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).
Thanks. I sure like mine. It sounds great with the drag pipes and no baffles too.
Yep, definately for the more expressive amongst us.
OK, here's a good one...
Texan Burner!
AKA, the Texas BBQ!
Mark
The Texas Tornado on the Cube, who could forget that!
Oh,, did I mention the new clutch plates I didn't put in yet??
I like the look of the V-Rods. I will definitely test some Harleys before making the decision.
I admire Arlen Ness' design style as well. This is a Ness-inspired Victory bike
I knew about the CX 500s because a different neighbor had one and the transverse V-Twin just looked odd with the Honda badge, so I did some Google digging.
Didn't know they also had something called a Silver Wing (which I thought was just name for the new scooter), which is apparently what the new neighbor has. Big fairing, hard saddles.
LOL!
I meant "you are what you sit on" meaning your recliner tells alot about who you are if you aren't the bike riding sort of person.
"Silly Yuppie Trailers are for Boats."
I have two trailers that I pull behind my bikes. One has a pop-up camper and the other is for cargo.
Thank goodness people were nice back then. They took IOU's and he sent them money, some people were just nice and didn't want anything. He still talks about a beautiful indian girl he saw somewhere out west.
Thank goodness people were nice back then. They took IOU's and he sent them money, some people were just nice and didn't want anything. He still talks about a beautiful indian girl he saw somewhere out west.
ROTF......
It's good to know there are still decent people out there.
"Settle"? NONSENSE! The Shadow is a terrific bike.
I love my 1100 ACE Tourer.
GEE...If you really "can't decide...", save your money and buy a crotch rocket because you're really made your decision when you acknowledged that you "can't decide!"
we have other names for the so called sports bikes....rice burners, j*p bikes, and girls bikes.
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You forgot pasta-burners, for those like me, who choose to ride Italian bikes.
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