Now I don't mean to call the kettle black here - every person is different and just because Im a laid back and chill rider doesn't mean everyone has to be. People enjoy riding and to a higher degree it becomes a large part of their life and they feel they want to show case that. That being said, I haven't gone to a sport bike meet in a number of years, more so cause there's not a whole lot where I live now (within a few hours ride) but also because the last few I went too most of the riders I met were just.....weird, arrogant, or socially awkward. Like OK....I know you ride bro, I don't know you but sure...tell me how you owned that track day, and your lap time was number 1 - also cool motorcycle helmet with a green mohawk running down the middle.....like.....why? Granted I have met a few great people from this forum that were just casual, easy going riders that didn't feel the need to boast and be attention seekers about anything - and I've kept in touch with most through the years.
So anyway I went to a meet yesterday cause what the hell, been riding by myself for years and maybe Im missing something. Queue the young guys doing burn outs in an A&W parking lot when I pull in, OK, guess thats pretty standard now. Stretched out sports bikes that you couldn't even tip over to make a corner.....its like buying a Ferarri and putting monster truck tires on it. Well, maybe they hit the drag strip.....Hey man huge rear tire and swing arm on that beast, get to the 1/4 mile often? Nah.....never done that - just for looks bro, looks "tight" the way a bike should be. Ahh.....K.
What the **** is that over there? Why do those people have weird furry carebear helmets on? Why does this guy have a Predator helmet with dredlocks? Is that guy just revving the **** out of his BMW RR1000 to get the attention of those 6 years olds in the A&W window? Guys walking around with their cell phones capturing social media videos of people just revving their bikes and throwing up hand signs and break dancing. Wtf is going on.
I grab a coffee and just sit at my bike when a group of girls are doing there rounds looking at bikes. I chit chat the one where she's made it very apparent she rides a motorcycle.....cool, I never would of guessed you rode your OWN bike here. Shes talking to me like shes trying to prove something - and Im sorry if Im stereotyping here a bit more but its the vibe I've got from a lot of girls that ride sport bikes - almost like they are trying to compensate for something (which you'd think is more so a guy image). Like yes, you have a bike - I guess I should worship you or something? And you're better than every other girl that doesn't know how to ride a motorcycle. You don't have to act all tough, high and mighty.....just have a regular conversation without flexing on me. But I just play along, all smiles as she tells me the ungodly things she can do on her 300 and how she never rides with guys cause they just hit on her and constantly try to show off, thats why she made an all girl riding club. Ahhhhh......ok
Next comes another long line of riders, all squiding it with those dumb Icon chest protector vests. Why even bother? Of all the accidents I've seen none of them have involved a rider superman'ed sliding down the highway on just their chest. They all ride in- blippin the throttle a hundred times for no reason - under lights galore feeling like im at a fashion show. A few of them actually had spinners on their wheels....which I've never actually seen before - so queue the guys with their cell phones out capturing all this for their social media platforms "OOOH **** THATS SIIIIICK"
With all that being said I found a few older riders that just by chance stopped in as they were passing through going further west, and enjoyed watching the circus with them. So, I guess this is the norm now? I did bike meets about 18 years ago where it was riders just standing around chatting, talking about good roads, routes, performance parts and gear deals. Is this the new pinnacle of bike meets now? I half expected them all to tell me to get off the crotch rocket and its time to get a couch on wheels.
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