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 ... 221-240241-260261-280 ... 321-337 next last
To: dljordan

C&S is still around. Several stores around Middle Tennessee.


241 posted on 03/30/2005 1:33:36 PM PST by wardaddy ("Finally!, A Man Worth Killing!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 113 | View Replies]

To: biblewonk

The Shadow is a wonderful bike. Nothing to scoff at, at all.


242 posted on 03/30/2005 1:34:17 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

I have a friend who rides one right now. It's bagless and no fairing. He picked it up for $1200 on Ebay. It's kind of cool actually.


243 posted on 03/30/2005 1:36:53 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 239 | View Replies]

To: wardaddy

Lol, I've been waiting for that line this whole thread. I thought everyone was going to let me down.


244 posted on 03/30/2005 1:37:36 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 235 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

There is one of those in my apartment complex (just about the same color too). I thought it was just a CX500 with a fairing.


245 posted on 03/30/2005 1:38:30 PM PST by Betis70
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 239 | View Replies]

To: Melas
One of my rides was a 1982 Honda CB750F. I am fairly familiar with Cogadh na Sith's ride. That bike is about as close to the UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) as you can get, which explains much of the animosity Cogadh na Sith has towards all things HD . . .

Double Overhead Cam inline four, stamped steel "Comstar" wheels, rubber mounted turn signals, inverted bucket shim valve clearance adjustments, Stand/Squat shaft drive, etc., etc. Typical Japanese fare; decent performance, conservative non-offensive styling and subdued electric hand buzzer vibration permeating the bars and pegs at all times. Apart from the Hi-Lo transmission selector ala Honda Trail 90, it personified the UJM; reliable, economical and bland as white tofu.

I'll cut him some slack; he's probably never ridden anything that has soul, and thus feels compelled to denigrate and criticize what he can't understand . . .


246 posted on 03/30/2005 1:39:36 PM PST by BraveMan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 217 | View Replies]

To: international american

Not me. The the only thing I like better than a 3,000 mile round trip, is the look on peoples faces when I tell them how far I am from home, and yes, I got there on a Sportster.


247 posted on 03/30/2005 1:39:39 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 230 | View Replies]

To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick

I'll bet the tattoos look infinately better on you than the beard would have. I love tattoos on women, even though it's an oft topic of derision here on Freep.


248 posted on 03/30/2005 1:40:40 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 229 | View Replies]

To: JoeSixPack1
...or a sadistic pack of orthodontists. "

Them, I don't worry about....however, had you said proctologists, I always wave....I always wanna know where their hands are...

249 posted on 03/30/2005 1:41:06 PM PST by 506trooper (No such thing as too much guns, ammo or fuel on board...unless you're on fire)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Vaquero

and we "crotch-rocket" riders love to taunt harley riders to "do a wheelie!"

...all in fun, and beats the thumb


250 posted on 03/30/2005 1:42:50 PM PST by woollyone (Li'l fleas got tiny fleas up'n their backs 2 bite'em/Tiny fleas got tinier fleas & so on adinfinitum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: BraveMan

I owned the exact same bike only different. :) A Suzuki GS-550 Interstate. It wasn't a bad motorcycle, but it was so bland, so vanilla, so lacking in personality that librarians thought you were boring when they saw you on it.


251 posted on 03/30/2005 1:44:13 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 246 | View Replies]

To: Melas

I ride a Fat Boy. Does that make me a gay chubby chaser?


252 posted on 03/30/2005 1:44:16 PM PST by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Melas

No, in the same areas I'm out riding in I'll see tons of sport bikes, touring bikes, sport tourers, etc, but it's nearly always the cruisers that will be parked in front of the bars and restaurants. Actually, I'll agree that most riders, not just of sport bikes, treat them like toys. Look at bikes for sale on Autotrader or someplace like that and see how many miles most of them have on them - not too many. And that goes for Harleys as well as sport bikes. In fact, while many sport bikes are owned by weekend posers, so are many Harleys. You know the guys: buy their new Harley and a bunch of standard issue black leather, beanie helmets and such at the same time; trailer their bikes to the rallies and then ride them in the last 20 miles.

BTW, you know, there are more types of bikes in the world than cruisers and crotch rockets.


253 posted on 03/30/2005 1:44:55 PM PST by -YYZ-
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 231 | View Replies]

To: Hemingway's Ghost

Ummmm....


254 posted on 03/30/2005 1:45:14 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 252 | View Replies]

To: Melas
A chick's ride no doubt, or Elton John's!
255 posted on 03/30/2005 1:47:37 PM PST by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Melas

They do not have to like tattoos. I just choose to display me artwork on my body instead of the wall. Lenny Dwayne (RIP) put it best, he said "Tattoos are putting a little bit of your inner self on your outer self.".


256 posted on 03/30/2005 1:50:26 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 248 | View Replies]

To: GoShow
Save some money buy a real bike (Ducati…)

Ah yes, the preferred ride of Mr. Lawng Jawn Kerry ("Do you know who I am?"), Esq.

257 posted on 03/30/2005 1:51:36 PM PST by Hemingway's Ghost (Spirit of '75)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: A CA Guy

Emelda Marcos rides a trike!!!!


258 posted on 03/30/2005 2:00:49 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 255 | View Replies]

To: -YYZ-
You know the guys: buy their new Harley and a bunch of standard issue black leather, beanie helmets and such at the same time; trailer their bikes to the rallies and then ride them in the last 20 miles.

That's why I have a sticker on my sissy bar that says, "SILLY YUPPIE TRAILERS ARE FOR BOATS"

259 posted on 03/30/2005 2:02:11 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 253 | View Replies]

To: woollyone

The look on their faces when I do the wheelie is priceless. Wait until you see your first bagger wheelie.


260 posted on 03/30/2005 2:03:26 PM PST by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 250 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 221-240241-260261-280 ... 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