It's a generalization, and not everybody fits into it, but I do find that the majority of Harley riders are in it more for the image than for the ride.

I had some Harley guy try to race me out of a light a month or so ago. I was on my DR650. He got the jump, but I caught him and passed him.

Rob

 

I sold an 07 sportster to get the klx, even posted my intentions on a Harley form and got a lot of crap for it but I was so unimpressed with the hd it had to go. But I must say anytime I stopped for gas on the hd it drew a crowd. That pissed me off even more as of all the bikes I've owned I respected it the least. I got the 1200r model new and it was dangerous in a strait line, forget about the turns. The only way to make it handle was to drop the rear and I didn't like it anymore. The KLX has been a different story.

 

Everyone has their own opinion about HD bikes & riders. I'm gonna keep mine to myself! But i loved that episode of Southpark & a good friend of mine that rides a Harley had to chuckle when he watched it.

These guys on the other hand can really ride their HD's, like they are on little KLX's

 

My problem with the HD crowd is mostly the crowd. I live near Laconia, so every June we get swamped by thousands of bikes (which is cool), it's just that they tend to act like they own the joint. Ever pull up behind a line of cars being held up by a biker that can't go through a turn? Pull the hell over and let people go. Or ever get on the back of a pack that acts like a slinky, speeding down straight aways to crawl through turns? I know I'm generalizing, but the lack of skill and gear that the Laconia crowd show, well, it just makes me get off the road and hit the woods, where I know I'm safe. It seems a lot of the crowd only ride from bar to bar, judging from their inability to actually ride. I'm more than happy to give them the roads for a week.
I just wish used HD's were a little cheaper.
I would love to have an extra $72,000 so I could buy a JimmyTheHog Sportster DS (see ADVRider)! I'd also love a full dresser for long trips.
End of rant.
Get on your bike and ride! Even if it's a Harley...