Harley Speed Bumps

The "Street Vibrations" annual motorcycle event was held this past weekend in the Reno, NV area (which extends into the vicinities of Carson City, Virginia City and Lake Tahoe). It ran from Wednesday and ends today. Unfortunately, I had forgotten about this biker party and came to the realization when I headed up the hill toward Lake Tahoe on Friday to grab lunch. I am all for anyone enjoying two-wheeled motoring, whether the machine is made in Japan, Europe or America, but I am beginning to develop quite a distaste for Harley riders.

The Harley-Davidson being the motorcycle of choice is due to a preference to "cruise" (hence the styling description as cruisers). Six hundred or more pounds of iron on a wheelbase stretched over five-and-a-half feet just inches off the ground does not make for a superb handling motorcycle. OK, that's the way you choose to roll, but please, have courtesy for those who prefer otherwise. I'll save my rants against LOUD pipes, booze and lack of protective gear for another time.

Coming up on these riders, I had to weave through the group in order to pass. What ever happened to pulling to the right to let a fellow rider pass on your left within the same lane? Miles later there was a small group of 3 riders I managed to pass, the lead rider appearing to be a blonde, braided ponytailed female rider who may have been oblivious and wandering within her lane. Sheesh. Reminds me of an incident a couple of years ago when about a dozen HD riders spread into both lanes when the single lane road opened up to an extra passing lane. None in the left lane had intentions to pass their slower buddies in the right lane. I had to weave through this group, much like those sci-fi spacecrafts getting around enemy aircraft and debris.

Yup, debris. Or speed bumps.

Harley and the Boss

That would be Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and the Boss is none other than rocker Bruce Springsteen, who headlined the Motor Company's 105th anniversary celebration in Milwaukee over the weekend. Good ol' rock & roll from an American artist... and arriving a bit late by five years.

When Harley-Davidson hosted their big bash in 2003 to mark 100 years of their motorcycles, they decided to treat the attendees to a different kind of performance. They proudly introduced Sir Elton John! Say wha? A British, openly gay pop musician seemed to be the antithesis of the Harley-Davidson image/lifestyle. What were the Harley suits thinking? Let's say they were right and that well-to-do yuppies are their biggest customers (who love Elton John's music)... these riders would be loathe to admit this publicly. It's all about that image remember?

There was no turning back the hands of time (it was the 100 year anniversary ferchrissakes!), but this is a nice consolation for the less significant 105th. Harley-Davidson... born in the USA!