Pardon my frustration

[DiamondLil]

and pardon my taking advantage of the situation and behaving as if anyone should listen to what I have to say.

Here is what I have greatly appreciated on this site: the lack of animus.

I grew up with an incredible fascination with motorcycles and a deep desire to ride. My Dad told me that if I were to get a motorcycle it had better be a Harley Davidson. It was American and no-one made one better. When life was such that a bike was possible Harley was seemingly the only way to go. Compounding how I was raised to think is that fact that there was a dealership within walking distance of home and the concept of something other than a Harley was not fitting with the community. A Harley it would be.

My first was a Sportster and because it was mine, it was wonderful. My second was a V-Rod, a completely unplanned purchase as the real reason for going to the dealership that day was to buy a new pair of gloves. I wrote to the Motory Company to let them know how thrilled I was with it. As I rode more and sometimes everyday to work it began to dawn on me that my life-long arthritic knees where not happy with the riding position. I test rode a Deluxe, a motorcycle I've always been enamored with and then found the Queen sitting so pretty in the showroom. Her colors and look got the best of me. She is totally inoffensive to my knees and life is good.

You know what? I love to ride. I don't do it anywhere near a much as others but it certainly tickles my fancy to do it. The wonderful members here have welcomed me with open arms and I love it here because of each of you.

I've never taken well to labels. They never tell the whole truth and can lead to serious unhappiness. Lately though, we find ourselves in a battle between the airheads and the revos. To what end do we take this fight? It is profoundly sad that good people are submitted to truly caustic commentary. Can you blame them for feeling compelled to respond? Aren't there enough people out there with preconceived negative notions about bikers that none of us here should perpetuate the hurt?

I read somewhere that the worst of folks eventually expresses on Internet forums. The anonymity and comfortability unfortunately does not make way for the better angels to win out. Will we be victims to that fate or will we be better? I believe we have a choice. I have to think hard to come up with a biker I've met who was not pleasant and welcoming to me, no matter what they or I rode. Good old fashion joking around, friendly discussion, banter and flat out disagreement should thrive here. That being said, is respect and consideration for the diverse population of Harley Davidson riders here too much to agree upon as a code of behavior?

[Dinero No Mas]

Originally Posted by DiamondLil

That being said, is respect and consideration for the diverse population of Harley Davidson riders here too much to agree upon as a code of behavior?

In the real world, RESPECT is a thing unto itself in the entire motorcycling community.

You have it or you don't. It separates the biker from the wannabe and poser.

The internet has allowed the advent of the keyboard warrior. That degree of anonimity allows the weakness of character to shine through. They bully behind screens and cannot and will not face up to these same kinds of behavior face to face.

Just blow them off and realize that they are not worthy of your concern and certainly not worth one iota of your time.

There are important things in life to dwell on that are much more enjoyable. We choose to allow what affects us. I choose to ignore their histrionic babbling and focus on the positive side of this lifestyle.

[DiamondLil]

Originally Posted by Dinero No Mas

....
There are important things in life to dwell on that are much more enjoyable. We choose to allow what affects us. I choose to ignore their histrionic babbling and focus on the positive side of this lifestyle.

One of the good things that could happen in my life is to meet you one day.

[Dinero No Mas]

Originally Posted by DiamondLil

One of the good things that could happen in my life is to meet you one day.

Probably not. I'm the boy (well I used to be) that your Momma warned you about.

[3OliveMartini]

i dont think its too much but hell i will ride with anything that has two or sometimes three wheels

[EZE RIDER]

RESPECT if you don't give it you can't get it. I give it to all that I meet and expect it in return. I thrive on diversity, not shy away from it or ridicule others for theirs. Ride on! No matter what it is on.

[KBOlsen]

Welcome to the Internet, where everyone has ten inches and a PhD.

I never did quite understand the whole chest-thumping thing.

Thank goodness it's almost time to 'shut up and ride'!

[GAZOO!]

**** 'em.

[lakedrunk]

an·i·mus Show Spelled Pronunciation[an-uh-muhs] –noun
1. strong dislike or enmity; hostile attitude; animosity.
2. purpose; intention; animating spirit.
3. (in the psychology of C. G. Jung) the masculine principle, esp. as present in women (contrasted with anima).


I had to look that one up

I too have never understood some of the arguments that go on in forums. I usually just ignore most of it.

[sfarson]

Good thoughts Lil. Similar sentiments here.

This H-DF site is actually "Version 2". Max noted to me the previous incarnation had a hostile streak to it. I was a member but rarely was a presence. In October of '06 it was shut down, realigned, reassigned, and today we are the resulting, growing product from this. I hope this place continues to be one accomodating of those with diverse p-o-v's.

Usually when there is animosity towards those making different choices, like a different bike, underneath it all is 1). An attitude others should look like, think like, ride like me (BORING), or 2). A defensiveness or insecurity about their own choice (Those confident don't bash others), or 3). Combination of the preceding. FWIW, it isn't just in the H-D realm. There's trash talking between BMW and KTM, Ducati vs. MV, Honda vs. Yamaha, etc. Actually, I kinda like trash talking when it is fun and superficial, but one can tell when one is serious, and that is when it doesn't impress.