My friend Paul doesn’t always live up to my expectations of a Harley rider. There is no black leather or biker look – at least in my own image of what that is. There are times when he does live up to it though. At 7:45am on Saturday while I was getting the Vespa ready to ride into town to meet Paul I watched a rumbling Road King pass by the house, it’s rider in a black T-shirt, shaved head, no helmet, jeans, and black leather engineer boots. I’m standing in the driveway pulling on overpants and a windbreaker underneath my armored jacket being the sissy. The temperature was 67 degrees. Cold for me on a bike. Or scooter. But that was a Harley rider. Paul is like that too. He under-dresses in my opinion at times. Just not in a manner that fits my image of a Harley-Davidson rider. We stopped on the way out of town so he could add another layer. A red windbreaker. I found out yesterday that the jacket belonged to a woman he is dating. Just happened to be in the sidebag.
We planned to ride from State College to Belleville for breakfast via the scenic route over Pine Grove Mountain. Paul was on his new Harley Crossbones that he bought on eBay. That’s not how a person should come to Harley is it? Shouldn’t there be some sort of ritual involving beer and blood or something? I guess I am remembering the brother of my best friend growing up back in the 1960s outside of Pittsburgh. He dropped out of high school, got himself a girlfriend to impregnate, kept a chopper in his dingy apartment, got arrested for trying to buy morphine (again) at a local pharmacy with a fake prescription and generally involved himself in a slow but steady decline. He’s in a nursing home now at age 60 after some acquaintances pitched him down some stairs for some breach in etiquette. Perhaps my vision of the Harley has been perverted. Maybe I have attitude. I still like some of them though. The lingering effects of Then Came Bronson perhaps.
Saturday morning was lovely with temperatures hovering just under 70 degrees. We stopped a few times to make pictures but I generally am not motivated photographically when the sun is out and the skies are blue. Paul took charge since he was in the lead. Whenever he pulled over to shoot something I pulled out the camera and snapped a shot. Like the one above just outside McAlevey’s Fort.
The lake at Greenwood Furnace State Park reflects the serenity of the day. The road was as peaceful as that picture looks disturbed only by the rumble of my Vespa and Paul’s Harley.
We stopped at the Belleville Livestock Auction facility to see if the little diner there was open for breakfast. It wasn’t but I had the opportunity to photograph Paul in a heroic pose more in keeping with part of my Harley vision. Something better aligned with the Marlboro image too.
But then he goes and wrecks it by saying; “Take my picture with straw on my head.” I oblige but what the hell is that all about? Isn’t he afraid his Crossbones will be repossessed?
On to Dairyland in Reedsville for breakfast. I make the obligatory photo of my Vespa in front of the big cow. I feel like a tourist. Everyone is watching me. I imagine them thinking “how cool is that fellow…”
Breakfast is good. The standard scrambled eggs, home fries and toast for me. I passed on the bacon for some stupid reason I regret now. But it was fine. While dining a fellow who saw our cameras stopped to suggest we might want to photograph an Amish barn raising about 5 miles down the valley. I’m thinking he’s setting us up; it’s a trap where our machines will be appropriated. Another Amish criminal sting operation. That’s where my head is.
Paul doesn’t take his Harley ownership lightly. He keeps the machine sparkling and he displays the requisite number of skulls on his clothing. But something still feels off to me.
Sure enough there actually was a barn raising. From the safe distance of the road I make a few pictures. Paul on the other hand rides his Harley down the farm lane and right up to the barn to talk with the Amish workers. He’s fearless that way. I suppose that’s why he’s on a Harley and I’m on a Vespa.
While he learns about post and beam construction I talk with the milk cans. Actually I thought this sort of operation was illegal now in Pennsylvania. In days gone by the bulk milk trucks would pick these things up and take them to the milk plant. But as I understand things the milk has to remain refrigerated from farm to plant. Maybe these are just for decoration.
It was a fine morning ride. Sixty miles or so for breakfast and a barn raising. A good day and a good ride with a friend. Even if he doesn’t fit my vision of a Harley rider.
I too ride a scooter(Stella with a 177cc kit and ride with a Harley rider a good bit. He gives me hell for the scooter but it is all in fun.
Your post raised unresolved issues for me regarding HD riders. As a solo rider, I must confess that when I encounter a huge gang of HD riders thundering by or at a rest stop, I get nervous. The bald head, leather, tattoes, sunglasses, bandanas, etc., simply make me, as a lone woman, quake. Sometimes I’ve witnessed behavior that reinforced the stereotype. But also, some of the nicest people I have met on the road have also been HD riders. I enjoy those opportunities to challenge my perceptions and be wrong. I welcome those moments.
Thought-provoking post. Thanks!
I know more Harley that break the mold than fit it. I do know a couple though that won’t ride with me because my bike only has one cylinder and I always wear a helmet. That’s okay with me, I can find plenty of other people to ride with.
One time, my wife and I were camping in an isolated part of the Delaware Water Gap (NJ) when a large hoard of motorcyclists rode in – all wearing black leather, looking pretty scruffy and mostly on Harleys.
I was pretty nervous until I saw the name of their club on the leather jackets: “Capitalists Tools”. The club founded by Malcolm Forbes!
I am also one standing out – 125cc red scooter, Alpine jacket, full face helmet, hard knee and shin protection underneath jeans, boots, and a cyclist as well… I also stare them down by waving; don’t get the wave back – thinking to myself I must be an eye sore or an MC embarrassment…so let them, I stay clean, away from the motor heat, and always consciously aware of on MC safet..all smiles here.
Ride safe
Phil
I love that picture of Paul with the hay on his head. It gave me a good outward chuckle. 🙂
He needs some Aerostich. Here’s why:
– They’re very attractive to the ladies (esp. the high-viz version)
– Can’t wear a beanie helmet with a ‘stich, so he’d have to get a full face helmet, which will show the ladies that he’s the intelligent type
– He can have them sew some skull patches on it for that “bad boy rebel” look
– Nothing says “I’m not one of the sheep” better than wearing a Roadcrafter while riding a Harley
“Thunder in the Valley” in Johnstown this past weekend kind of shattered my image of the Harley rider. There were more guys there who looked like retired accountants than “bikers.”
– Joe at Scootin’ da Valley
The more I ride the more that I find that I like all two wheeled roadies no matter what they ride. I do my best now a days to give a friendly wave to anyone on two wheels including bicyclist. Heck bicyclist are out on the same open road as we are but only have peddle power to get them selves out of trouble. I can not make it around my block on my old mountain bike. I would love to take your scooter for a ride. We’ll have to switch one of these days. Great post!!!
I guess all kinds of people ride all kinds of bikes. I always had the impression that Harley riders would look down on me because I ride a scooter, and a few turn up their noses, but I have had some great conversations from some Harley riders, and been offered some good advice as well.
What maybe concerns me the most is that a lot of riders around here don’t wear gear or even helmets, and Harley riders are especially bad about that.
What does a Vespa rumble sound like?
Jason: My experience generally is that most riders I’ve crossed paths with do not actively disdain my Vespa. They may not want one for themselves, they may even make some good natured jokes, but they accept my choice. Only once or twice have I seen any active disdain for the Vespa. It was characterized by the other riders not wanting me riding too close to them for fear I would be seen as part of their group. We were in traffic and sort of moving along together. They kept waving me back.
Sojourner: Your concerns and feelings make sense to me. I get the same ones anytime there is a big group of testosterone generators passing by — on the road or on the street. Probably some biological programming from prehistory kicking in.
And like you I have found the reality to be anything what I thought it was.
Danny: Some people are all about the uniform. Thankfully the world is full of people with a lot of different perspectives.
Peter: Capitalist Tools; I’ve heard of that gang. Someday I hope to be able to ride in the Gap and maybe run into them myself.
Pvino: A red scooter really stands out. Probably scares most people in it’s aggressive posture…*grin*
I often don’t get a return wave but still put my arm out there. And that’s just fine.
hrw115: Paul wanted to cover the whole motorcycle with hay. I should have let him.
Stacy: Good plan. I’ll have to make sure Paul reads your comments. Don’t think he’ll bite though. He does have some red leather Ducati racing pants.
Joe: Say it ain’t so! Retired accountants. They are more likely to be able to afford a Harley. A real rider is the fellow who choosing to make a Harley payment over the rent or mortgage. And invests in louder pipes before braces for the kid.
Now I’m just getting mean. Those comments could be applied to exceptions for any group of people from Vespa riders to skeet shooters to cross country skiers.
My personal experience has been that almost every Harley rider I have met have been nice people. They may operate under a different motivation than me but they were nice just the same.
Rob: I’m with you. I always enjoy talking with other riders regardless of what they’re riding. And I wave to bicyclist’s too.
cpa3485: My experience exactly. We’re all more the same than we are different.
And I have gotten some great advice from Harley riders as well.
Richard: A Vespa rumbling sounds sort of like a handful of bumble bees of June bugs bouncing against a screen door. You have to listen closely but once you hear it it can be unnerving.
Hah!
Dear Steve:
I ask your indulgence for my absence, which has been over a week. My industry (business travel) is crumbling and the thought of looking for another writing job at 55-years-old (in the current economic climate) has me off my oats.
This post was a pleasant diversion from reality for me, and a great way to start the day. I too have a Harley riding friend who does not exactly fit the image. Dave H. bought a “Sportster 883” (I think) for a song someplace, and rides around on it with impunity. But the bike has a little seat, that if it were clothing, it would be a “Gee” string. It has no luggage rack and it is not set up to carry anything other than the rider and a pack of cigarettes.
So he carries the equivalent of a purse (on the order of a dispatch case) to take along extra gloves or maybe his cha cha heels. I understand — through circumstances that I will relate later in my own blog — that these fashion accessories are called a “murse,” which is a man’s purse.
He looks like an idiot, but as Dave is an engineer, he is oblivious to criticism. Dave H. is also fun to ride with.
I always thought the Harley Ritual included drinking blood from a skull. And speaking of skulls, I like them too, and incorporate them into our club tee shirts whenever possible.
Fondest regards,
Jack “r” Toad
Twisted Roads
There are those that ARE the bike, and those that RIDE the bike. I find the first to be tiresome and the second to be refreshing.
Steve, love your blog. I am guessing you’re in State College, where I almost moved last year for grad school, but choose Iowa instead! Anyway, I am looking at a 2007 lx 150 that this nice guy I know bought from a place in Minnesota that sells banged-up bikes. This is pretty intensely scratched on one side where it was dropped. Anyway, it seems to run just fine. I called the only shop here that works on them, and the mechanic was pretty negative, saying they are ‘well-built, but temperamental.’ He aslo said they have nobody there who is certified to work on them. Not such a great advert since his store sells them! I think they can do basic stuff. He said the big brands are the best, but I want at least a 150cc.
Since the next-nearest shop is 40 minutes away in Cedar Rapids, I called there, and the guy said in the year they’ve worked on them things have been fine. They do have a mechanic who is certified to work on scooters, he said. So if I get the lx, I guess I could trailer it if I need major work and take it there.
Just wanted to hear your take on if it seems too risky in general to get the lx. I’m not a mechanic, but I certainly could learn to change the oil and filter.
Thank you!
This whole post is the short hand explanation of why i don’t ride a Harley. I like their low maintenance motif, but they generate too many expectations and stereotypes. Rather like Vespas.
Double hah!
Jack: It seems the whole country is in economic upheaval of one sort or another. All I can say from my own direct experience is that 55 means exceptional experience and valuable in the market. You’ll get back on your oats!
My friend Paul is an engineer as well. They do operate to a different program…
Years ago we used to have theme days at work. On a Friday it might be designated skull day and you should wear something with skulls on it. Or pirate day or monkey day. Being fashion unconscious I never had much but jeans, flannel and black t shirts but I was amazed at the collections of my colleagues.
I’m glad those theme days went away…
irondad: I like to ride the bike. Or scooter. But even though I am not the bike I am something I think. I guess we all have our images.
I have one of you!
Lori: I’m glad you have found some value here at Scooter in the Sticks. Thank you for the kind words.
As far as the built quality on the Vespa goes I find them exceptional. They are solid machines. Reliability is harder to gauge. My own experience with the LX150 and the GTS tells me that they are reliable. The only mechanical issue I have had that was frustrating was a rear brake problem that took some time to sort out. I don’t think it points to any particular shortcoming of the Vespa as it does to the lack of experience the technicians might have diagnosing issues with them. They just haven’t seen enough of them yet with anything other than routine maintenance.
I have had far more frustrating experiences with my Volkswagen Jetta than I have ever had with the Vespa and spent far more money on it too. And the frustration is really rooted in the mechanics more than any flaw in the car. All machines will have problems.
If I were you my decision to buy that Vespa would be based on whether or not I could find a mechanic who would be willing to work on it. One who might be open to some input gathered on the Web. Again, there are obscure issues that only are solved by experience. Conchscooter can attest to that. And that lack of experience can lead to thinking that the machine is flawed.
I would suggest you go to modernvespa.com and pose some questions there. You may find a mechanic in your area and a lot more feedback.
Conchscooter: I am the poster child for the Vespa stereotype. It is a heavy burden when you fit the corporate marketing target so closely — aging rural male who rides in the winter.
Hah!
Steve, thanks for the ideas. Yesterday I rode a Fly 150 at the dealership as well as as 125 Vino. I enjoyed the rides on the Vino and LX more than I did the Fly, which surprised me, since I’ve really had my eye on a Fly for about a year. If the Vino were a 150, I’d strongly consider it, but I don’t want to go down to 125.
I’m starting to get concerned about what sort of experience scraped the lx so badly – it rode fine, as I said. But oddly enough, it’s calling to me more than the Fly. But I usually root for the underdog.
I liked your comments about 55 being representative of experience, etc. I’ll be 54 (knock on wood) when I get this doctorate done, and I’m a little bit nervous about competing for teaching jobs with 30-year-olds.
Thanks again. I like the peace your blog radiates.
-Lori
Steve said: But then he goes and wrecks it by saying; “Take my picture with straw on my head.” I oblige but what the hell is that all about? Isn’t he afraid his Crossbones will be repossessed?
Paul says: I laughed out loud when I saw the photo and your comment. I’m still smiling so hard my face actually hurts. In explaining the straw I don’t know where to start. I guess I feel I have to do something for the camera. And it is fun. I look foolish but I don’t care much. I can’t just stand there with my finger up ______. Robert Mapplethorpe already shot that photo.
Steve, you and Paul are having too much fun. You tempt me to go buy a scooter. Although on the SMA streets it might shake my teeth loose.
Paul: I know I often say I like riding alone best of all but every ride I have taken with you is a special pleasure. Here’s hoping there are many more trips ahead for both of us!
Billie:Paul’s energy allows me to return to those exciting kid days that my ego can keep me from when alone.
A good 50cc scooter would be great on those rattling Mexican streets in your neighborhood!
I always enjoy your photography. I can’t help but laugh at your thoughts of the Amish sting. Now that’s some of the things I think about. Great stuff my friend!
Ronman
Ronman: Amazing the things that can get into a rider’s head…