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).
In my case anyway, Formost was cheaper.
Sweet.
I'm a chair?
Interestingly enough, it's been experience that it's not the crotch rocket guys who are the worst bike bigots, but the dresser guys. Guys on Ultra's and Wings invariably think their way is the only way.
That being said, I think there are some good reason to avoid some bikes. I love the Triumph America, but I wouldn't buy one. I don't trust the dealer network.
: )
Lol. I have "I'm schizophrenic and so am I" written on the back of the helmet I never wear. On my sissy bar I have a sticker that reads, "Silly Yuppie Trailers are for Boats."
Early bird gets the worm. Then again, the 2nd mouse gets the cheese.
Me too. I even have a beard down to my chest. I hope you don't have one of those.
I like my Harley Sportster just fine. I drive it up in the hills, and for 1-200 mile jaunts. Long distances, I prefer a car : )
Sometimes when you see it in front of a bar or an eatery, I'm a thousand miles from home, and I've done my riding for the day. I'm just unwinding and filling up before I get back to the hotel to crash.
Totally different riding style than 99.9% of the crotch rocket riders.
I'm 5'1" and built like a Sherman Tank. I can't find anything 2nd hand. Sigh....
Man, I remember when the Silver Wing was the GL 500.
I tend to agree. For some reason sport bike riders aren't content to enjoy their own ride. They have a need to hate everything else.
I am a woman?
TY
You might miss the power. You'll love the torque.
You really shouldn't ride your kids. Most states have laws against it.
A bud of mine had one, nicely dressed out similar to this with Vetter fairing and hard cases.
Dallas traffic isn't bad like in L.A. bad, but it's so hot. When you're stuck in traffic you just burn up waiting to move. The big dressers just make this worse by blocking close to 100% of the airflow to the rider at speeds under 20mph. That 15mph wind feels like heaven when you're stuck in traffic.
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