What is it with "Jap" Bike Riders?

[CairnsDuc]

About an hour after posing this Topic, I had a classic encounter on the way home, I damn near crashed the bike I was laughing so hard, Didn't involve me in anyway.

Sitting at the lights on the Highway, in front of me is a Hardcore Harley from one of the local Performance Harley shops, Now I'll be honest, I don't mind some Harleys, but my Knowledge is very limited of the models and designs, But when I spied the Ohlins rear shocks, and the over all look of the rest of the bike, He was not one of the usual Accountant posers often seen on a Harley, He had built this thing to go, stop and turn
And it down sound awesome rumbling away in front of me.

I'm sitting just off to one side and behind checking out this bike, when I notice a Gixxer 750 has rolled up beside him, all sparkly clean, they give each other the big look over, engines start being revved, racing positions assumed. And I thought the Harley was a goner

Lights Turn Green. HOLY SHIT!! This Harley took off like nothing else I've seen!! The Gixxer was hosed!!
Loud as all hell, he was a spec in the distance in a matter of seconds, Gixxer boy was trying, but no chance!

Even the traffic seemed to stop for a few seconds, I think we all got a shock when this thing took off.
Gixxer boy gave up the fight pretty quickly and I rolled past him laughing my ass off.

I thought the Harley was going to be quick, just not that quick!! Still a damn good show for Friday Afternoon traffic 

[OverCaffeinated]

First off I personally like all types of bikes, even vintage vespas. I almost bought a r6 and my bro has a hd that's super comfy to ride.

I usually get two types of ricer encounters. They either race by at over 100 or I get a thumbs up for the wonder that is Ducati. I don't mind either.

But I do have to ask, what is up with the mohawks? I heard that it's mandatory to get one with the purchase of any new japanese bike.

[OverCaffeinated]

and yes I did say "comfy" 

[monster2b]

I haven't had any real negative encounters with the japanese or harley crowd.  I live next to Cook's corner so I see about a thousand cruiser bikes on any given weekend if I ride by there.  The cruiser guys that I know think my bike is uncomfortable, the rice rocket crowd thinks its slow (it is with me on it). They both agree that it's a beautiful bike. 

[Taz Duc]

Seeing that I'm not a brand snob, I'll salute anyone on two wheels including scooters.  I also don't do the standard low wave, I do a 1 finger point with thumb up (like a gun) 

[Scottish]

your trying to understand the people that like that vinyl sticker of calvin peeing on ford, chevy, ducati, etc and have replica testicles hanging from the back of their vehicle?

Goodluck.

Wait...... that stuff isn't cool? [note to self: remove truck balls, and calvin sticky]

[williamG]

I have a good friend with an R6 and he always wants to say shit about my M696.  Hes such a ricer rider too with his black headlights, and yelllow gas tank and missing fearings.  Must just be jealous of how pretty the duc is and how much it sucks when you go for that "rat look" or whatever the make the beast with two backs. 

[psycledelic]

I think it is the fact that they know their bike is quick, but they have no idea what you have?  There are two guys that I work with that just purchased new bikes.  CBR 1000 and a Busa.  Both bikes would run my lil S2R in the ground if they knew how to ride them.  But I always seem to keep them in check with my Termi's.  There bikes whimper while mine makes a good bit of noise.  In this case, noise must be the intimidating factor because they continue to ask what size is the motor and how fast it is.  I just smile and say, "fast enough".  I make it a point to leave in a very loud manner.  Funny though, they will never pull out with me.  They will probably figure it out one day, but I ain't gonna tell!

On a side note, that Busa is one ugly bike!

[rsoffar]

On a side note, that Busa is one ugly bike!

^amen to that!

i have not had any negative encounters as of yet, i actually usually always get a wave out of every biker i pass.
and i def do enjoy riding my friends jap bikes on occasion and feeling some sick hp under me hahaha but id never trade my monster for one

[DoubleEagle]

I usually get a wave from a Japanese bike .............but if I encounter one going in the same direction I usually make it or should I say made it a point to try and pass that bike . In other words a race generally ensued. I  would savor the chance to get in a road race with any bike on my S4Rs. Not all encounters going in the same direction led to a race when I would attemp to pass. some just let me go. If the opposite were the case and a bike came up on me I was not going to let them pass with out out racing me. Let's face it , I loved to race and go fast ! I have to now change my whole approach to riding since my accident because I want to live.I know that onec I have my 1098 R broken in it will take all of my will power not to want to be King of the Road ! Kind of like Anger management I'd guess.

I think owners of Japanese bikes feel very proud of thier bikes .....until they see a Ducati Monster !

[onederer]

so what you are saying is that it's not just riders of Japanese motorcycles...that even a Ducati rider is capable of riding shenanigans ala boy racer/fast a furious?   *gasp*
say it ain't sooooo!!!! Next thing you know there will be Ducati riders with those dorky Mohawks!!!

how ever will people make broad generalizations of other makes and their riders if people who ride Ducati do the SAME THING?
/world

[DoubleEagle]

so what you are saying is that it's not just riders of Japanese motorcycles...that even a Ducati rider is capable of riding shenanigans ala boy racer/fast a furious?   *gasp*
say it ain't sooooo!!!! Next thing you know there will be Ducati riders with those dorky Mohawks!!!

how ever will people make broad generalizations of other makes and their riders if people who ride Ducati do the SAME THING?
/world

One exception does not make the rule. Maybe a Mohawk under the helmet ....but never on top of the helmet !

[m0t0g0th]

say it ain't sooooo!!!! Next thing you know there will be Ducati riders with those dorky Mohawks!!!

i've been wanting to make a pair of leetle suction-cup cat ears.  nothing big or obtrusive, just flat-back IZ_-black.. yeah.

i've got family down in SoCal and my uncles friends are harley guys; t-shirts with leather vests, big beards, big hands, twinkling eyes.  it always comes up, "how's the bike?" (side convo's start, there's always someone i don't know) "she rides?" "yeah, whatsit, Ducati" and at the first sign of a brand discussion coming up i grin my face off and say "Man, i love to ride.  i could never give this shit up." and - poof - we share a lifestyle choice and i get free cider.

oh, yeah, i forgot - i came off a Kawasaki after 17 years, so most of my honing of this defensive tactic was heading off THAT criticism.  i still see my former EX at the local BART station, new rider's been on it for 5+ years - for $500 he got his money worth, yo.

[Privateer]

I haven't noticed anything different. In fact, I'm kind of sick of the whole brand vs. brand motorcycle thing. Much of it stems from people creating drama where there really isn't any.

amen.  Most of the guys I ride with ride japanese I-4s and pretty much talk crap to anyone not riding the same as them.  For us it's all in good fun, but it gets old.  yamaha's get crap a lot because of that $99/month thing they've had going on.  I get it a lot too and they talk crap about how slow it is.  I have to remind them it's a slow rider, not a slow bike.  I just remind them of the time we were on a group ride, stuck in traffic, and some guy came off the sidewalk to compliment me on my bike.  In a crowd of gsxr's, r6's, and cbr's.


let em talk crap.  doesn't impact you.  If it makes them feel better about themself because momma didn't nurse them long enough, that's their problem.


Andy

[CairnsDuc]

!!! Next thing you know there will be Ducati riders with those dorky Mohawks!!

Cancelling my order now 



A few people have mentioned that they don't notice the whole brand vs Brand thing that much, The only reason I think it has been noticeable up here where I live is because Ducati has been very poorly represented for about 5 or 6 years, the local Ducati dealer up until last year sold Triumphs, Suzuki and Harley, The Duc's were just shoved up the back of the shop and not shown much love (I tried to buy a 695 of them and they kept trying to get me to buy a Harley!!)
After many complaints to the national Ducati Distributors they finally got off there hands and did something...
July 07 the Ducati Dealership was handed to a small 3 man operation, who are fanatical, love the bikes, and are selling up a storm!!
I think it is just that Ducati had a big year last year with MotoGP, the launch of the 1098 to replace the much unloved 999, To suddenly go from rare glimpse of a Ducati on the road up here to now they are a very regular appearance, Maybe some riders don't like it.
I just thought it was interesting if I was going to get minor hostility (I can't think of a better word for it) It seemed to be mainly the Jap bike riders handing it out.
Just an observation