In your many travels aboard whatever bike of choice you ride, would you ever perchance happen upon a fellow Triumph rider who wouldn't know at least a little something about the wide variety and brands of machines available to us out there? NO, They'll know something And what do you think the chances are that a Harley rider(and I'm talkin' percentage-wise...once again...NOT ALL Harley owners in this regard, but ESPECIALLY the "New To Riding") would also know and be able to converse with you about that same wide variety of machines...Japanese, Italian, British, German and yes even that other fairly new brand made here in the good ol' U.S.of A(Victory) in a knowledgeable manner. A small percent of those you describe
I can tell you that in my 12 years of (Hinckley) Triumph ownership(starting with a '95 Sprint to be exact) that I hear that ever-present question, "When did they start making those again", coming from the lips of Harley riders, more than I do(percentage-wise, once again) than from any other brand owners.
And so that tells me that PERCENTAGE-WISE Harley owners tend to be a somewhat insulated in their own little world. In my 55 years on this planet, I have discovered that THIS is never a "smart" position to put one's self into.
And, this insular attitude(also known as "The Harley Lifestyle" quite often) is what chaffs at many of us, and why we enjoy this "sport" of Harley bashing so much.(at least in my case it is)
Cheers, Dwight
Dwight, I'm gonna answer your question here, well I actually answered you in your quote, but here's why: I'd say in my experience that your correct in your basic premise. The typical rider I bump into knows nothing about a Triumph or most other brands. I think that is across the spectrum of brand owners, but most common from the RUB type Harley people. If you want to give it a test, just try and convince them that Ducati & Moto Guzzi have V-Twins! I'd say you also right that "New" riders & RUB's are the worst offenders.
However, I spend a lot of time riding or hanging out with a group basic misfits when it comes to the bike world. Actually, it is quite an eclectic group ride. If 30 of us ride, you'll see six or seven nameplates riding everything from a CBR600 to a Scramber to a Ultra Classic. Most bikes are Harley though. Taking into account these people plus others I personally know, most have some idea of what's out there.
I know a number of guys with two bikes. A buddy rides a Guzzi & a TBS and is restoring an old Sportster. Another rides a Road King & a Magna (he doesn't even own a car and the Magna has 155K miles). Another guy has a HD & a CBR. I have my America and am restoring an old 'zuki GS. These guys are bike guys true & true, so we always have something to talk about. Typical ribbing goes on, but for the most part, everyone respects what we ride and can speak coherently about the other brands. I'll still brand bash on a website though!! It's all in fun to me.
'05 America - Tec 2-1 (from a Thruxton)/ 4 pot caliper/ Kurt's Rearsets /
