classic so we could all ride down in Galveston. Well it turned into a struggle over who was going to get to ride my 99 Drifter after about the first 50 miles! We were sitting at an intersection on the east side of the Houston ship channel with the map pulled out, sittin on our rides trying to figure out where we were when this nice older couple pulls up in an old pick-up and asks us if they can help us get where we wanna go. Then the old feller driven the truck leans forward looking out past his wife and says with a big grin and obvious sarcasm " Nice of you Harley boys to let that scraggily old Indian tag along with you!!" My brother was on my Drifter at the time, but we all almost dropped our bikes from laughin so hard!!
I had an odd one. she said "doesn't it make you nervous that you might die." me wasn't to sure what to say rather it was time to move out.
rode my new bike to work today...lol..and a few people saw me ride i nad park...I had no issues....and these are none riders so remember that .....First question for most of them....I know how to ride a bike.......
no I am just learning and figured driving in morning rush hours is the way to learn.......
or did you ride that to work......
nope just pushed it all the way here all up hill.......
Quote from: racemom91 on February 21, 2012, 10:20:55 AM
Them (with their buddies around) - "I only ride Harley's. I am different, a breed of my own, billy badass, blah, blah, blah" - then they try really hard to all be alike! Same clothes, same shoes, same bike - usually black, same ignorant attitude. Ha! Ride all day by yourself just because you love it - instead of meeting up with your drunk pals to spend most of the day in bars TALKING about how cool you are...
A couple of weeks ago, I was on my way into Kamloops, B.C. when I saw as Goldwing on the shoulder, guy working on it. I stopped, asked if he needed help, he said "you have NO idea how many bikes have passed me, not one of them even slowed down. Most of them were Harleys. Ive been here over an hour and NO ONE has stopped. My bike just up and quit, the battery is dead. I found one at Canadian Tire but it won't be ready for 2 hours, and I have no way to get it." I said I would go pick it up and bring it back, he gave me what cash he had,(not enough to cover the battery) I told him I would go check on my bike while waiting for the battery; went to get the battery, woundn't tbe ready for another hour and a half. Poor guy had by now been sitting in 90 degree heat for better than 3 hours, we gave him a bottle of water before leaving him, that was all he had. I went back to the shop where my bike was, picked up a trailer, went and picked him and his bike up, he told us a whole bunch of Harleys went by, never even slowed down. A passing train (he was right next to the train tracks) the engineer hollered at him, and threw him another bottle of water. (Yes this story is going someplace) We went and picked up the battery, put it in, started the bike, and watched the voltage dropping. Alternator shot. So headed up t o where the Yamaha deasler was, (Honda was closed for the day) the yamaha dealer is in the same complex as the Harley shop; this is where the story is going. As we pulled up, A.J. (Goldwing guy) says, "hey, that's the bunch of HARLEYS THAT PASSED ME JUST BEFORE YOU SHOWED UP WITH THE TRAILER" (Damn capslock, I hate it.) When we got out to unlad the bike, the Harley riders started laughing and saying, "Hey, thats the bike we saw broken down on the east side of rown!" A.J. said, "yeah, that was me, thanks for stopping!" they all snicker, and stood watching as a lady, (my wife) a guy on a cane (me) and A.J. struggled to unload the bike. Real tough men; spell that "sidewalk commandos" It literally made me ashamed to own a Harley; their attitude is so much the same as most Harley riders I know; which is why I will not join one of the "H.O.G." groups. Long story short, Yamaha treated A.J. like a king, got his bike up and running right, took 2 days to get parts, so a bit of a delay in his trip, but on he went and made it home safely. Too bad butt-holes like those Harley riders have to tarnish the reputations of so many good people on bikes. Well, enough of me running my mouth;
Ride safe, and help others out as you do (even if they do ride Harleys!)
Regards and such,
49Reo
I have a guy up the street who snubs me because I don't ride a "real" Indian. He rides a Suzuki......
Quote from: pcarrell on September 29, 2012, 00:17:33 AM
I have a guy up the street who snubs me because I don't ride a "real" Indian. He rides a Suzuki......
No great loss...
You're probably right............
When I road Triumphs I had a Brit in a Range Rover drive up next to me and ask if Triumph still made cycles. "Nah, this is really a Honda."
Being from the York, Pa area I don't have to tell you how many Harley's there are here compared to Drifters, I have friends and relatives that work for Harley, It's tough for them to wrap their head around the fact that something as stylish and reliable costs less than their "Buy American" Harley's.
My nephew (Die-Hard, Who works for Harley) Was pretty upset when I bought the Drifter, He said "You should be looking at the resale value of the bike." I said "Really?... If you're looking at the resale value... You must not have the bike you want!" You guessed it... Dead silence! lmao
Yeah, Bake... I never, ever considered resale. I suppose if you buy on credit, its more of a concern if you think you may have to get rid of it before you get it paid off... Personally, I don't usually buy bikes on credit. I would wager everyone who uses that argument have a bike payment.
Chief, Could not agree more about buying on credit and having a payment, Saved up and searched for the Drifter, I like the fact that she's paid in full, Something gratifying about truly owning your bike.
Too true. I spent about a year and a half looking for "just the right one". I had saved some money towards the purchase, PAID IN FULL when it went home with me. Truly a good feeling. It is too easy to buy on credit, I know a fellow here in town that just bought another new Harley; this makes # 4 in his stable. He has one he bought new on credit 2 years ago, his "reasoning" for buying this one is "just have one more payment on the pick-up, so making payments on the bike won't be noticed" Makes 2 Harleys on credit at the same time; he can have it.
Regards and such,
49Reo
Well, he'd better be concerned about resale... if the worst happens he IS going to have sale those bikes to but food! But if the whole world is in the same mess... who is going to buy and at what price?
No one has ever accused him of being smart...... he will lose big money if and when he does sell; up here, a new bagger is well over $20,000.00; and, like any other new vehicle, take it off the lot and lose 30+%. New vehicles of any sort are a good lesson in poor investment.
Regards and such,
49Reo
Yup, it's a great feeling to own my bike outright. Same with my truck, no payments. The only thing I have a payment on is my tractor.
Every workday, my bike's parked in front of my office in the very center of Madrid. When I picked it up at lunchtime, there is a young father with his 6 Year old son making some pictures of the bike. When he notices me, he politely asks me if I allow him to shoot some additional pictures.
With tears in his eyes he told me that his father rode an indian when he was a boy, but his father no longer among us. He was too excited to hear the explanation about Drifters, Kawas,aso...
He was happy...me too !
that is not annoying that was nice of you to take the time to talk to him.
Do you realize you were speeding sir..can I see your license.
John.
When pulled over and the Police officer asks " Do you knw how fast you were driving?"
I have always wanted to respond with "No but I am sure you can tell me ".
But I manage to hold back on it.....lol....
Has anyone ever seen a motorcycle parked outside a therapist office? (Unless it was owed by one) I don't need someone to charge me upwards of $75.00 an hour to find my comfort zone... Just sayin'... $75.00 bucks in the old fuel tank would get me a lot of back road therapy!
I've been telling everyone for years that my ride is therapy!
;) So Dr. Bake, what do you charge to make us feel better eh!.....lol......
and Dr PC ...too I see
soon as I can I will get on the road to better mental health......lol....
Dude, I've seen the Emails you've been sending lately.........I'm not sure there's ANY amount of riding that can help you! (https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FAvitars%2Fnew-year-smile.gif&hash=5ca3dc71b8ba0f24c59a7f08b970ec741714e48a)
***Ratman needs a girlfriend......YESTERDAY!!!!! Anyone got any suggestions? At this point, anyone female will do!***
please do not let my girlfreind see these emails were you think I need female companionship....
CLEARLY she's not doing her job!!!! (https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FAvitars%2Fgros46.gif&hash=5d47670c2254be966e3b82817d5749d9b6d3dc2b)
think what you will...I am more then happy......
Disturbing.......
Quote from: Bake on December 30, 2012, 19:54:47 PM
Has anyone ever seen a motorcycle parked outside a therapist office? (Unless it was owed by one) I don't need someone to charge me upwards of $75.00 an hour to find my comfort zone... Just sayin'... $75.00 bucks in the old fuel tank would get me a lot of back road therapy!
Explains my headaches and general bad attitute since the weather turned.. I can't get my daily ride in.
Quote from: CDNRatMan on December 30, 2012, 20:24:23 PM
;) So Dr. Bake, what do you charge to make us feel better eh!.....lol......
and Dr PC ...too I see
soon as I can I will get on the road to better mental health......lol....
RX... Take a handful of throttle and call me in the morning (Stay bundled my friend) LQTM
ok cool....
It would take a "special" woman for Ratman, one that doesn't mind an 800 parked in the living room, and is not disturbed by her man out playing in the snow with angel wings , a snow shovel,
and nothing else.....
P.s. I'm back!
45 Bravo
Welcome back and hope you are in good form, and spirits......
Thanks, I had bariatric surgery on the 28th(my wife had it back in nov.)
I am in good spirits, and as I slim down, I should get in better form...
But nothing can help me mentally.....
Twisted, weird, socially unacceptable, and quite proud of it....
45 Bravo
Everybody needs a hobby
Quote from: pcarrell on December 30, 2012, 20:38:19 PM
***Ratman needs a girlfriend......YESTERDAY!!!!! Anyone got any suggestions? At this point, anyone female will do!***
He was nibbling on his last girlfriend's ear, and bit a little too hard; she farted in his face and flew out the window....... :o ;D
WOW BC backwoods man...that is so old that Troll heard it back in 69..........
49, I would have never gone that far..
Close, but not that far...
Two Harley Snob Stories:
I live near Milwaukee so I expect a little attitude from the guys who have a "God only made one REAL Motorcycle Complex" but even they surprise me sometimes.
(1) A couple years ago I stopped in at the bar that my son managed and joined a group of his buddied. Before I had my first barley pop, the guy next to me threw me the keys to his new V-Rod and told me to give 'er a rip. Who am I to say no. We all went outside. I hopped on, fired it up and off I went. Fast forward to the next day at work when I told the card carrying HOG member who worked for me that I rode a new Harley and thought it was a pretty sweet ride. She floored me when she turned her nose up and said, "WE don't consider THOSE (V-Rods) real Harleys." This is a woman who road an 883 Sportster and had more invested in her riding togs than the bike.
(2) Durring the Hundredth Milwaukee went nuts. So many Harleys you could hear the thunder 20 miles away. Bikes parked handle bar to handle bar covering every inch of Milwaukee. Since there was no room for cars, I rode my '74 Triumph Tiger in to check things out. I found and open spot and parked on a side street between a couple of dressers. Most old timers love Triumphs because it's what they all started riding on back in the day. Guess there weren't any old timers in the crowd because when I returned a couple hours later I found my bike still parked in the same spot. Nobody touched my bike. In fact no body parked near it. In fact there was a thirty foot on either side of of my bike. Judging from the looks on the faces of the guys standing around, it was not out of respect. Undaunted I hopped on, kicked it over, it popped right off (thank God) and I went off to enjoy the rest of my evening.
I guess this actually doesn't fit perfectly here, but... I was out running an errand for the Wife this evening. I had the stereo on the bike playing "No Moon at all" by Kai Winding and JJ Johnson. A car with some kids pulled up next to me at the light. The driver yelled...What the hell is that? I smiled and replied...It's music, I'm not surprised you don't recognize it.
LOL....youth is often wasted on the dumbasses..lol thank God your there Brother.. glad you out riding.
Since your reading this can I pick you brain?,.. I've drilled 4 1/4 inch holes in the baffels of my vaquero.. I don't want to have to buy that cobra power pro unit yet, but wanted to see if I could improve what I had. I've added a k&n air filter... can I drill too many holes and have it running too rich. Or too lean I guess. to where I would need to buy the fuel processor in order to compensate for my drilling. 1 hole was good,.. 4 ended up great.. I'm wondering what 10 will do?... n
Yeah, well. here's an annoying thing. The fuel system on the Vaquero is VERY different from that of the Drifter. There are O2 sensors on the new ride, and it's called a closed loop or feedback system....like a car. \The Drifter uses an open loop or mapped fuel system which has values for each operating parameter preprogrammed in. From what I have read, the fuel tuner boxes all disable the O2 sensor and essentially take it back to the old days. You have several things to consider, now with this new bike...first and foremost is what will, and what will not void your warranty.
Excellent info.. think I'll leave well enough alone for now... the previous versions of the Cobra tuner required the o2 sensors had to incorporated in the wiring. The new one does not, as you said.. it basicly disables them. It makes real time infinate adjustments. I'm looking forward to seeing what it will do.. 2nd to 3rd will now lift the front wheel off the ground.. almost pulled the grips out of my hand. Had a kid on a cbr try to blow past me tonight on the on ramp... end result was him watching me leave him standing. This bike is fun to ride. Heck they all are I guess.. but having tunes is great for sure. I know you are enjoying that yourself.
Thanks Troll..
at the gaspump, from the rolled-down window of his cage: What year Indian is that?
me: It's not an indian, it's a Kawasaki drifter
him: Oh, so you just got indian fenders and stuff on it.....
Soooo, I ride over the the local Wal-Mart to do the weekly grocery shopping this morning. I have my tunes playing, and as I pull up to park, this guy asks me what radio station I'm listening to. "South Rampart Street Parade" by the BBC Big Band is playing. I tell him it's an old bike with an old radio...he seemed satisfied with that.
You shop at Wal-Mart......lol.......last time I went to Wal-Mart with my sister and her family, I was sent to the car after about 15 mins in the store......because I kept pointing out the Wal-Mart people from the internet to my sister's kids.......she did not thin k it was funny, but the kids did....and they are like 19 and 20.....lol....
Good come back, you older people always have good come backs.........
The prices are good, and then there is always the free show.....
Nothing annoying yet, but I'm still pretty new to the biker scene. In the Harley vs The World of other motorcycles you have to give it up for Harley. It's all about the Harley, even in here it's not Drifter vs Indian, it's Drifter vs Harley. We all want the respect of Harley owners. I'll admit it I get a special sort of feeling when some guy on a kick-ass Bagger almost breaks his neck to get a better look at my $3500 bike. That was the whole purpose of my build, to beat a Harley out in the visual impact arena. I must admit I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. Almost every stop results in pictures o video, funny the only time I was ever left alone was when there were about 30 bikers at a gas station in Pagosa Springs, I was desperate for gas so I had to stop, I got not a single look from a group of the loudest looking Baggers you ever saw, and one Indian Chopper. I think they were too busy working on the bikes to notice. I revved up on the way out and heard laughter over my exhaust note. I think they were savvy to my scam.
Nothing more satisfying then arriving at a gathering of bikes, and on purpose park away from the main stream of bikes, then sit back and watch the people doing the walk by but I ain't looking at your bike to see what it is. then the double take......lol.....pretty cool
My favorite however is the people who insist on telling me I don't own a real Indian, then act surprised and confused about it and say really.....
Quote from: CDNRatMan on September 08, 2013, 15:34:33 PM
You shop at Wal-Mart......lol.......last time I went to Wal-Mart with my sister and her family, I was sent to the car after about 15 mins in the store......because I kept pointing out the Wal-Mart people from the internet to my sister's kids.......she did not thin k it was funny, but the kids did....and they are like 19 and 20.....lol....
Good come back, you older people always have good come backs.........
Funny WalMart(tm) story . .. . . Some years back I was in the check out line with one of my wives at the time and the 20-something cashier starts hitting on me with my wife standing right there. The cashier didn't care. She meant business!
Cashier: So what are you doing tonight?
Me: Um, I've got stuff to do.
Cashier: You want to party? We can party somewhere.
Me: No, I don't think so. No partying for me.
Cashier: Why not? Let's party.
Me: By!
Quotewith one of my wives at the time
spit my tea all over the rec room reading this....DC I never realized you were a Muslim, or is it a Mormon, with more then one wife at a time, no wonder you want to have a bike to get away from them.....
Quote from: CDNRatMan on September 08, 2013, 20:45:57 PM
spit my tea all over the rec room reading this....DC I never realized you were a Muslim, or is it a Mormon, with more then one wife at a time, no wonder you want to have a bike to get away from them.....
Oh heck! Forget those religions. I ended up starting my own cult and I make the rules up as I go along. ;D
LOL, missed you guys.
Quote from: DC on September 08, 2013, 20:50:21 PM
Oh heck! Forget those religions. I ended up starting my own cult and I make the rules up as I go along. ;D
Sounds like half the religions out there right now...
Had a good one the other day.
Guy gave my ride the once over, said "real pretty....but ya know, they still make real Indians"
Me (former Gilroy Chief owner): "Yeah, but I wanted a bike that started"
With my Custom softail, because it is a Handbuilt, I always get the "resale" thing from the Harley faithful. I built mine, and it stops people all the time.........even had the paper write an article about it........yet........it "ain't worth nuthin', cause it ain't a Harley". I'm new to the Drifter scene, tho I've always thought they were cool as can be. I bought a Classic !500 for 2up riding a few years ago, and wound up riding it more than I did my Custom! The Kawi was just more comfortable, easier to ride and less nerve wracking than my Big Inch S&S. Like Troll, I'm a converted Harley rider, and the Drifter is for my Dad.......because he rode and Indian Inline 4 years ago,as well as a Duo Glide. My 1st Bike was a BSA, then a Triumph...........love'em all................
Getting advice from most Harley owners, whether solicited or not, and usually it is not, on what it's worth, what is right, etc, is usually going to end in a not good way. Opinions are like q$$holes; everybody has 'em, mostly they all stink. Go with what you like, and to he!! with everybody with a half-baked opinion.
Oh, by the way, did anyone notice I'm in a lousy mood? ???
My answer has become very standardized whenever someone approaches me on my bike. "I would stay and chat, but I am already behind. I gotta split now."
If someone is on a motorcycle and starts up a conversation with me at the gas station, I might just say, "Nice day for a ride." I no longer really care what they think of me or my bike. I like the style of the bike, so that is all that matters to me.
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1212.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc447%2Flarryinseattle%2Fdrifter%2520hitch%2520and%2520trailer%2520pictures%2Fbikeandtrailer_zps1aac9104.jpg&hash=218942e63fdf43817d7e804e03601137f0bc5dd0)
I don't like to be rude to anyone........but like 49Reo said.........for some reason alot of Harley riders feel they have a right to comment on everyone's ride. I like to talk to people, talk about bikes, cars, engines........anything with gears, grease, gas and goes boom!!!!..................so when I'm talking to someone I just met, I want to talk about our mutual likes..........not what I don't like......especially about him/her, or their ride choice. I don't have so many friends that I can afford to alienate a possible............besides.............I like to be nice......that's why my Wife calls me Honeybear! Reo, it'll be okay.............bad moods are like farts.......they may stink for a little while.......but if you don't stay with them...........you leave them behind!!!
Quote from: bikerbob5864 on February 26, 2014, 23:54:51 PM
I don't like to be rude to anyone........but like 49Reo said.........for some reason alot of Harley riders feel they have a right to comment on everyone's ride. I like to talk to people, talk about bikes, cars, engines........anything with gears, grease, gas and goes boom!!!!..................so when I'm talking to someone I just met, I want to talk about our mutual likes..........not what I don't like......especially about him/her, or their ride choice. I don't have so many friends that I can afford to alienate a possible............besides.............I like to be nice......that's why my Wife calls me Honeybear! Reo, it'll be okay.............bad moods are like farts.......they may stink for a little while.......but if you don't stay with them...........you leave them behind!!!
I understand what you are saying. I am talking about a spectator buying gas for his tattered 96 Ford Explorer.... and wants to talk to me about my motorcycle when I am trying to get something done over my lunch break. I like to talk motorcycles too, but when I got time to do so and it is with someone whom I might have a 2nd conversation sometime.
Sure..........I get that.........I live in a resort town. In the Summer I like to sit down by the Lake (Downtown) by the City Park/Band Shell and watch the World pass by. Really relaxing.
(I'm retired BTW, so I don't really have anything to do on my lunch hour)LOL Anyway, when I'm sitting there........I get asked a lot of questions from tourists. The town I live in is where Buddy Holley played his last concert, and then died in a plane crash about 3miles Northwest of town, so..............people want to find the ballroom where he played and the crash site. Lots of bikers here too........and tourers, so talk eventually turns to bikes.............and then the fun begins!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: chief on January 24, 2011, 16:12:11 PM
Let's not let this degenerate into a harley vs us discussion. there are PLENTY of those stories around.
I had a lady look at my bike and ask if it was a harley. I said no, its a Vulcan Drifter... she looked at the graphics on my tank and said..."oh a swedish harley"... I just laughed and told her the word on the tank was Gaelic. Blank look.... ahh... war cry for Clan Campbell... she said ok... but as she walked off she told her friend... he's with an outlaw biker clan and that bike is a Swedish harley... he friend looked back at me as they picked up their pace.
I stopped at a little convenience store for fuel. A guy on a slightly customized harley pulled up next to the door about the time I went in. He looked at the Drifter and did the nice bike thing... but he identified it as a Vulcan... I complemented his bike... He pulled off his gloves and said..."I'd rather have yours any day!"... took me totally by surprise. I just smiled and wished him a safe ride.
So being a Campbell, i have to ask are you a Campbell?
Not an annoying saying, but experience, rather. I saw a bike stopped on the side of the road ahead of me, driver bent over looking at the engine area, so I slow down, getting ready to stop and offer assistance if needed. As I'm getting close I see him getting ready to go, so I start speeding up again. He takes off, lays on the Harley throttle, and screams past me in the left hand lane. *shrugs*
Quote from: Ironworking on July 23, 2016, 17:00:39 PM
So being a Campbell, i have to ask are you a Campbell?
On my Mother's side. Lived in Scotland for 3-4 years... and yes, I my kilt is Campbell tartan.
I am a Campbell with Scottish background. My wife's mother was from Ireland and her maiden name was Campbell.
"Is that an Indian.....Oh..it's just a Drifter..." Informed but unappreciative!!
Quote from: jmbo on July 27, 2016, 21:07:40 PM
"Is that an Indian.....Oh..it's just a Drifter..." Informed but unappreciative!!
A few days ago, I happened to stop with ma-deuce at a gas station, during a short ride around my town.
There was a group of harleys parked over, with some of those "nice" guys lurkin' around.
While I was filling in the gas, I eard someone of them sayin': "That's a Drifter...".
I would have been happy to know there's some h-d people being informed about non-harley's world, but the ironic tone of that phrase has left me a bad taste in the mouth...
Just sayin'...
Yes, I've seen even LESS and LESS HD people wave on the road - I think Polaris has had a negative effect on the perception of OUR drifters, how ironic..... The HD'ers have their nose out of joint b/c of the new Indian presence in their previously only-HD group of 'American made' bikes, not to mention MANY HD people I know are saying the Indian is better and more affordable than the HD's --- So a lot of the HD crowd resents the Polaris Indian, and anything that looks like it---- Even though the last Drifters were made a long time before Polaris did their Indian.
Yes GB, I've also noticed that some of the "elite H-D" (sarcasm) group doesn't wave.
8) This trip I waved at everybody including the bikes passing me and today a funny three wheeled bike......
Quote from: moosewayne on September 26, 2013, 17:40:46 PM
Had a good one the other day.
Guy gave my ride the once over, said "real pretty....but ya know, they still make real Indians"
Me (former Gilroy Chief owner): "Yeah, but I wanted a bike that started"
Real Indians.... Geeeez. I suppose he only wears real Harley Davidson approved clothes too because clothes just aren't real clothes unless they have "the" right label.
When I get "Aren't motorcycles dangerous"?
I reply that "I came into this world bloody, kicking, and screaming. I probably will go out the same way."
Quote from: BugzeeMalone on November 05, 2016, 00:22:28 AM
When I get "Aren't motorcycles dangerous"?
I reply that "I came into this world bloody, kicking, and screaming. I probably will go out the same way."
I was just about to post about this on this thread: People saying to me when I walk in some where with my motorcycle helmet and riding clothes--- "Motorcycles are SO dangerous!"
...talk about rolling of the eyes.
Quote from: jmbo on July 27, 2016, 21:07:40 PM
"Is that an Indian.....Oh..it's just a Drifter..." Informed but unappreciative!!
naw man...it's a Drindian
Quote from: BugzeeMalone on November 05, 2016, 00:22:28 AM
When I get "Aren't motorcycles dangerous"?
I reply that "I came into this world bloody, kicking, and screaming. I probably will go out the same way."
Being stupid is dangerous, too. ...I don't see anyone trying to stop stupidity, if anything it is lauded and applauded and heralded as something GOOD! (oh man, that so hurts, the way stupidity is celebrated here in the US in so many places and circles).
That's a nice Motorbike!
On the new Polaris Indians.... I tell people they are just a Drifter Tribute bike, LOL ;D
Quote from: greenbarn on July 03, 2017, 21:34:15 PM
On the new Polaris Indians.... I tell people they are just a Drifter Tribute bike, LOL ;D
Now that one I like!
Quote from: greenbarn on July 03, 2017, 21:34:15 PM
On the new Polaris Indians.... I tell people they are just a Drifter Tribute bike, LOL ;D
Yes, the Drifter deserves a tribute bike.
I'd consider one.
Most of my Harley friends rib me good naturedly about my Drifter, then admit that they like it better than they like their own bikes sometimes. I just bought a Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe at a great price, something to carry mama around in comfort and I decided I would do Sturgis this year(Haven't been in 20 years)At the Shop today the comment was made about having the "old Man"(me) riding in back on the way out so as not to get in the way of all those screaming Harley's. One of the fellas, who rides a '48 Panhead out there every year comes back with, "No, Bob is back there with the most reliable bike to pick up all the parts that fall off those screamin' Harley's LOL.
The "Boys" call my Drifter the Pretendian.
Quote from: Zoar on October 31, 2016, 11:39:55 AM
Real Indians.... Geeeez. I suppose he only wears real Harley Davidson approved clothes too because clothes just aren't real clothes unless they have "the" right label.
The annoying thing I hear all the time is:
"Oh, motorcycles are too dangerous, you shouldn't be riding one!"
The reply in my head starts with F and ends with U.
Quote from: bikerbob5864 on August 02, 2018, 01:29:17 AM
The "Boys" call my Drifter the Pretendian.
What do they call the Polaris Indians? 8)
I have had no less than 7 old guys insist to me at gas stations that they used to have a Harley EXACTLY like my Honda 450.
The last one asked me type of engine it was...Pan, Shovel, ert...and I told him, "It's a Fish Head" and scooted out of there
Quote from: Old Drifter on September 02, 2018, 18:26:49 PM
What do they call the Polaris Indians? 8)
The Polaris Indians are just Drifter Tribute Bikes... 8)
NICE Indian...LOL