You Are What You Ride

Yahoo Financial News ^ | 30MAR05 | Progressive Insurance

[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).

[rabidralph]

When I was in Japan, everybody had the CBRs and YZs. I like Honda bikes and had a Rebel and an Interceptor overseas. I guess I'm leaning toward that, at the moment :-)

[rabidralph]

Thanks, I am fickle.

[rabidralph]

Thanks, everyone for all the input. I will take my time and test-ride everything!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Be careful if you test a Buehl. Check their stopping distance before you rocket off on one.

[Melas]

Boston is a long way from Texas. What kills you here on a wing, is that the traffic barely moves, and it's incredibly hot. The full fairing and lowers means you get exactly zero airflow over your baking body. I never put my windsheild on in the Summer unless I'm riding 100 miles or more for that reason. I can only imagine it with lowers.

I can see how commuting on the Wing wouldn't be so bad in a cooler climate, or in an area where traffic wasn't so backed up during rush hour.

[Melas]

Most of us just love the bikes. What so hard to understand about that? I hate it when these threads turn into bike wars. They're all good, and no reason to put anyone else's ride down.

[Melas]

I can't agree there. I like most motorcycles, and I may yet buy that Triumph America as my second bike, but I love Harleys.

[biblewonk]

I love Harley's too but for less than 6K I had to settle for a Honda Shadow 750. I could have paid another 8 or 10 K but I sure wouldn't have much more bike.

[edchambers]

A good example is a fellow freeper here who goes by Blackie. He traded in a Sportster for a Suzuki SV650, and from his posts he couldn't be happier. Now I have a friend who traded in a SV650 for a Sportster and he couldn't be happier. The difference is no doubt riding style. I've had my SV for five years now and it's perfect for what I use a motorcycle for,commuting during the week and ripping up the canyons on week-ends.Still one day I'd like to have a big fat cruiser for traveling 2 up and socializing. Two things the SV never was any good at.But I'm torn, I also love Sportsters,Bonnevilles,Bandits,ZRX's and just about any big bore streetfighter.

[pt17]

I can see how commuting on the Wing wouldn't be so bad in a cooler climate, or in an area where traffic wasn't so backed up during rush hour.

LOL, If you'd ridden in Boston during the height of the "Big Dig, you wouldn't make that statement." You have, though, made a number of good points about the differences in the Wing and other rides.

Stay safe,
Pt17

[pizzalady]

I don't ride much any more but when I do, my '72 Yamaha 650 gets more attention than I'd expect. It's funny to see all the leathered H-D riders circle my little old stock Yamaha. When I was young and foolish, the 650 could beat any bike off the line and it did. Of course this didn't sit well with my husband's friends. Ha Ha

[wizr]

ping

[hobbes1]

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


Series thinking about acquiring a Vintage 1984 v65.....

[taxed2death]

...while in turn, we have other terms for HD,s

"Rolling road blocks"
"Donor cycles"
"Speed Bumps"
"Hardley-able-too's"
"Shrimp Trawlers"
"Barco-Loungers"
"Sleds"
"Diesels"
"Oil Burners"
"Tuna Boats".........
I could go on and on, but I'll spare ya
:)

[martin_fierro]

	FReeper Motorcycle Hooligan
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[taxed2death]

I'll second that.

Ducati for me.

[wizr]

"right down to its original Avon tires"

Uh...not many miles on that bike, ay?

[cyborg]

Snooty eurotrash? I think not. I have more than enough smurf stickers all over the front to prove otherwise :o)

[add925]

Here's my restored 1985 Sport Bike.....I'm looking at Harleys if/when I sell this one....I am soooo confused :0

Here

Will I miss the power? Will I need to get tatoos? FR Bikers: Help!!!

[R. Scott]

I have found the Harley Dressers the most comfortable bikes to ride. Their lower center of gravity, low RPM at highway speeds, great bottom end torque, positioning of seat, pegs and bars that fit Americans all combine to make for a great riding comfortable ride.