Why do Harley riders dislike all other riders

[@clintselby5035]

I’ve owned 2 Harleys. Put over 150,000 miles on them (combined). I ride a Triumph now. I always wave at all the other bikers, regardless what they are riding. Even the trikes. If you’re in the wind, I give a quick wave. I have experienced snobbery from a few BMW riders and a few high end Italian (Ducati, MV Augusta…)riders. But even then it was a minority. I had a dead battery 50 miles from the nearest place that sold motorcycle batteries. I called the dealer and he told me to wait where I was (couldn’t get far pushing the bike anyway). A guy named Mike showed up. Full patch Hell’s Angel. He refused any money (I’d paid for the battery by phone, credit card) and would not leave until I had the new battery installed and my bike started. This was 35 years ago and I’ve never forgotten the kindness another biker showed a total stranger that day. God bless you, Mike, wherever you are! If a guy doesn’t wave, maybe he’s squeezing his clutch lever at that moment.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

I have to say, I haven't waves back before because I was in a turn or like you said pulling the clutch to shift. Pinned this comment. I really like the story. Maybe they guy will see this lol

[@clintselby5035]

I hope he does, actually. Mike taught me it’s all about respect.

[@petesouthwales867]

I have owned four Harleys and waved at all riders. I was not into the snobbery or of wearing Harley T-shirts, jackets etc and it is not the bike but the riders atttiude towards other riders that counts.

[@LootGoblinArmy]

I've got a Harley. I feel like most of the hate is from older riders and MCs. I've personally known zero Harley riders who dislike other brands.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

I think they are people that remember a time when Japanese cars where taking over and hurting American brands. I think your on to something.

[@angelflores8589]

Can you make more content on the x18

[@wagorides]

I ride a Road King and when I ride with my friends, they are on a BMW 850 GS, a Triumph Speedmaster, a Triumph T100 Bonneville, and a Honda Fury. I usually ride in the back and every Harley we see coming at us gives the whole group the wave. So it probably isn't the bike. Like they say, "if everyone you meet is a jerk, they probably aren't the problem."

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

Lol, good point. At some point you got to take a look inward

[@DivergentDroid]

O.k. good question - How do you Mod the scooter so you can better hang onto it instead of easily getting tossed? - That's one reason why I want my next 150 to be a 2015 -2018 Honda PCX. I do love my scooter but I hate that aspect of it because it doesn't "feel" as secure.

[@tortuga34]

I know a few harley riders that are friendly old guys BUT... if there is anyone on any given day that sees me wave and doesn't wave back is a Harley rider. I honestly think its just the kind of people that are bitter, hatefull and just generally have an EFF YOU type of attitude gravitate towards Harleys because they feel like they are riding a big middle finger around. Just a guess tho.

[@ORIGINALCONCEPTGARAGE]

We had duel sport bikes, Harley Davidsons, Honda ruckus, kawasaki z's, kymco scooters, wolf brand scooters and a honda Navi. But our group of Harley riders had nothing but the utmost respect for everyone and we let them ride our scooters throughout the day and earned some respect as they were surprised by how much fun they had Shout out Operation Charlie Bravo

[@sirputtsalot6597]

In the North East, I don't notice this that much anymore, but I feel this was a much bigger thing in the Mid 90's to mid 2000's. Harley's were everywhere, being ridden by a bunch of Doctors and Lawyer with their clip on ponytails playing Wild One's for the weekend. I was just easier to not engage, because they were ridiculous.

[@kusuko..scla..213]

Now days HARLEYS are CHINESE BIKES!!60% are Chinese parts!! 😂😂😂😂 and 10% are from mexico 😂😂😂 And thats FACTS!!!!!

[@DivergentDroid]

I Love my 150 CC Chinese scooter! 1200 bucks shipped to my door. I don't need or want to go over 60 and it does that just fine. It's been solid for 3 years.

[@philbabbey5916]

I rode a Suzuki for four years, and currently ride a Harley. I never had anyone on a Harley say anything negative about my Suzuki. An incredible number of people on other bikes have said negative things about my Harley/me.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

Ooo the opposite of what a observed. Interesting.

[@jamesfenter916]

Ride what you like ... over 50 years of riding .had several brands and styles of motorcycles .. its not what you ride but how you ride that governs if you ride with me

[@althewhite9756]

What has bothered me over the years is how a lot of Harley riders have looked down on me for riding a metric cruiser instead of a Harley. Its It's a choice, I like liquid cooled bikes, less heat and more power stock.

[@fratermus5502]

There are plenty of friendly and skilled HD riders out there. IME they tend to be the ones wearing actual riding gear. There IS a subset of tribal "Murica, / nuthin but .45 auto / nuthin but Harley", but then again there are mouth-breathers in *every* group, not just HD riders. Edited to add: if I won the lottery I would absolutely snag one of those beautiful XR1200 (drool, drool)

[@M_CNST]

I'm on 500 exc-f in dirt trim. The Harley riders on my local roads leave me alone so I have no issues with them.

[@rachelbrowning865]

I have a Harley Davidson street 500gx most Harley riders hate it but I love it...I wear sport s bike gear too..I don't like chaps don't like saddle bags ..I have sports bike bags I can carrier more stuff...I love anything with two wheels..😊

[@Weaponized_Autism]

Most Harley riders hate other bikes because they're too fast for them to catch up to and kiss the owners.

[@RandyPopPez]

I’m in north east Pennsylvania. On my Honda shadow, everyone on anything waved in passing. Now on my ruckus I still get the wave from like 90% of riders. Only once got a wave while on my 82 Jawa moped tho😂

[@SCORPi0N5150]

If we're being completely honest it's because a lot of Harley guys aren't really "motorcycle" enthusiasts, but rather HARLEY enthusiasts. There's a whole concept of lifestyle that goes alongside Harleys specifically, so elitism ties into that. I have a Harley myself but a bunch of other bikes too because I'm just a MOTORCYCLE guy.. & a Harley is just another bike to me. Harley riders wave at me if I'm on my Harley but often not on any of my other style bikes. Best to just ignore those clowns, honestly.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

I watched some documentary once about how once Harley use to be for the rebels, but because a riding culture for the elite. I can agree, Harley enthusiasm over motorcycle enthusiasm. I'm sure that's not the case all the time but it would explain my whole video.

[@dallaseddington9712]

I see more hate on Harley’s on the internet from other moto vloggers than I do the other way around. I ride a Harley and love other bikes.

[@DivergentDroid]

The way I see it is you often find groups of Harley riders that are just buddies and all hang out together. Perhaps at a bar to shoot pool. When you go to a lot of bars you see this. A lot of these may be somewhat disreputable folks in societies eyes such as my states chapter of The Galloping Goose that used to party with us playing quarters and snorting coke off the bar till 4 am. LOL Not endorsing that lifestyle it was 30 years ago.

[@hunterst0989]

Today I was on the highway on my XR650R down 75 in McKinney TX. Had a Harley rider pull up behind me. Then beside me flipped me off and swerved at me. I could see he was a younger rider on a club style dyna. He exited with me to chase me. I found the whole situation hilarious. Not sure who pissed in his wheaties but once we hit the city there was no keeping up with me on my sumo. He sure had something to prove today. I call it little d syndrome with psychopathic tendencies 😂. I create space and disappear from these types. And they are all over DFW but not every harley rider is one. I have 2 old harleys. I'll ride with anyone that has respect on any kind of bike.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

I haven't ran into anything like that yet. I have seen some videos of you pass them they get all pissy. Did you pass him ? I mean they ride slow at times in a group what do they expect ?

[@hunterst0989]

@@SmallEngineVelocity no he got on the hwy behind me. I had been riding at 80 for 35 mins I was in a gap with no one in the 3rd land out of 6 lanes. He flew up behind me once he got around traffic and then pulled up beside me. I thought he knew me. I’ve had the XR sumo for almost 10 years now. At the light after the exit he was yelling something. Sounded like f*** your stupid effing Honda or something. Idk that was right when I jumped the curb and dipped him.

[@josephdavis1797]

They don't own the roads and anyone thats rides other motorcycles is their freedom to ride free.

[@devilsreject320]

Hardly Davidson owners are deeply sad at having old technology. Tractor engines. And being overweight and slow and as for the tractor on two wheels.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

I think they are working on that right?

[@kz1000st1]

Owning a Harley is a culture, not a sport. Those of us who own Non-Harleys (except for Indians) aren't in that mindset. What we sense as dislike is their different belief system. towards us and our bikes.

[@dennisfrazer8035]

I get it all the time. It's stupid. I would much rather haveJapanese bikes.They are fast, dependable and great looking bikes.So I don't know why the attitude. Most Harley parts come from China. They are just assembled here. Riding should be about fun, period!

[@kusuko..scla..213]

FACTS!!! 60% are from china and 20% are from mexico and the rest are american 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Sad but its a facts!!!!!

[@Mr36Natedog]

You forgot to mention Ryker Riders

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

Trikes ... Yes I did forget

[@CoffeeNerd2]

I always just wave to all bikers because that's just me but yeah Harley riders never wave back. Oh well.

[@ORIGINALCONCEPTGARAGE]

What we learned Harley Davidsons don't mix with scooters so much which I warned the Harley Davidson Brothers & Sisters they probably weren't going to like it going 35 mph behind our slowest bike which If Yall Watch you will see first hand why they don't group well together its dangerous lol

[@jeffdriggs2895]

We do not dislike other riders. I get verbally assaulted by non HD riders all the time……jealousy I guess🤷🏼

[@king0dasouf]

Lol My chuck pics have my Harley in the background

[@Paora42]

My 3 Harley friends have...inflated egos. They're still my friends, but all seem to think that they're above everyone else. 'Apparently', my Suzuki GSXR1000 will melt in the sun...ok.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

It's cool tho you still get a long

[@Exxtraricee]

Hahaha always makes fun of the plastic 🤣

[@lawrencestark8983]

When I ride I don't care what anyone rides as long as there not being stupid in harming others. I've been riding Harleys since 1972 and now I'm riding a Indian and I don't care what other people think. Harleys now are not all American made anymore. From the factory your Harley piston are from China and over half the gutz inside the motor are stamped made in China.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

Does it ? I've never look at internals for a Harley. FYI I'm 50 born in 1973 so you have been riding longer than I have been alive!

[@dennisgibb7958]

My question is, who fing cares? I don’t wave, I don’t associate, I do “hang” with other riders. You want to ride, then let’s go…….you want to flex……f off. Not all Harley riders are like this, a lot of them are cool, the guys I have run into that are asses have a problem with social norms and expectations. In other words they hate that they have to follow rules.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

Good question, who cares. I really done, just observations and a conversation. Don't wave back, I'm not offended. To each his own, we are in America and that's our right.

[@Couponz89]

It's just the Gen X and Boomers that their whole personality is around being a (REAL BIKER). The millennial's on Harley's are just motorcycle enthusiast that happen to have a Harley. If you haven't ridden one they are fun in their own way.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

I'm GenX , and I think your right. We might have been responsible for the labeling.

[@RandomRichZ]

you forgot mini moto Groms and such....update...then i see a honda navi lol

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

I haven't forgot , I'm getting the funds together to redo the motor in the orange ruck, and the market place ruckus is up for a load of improvements. Haha :)

[@blakenewton2781]

I don't think that it's as comon as you think it is. People are going to prefer to ride whatever they think they want. It doesn't bother me. Lot's of Harley riders where I live. I haven't really seen this except quite a few years back. And even then it wasn't an " us versus them " thing.

[@Smi7h1sH3r3]

gotta say, it probably depends, lots of different personalities within every group buuuuuuuuuuuuuut... Harley riders are generally the people who seem most elitist on the road, won't wave at other riders, like to pass you in the lane etc. I'm know it's not every Harley rider, but it's only Harley riders who have done this to me. Faster sport bikes have passed me in another lane, will wave, signal for cops etc. It's weird man, I don't get it. Maybe they just mad cuz they're bikes cost twice as much and half as fun lol. Ok, now I'm just being a dick lol.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

Say what you want , you have a right to it. Free speech. One of my best friends is a Harley rider , the only thing he dislikes when we ride is we have to stop for gas so often lol

[@Smi7h1sH3r3]

@@SmallEngineVelocity hahaha hell yeah man, yeah not saying that EVERY Harley rider is a dick; definitely arrogance in any group. Just that, when I am on the road, it's usually only Harley riders I see being a bit more standoff-ish. It's all two wheels boys!

[@mtran1553]

I am a HD rider, I just think HD riders represent American culture best.

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

I will agree that Harley Davidson does absolutely represent America. Like hamburgers , hotdogs, baseball and freedom. I will not deny that.

[@bigdoddyloco]

Not anymore, to many other styles these days. Squiding is the culture now 😂

[@stevemiller5350]

Bikers don't wave at other bikers. They wave at bikes they like.

[@Reserved_Rogue]

I wave at other bikers, doesn't matter if its a grom, a liter bike, a cruiser or any other type of bike. I will say that in my experience more Harley owners tend to have elitist attitudes, you could have a bike that'll smoke their bike and still call it a "girls bike."

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

Not for me...

[@bigdoddyloco]

That is a very interesting take. I love taking my mini out in my little town, everybody but one old guy waves. It cracks me up when the guys in the side by sides whip out their camera to film. The old guy does drive a Harley but I think he is just bitter as we have a huge variety of bikes and all friendly.

[@elsuperpollo2273]

I met some harleys riders some are dickheads and some are cool. I been flipped off by harleys riders cause I was riding a dual sport

[@juanster1979]

How u duin brother..ive come from riding harleys an sport bikes...ive had a r1 kawi zx14...i rode a fatboy an road king...love the bikes just not the reliabilty...i then changed to a vulcan 1500 lowrifer wit apes...i dont hate on no rider..a motorcycle is a moto....cruser is al the same...just like indians these days are not indians...just a name....we ride behind bars...an we are all brothers of another bike

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

I 100% agree, and a lot of people misunderstand when I made these videos. It's not that I personally hate Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders, it's more of why does it seem like they don't like me. I know that's kind of a general thing to say about an entire group of motorcycle riders but that's my experience. I'm glad that you're a person like me saying that two wheels is two wheels. Thanks for the comment I really appreciate it

[@francisco6744]

It feels there is other category, bmw riders, I own a rt1250, and I can be with 10 other riders with all different bikes and people wave more at my buddies than me. Not everybody , but the same can be said of Harley riders

[@RG-500]

While I appreciate what you’re trying to do here, I think you set yourself up for failure. The HD guys you’re asking are very unlikely to see this video. If they hate all other bikes (especially sports bikes) they will equally hate your channel. In these comments you will only get the more open minded HD riders 🤷‍♂️

[@jtothewa4858]

Harley riders don't hate other riders, other riders hate harley riders, which make harley riders hate the other riders.

[@coolvideos8864]

Get some proper gear!!

[@SmallEngineVelocity]

Damn it, I have proper gear ... I just wore the best rather than the jacket. Call me out, it's cool I need to do better.