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no bs

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on: March 15, 2014, 01:31:54 am
as I was going out the door of my credit union today, found a guy looking at my bike. he says,"royal enfield: what is that?" my snappy response? "that's a motorcycle!" then the usual conversation ensued. and no, he did not swing on me.
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dginfw

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Reply #1 on: March 15, 2014, 01:39:37 am
LOL
I had a lot of people look at my previous bike and ask:
" Royal Enfield?  Who makes that"
my response: " human hands"
Dave in TX:   '01  W650- keeper
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suitcasejefferson

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Reply #2 on: March 15, 2014, 02:09:43 am
So far I have gotten nothing but positive comments, and lots of them. Even from Harley riders. Nobody ever noticed my Vulcan 750. Out of about 20 people I have talked to, so far only 2 or 3 actually knew what the RE was. I've been waiting on some non rider to walk up and say "nice Harley"
"I am a motorcyclist, NOT a biker"
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Royal Stargazer

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Reply #3 on: March 15, 2014, 02:12:50 am
I love the comments my bike gets. Had a guy follow me through three lights asking questions about it once. Hell, even my neighbor's boyfriend - who drives a monstrous truck and rides a loud-as-hell Harley - was awed by it. "That's pretty cool! I've never heard of a Royal Enfield before," he says. Even said I could park my bike next to his so "no one would mess with it."
2020 Royal Enfield Continental GT, A racer for more than just cafes
2005 Volvo S60 2.5T AWD, Two doors too many
2003 Royal Enfield Bullet, two-wheeled time machine


GreenMachine

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Reply #4 on: March 15, 2014, 02:53:33 pm
It's the little bike that everyone smile at and reminisce...
Oh Magoo you done it again


Vince

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Reply #5 on: March 15, 2014, 03:36:07 pm
     I would like to mention that no matter what we ride, we are all ambassadors for the motorcycle community. Any time we are less than gracious we give more ammunition to those who believe the Marlon Brando's character in The Wild One is a typical biker. Less anti-bike laws will be passed if we speak nicely and ride quiet bikes in a safe and sane manner.
"... and no, he did not swing on me." is not a diplomatic coup.


no bs

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Reply #6 on: March 15, 2014, 03:50:13 pm
just saying he didn't take offense at my smart-ass answer. I'm certainly not diplomatic or politic, and find great self-amusement in sarcasm. I should probably seek help for this chronic condition. by the way, one of my co-workers who rides a Honda rune(awesome bike!) really liked my "bsa". and so it goes...
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Craig McClure

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Reply #7 on: March 15, 2014, 03:55:28 pm
     I would like to mention that no matter what we ride, we are all ambassadors for the motorcycle community. Any time we are less than gracious we give more ammunition to those who believe the Marlon Brando's character in The Wild One is a typical biker. Less anti-bike laws will be passed if we speak nicely and ride quiet bikes in a safe and sane manner.
"... and no, he did not swing on me." is not a diplomatic coup.
That's a Good Point Vince,  More or less on the same topic; Have you watched the TV documentaries on STURGIS, or FULL THROTTLE SALOON?  certainly not about being quiet or gentlemanly. Nothing about that lifestyle appeals to me. It mostly looks to me, a hellish teeming mass of misguided people I'd like to avoid. I worry about our values & culture, I really do, & hate being called "a Biker" by association. Please note I didn't mention any motorcycle BRAND.
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tooseevee

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Reply #8 on: March 15, 2014, 04:28:33 pm
That's a Good Point Vince,  More or less on the same topic; Have you watched the TV documentaries on STURGIS, or FULL THROTTLE SALOON?  certainly not about being quiet or gentlemanly. Nothing about that lifestyle appeals to me. It mostly looks to me, a hellish teeming mass of misguided people I'd like to avoid. I worry about our values & culture, I really do, & hate being called "a Biker" by association. Please note I didn't mention any motorcycle BRAND.

           I agree with you. Cable TV has done a lot of damage to every aspect of American life; not only biking. It has warped & distorted the definitions & rules we used to operate under & has tremendously dumbed us down.

           I'm a 76 year old lifelong harley rider & ex-member of two 3-piece patch M/C clubs (20 years). Back about the time of the first OCC Clown Show year, I started hating what cable TV was doing to the biking (especially harley) community. Since then they have done nothing but damage & have created a whole new population of a new type of biker idiot/asshole.

          The mid-80s saw my last trip to Laconia, I couldn't stand what I was seeing any more & my anger at the new cable TV style harleys & harley riders became uncontrollable. I wouldn't go to Sturgis or Gaytona now with a gun held to my head, in fact, I avoid all large gatherings now. By '92 I could no longer keep up with club requirements & dropped out. In actual fact, the club was dissolved & I really wasn't sorry. Most were accepted into other clubs; I just chose to go away. I had become sick to death of answering stupid questions everywhere I went & dreaded even having to buy gas.

            I've mellowed a bit since I got the Enfield & ride less. Mind you, I still ride a harley I built myself, but my definitions & my "rules of conduct" are totally different than what cable TV has changed them to.   
« Last Edit: March 15, 2014, 08:15:40 pm by tooseevee »
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suitcasejefferson

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Reply #9 on: March 15, 2014, 06:44:32 pm
That's a Good Point Vince,  More or less on the same topic; Have you watched the TV documentaries on STURGIS, or FULL THROTTLE SALOON?  certainly not about being quiet or gentlemanly. Nothing about that lifestyle appeals to me. It mostly looks to me, a hellish teeming mass of misguided people I'd like to avoid. I worry about our values & culture, I really do, & hate being called "a Biker" by association. Please note I didn't mention any motorcycle BRAND.

I totally agree with you about the term "biker" I consider it derogatory. I consider myself to be either a rider or a motorcyclist.
"I am a motorcyclist, NOT a biker"
"Buy the ticket, take the ride" Hunter S. Thompson


Catbird

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Reply #10 on: March 15, 2014, 06:53:51 pm
That's a Good Point Vince,  More or less on the same topic; Have you watched the TV documentaries on STURGIS, or FULL THROTTLE SALOON?  certainly not about being quiet or gentlemanly. Nothing about that lifestyle appeals to me. It mostly looks to me, a hellish teeming mass of misguided people I'd like to avoid. I worry about our values & culture, I really do, & hate being called "a Biker" by association. Please note I didn't mention any motorcycle BRAND.
+1
My wife is from South Dakota (not Sturgis) and she thinks that motorcycle rally is a total embarrassment to the state.
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barenekd

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Reply #11 on: March 15, 2014, 06:59:57 pm
Yeah, I hate it when I'm called a biker or people ask me if I ride a Hardley.
sorry, I do have friends who ride them, but I don't ride with them myself.
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Royal Stargazer

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Reply #12 on: March 15, 2014, 07:36:03 pm
These are some of the things I considered when I was deciding what bike to buy I ruled out a sport bike right away cos let's face it - a big dude just doesn't look right on one.

I ruled out Harleys because it seems like you're paying a lot for the name, and because there appears to be an entire culture built up around them - a reputation that I could not live up to. One of my friends stated that I'm "not angry enough" to ride a Harley (ironically, this is the same friend who said that since my bike isn't a Harley, it didn't matter.)

I, too, don't like being called a biker. I prefer to be called a motorcycle enthusiast.
2020 Royal Enfield Continental GT, A racer for more than just cafes
2005 Volvo S60 2.5T AWD, Two doors too many
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no bs

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Reply #13 on: March 16, 2014, 01:28:41 am
biker implies biking or pedaling. I ride a motorcycle. chaps and vests are for cowboys and gamblers. and why was marlon brando's outfit emulated and not lee marvin's?
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shamelin

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Reply #14 on: March 16, 2014, 02:52:28 am
I get mostly old British ex-pats who didn't know that RE was still making bikes.  Most of them are magically transported to their youth and tell me of their grandpa/pa/uncle/neighbor who rode a thumper back in the day. I've heard a lot of good stories.

I grew up in SD, too.  I think of Sturgis much like I think of Mardi Gras.  It's fun when you're young, but after a few years of wisdom it seems like a dirty, sticky, crowded mess of people who are doing stuff they'd never do somewhere else.