12-09-2021, 12:44 PM
I was on the giving end of criticism once. My riding buddy grew up in the 50’s in the south side of Chicago and would never consider owning a Japanese bike, or even sitting on one for that matter. She was married to her 883 Sportster. No ifs, ands, or buts. End of discussion.
On a ride with her up US 395 to Mammoth Lakes (wide open desert), I pulled over and asked if she’d like to try my Concours 1000 for a few miles, and I’d ride her Sporty. Much to my amazement, she agreed, and off we went.
I couldn’t believe how much that HD vibrated, rattled, bottomed out, veered off line, and just felt like garbage. When we pulled over again a few miles later, she was grinning from ear to ear. She couldn’t believe how smooth and composed and effortless my bike was. I told her in no uncertain terms what I thought about her POS and remarked that I didn’t even know how she could ride it for any distance. I don’t think I offended her but I was truly shocked how lousy a bike she had. That was my first and last ride on a Harley.
On a ride with her up US 395 to Mammoth Lakes (wide open desert), I pulled over and asked if she’d like to try my Concours 1000 for a few miles, and I’d ride her Sporty. Much to my amazement, she agreed, and off we went.
I couldn’t believe how much that HD vibrated, rattled, bottomed out, veered off line, and just felt like garbage. When we pulled over again a few miles later, she was grinning from ear to ear. She couldn’t believe how smooth and composed and effortless my bike was. I told her in no uncertain terms what I thought about her POS and remarked that I didn’t even know how she could ride it for any distance. I don’t think I offended her but I was truly shocked how lousy a bike she had. That was my first and last ride on a Harley.