Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
4/27/05 

Greetings Riders,
 
All of us that ride motorcycles have our own personal identities. We wear certain clothes that might show an affinity to a certain motorcycle, club or business. We wave certain ways to wave, places that we frequent, the way we fix up our bikes and the time we spend daydreaming about riding. If you are reading this and you ride a cruiser type of motorcycle, you are automatically reflecting right now what those things are to you. But if you ride a sport bike, you might be imagining in your mind's eye a totally different set of circumstances. The common cliché in the motorcycle world is "as long as you are on 2 wheels...". I'm not sure what the end of that statement is, but I have heard the first part of it a lot when referring to that "anyone who rides a motorcycle, no matter what kind it is, is part of the family". While that may be true, it is like any other large family, we might not all think alike. And with all of the different styles of riding these days, you might be surprised how different we are when it comes to our ideas of motorcycling.
 
In today's world there are clearly two styles of riders on the road. It is reflected both on the streets and in motorcycle sales. There are the "cruiser" style motorcycles and the "sport bike" type motorcycles, also affectionately known as "crotch rockets". And in as much that we are similar because we are on two wheels, a lot of times we really don't think that much alike. It apparently comes down to that "You are what you ride". A recent survey finds differences between Harley and Sport Bike Riders go beyond bike type.
 
What can you tell about a person by the kind of motorcycle they ride? Plenty, according to a recent countrywide online survey conducted by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. The survey finds interesting differences — and similarities — between Harley-Davidson riders and those who ride sport bikes. Here is one that I found very interesting. Everyone knows that Harley riders wear their passion for biking on their sleeve… literally.

* The survey finds Harley riders are three times more likely than those who ride sport bikes to own clothing or artwork that displays the brand of motorcycle they ride (93 percent versus 30 percent, respectively).

* Harley riders are also more likely to have body art such as tattoos and piercings (52 percent versus 40 percent).

* The survey also finds that Harley riders are more likely than those who ride sport bikes to plan rides around where they'll eat (32 percent versus 23 percent). "Maybe that is why sport bike riders are all so thin".

* Sport bike riders are three times more likely to eat at fast-food restaurants (18 percent versus 6 percent). "So much for that theory". 

* Riders of Harleys are nearly four times more likely to pick restaurants with the nicest looking waiters/waitresses (11 percent versus 3 percent).
 
I have done my own little survey in the past on waving and didn't come up with this high of number. But Progressive's survey finds that ninety-five 95% of all riders acknowledge their fellow bikers while riding. Waving is the preferred method of acknowledgement 37%, although Harley riders are nearly twice as likely to acknowledge other riders by pointing two fingers down 29% vs. 16%. Harley riders are six times more likely to only acknowledge those riding the same style bike 18% vs. 3%. Hmmm... Are the Harley riders on their "High Steel Horse"? My experience shows that statistic to be pretty high.
 
Everyone knows that motorcycle riders are one of the most generous groups in the world. And this statistic confirms that. An overwhelming majority of riders, 88%, donate time or money to charities.

* Two-thirds of Harley riders, 67%, and one-third of those who ride sport bikes, 33%, participate in at least one charity ride each year. But it looks like Harley Riders are more passionate about charity rides.

* Adding custom parts that enhance the look of their bikes was the number one choice for Harley riders 73%, while adding performance equipment was the top choice for those who ride sport bikes 44 %. That makes sense.
* But what doesn't add up is that only 6% of sport bike riders who ride say they do so for speed, but for 44% performance is the choice for the top upgrade. Fewer than 1% of Harley riders say the same.
 
Here are some other statistics you might find interesting: 
* Sixty-nine (69) percent of all riders daydream at work each day about riding their bike.
* Eighteen (18) percent of all riders call in sick to work at least once a year to go riding.

* Women prefer to ride with their significant other, 58%, while men choose to ride with their friends, 63%.

* Harley riders are more likely than sport bikers to ride four or more hours a week 62% vs. 41%.

* Harley riders are more likely than sport bike riders to spend more than five hours a week maintaining and cleaning their bikes, 7% vs. 3%.

* Those who ride Harleys are more likely than those who ride sport bikes to say their motorcycle is their most valuable possession 5% vs. 1%.

* Harley riders are more likely than riders of sport bikes to spend their disposable income on something for their motorcycles 32% vs. 22%.

* Harley riders are also more likely than those who ride sport bikes to have body art such as tattoos and piercings 52% vs. 40%.

* Most riders buy extras for their bike, 86%. Harley riders are twice as likely to spend more than $1,000 a year on extras for their bike 24% vs. 12%.
 
But after all of the statistics are in, and all of the differences between sport bike riders and cruiser riders have been analyzed, it appears that we are really out there for the same reasons. Progressive asked what the top 3 reasons that riders like to ride.

* The number 1 reason for both groups was "freedom", 83% for Harley Riders and 81% for Sport Bikes.

* Number 2 for both groups was to simply feel the wind on their face, 10% for Harley Riders and 9% for Sport Bikes.
* The number 3 reason was Travel for Harley Riders, 4% and Speed for Sport Bikes, 6%.
 
So to go back to what I said at the beginning of this letter, "as long as you are on 2 wheels...". You fill in the blank. We are all still riders, we want the same top to things, we just approach it from a different perspective.
 
Go to www.cyclerides.com for information on upcoming Rides and Events. If you would like to sign up for the Cyclerides.com Weekly Update, Click Here.   
 

This Week's Bike Night Events  

Events Next Week 

May 6th - 8th
1st Annual High Country A.B.A.T.E. Chapter Wild In The Weeds Run. Camp out at Jakes Corner Bar located on route 188 (Roosevelt Lake turn off) off of Hwy. 87 about 2 miles on the right. Food available at Jakes Corner. Poker run to all of our business members in Payson, Star Valley, Christopher Creek, Pine and Strawberry on Saturday. Sign in from 8am-9:45am. Run leaves at 10:00am. Horse shoe tournaments, raffles, games and live music by "Midway". $15 per person, $25 per couple includes camp site for 2 nights. Day pass $10. Sign in starts at 11:00am on Friday the 6th at Jakes Corner Bar. Everyone Welcome. More information contact Billy and Barbie at 928-474-6851.
 
Saturday and Sunday May 7th and 8th
4th Annual MS 300 Motorcycle Rally for Multiple Sclerosis. Ride begins at Cycle Werks located at 11803 N. Saguaro Blvd. in Fountain Hills, AZ. Ride to Showlow. Register begins at 9:00am. Breakfast will be provided during registration. Riders will depart at 10:00am. Cost is $25 per person. Registration includes ride pin, t-shirt, dinner and breakfast. Overnight at the Hon-Dah Resort Casino. 30 rooms have been blocked for $89/PP. For more information Click Here. Or call Gary at 480-922-7008, ext. 1102.
 
Saturday, May 7th
Second Annual Chief Bill Lanford Memorial Ride. On February 5th, 2003 Chief William D. “Bill” Lanford of Buckeye Valley Fire lost his life while involved in a tragic accident riding his Harley on Vulture Mine road near Wickenburg. Please join the many friends, family, fellow Firefighter and Law Enforcement brothers and sisters in honoring Bill on this memorial ride. All proceeds of this event will benefit the William D. Lanford Scholarship Fund. Sign-up 8:00 am - 9:00am at the BVFD Station 324 - 25206 W. MC 85 in Buckeye. Breakfast provided by the Brothers and Sisters of United West Valley Firefighters Association IAFF Local 4371. This ride will consist of a beautiful 100+ mile ride including a stop for a brief road side prayer at “Bill’s” memorial site on Vulture Mine Road. Finish: Tin Top Bar and Grill - Salome Hwy and Wintersburg Rd. Fun, Food, Music, Dancing, Raffle and Prizes. Any questions please contact Dan Calderon. BVFD_2805@cox.net or call 602-316-8003. 

Extras 

I always like to end the letter with a little humor. This is a funny video clip with some outrageous commercials and a few sports bloopers. The first one is one of the funniest commericals I have ever seen. But be careful if you are watching this in the office. Your laughter could give you away. Click Here to view.
 
We are getting real close to those longer Summertime rides. Now is the time to be thinking about getting your bike serviced so that you can safely put some more miles on them. Evil Twin Custom Cycles has factory certified service technicians to expertly take care of all of your needs. So if you need a 1000 mile service all the up to a 10,000 mile service, Evil Twin can professionally handle all of your needs. Prices start from $110 for a 1k service up to only $240 for a 10k service. Brakes are always and issue on motorcycles. While you are in for service, you can get an Evil Twin Brake Job for only $45. Call 480-784-0040 today to make an appointment for your service work. Evil Twin is located at 2534 W. Broadway Rd. in Mesa.