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.