From: behanna@phoenix.syl.nj.nec.com (Chris BeHanna)
Subject: Re: internal prejudice
Organization: NEC Systems Laboratory, Inc.
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 92 22:35:39 GMT

In article <1992Sep10.171919.7951@sifon.cc.mcgill.ca> loki@elrond.physics.mcgill.ca (Loki Jorgenson) writes:
>
>	I've caught up on all the Harley posts.  And I've noticed a curious
>"tone" in the comments of some hard-core (from all appearances) HD types.
>There seems to be some bias against the Evo series  and in favour of the older
>classic xxxxx-head machines (xxxxx is "shovel, pan, bucket, bottle,
>spoon"...  anything that can hold oil, I guess).
>
>	Besides the fact that the Evos are often the prize of poser,
>wannabe Yuppie bikers, what is the prejudice?  A classic is a classic; 
>some people make a passion out of collecting antiques.  Some don't.  But
>the implication seems to be that Evos are... not quite as Harley as the
>rest.
>
>	My imagination or am I missing something?

	Those of us with older rides like making fun of Evo owners sometimes.
Personally, it's my feeling that owning and maintaining an older bike requires
more skill than just signing a check for an Evo.  That's a double-edged sword,
however, since the older ride *forces* you to work harder to ride, while the
Evo owner can push a button and be in the wind without worries.  I'm always
worrying about "what next?" happening on a long trip.  My bike has been
pretty reliable over the past year (despite Izuzu's attempts to retire it! :-),
but I had a few surprises when I first got it, and I occassionally wonder what
will surprise me next (previous owner kludged a bit, including a homemade
wiring harness).

	The second part of the prejudice would be the RUBs spoiling it for all
the legitimate riders who bought an Evo because they were tired of having to
wrench so much to ride.  I can appreciate that attitude (ride vs. wrench)
quite a bit, but it still galls me when I hear some Evo rider spouting off
about his ride and making it obvious to all within earshot that he barely
knows what a wrench looks like, let alone how to use it.  I think 'Roid
summed it up describing a couple of riders who, after a YEAR, still hadn't run
up even 1000 miles on their bikes.

	We all have something that we feel superior about (not just in
motorcycling), and as far as Evos go, I feel superior that I can maintain and
improve my Shovel while many, although certainly not all, Evo owners don't
know the business end of a wrench.  I have to admit that I do envy the Evo
rider the confidence that having a bone-reliable ride inspires.  Too bad that
I don't like the way blockheads look, else I'd be tempted to buy one myself.

	Can't forget the dealerships spoiling the Evo image with all the
boutique shit they sell, either.  Washable tattoos?  Cologne!?!  Swimsuits!?!
FAKE PANHEAD ROCKER COVERS!?!?!  Get this shit out of a motorcycle shop.  It
has no place there.

Ride free and wrench it yourself--you'll appreciate it better.

-- 
Chris BeHanna	DoD# 114  KotHLF    1983 H-D FXWG Wide Glide (She lives!)
behanna@syl.nj.nec.com	            (I need another bike for this space!)

Disclaimer:  Now why would NEC agree with any of this anyway?
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.harley