Posted on 03/30/2005 3:01:07 AM PST by Melas
You Are What You Ride: Progressive Survey Finds Differences Between Harley and Sport Bike Riders Go Beyond Bike Type
Wednesday March 9, 1:33 pm ET
Both Dig Body Art But Harley Riders More Likely to Wear What They Ride, Says America's Top Motorcycle Insurer
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2005-- What can you tell about a person by the kind of motorcycle they ride? Plenty, according to a recent countrywide online survey conducted by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, the number one seller of motorcycle insurance in the U.S. The survey finds interesting differences - and similarities - between Harley-Davidson riders and those who ride sport bikes.
For example, everyone knows that Harley riders wear their passion for biking on their sleeve... literally. The survey finds Harley riders are three times more likely than those who ride sport bikes to own clothing or artwork that displays the brand of motorcycle they ride (93 percent versus 30 percent, respectively). Harley riders are also more likely to have body art such as tattoos and piercings (52 percent versus 40 percent).
The survey also finds that Harley riders are more likely than those who ride sport bikes to plan rides around where they'll eat (32 percent versus 23 percent).
Sport bike riders are three times more likely to eat at fast-food restaurants (18 percent versus six percent), while riders of Harleys are nearly four times more likely to pick restaurants with the nicest looking waiters/waitresses (11 percent versus three percent).
The survey confirms that both rider groups have much in common, too. For example, both say "freedom" is the number one reason they ride. And though sport bikes are commonly known as "crotch-rockets" or "road-rippers," only six percent of those who ride them say they do so for "speed" while fewer than one percent of Harley riders say the same. Both groups listed the same top excuses for justifying a quick ride: running errands, testing the engine and visiting friends.
Progressive's survey also finds that ninety-five (95) percent of all riders acknowledge their fellow bikers while riding. Waving is the preferred method of acknowledgement (37 percent), although Harley riders are nearly twice as likely to acknowledge other riders by pointing two fingers down (29 percent versus 16 percent).
Harley riders are six times more likely to only acknowledge those riding the same style bike (18 percent versus three percent).
Additional survey results include:
An overwhelming majority of riders (88 percent) donate time or money to charities. Two-thirds of Harley riders (67 percent) and one-third of those who ride sport bikes (33 percent) participate in at least one charity ride each year.
Sixty-nine (69) percent of all riders daydream at work each day about riding their bike.
Eighteen (18) percent of all riders call in sick to work at least once a year to go riding.
Women prefer to ride with their significant other (58 percent), while men choose to ride with their friends (63 percent).
Adding custom parts that enhance the look of their bikes was the number one choice for Harley riders (73 percent), while adding performance equipment was the top choice for those who ride sport bikes (44 percent).
Man, I'm late to the thread....all the good jokes are already taken.
I have "Ride to Eat, Eat to Ride" painted on the back of my helmet. Guess which brand of bike I normally ride.
Try 'n buy parts for just about any other older bike. Harleys are like old Chevys. There are tons of used parts, or suppliers for replacement parts.
Try that with your Duck.
I ride a Quickie GPV with custom wheels.
Or the most willing to show off same.
I just sent this to 2 of my friends. Good overview!!
I ain't from Missouri, but you can show me anyway!!
I'm a golfcart??
My bike history...
75 Honda CL360 (First Bike bought when I was in the USAF)
72 Honda CB350 (Rode all thru college...awesome...wish I still had it)
84 Honda V30 Magna (Smooth bike...but no soul)
98 Honda CB750 (Great jack of all trades bike...)
02 Harley Low Rider (Current ride...Fits my 47 year old butt perfectly!)
If I could own 3 bikes right now, they would be...
1) Harley Low Rider (Got it!)
2) Pristine 72 Honda 350 (Looking...)
3) Pristine 79 Honda CBX (Dreaming!!!)
Bottom line...it doesn't matter what you ride...Just Ride!
I tell you right now, if me and my bro's run into a sadistic pack of orthodontists, we will give them a root
canal the likes of which they never saw!!!!
Thanks. Great idea. Don't get much hot weather here at the Central Left Coast. I'm lookin' forward to movin' inland. Gimme sun. Gimme heat. I was gonna use Lizard as my handle, but "Liz" just didn't fit.
"72 Honda CB350 (Rode all thru college...awesome...wish I still had it)"
I had one in college too. Used to ride from beantown to the cape on weekends. A great little bike. If I see one for sale, I will FReepmail you.
Been there, done that and still prefer the Wing. Tis great to have the choice, though.
Stay safe,
Pt17
I think you are where you sit.
LOL, in my case, it was a beyond numb (read, dead) butt that made me trade the cruiser in on a Wing. I had just done a 2500 miler that hurt my back and killed my a$$. The next year, I did it in comfort on the Wing, happily motoring 1200 miles in a day and a half with a good night's sleep in between.
Fat Chicks are like mopeds. They are both fun to ride till your friends find out.
LOL! I do like the "look" of the Buells. I will keep that in mind.
"Hey, nice bike."--Liquid Metal Man in Terminator 2.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
