Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 321-337 next last
To: rackatoot

In my case anyway, Formost was cheaper.


221 posted on 03/30/2005 1:03:41 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 152 | View Replies]

To: beowolf

Sweet.


222 posted on 03/30/2005 1:05:47 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: cajungirl

I'm a chair?


223 posted on 03/30/2005 1:07:08 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 136 | View Replies]

To: international american
Thank you. It's come about from my experiences with myopic riders who can't imagine that anyone rides differently or has a different preference in machines.

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.

224 posted on 03/30/2005 1:10:41 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies]

To: Melas

: )


225 posted on 03/30/2005 1:13:48 PM PST by international american (Tagline now fireproof....purchased from "Conspiracy Guy Custom Taglines"LLC)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 223 | View Replies]

To: Poser

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."


226 posted on 03/30/2005 1:15:52 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 123 | View Replies]

To: 506trooper

Early bird gets the worm. Then again, the 2nd mouse gets the cheese.


227 posted on 03/30/2005 1:16:34 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 122 | View Replies]

To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick

Me too. I even have a beard down to my chest. I hope you don't have one of those.


228 posted on 03/30/2005 1:17:32 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 121 | View Replies]

To: Melas
No beard here. Just tattoos.
229 posted on 03/30/2005 1:21:26 PM PST by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (People too weak to follow their own dreams, will always find a way to discourage yours.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 228 | View Replies]

To: Melas

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 : )


230 posted on 03/30/2005 1:22:32 PM PST by international american (Tagline now fireproof....purchased from "Conspiracy Guy Custom Taglines"LLC)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 224 | View Replies]

To: -YYZ-
Nah, you see that because sport bike riders treat their bikes like toys. You take them out to have fun then put them back in the closet. When you see my bike in front of a restaurant, it's there because I don't like to walk, and I'm not real big on driving either. My bike is there, because that's how I get from place to place if I have any say so in the matter.

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.

231 posted on 03/30/2005 1:23:44 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 112 | View Replies]

To: wizr

I'm 5'1" and built like a Sherman Tank. I can't find anything 2nd hand. Sigh....


232 posted on 03/30/2005 1:24:40 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 111 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

Man, I remember when the Silver Wing was the GL 500.


233 posted on 03/30/2005 1:25:48 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 109 | View Replies]

To: dljordan

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.


234 posted on 03/30/2005 1:26:47 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 108 | View Replies]

To: Melas

I am a woman?


235 posted on 03/30/2005 1:27:47 PM PST by wardaddy ("Finally!, A Man Worth Killing!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wizr

TY


236 posted on 03/30/2005 1:27:51 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 102 | View Replies]

To: add925

You might miss the power. You'll love the torque.


237 posted on 03/30/2005 1:28:31 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 99 | View Replies]

To: hobbes1
My First Bike was a v45Magna. Then I had a Softail Custom. Now I have 4 Kids...

You really shouldn't ride your kids. Most states have laws against it.

238 posted on 03/30/2005 1:30:20 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 93 | View Replies]

To: Melas
Yeah, me too.

A bud of mine had one, nicely dressed out similar to this with Vetter fairing and hard cases.


239 posted on 03/30/2005 1:32:16 PM PST by martin_fierro (Fierro-san)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 233 | View Replies]

To: pt17

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.


240 posted on 03/30/2005 1:32:52 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 90 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 321-337 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson