The Image of Motorcycling--who's hurtin' us? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

CaptCrashIdaho · 12-22-2007, 11:02 AM

In the short time I've been web active (couple of years) I've seen countless threads on:

Jerks on Sportbikes won't wave to Cruisers...
Jerks on Cruisers won't wave to Sportbikes...
Jerks on Sportbikes keeps Stunting and make us look bad...
Jerks who can't ride thier Cruisers make us look bad...
Jerks speeding make us look bad (sportbikes...you know those guys...)
Jerks speeding make us look bad (cruisers...you know those guys...)
Jerks without helmets make us look bad...
Jerks without shirts make us look bad...

Blah blah blah.

Attached is a poll with what I think are the top 5 things hurting motorcycling today...let's see what ya'll think.

kay · 12-22-2007, 11:07 AM

I don't see any poll to make a vote. Did you forget it?

CaptCrashIdaho · 12-22-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kay

I don't see any poll to make a vote. Did you forget it?

No, the way this software seems to work is you post theeeeen write the poll, you must have got here while I was fashioning options!

kay · 12-22-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptCrashIdaho

No, the way this software seems to work is you post theeeeen write the poll, you must have got here while I was fashioning options!

Oh I see! Sorry!

Yes, I see it now.

Thundurburd · 12-22-2007, 04:10 PM

Regarding public opinions that could affect motorcycling I think what people see in the streets or read in the paper are the biggest factors, that being either the first or last choice.

Loud pipes? I live in Wisconsin and in fact am only 18 miles from the Harley plant. I'd have to say it's not much of factor around here.

Uncle B · 12-22-2007, 05:17 PM

Got to list this one first; Stuntas...These squid get the bad press and make us all look bad.

second; Loud pipes. Do they save lives or just piss off the public?

third; Untrained riders. They crash. They die. Their legacy is "Bikes Kill!"

fourth; Balkanization of the sport. Hating each other makes an easy target for Social Facists.

fifth; Posers...you know the Dentist with the fake tattoo shirt...can't ride...falls over at stop signs.

offsetcrank · 02-02-2008, 04:36 AM

this poll should have been enabled to pick worst to least.

every one of them hurts us.

loud pipes hurt.

stunters hurt.

new riders hurt.

old guys who think they know...hurt. (Me)

gravel hurts.

there are six million riders in USA, we can't all be bad.

omegajim · 02-02-2008, 11:36 AM

yes, definitely a list from best to worst. Or bad to worse.

Lion6322 · 02-04-2008, 09:03 PM

While I voted for the stuntas, my opinion is that anyone who goes out and acts stupid, or like an a$$, on a motorcycle of any type, hurts our image. These are usually the same people who's slogan seems to be "I DON'T CARE". And they don't! As long as they can do what they want, when they want, who cares what the consequences are, for themselves or anyone else. And this goes for people on sport bikes, cruisers, tourers, etc. Wether young or old, stunting, racing, overly loud, or just plain obnoxious. It's not just one thing.

omegajim · 02-04-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

While I voted for the stuntas, my opinion is that anyone who goes out and acts stupid, or like an a$$, on a motorcycle of any type, hurts our image.

sooner or later, we'll all end up in that category. However, most of us don't do stupid things intentionally; we do it because we aren't paying close attention.

Thundurburd · 02-04-2008, 10:25 PM

Yeah, there were a few times I was cruising down the road a thought to myself, "did I really do that?"

**drgibson** · 02-04-2008, 11:35 PM

You left out Holywood.

palanon · 02-05-2008, 07:32 AM

I went with untrained. That leads to a host of problems that usually end with bad press.

JmalB · 02-05-2008, 07:54 AM

all of the above

KD57 · 02-05-2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JmalB

all of the above

omegajim · 02-05-2008, 01:08 PM

my only problem on the bike is occassionally I 'zone.'

Just cruising along, thinking about nothin' and suddenly I realize "where the heck am I? Did I miss my exit? What, where, who?"

After a bit, I catch my bearings and get down to business.

Couldn't do that in Chicago, the exits are too far apart. Dang, missed the exit, next exit is IN THE NEXT COUNTY. Rats, going to be late.

Ext1jdh · 02-05-2008, 02:27 PM

Personally, I think it's Landry.

Lion6322 · 02-05-2008, 03:15 PM

Hey omegajim, I think you kind of misunderstood me. Let me explain. I totally agree with what you said about how we'll all end up in that category eventually. But what I'm talking about are those individuals who do stupid or careless things on purpose, on the road, just to show off or get a thrill. I understand everyone makes mistakes, and those instances are excusable. But to do it on purpose, and put others at risk, that's unexcusable.
And I think I need to clarify my view of stunters. I have no objection to practiceing stunts, as long as its done in a controlled environment, and the proper safety precautions are taken to protect spectators and bystanders. It's when you do it on public roads with other motorists around that I object to it. I'm a volunteer firefighter and have seen many accidents where the person thought it would never happen to them, but it did. Remember, IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU! So to anyone doing stunts, have fun! Just please do it where noone else can/will get hurt if you screw up and "IT" happens to you.

**intimid8er** · 02-05-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

You left out Holywood.

What does Jesus Christ have anything to do with this????

blackie1491 · 02-05-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ext1jdh

Personally, I think it's Landry.

View Poll Results: Biggest threat to motorcycling today is:
Stuntas...These squid get the bad press and make us all look bad.	24	52.17%
Posers...you know the Dentist with the fake tattoo shirt...can't ride...falls over at stop signs.	0	0%
Looooud pipes. Do they save lives or just piss off the public?	6	13.04%
Balkanization of the sport. Hating each other makes an easy target for Social Facists.	2	4.35%
Untrained riders. They crash. They die. Their legacy is "Bikes Kill!"	14	30.43%
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll

12-22-2007, 11:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
CaptCrashIdaho Ditch Magnet Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: Suzuki DrZ400SM Location: SW Idaho Posts: 197	The Image of Motorcycling--who's hurtin' us? In the short time I've been web active (couple of years) I've seen countless threads on: Jerks on Sportbikes won't wave to Cruisers... Jerks on Cruisers won't wave to Sportbikes... Jerks on Sportbikes keeps Stunting and make us look bad... Jerks who can't ride thier Cruisers make us look bad... Jerks speeding make us look bad (sportbikes...you know those guys...) Jerks speeding make us look bad (cruisers...you know those guys...) Jerks without helmets make us look bad... Jerks without shirts make us look bad... Blah blah blah. Attached is a poll with what I think are the top 5 things hurting motorcycling today...let's see what ya'll think. __________________ I meant to do that.... For more go to http://www.youtube.com/CaptCrashIdaho

12-22-2007, 11:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
kay Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: Kawasaki Zephyr750RS, Suzuki GSX-R600, Ducati 999S Location: Crappy Little Island!!! Posts: 3,650	I don't see any poll to make a vote. Did you forget it? __________________ *Suzuki GSX-R600* Cherry blossom season is here! Yay!!!!

12-22-2007, 04:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Thundurburd Sprocket Pilot Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Black S50 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 822	Regarding public opinions that could affect motorcycling I think what people see in the streets or read in the paper are the biggest factors, that being either the first or last choice. Loud pipes? I live in Wisconsin and in fact am only 18 miles from the Harley plant. I'd have to say it's not much of factor around here. __________________ The rubber parts are supposed to be on the bottom.

12-22-2007, 05:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
Uncle B Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 06 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Location: Gordon Texas Latitude: 32.54833 Longitude: -98.36889 Posts: 3,627	Got to list this one first; Stuntas...These squid get the bad press and make us all look bad. second; Loud pipes. Do they save lives or just piss off the public? third; Untrained riders. They crash. They die. Their legacy is "Bikes Kill!" fourth; Balkanization of the sport. Hating each other makes an easy target for Social Facists. fifth; Posers...you know the Dentist with the fake tattoo shirt...can't ride...falls over at stop signs. __________________ Ride Safe, Ride Long, & Have Fun Benjamin Franklin> They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security. http://www.gordontexas.net/ http://www.gordonvfd.com/ Last edited by Uncle B; 12-22-2007 at 05:24 PM.

02-02-2008, 04:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
offsetcrank Where Am I ? Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 2006 Suzuki M50, 1994 Yamaha 600 Location: NW PA Posts: 33	this poll should have been enabled to pick worst to least. every one of them hurts us. loud pipes hurt. stunters hurt. new riders hurt. old guys who think they know...hurt. (Me) gravel hurts. there are six million riders in USA, we can't all be bad.

02-02-2008, 11:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
omegajim Just Won't Go Away ! Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 5,151	yes, definitely a list from best to worst. Or bad to worse. __________________ I have a truckload of nothing and it's certified, I got the certificate right here.

02-04-2008, 09:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
Lion6322 Where Am I ? Joined: Jan 2008 Bike: '03 Volusia w/ custom sonic blue base and dark silver flames Location: Beaver, PA. Yes I'm from BEAVER, but isn't everyone? Posts: 42	While I voted for the stuntas, my opinion is that anyone who goes out and acts stupid, or like an a$$, on a motorcycle of any type, hurts our image. These are usually the same people who's slogan seems to be "I DON'T CARE". And they don't! As long as they can do what they want, when they want, who cares what the consequences are, for themselves or anyone else. And this goes for people on sport bikes, cruisers, tourers, etc. Wether young or old, stunting, racing, overly loud, or just plain obnoxious. It's not just one thing. __________________ Good job stupid!

02-04-2008, 10:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Thundurburd Sprocket Pilot Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Black S50 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 822	Yeah, there were a few times I was cruising down the road a thought to myself, "did I really do that?" __________________ The rubber parts are supposed to be on the bottom.

02-04-2008, 11:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
drgibson Thumper Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,264	You left out Holywood. __________________ Looking for better fuel economy? Consider a KLR... Better gas milage then a Prius or a Smart car, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg and your testosterone.

02-05-2008, 07:32 AM	#13 (permalink)
palanon No Significant Other Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2003 Bandit 1200S Location: Newmarket, NH Posts: 2,307	I went with untrained. That leads to a host of problems that usually end with bad press. __________________ " In the name of the Speedo, the Tach and the Holy Throttle, amen. "

02-05-2008, 01:08 PM	#16 (permalink)
omegajim Just Won't Go Away ! Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 5,151	my only problem on the bike is occassionally I 'zone.' Just cruising along, thinking about nothin' and suddenly I realize "where the heck am I? Did I miss my exit? What, where, who?" After a bit, I catch my bearings and get down to business. Couldn't do that in Chicago, the exits are too far apart. Dang, missed the exit, next exit is IN THE NEXT COUNTY. Rats, going to be late. __________________ I have a truckload of nothing and it's certified, I got the certificate right here.

02-05-2008, 02:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
Ext1jdh Just Won't Go Away ! Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: Sold Location: Westmont, IL, US Posts: 5,174	Personally, I think it's Landry. __________________ I'm spending an extended period away from the board. If you need to contact me, use the PM.

02-05-2008, 03:15 PM	#18 (permalink)
Lion6322 Where Am I ? Joined: Jan 2008 Bike: '03 Volusia w/ custom sonic blue base and dark silver flames Location: Beaver, PA. Yes I'm from BEAVER, but isn't everyone? Posts: 42	Hey omegajim, I think you kind of misunderstood me. Let me explain. I totally agree with what you said about how we'll all end up in that category eventually. But what I'm talking about are those individuals who do stupid or careless things on purpose, on the road, just to show off or get a thrill. I understand everyone makes mistakes, and those instances are excusable. But to do it on purpose, and put others at risk, that's unexcusable. And I think I need to clarify my view of stunters. I have no objection to practiceing stunts, as long as its done in a controlled environment, and the proper safety precautions are taken to protect spectators and bystanders. It's when you do it on public roads with other motorists around that I object to it. I'm a volunteer firefighter and have seen many accidents where the person thought it would never happen to them, but it did. Remember, IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU! So to anyone doing stunts, have fun! Just please do it where noone else can/will get hurt if you screw up and "IT" happens to you. __________________ Good job stupid!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Help with image hot link????	Trapper	Test Forum	5	03-01-2006 08:34 AM
Motorcycling isn't for everyone.	Novaz23	Sportbikes & Sport-tourers	23	01-30-2005 05:10 PM
Caution: Graphic Image of a Devastatingly Destructive Traffic Accident	themeatmanlandry	Off Topic	23	12-20-2004 04:26 PM