Genuine Question: Why the Hate between Cruisers & Sportbikes

[nstahg8r]

I mean I really am curious as to why there is such animosity between the two, We all love to ride (its obvious) my brother in law had a nice little sportbike for awhile, it was a nice bike but Way too small for me, me being 6ft 6in tall and 250lbs. I tried to ride it once and only once, it killed me to sit on that little thing, cramped me up something awful just could not do it, didn't like it one bit, but having said that I never Hated them, or the people that rode them, much like life ya got good eggs, and bad eggs in any group, hell I have came face to face with a "Brother" patch wearing M.C. grand wizard (or whatever the top tier of the totem pole is) who was the most gentle and polite person in the world, then turn around and come face to face with a snotty (Im better than you because "reasons" person on a sportbike) But I never really got the whole anger towards anyone on anything that is not a cruiser or (Harley) .

I consider myself new to this group with my recent purchase of my Tri Glide so maybe I'm just uninformed and missing the point.
when I am out in the wind If I see you on the road on any type of Bike I have no shame in giving ya a friendly wave, I can only recall once not being "waved" at by a sportbike rider, but hell sometimes shit happens.


Edit: if this question has been asked before and I missed it, please point me to that thread, and feel free to remove this, thanks.

 

[Trikerbri]

Hey Brad, no different here in UK, but I do have my own theory.
There are 2 factions in the motorcycle world that being Bikers & Motorcyclists.
Bikers live for their bikes and dress to suit their demeaner and will always acknowledge other bikers.
Motorcyclists on average are weekend warriors only and dress in leathers to conform, usually allowed out by their wives/girlfriends on Sundays providing they are back for dinner on the clock.
Bikers know their bikes intimately including service/repairs/ customising
Motorcyclists less likely to get hands dirty and have their weekend rides serviced at dealers.
1300 motorcyclists were killed in UK 2024 riding 'plastic rockets' trying to emulate their track hero's and less than 5% were on cruisers.
I always show a hand to other riders regardless but far less likely to get a response from sportsbike riders. If I see any rider parked on the side of a road I always give a thumbs up to see if they are ok or broken down and if they are I will stop to see if I can help, sadly not from the speed merchants.
Purely my opinion.

 

[Marc H]

There's good and bad on all types. I think that worst of the animosity is between the extremes of each class. The sportbike rider that thinks the world is his racetrack or stunt show and the average guy thats out for a ride on his cruiser just aren't going to see things the same. I have also seen those roles switched.

 

[nstahg8r]

There's good and bad on all types. I think that worst of the animosity is between the extremes of each class. The sportbike rider that thinks the world is his racetrack or stunt show and the average guy thats out for a ride on his cruiser just aren't going to see things the same. I have also seen those roles switched.

yeah, thats what I was figuring, like all groups gonna be some drama, all good I will continue to wave and be a good natured old fart cruising on my bike waving at all the bikers.

 

[Marc H]

I joined a local forum once that was a mix of all types of motorcycles. We had a gathering and I was amazed at the whole group.Everyone for the most had the same outlook. They just wanted to ride their ride and not do things to make everybody look bad.Their was a few that came along that liked to act up on the road and the others would encourage them where that should be done and how best to do it.When I said all types there were past and present racers in there to.

 

[Sidecarbill]

If you're not doin it my way, you're doing it the wrong way

 

[Sully]

I Need to Brag alittle..........Today is my 59 Years Wedding Anniversary with the Same Woman and Still Loving it........

 

[Gorilla]

I Need to Brag alittle..........Today is my 59 Years Wedding Anniversary with the Same Woman and Still Loving it........

CONGRATS SULLY

 

[JTJersey]

I mean I really am curious as to why there is such animosity between the two, We all love to ride (its obvious) my brother in law had a nice little sportbike for awhile, it was a nice bike but Way too small for me, me being 6ft 6in tall and 250lbs. I tried to ride it once and only once, it killed me to sit on that little thing, cramped me up something awful just could not do it, didn't like it one bit, but having said that I never Hated them, or the people that rode them, much like life ya got good eggs, and bad eggs in any group, hell I have came face to face with a "Brother" patch wearing M.C. grand wizard (or whatever the top tier of the totem pole is) who was the most gentle and polite person in the world, then turn around and come face to face with a snotty (Im better than you because "reasons" person on a sportbike) But I never really got the whole anger towards anyone on anything that is not a cruiser or (Harley) .

I consider myself new to this group with my recent purchase of my Tri Glide so maybe I'm just uninformed and missing the point.
when I am out in the wind If I see you on the road on any type of Bike I have no shame in giving ya a friendly wave, I can only recall once not being "waved" at by a sportbike rider, but hell sometimes shit happens.


Edit: if this question has been asked before and I missed it, please point me to that thread, and feel free to remove this, thanks.

Because the sport bike guys are wrong and the cruiser guys are right. Oh, don't forget to factor in the chopper crowd, they hate everybody.

 

[nstahg8r]

I Need to Brag alittle..........Today is my 59 Years Wedding Anniversary with the Same Woman and Still Loving it........

damn my man, congrats

, Been married for 30 years, and been with her a total of 33 years hope to carry on that tradition!

 

[cycle7447]

Interesting - if I pass a bike, regardless of the type, I simply give a little wave.

If a sport bike passes me up on one wheel, I simply move over and let him have the road.

 

[nstahg8r]

Interesting - if I pass a bike, regardless of the type, I simply give a little wave.

If a sport bike passes me up on one wheel, I simply move over and let him have the road.

I have yet to come across someone on the road doing something like that, and I feel if I did, my reaction would be the same, move over let them have the room, (in my mind, give them enough room if they do wipe out, I am not impacted or involved with something like that,)

 

[cycle7447]

I have yet to come across someone on the road doing something like that, and I feel if I did, my reaction would be the same, move over let them have the room, (in my mind, give them enough room if they do wipe out, I am not impacted or involved with something like that,)

Trust me, it does indeed happen. Usually scares the heck out of me because they seem to come out of nowhere

 

[Trail boss]

I mean I really am curious as to why there is such animosity between the two, We all love to ride (its obvious) my brother in law had a nice little sportbike for awhile, it was a nice bike but Way too small for me, me being 6ft 6in tall and 250lbs. I tried to ride it once and only once, it killed me to sit on that little thing, cramped me up something awful just could not do it, didn't like it one bit, but having said that I never Hated them, or the people that rode them, much like life ya got good eggs, and bad eggs in any group, hell I have came face to face with a "Brother" patch wearing M.C. grand wizard (or whatever the top tier of the totem pole is) who was the most gentle and polite person in the world, then turn around and come face to face with a snotty (Im better than you because "reasons" person on a sportbike) But I never really got the whole anger towards anyone on anything that is not a cruiser or (Harley) .

I consider myself new to this group with my recent purchase of my Tri Glide so maybe I'm just uninformed and missing the point.
when I am out in the wind If I see you on the road on any type of Bike I have no shame in giving ya a friendly wave, I can only recall once not being "waved" at by a sportbike rider, but hell sometimes shit happens.


Edit: if this question has been asked before and I missed it, please point me to that thread, and feel free to remove this, thanks.

Here’s my take; I may be wrong but I think our motorcycle insurance rates might go down if everyone rode responsibly. It’s been my experience that the people who ride sport bikes feel the need the show off how much power and speed their bikes have. To the point of challenging the police to try and catch them (sport bikes). This gives the motorcycle community a black eye.

The other thing I find VERY annoying about the sports bike riders is when they go to a rally such as the Lone Star Rally and they (sports bike riders) spend the entire day and night riding up and down the Strand holding in the clutch and revving their bikes as loud they can. I laugh when I see crotch rocket riders going down the Gulf Freeway because they have a five to eight hundred dollar helmet on but they’re wearing a Wife beater T shirt, a bathing suit and plastic shoes. When they drop that bike at one hundred miles an hour their head may or may not be OK. The asphalt and concrete are going to have a field day on all that exposed flesh. Just sayin.

 

[nstahg8r]

Here’s my take; I may be wrong but I think our motorcycle insurance rates might go down if everyone rode responsibly. It’s been my experience that the people who ride sport bikes feel the need the show off how much power and speed their bikes have. To the point of challenging the police to try and catch them (sport bikes). This gives the motorcycle community a black eye. The other thing I find VERY annoying about the sports bike riders is when they go to a rally such as the Lone Star Rally and they (sports bike riders) spend the entire day and night riding up and down the Strand holding in the clutch and revving their bikes as loud they can. I laugh when I see crotch rocket riders going down the Gulf Freeway because they have a five to eight hundred dollar helmet on but they’re wearing a Wife beater T shirt, a bathing suit and plastic shoes. When they drop that bike at one hundred miles an hour their head may or may not be OK. The asphalt and concrete are going to have a field day on all that exposed flesh. Just sayin.

your comment reminded me of a video of a rider who had posted his insane speeds on youtube, dude was doin 180+ (think he hit 199 at one point) all I could think of while watching that, If this dude hits anything, there won't be enough of him left to put in a ziplock baggie, that shit is crazy

 

[Zammy]

It's pretty much the same in our area, speed and more speed, there are large groups of rockets that ride down here, never wave cause they're too busy going fast no mater what road. When we encounter a single or 2 riders they always seem to wave. Perhaps it's the 'herd' mentality.

 

[Sheriff42]

It's pretty much the same in our area, speed and more speed, there are large groups of rockets that ride down here, never wave cause they're too busy going fast no mater what road. When we encounter a single or 2 riders they always seem to wave. Perhaps it's the 'herd' mentality.

Zammy, it scares the crap out of me when a Rocket blows by me at 120 on I75! 75 is a racetrack that isn’t an oval. Won’t take the Glide on it anymore.

 

[pwhoever]

I've had 5 or 6 go blasting past me individually at a time up north here. It sounds like bumble bees flying by. And yes, they come up so quick weaving in and out of traffic that you don't see them until you catch a blur as they pass you. How there isn't more accidents, I'll never know...

 

[Oldster]

I haven't experienced any problems between the young sport bike guys and us old farts. As a matter of fact, I've had some good conversations with them while stopped for a break. I can remember being young and riding like a maniac, blind luck and the good lord are the only reasons I'm still around. They usually wave as they go flying around me LOL. For that matter, I get along good with the Wing and Beemer guys also. Actually, the guys that I have the most issues with is the old farts on Harleys when a bunch of them are having their parade and backing up traffic for 5 miles. And those guys are less likely to wave than other riders and I ride a Tri-Glide. The sport bike guys are fine!!!

 

[cycle7447]

Twins were crossing a narrow bridge. So small that only one could cross each way.

There was an older man coming from the other side, so just one brother crosses. Somewhere near the middle, the brother asked. How are the people on your side. The old man responded - well, how are they from where you come.

The young man said - wow, they are great, would do anything for you - will give you the shirt off of your back.

The old man then said - well, you will love it there because these folks are just like that.

Down the path, he encounters the other brother who asked the same question. The old guy ask the same question. To which the young man says, well this is the reason I am leaving. Folks there are awful. Don't talk to you, will not help you - I am so glad we are leaving.

The wise old man said - well, you may be moving again soon because, the folks in the new town are just like that.

Interesting

 

[Sheriff42]

I've had 5 or 6 go blasting past me individually at a time up north here. It sounds like bumble bees flying by. And yes, they come up so quick weaving in and out of traffic that you don't see them until you catch a blur as they pass you. How there isn't more accidents, I'll never know...

I’m originally from Wisconsin, PW. Spend half the summers in Wisconsin visiting grandkids. Same thing happened to me by American Family Stadium last summer. I was coming home from Harley Homecoming. It does sound like angry bees!

 

[Papa Zook]

I think it is more a matter of the age and maturity level. The younger guys are still full of ego, who has the newest and fastest bike, who can wheelie it the furthest, they still think they'll live forever. Us older guys know better, have nothing to prove and know life, friendship and mutual respect is what really counts.

 

[Papa Zook]

Then theres this guy...unbelieveable!

3.4M views · 50K reactions | Super Talented Motorbike Freestyler! | This freestyler does things I never thought were possible...🤯 | By Supercar Blondie | Facebook

This freestyler does things I never thought were possible...🤯

www.facebook.com

 

[nstahg8r]

Then theres this guy...unbelieveable!

3.4M views · 50K reactions | Super Talented Motorbike Freestyler! | This freestyler does things I never thought were possible...🤯 | By Supercar Blondie | Facebook

This freestyler does things I never thought were possible...🤯

www.facebook.com

when folks do stuff like this like this guy on a closed area/parking lot I have no issues, I mean its a controlled area, and NOT on the highway/roadways, but the amount of people that think they can do the same on the main roads, then wipeout taking down others and crashing into other vehicles on the road is like a chain reaction/domino effect its crazy.

 

[Papa Zook]

I just cannot understand how anyone can have that level of instant balance and control of a motorcycle!

 

[irondad01]

In another life I bet he could be a bull rider

 

[nstahg8r]

everything goes well, mad props,
in the event it doesn't