I can get over calling Japanese motorcycles, "Jap bikes," but can we not refer to Japanese people as "Japs" or is my request just way out of line?

Frank_W wrote:
I can get over calling Japanese motorcycles, "Jap bikes," but can we not refer to Japanese people as "Japs" or is my request just way out of line?

I have no problem with it at all. I work for them.

Harley isn't all American made.... ( well, it is... and it isn't ) The company I work for makes the starter for them. ( A Japanese company in the US )

When I bought my Roadstar, the VP of the company came out to see my "Haley Dabidson" as he called it. He was shocked to see that I didn't buy one. He did ask who made the starter on my bike. I told him I had no idea..... He liked my bike though......

Being relatively new to riding, I had to see the value in buying a bike. I was inexperienced and pretty much only knew about HD. Loved the sound and still do. Respected the patriotic symbolism and still do. Appreciated the original design and still do. Amazed by the history of the brand and still am. I was a little upset about the steep price and still am...a little.


I got talking to a custom bike builder who specializes in HD customs. He filled me with details of the history of how HD does business. I have an appreciation for a lot of the things they do to promote the lifestyle. It almost covers for the endless marketing of the logo on toilet paper and baby pacifiers.


I'm fortunate enough to live close to one of the best HD dealers IMO. On any given Saturday, I can roll up with my "copy" and be greeted nicely asked if I wanted to take any bikes out for a test. No questions, no pressure, no attitude. I've taken a few out and still love the sound but haven't found anything that will replace the R* just yet. Still haven't seen a RK demo but I'm holding out hope. Just for coming in, you get to go home with a free T-Shirt and an invite to come back next week becuase they're having a BBQ or some other get together. Imagine the feeling of throwing your leg back over you're "superior" R* after experiencing that. I can't count on one had how many "events" of any kind have been put on by my local Yami dealer because it's never happened. Just about makes you forget about the "value" ride. The bike nights sponsored by them are starting up next Thursday. I can't wait....

Southwest wrote:
When I started riding motorcycles, Harley was owned by AMF and yes in my rural Oklahoma cattletown I remember seeing several broken down Harleys on side of the road and the brand became a joke.I also saw broken down late model Chevys,Fords and Dodges.
My father talked always with pride about how great the Indians and Harleys of the 30s and 40s were.

During the mid 70s Suzuki,Kawasaki and Yamaha dominated are market because of mostly reliability. By the 80s the Asian bikes still were on top and if you remember they started to beat the Hell out of are auto market.
In my opinion the Japs forced America to start building a quality motorcycle and car once again.
I got off the subject back there but Yes Harley builds some beautiful machines now and I agree the Roadie is a copy but I don't care....The Roadstar is an awesome bike and money was not a factor when I started looking. One of the previous posts stated that the Roadie different and that is another reason among many for my choice.
My girlfriend used to be ashamed when we go to a Harley dominated function on my Yamaha until she realized a snob is a snob whether it is about
Lexus, RangeRover or King Ranch Ford Dually or Nike tennis shoes.

I hope I always can ride, no matter what the brand.ride a harley ride the best ride a mile, walk the rest

Darn wrote:
Tealw1 wrote:
We might all be at the HD dealer on hotdog day

Brauts are better!!! They last longer and just taste better.

Now I'm all for Brats, but lets not bash the HD (Hot Dog that is )

I had to log in to get a piece of this. BRATS definitely rock the pants of of the HD. HD's are way too small, and don't even fill the bun. And the taste of BRATS, just can't be beat.

I have to agree w/ Houston on one thing. My R-ball partner just bought a Fat Bob, and rode off into the sunset w/ 30 others (he called me from Big Bend). Social gatherings do seem to be more prevalent with that bunch.

MitchellNJ, our local HD dealership has a real nice setup. They put on concerts during the spring, summer and fall, local tallent and big name acts too. They also serve beverages and food there too. Everyone is welcome... no matter what you ride.

MitchellNJ wrote:

I'm fortunate enough to live close to one of the best HD dealers IMO. On any given Saturday, I can roll up with my "copy" and be greeted nicely asked if I wanted to take any bikes out for a test. No questions, no pressure, no attitude. I've taken a few out and still love the sound but haven't found anything that will replace the R* just yet. Still haven't seen a RK demo but I'm holding out hope. Just for coming in, you get to go home with a free T-Shirt and an invite to come back next week becuase they're having a BBQ or some other get together. Imagine the feeling of throwing your leg back over you're "superior" R* after experiencing that. I can't count on one had how many "events" of any kind have been put on by my local Yami dealer because it's never happened. Just about makes you forget about the "value" ride. The bike nights sponsored by them are starting up next Thursday. I can't wait....

The HD dealers and the Metric dealers around here all do alot of stuff on the weekends (Fridays & Saturdays) to bring in customers. The metric dealer here is probably larger than any of the HD dealers, in size. There are so many HD dealerships in town, I can count 4 within 5 miles of my house, several more within 20.

Wisconsin law prohibits selling vehicles on Sunday, all the dealerships are closed, so they do what they can on Saturday.

Frank_W wrote:
I can get over calling Japanese motorcycles, "Jap bikes," but can we not refer to Japanese people as "Japs" or is my request just way out of line?

So YOU of all people are jumping on the PC Bandwagon!??!?

Frank_W wrote:
I can get over calling Japanese motorcycles, "Jap bikes," but can we not refer to Japanese people as "Japs" or is my request just way out of line?

Not out of line at all Frank, I'm glad you mention it. We have an international membership here, and we all should be sensitive to that..The staff tries to give as much lee way as we can with the brand bashing stuff although it is rather tedious at times, but please don't bash members of the human race, it won't be tolerated...

Flashback wrote:
Frank_W wrote:
I can get over calling Japanese motorcycles, "Jap bikes," but can we not refer to Japanese people as "Japs" or is my request just way out of line?

Not out of line at all Frank, I'm glad you mention it. We have an international membership here, and we all should be sensitive to that..The staff tries to give as much lee way as we can with the brand bashing stuff although it is rather tedious at times, but please don't bash members of the human race, it won't be tolerated...

Anyone who gets tourqed over having "Japanese" shortened to "Japs" needs to get their panties out of their butt. There's so much worse that they could be called and also there are bigger things in life to worry about.

As a friend said to me "If that's your biggest concern then I want YOUR life."