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).
Well we're talking about something that happened in the earlie eighties, and it was old and used, used, so I'd guess it was late 60's to early 70's maybe? I'm sure it would be pretty sweet to have today.
There's no comparison between a 70's Sportie and an Evo Sportie.
Is that a new bike? The Rocket III was a Beezer. Triumph bought them out when they went bust and kept making them as Tridents.
[[Is that a new bike? The Rocket III was a Beezer. Triumph bought them out when they went bust and kept making them as Tridents.}}
Yes, the Rocket III is a brand new bike from Triumph. It is a monster. It has a whopping 140hp and is the biggest cruiser on the road. But to a classic Triumph Bonneville guy like me, I don't really even consider it a Triumph :)
92 is the magic year for Sportsters. 6 years into the UC-Evo engine, the engine was finally mated to a 5 speed transmissiont that truly gave the Sporty long legs.
Check out the "Speedmaster" - Is that engine laid out like a Moto Guzzi, or is it a vertical twin?
Vertical. Guzzi's the only one using a transverse V-twin.
BTW - I think Honda has a transverse twin, but that doesn't count anyway :)
The Yamaha/Honda dealer where I bought my Shadow had a couple of Sportsters sitting on his sales floor. He said that one of the guys had traded his Sportie on a Yamaha 650 v twin and said that if the Harley dealer had let him test drive it, he never would have bought it. It makes me wonder how eager I should be to step up to a Twin Cam.
Me, I love the Sportster. I've ridden them cross country on vacation, around town as my daily bike, etc. It's probably the most versitile bike I know.
Posted by Melas:
"...I was very interested in a VTX at Dallas Honda, but had to laugh when the salesman told me they didn't offer test rides. I don't for the life of me understand how they sell bikes..."
You're not kidding! One has to wonder if the Japanese manufacturers are all in cahoots with each other on this absurd policy. My sportbike is fourteen years old and in absolutely showroom mint condition as the day I bought it new. People approach me on the street regularly with very nice comments on the beautiful condition of my bike. Why would a dealership want to foolishly deny me a test ride if I'm planning on adding to my stable? Statistically, people in my demographic represent a tiny little threat to what could become their fleet of test bikes...which would be sold later at a discount anyway.
I've ridden my aforementioned motorcycle to the local BMW retailer and they were only too happy to put me on a $16,000 K1200 RS for a lengthy test ride. All I can say is "Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha...Wake up and smell the coffee!" I could understand if they wanted you to arrive at the dealership on a registered and insured bike in decent condition with valid plates and license, but they should then feel comfortable handing over the key.
Perhaps I'll be looking at a German or American motorcycle the next time around after all...I'd be happy to hear viewpoints from FReeper Hooligans who work in motorcycle dealerships for their thoughts.
~ Blue Jays ~
Oh, and that lefty jerk at Progressive Insurance will never see a dime of premium income from me.
~ Blue Jays ~
Looks like there are quite a few modifications from stock on your motorcycle including saddle, pipes, paint/graphics, and windscreen for starters...
I'm more of a sportbike fan myself (see my post to Melas above) but I would also love to have a cruiser of some sort. Your bike looks like it is in great condition.
~ Blue Jays ~
It's a 96 Magna,v4,750.
The pipes are stock, with the baffles removed.I also rebuilt the fuel tank from 3.7 max to 5 gal.
It cruises nice and will hang with sport bikes on winding roads.
Upsizing the fuel tank on your ride is definitely a sweet modification. That would be especially helpful if one lives in remote areas, out in the desert, or has a long commute. The total range on my bike is probably somewhere around 140 miles. The gas petcock usually needs to be turned to "reserve" when I hit around 125 miles or so. It would be an absolute pleasure if this range could be slightly extended without altering the "exterior lines" of the motorcycle.
~ Blue Jays ~
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