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You Are What You Ride
Yahoo Financial News ^ | 30MAR05 | Progressive Insurance

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).


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: biker; harley; motorcycle; rider; sportbike; squid
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To: international american

1966 Honda 305 Superhawk (High School)
1979 Suzuki TS250 Savage College)
1980 Honda CX500C (three years before getting the H-D)
1985 H-D Electra Glide Classic (currently own my Wife bought it for me for valentines day 2 years ago so I sold the CX500)

I would love to have the funds to get a Victory Hammer.


141 posted on 03/30/2005 7:18:15 AM PST by boilerfan (Hoosier born and Boilermaker educated!)
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To: boilerfan

1965 Honda CB 160 (7th grade) yeah, it was illegal, but I lived in the country section of South Bend, Ind. and the cops didn't care: )

1970 Kawasaki 500 H School(stolen)

1972 Honda CB350 college.... kept it 10 years.

1982 Yamaha 750

2002 HD Sportster


142 posted on 03/30/2005 7:34:56 AM PST by international american (Tagline now fireproof....purchased from "Conspiracy Guy Custom Taglines"LLC)
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To: Melas
My ride is a black 2001 version of this. The Yamaha Roadstar Silverado...I love it.
143 posted on 03/30/2005 7:37:22 AM PST by beowolf
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To: beowolf

RIDDLE

I don't ride.
What am I?


144 posted on 03/30/2005 7:39:48 AM PST by Marguerite
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To: international american
1982 Yamaha 750

That wasn't one of those gawdawful triples, I hope.

145 posted on 03/30/2005 7:39:53 AM PST by tacticalogic ("Oh, bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: Melas

Our Wedding Day

146 posted on 03/30/2005 7:40:38 AM PST by proud_2_B_texasgal (It's your life, are you who you wanna be?)
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To: beowolf

Yamaha Roadstar Silverado

WOW! Impressive


147 posted on 03/30/2005 7:41:37 AM PST by Marguerite
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To: Marguerite

Ummm...I'm going to have to bite my lip on that one. This is a family-rated site...;-)


148 posted on 03/30/2005 7:42:48 AM PST by beowolf
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To: Melas
You Are What You Ride

True.

Hillary Roddamned rides a broomstick. Now what does that make her?

149 posted on 03/30/2005 7:43:02 AM PST by JesseHousman (Execute Mumia Abu-Jamal Today)
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To: Marguerite
WOW! Impressive

Careful, your sarcasm is dripping.

150 posted on 03/30/2005 7:45:41 AM PST by beowolf
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To: international american
I have a nice picture of my ride, but for some reason it will not post here.
151 posted on 03/30/2005 7:57:49 AM PST by boilerfan (Hoosier born and Boilermaker educated!)
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To: Melas

Progressive Insurance is the leading insurer of motorcycles in this country, but I won't have anything to do with them as it would contribute to Peter B. Lewis's wealth. I still refuse to buy Heinz or Ore-Ida products for same reason. Lewis and George Soros contributing tens of millions to attempt to defeat President Bush. Maybe the upside was that their money helped the economy.


152 posted on 03/30/2005 8:01:33 AM PST by rackatoot
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To: boilerfan


The Victory Hammer is incredible!



153 posted on 03/30/2005 8:06:40 AM PST by international american (Tagline now fireproof....purchased from "Conspiracy Guy Custom Taglines"LLC)
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To: boilerfan

ROTF.....I was trying to post a picture of the Victory Hammer....to no avail.


154 posted on 03/30/2005 8:07:47 AM PST by international american (Tagline now fireproof....purchased from "Conspiracy Guy Custom Taglines"LLC)
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To: tacticalogic

Nope : )


155 posted on 03/30/2005 8:09:56 AM PST by international american (Tagline now fireproof....purchased from "Conspiracy Guy Custom Taglines"LLC)
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To: international american

I live in Fort Wayne and the Victory dealer here is the same shop that rebuilt my Glide after hitting a deer 2 years ago.

I plan on test riding the Hammer in a couple of weeks when they have their open house.

Hey a test ride and a free tee shirt to boot. Only thing better would be getting one free.


156 posted on 03/30/2005 8:10:17 AM PST by boilerfan (Hoosier born and Boilermaker educated!)
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To: international american

157 posted on 03/30/2005 8:13:25 AM PST by boilerfan (Hoosier born and Boilermaker educated!)
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To: rabidralph
I like Harleys and crotch-rockets and I can't decide which one to buy.

Check out Buell...It's an HD Sporty on a rice diet...


158 posted on 03/30/2005 8:33:23 AM PST by in the Arena (James Wayne Herrick, Jr. Captain/US Air Force - MIA - Laos - 27 October 1969)
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To: Melas

I gotta ask; have you actually ridden a six cylinder 'Wing?


159 posted on 03/30/2005 8:43:06 AM PST by BraveMan
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To: international american
we will give them a root canal the likes of which they never saw!!!!

OMG!!! ROFLMAO!! OK,, it took me this long to R&R my keyboard, clean the coffee out of my nose, and finally able to respond!

OUCH!! +|:-)~~

160 posted on 03/30/2005 8:49:44 AM PST by JoeSixPack1
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