Most Insecure Harley Owners?

[Buzz Kanter]

I've been riding Harleys and meeting Harley owners for many, many years. So I think I have a pretty decent understanding of the Harley world and the people in it.

So I have to ask, why are so many owners of Sportsters and V-Rods insecure about what they ride?

I happen to like Sportsters and I like V-Rods (although I prefer the ones with mid sets) and think they are fine machines that do not need any excuses or justifications to own.

So could someone please tell me why so many Sportster and V-Rod owners feel "most Harley rides don't consider our bikes real Harleys" and why?

Thanks.

[4cams]

As a Sportster owner I don't feel insecure, I went from a FLHS to a 1200R. It's the people that go the other way that I'm not sure I understand. I've seen many women go from a Sportster to a B.T. due to peer pressure. I just feel at times I must defend the Sportster, I don't think it's due to being insecure though. When some person bad mouths a Sportster, I do get defensive, maybe I should just keep my trap shut. but I won't. Love my Sportster to much not to defend her to anyone that feels they must try and belittle such a fine bike. I went with my brother on his air-head BMW from San Diego to Canada on coast hwy, first time on my FLHS. I could not keep up with him in the tighter sections. It was daunting going off road to camp. Then the next time we went on the same trip, I took a 650 single. I left him in the dust but it felt like I was sitting on a 2X4 much of the time. Now with my Sportster, I have the best of both worlds. Comfort, speed and agility. So now I feel more secure in my ride of choice. Maybe the question is why would some one try to make a person on a Sportster feel insecure about their ride. I think we all know that answer.

[BlueBob]

I was a little insecure when I rode a Sporty (my 1st Harley)... but it was mostly because I was an idiot.

There's some perception out there by folks who don't ride Harleys and folks new to the Harley family that a Sporty is an entry level bike, and not a kick-@$$ performance machine in its own right. So, yeah... I figured the big twin riders probably looked down on me a little for my tiny little Sporty.

But anyone who's been around Harleys more than a couple years knows what a Sportster is capable of and give it and its rider their due respect. Sportsters are amazingly quick and agile, especially for how comfortable they are. So the funny thing is, my bike was probably getting more respect from the big twin riders than I was affording it myself.

Needless to say, my false impressions about my bike didn't last long.

[94flhtcu]

For me, it was the group I rode with (for a while). If one of 'em started, the rest jumped in. Mine was the only sporty in the group.. Oh, sure I wanted the electraglide but it was a while before I could get it, and Im glad I did. It's a much better bike for me. Not knockin sportys, for sure.

[Whopper]

I have heard a comment or two about how my Sporty looks too small for me (5'11, 215 lbs). I just like the way it handles, accelerates and rides. When I park it and walk away I always have to turn back and admire it. When I'm riding I can't see what we look like together, so who cares. I bought it to ride, not to sit on it and get my picture taken.

[superchicken]

I don't know about insecure, but all I ever here when I'm riding my V or asked what I ride, all I ever here is "I hate V-rod's or I would never own one of those, that's not a real harley, etc. etc."
All I ever say is to each his own, as long as you ride, I don't care what model it is.
I think with the V you either like the styling or you don't, no in between.
I've converted a few to like the V after they have seen and been on mine.

I don't know that it's so much an insecurity on the owners part as much as on the hecklers part. An almost...my dad can beat up your dad kind of attitude. You hear it from various sources...My bike is bigger, my bike is faster,my bike is more dependable, my bike is cheaper, etc. No matter what you ride there will always be someone to put it down.I always make sure that what I buy is what will make me happy and that eliminates any insecurity on my part.
The sportster is a great bike. It excells in day riding for exceptional thrill but I have seen them on the interstates loaded up and touring. Because there are better models for touring often it is a stepping stone for those who find out they like touring more than they thought and get one that can carry more luggage easier. Then there are those who move from a touring bike to a sportster who realize that for the type of riding they do is better suited to small, nimble, quick all around fun bike. If we were all filthy rich we could all have a garage full of bikes for each specialty purpose. But I chose the best all around bike for me and money would only mean that my RoadKing would hardly ever be at home. It's a funny world with a lot of funny people in it. Don't let the funny people ruin your fun in life.

[texan321]

I read all the posts and wasn't going to respond. But ----- like it was said mine is bigger than yours sort of thing. I ride with all kinds of bikes and I don't care what ehy ride - it is the fact that we share - in common - the love of the ride..........it is like what you race - you race what you brung! it is racing - this is riding.... I feel the guys that ride those big fancy expensive customs - they have really small .....(put in your own word there) - so they have to over compensate......it's the ride!

[humpbackbob]

OK,I am the guilty party. As a "Mature Returning Rider" the BT,s scared the you know what out of me. Being used to Sporty sized bikes in the past like Triumphs, BSA's etc the 1200cc engine in the Sportster seemed plenty powerful enough and the physical size of most BT's seemed daunting. So against the advice of my Riders Edge Instructor I bought a Sportster. I enjoyed the hell out of it for a season before test riding a Soft Tail. SOOOO much easier to ride and more suitable for Touring than the Sporty. The Dealer offered me no money for a trade, so I kept both bikes. Another season has passed and I am going to "Trade up" once more to a RK. Not sure what to do with the Deluxe. I am running out of Garage space, but the hit I will take on a trade will probably mean bike #3. I still ride the Sporty every week for local/intown work. It is by far the quickest, seat of the pants ride of the three models,just a little limited in it's uses for me.
The Sportster riders,in the main do seem to be defensive of the bike and sneer at BT owners just as much as the reverse. The Die Hard guys just love the Sportster for the fine bike that it is. There is even dissention amongst them/us between Models of Sportster. Go figure.

[tipper1]

I think it boils down to peer pressure, in most conversations the other harley owner says why didn't you get a bigger bike, or thats entry level or thats new design not retro, not realizeing diff strokes for diff folks.