Nodding got unusual response!

[tallpaul]

A few years back I was pleasantly surprised to get a nod from a big Harley rider, complete with German helmet, I think he was nodding in respect of us both riding in February/March, not many others about.

Anyways, out here in benidorm...again. the local bikers club had a cruise along the sea front, they didn't seem to mind the two burgmans or even the xcity riding along,

[Liam]

I had a meet up with Clive and Rich "Boboking" today at CMC Clay Cross.
I met a few bikes on the way but no nods. Plenty of F... Offs from me though!
The only nod I got was from a man with a lawnmower outside his house near Stretton.
Was he trying to say something?

[victor]

i will nod to most bikes except those not wearing the correct outfit especially gloves its my pet hate

[Data]

I nod to everyone, even Harleys. Don't often get a response. Am I bovvered...nah.... Just lovin the Burgman and that's all that matters! It does surprise me that these big biker boys ask such silly questions at the fuel station though. They come over (leaving the R1 or GSXR1000 by the pump) to poke fun mostly I'm sure, although there are some that are genuinely interest so I always try to give them the time of day and answer their questions. They assume because it's "just a scoot" it's for local running about and you can't go further than 20 miles at one go on it because it's "only a 400cc engine"! Last week one such young chap said how far can you go on this without wearing it out in a day? I said as far as you like! He said I bet you can't go as far as me in one day! I've done over 120 miles in one go. I said I've done over 410 miles in one go in one day with just a fuel and sarnie stop after 210 miles. Ah, but that would take you all day wouldn't it? he said! I go at 70-80 all the time. I said, so do I! He seemed shocked...why? I suspect it just shows the ignorance of most of the biker world to how good our scoots are now. Anyhoo, I'm waiting for the next silly question now.

[spaceprobe]

With that uncomfortable seat and riding position what sports bike rider would want to go more than 120 miles. They never appealed to me I liked my big cruisers and a big maxi scoot was a natural progression.

[Black Wing]

With my Kawasaki z1000sx I had an air hawk seat for me and my wife! Obviously not a proper biker!

Having said that, I could never get to 120 miles on a tank because of the fact that I filled it on the side stand and was too heavy with the right hand.

[Gerard C]

Interesting that comment from Data about "Run About's". Frank and I were on the Ferry from Hull last year on our way to France and we ended up tying the Bikes down behind a couple of Harley Riders with their partners. We got talking and one of them expressed surprise at the size of our motors 650 and 500 respectively and commented that they would make nice Run About!
Well at the time it went over my head but later on when It sank in I was all for hunting them down an killing them. Frank was more restrained. That trip we did mile after mile all day for 4 days. Touring in all weathers from pissing it down to great sunshine. It still rankles today. I only wish we had seen them on the way back on the ferry to compare journeys - before I threw them overboard!

[smeghead]

It is quite strange that some people equate cubic capacity to the ability to 'tour' My 'little' 400cc Majesty will hold an indicated 90 mph if needs be, but I thought the point was to enjoy the ride! My sort of father in law used to regularly travel from Doncaster to Bathgate and back on a 50cc moped. Those were the days!

[Data]

Yes Gerard, it doesn't sit well does it! In my day, even a humble 250 was quite a big bike. People would take them around the world. But now, it seems you have to have a 1200cc 4 cylinder motor under you to do it properly. Or something like that! I don't necessarily blame the bikers for not knowing much about scoots. I confess I didn't know much about them until a year or so before I bought one. That's inspite of working for a Honda car dealership where I actually serviced a 600 Silverwing (they did some bikes too at the time). I had been curious about them but hadn't taken the plunge until I actually was forced to ride one. Dealer had given the 1250 Bandit that I normally ride when mine is in for servicing to another guy by mistake and the only other bike on the loan fleet was the 400 Burgman. What a revelation! Knocked all my misconceptions out the window and in the 210 miles I rode that day for work, I took in every type of road, both fast and slow. I loved it. Bought one and flogged the DL1000GT. Never regretted it and got to met and speak with loads of you lot. Lovely! I agree smeghead about the cubes. These days particularly, it doesn't matter that much what the capacity is, they all go good. One of the best rides in my life and most memorable was on a 175cc Honda after coming out of the army. Enjoyed that bike and did 22k miles in 18 months.

[frankiej1949]

Let it go Gerard they are Harley Riders and as JC said "forgive them father they do not know what they say" or something like that. Need another long ride G, just put dr pulley sliders in and need to stretch its legs