I want to pose a question here.  With all the various goings on in the country now, i.e. the banks, foreclosures, economic meltdowns and bailouts, and taxes.  Why is it that we as people who live a lifestyle of riding also choose to fight amongst ourselves about if the bike we choose to ride makes us "less" of an American?  I pose this question because of what I've personally witnessed and been on the receiving end.  Now take myself for instance, and I'm sure I'll receive my share of "potshots" when finished.  I rode H/D's for many years and like alot of folks enjoyed them and the image.  But as time progessed, family matters took precedent and personal pleasures had to take the back seat.  Years later, the kids are grown, hair is grayer, and now there are little ones that refer to you with the word "Grand" in front of your name.  The money situation isn't as "tight" as it was with kids.  As I started to look at bikes again I was disheartened at what the prices had done over the years.  H/D had basically priced me out of the market.  Now there are some that will smugly say that "You just didn't want to spend the money to ride a "Real" bike!!"  No, we had the money for it.  But I couldn't justify paying $8,000 more for a bike simply because of the nameplate.  Hey you big bag of Duh, have you looked at the economy figures?  I wanted to enjoy riding again and have a bike big enough for her to ride with me and still be leaving a fiscal cushion in case things worsen.  I want to ride, but I don't want to be riding it to the poor house.  

  People have pointed out that you're showing your patriotism by buying the "American" bike.  So does that mean that the people who build Kawasaki in Nebraska hate America?  Does it mean that the people who build Subaru cars in Indiana are unpatriotic?  Are how about the folks down south in Alabama, do they hate America because they build Mercedes-Benz?  The world, business-wise is shrinking daily.  Companies are no longer national entities but are now going global.  Who would've thought that Volvo would be under the same corporate umbrella of Ford Motor Company.  What I'm saying here is that buying a certain brand doesn't make you "less" of an american or more so than the next guy.  Did you really care if your neighbor drove a Nissan when 9/11 occured?  Of course not.  So why should you care if the guy the next street over is driving a Ninja or a Softtail?  Good natured ribbing is one thing, but some of the insults that get thrown around are just infantile.  I dare you to go to the Vietnam Vet, sitting on his Goldwing and tell him he doesn't love america enough.  As far as I'm concerned, he's earned his right and fought for mine, to choose whatever bike he wants to buy and ride.  But before you try it, you owe him a handshake and a word of thanks for any and all of those who fought for "your" right to buy one of your choice.

  The sad part of the whole thing is that while someone is smugly looking down their nose at the rider next to them.  You'll never know that he or she could've been someone that could be a lifelong friend and would be there for you when others fold.  Or maybe just somebody you could call on one of those "chilly" days when your other buddies "wuss" out on a ride, this guy or girl would be at the door ready and roaring to go.  I was sitting at a stop light in Loveland, Colorado a few weeks ago.  It was a chilly day, but not so cold that I couldn't pull the bike out for a ride.  As I sit at the light a pickup pulls up next to me pulling a trailer.  On that trailer is a beautifully painted 2006 Softtail with chrome taking up where the paint left off.  I caught eyes with driver and nodded toward his bike and let him know what a nice job it was.  He gave my Vulcan 1600 Classic the once over and gave the look of someone that had stuck his hand into something questionable.  I couldn't help but laugh to myself.  The reason was that if this guy was going to look down his nose at my bike, may I suggest that you try not doing it when you're pulling your good looking bike with a big blue Toyota Tundra!!