why do you have to wear a biker "costume" to ride a Harley?

[stevenpensacola]

You Harley riders crack me up. Is it not possible to ride these machines in anything other than a black HD t-shirt, jeans, and a doo-rag on your head?

It's amusing watching folks where I work as they joing this "fad", as they go from normal dress to wearing some sort of HD shirt every single day..."look at me, I bought an expensive toy..." and I have to wear a costume to ride it...

I don't put on a Honda shirt and hat everytime I take a drive in our van. We don't gather in the parking lot of the local Honda dealer and drink beer and hang out...congratulating one another on how cool and hip we are...



this should be fun...

 

[wvjules]

You Harley riders crack me up. Is it not possible to ride these machines in anything other than a black HD t-shirt, jeans, and a doo-rag on your head?

I think HD riders are a culture unto themselves. My dad was a biker (in a 'club', I prefer to call it a gang though). Besides, what else would you wear? A suit and tie????

Oh and if you drive a honda minivan, you're not that hip and cool to require your own costume.

 

[Honu]

ITA.

But let's not stop with the motorized bikes.

Why is it that now most people riding bicycles have turned into Lance Armstrong with the whole matching lycra outfit, socks and shoes?

 

[stevenpensacola]

ITA.

But let's not stop with the motorized bikes.

Why is it that now most people riding bicycles have turned into Lance Armstrong with the whole matching lycra outfit, socks and shoes?

now you're getting personal...

 

[soccerchick]

DH seems to think it is required. We prefer to call it a uniform rather than a costume. He also thinks it is required to buy a HD tee from almost every place we visit (thank goodness he didn't buy one at the Orlando airport!). If he's not wearing a HD one, it's a VT one

BTW, it probably IS a costume if your co-workers are doing it to be cool. Riding motorcycles is one of DH's true enjoyments in life. As long as he's careful, wears his helmet and doesn't ride in bad weather, I won't stop him. It also helps that he gets around 40 mpg on the Harley.

He used to have a Yamaha when we first got married. I guess HD is just better at the whole marketing thing. He didn't own a single Yamaha item other than the bike.

 

[funhouse8]

I'm guessing it's the same thing as us getting all dressed up to see the mouse!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Well I don't know about the doo rag thing but the leather and the boots is also part looking cool and part saftey features.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

You wouldn't get it unless you were into it. I've been around Harleys since I was 4 years old. (my moms DH had one or 2) Then when DH and I first were married we also had one. We had alot of fun taking afternoon rides and doing Poker Runs for charities.

Granted, there are alot of so called yuppies now getting into it. DH always wore a Harley T-shirt. I never did. But the leather and boots are for safety purposes.

Excuse the pic, I need some help getting it sorted out.

 

[Cyndiu]

You Harley riders crack me up. Is it not possible to ride these machines in anything other than a black HD t-shirt, jeans, and a doo-rag on your head?

If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

ITA.

But let's not stop with the motorized bikes.

Why is it that now most people riding bicycles have turned into Lance Armstrong with the whole matching lycra outfit, socks and shoes?

Very funny! I have to dodge bikers daily here. It seems our neighborhood is 'cool' to practice thru because it has the hills.

Gimmie a biker in a doo-rag, over lycra anyday.

 

[Tantor]

I know in some of the states helmets aren't mandatory but up in Canada they are. Wearing *doo-rags* helps keep the sweat from running down the face. My girlfriend swears by it. She also wears leather chaps,jacketand boots for safety reasons. If you fall( or in an accident) off your bike it keeps you from gertting road burn.
And by the way for all you Harley (or any bike) people out there she rode to Sturgis this year with her hubby (put 4000 miles on her bike)

 

[HoneyPooh]

Umm, have you noted the SIZE of most of those "costumed? Harley riders?! May want to keep your thoughts to yourself around them . Only kidding. We have a long line of Harley riders in our family. My oldest DS (20) is working for the Harley Davidson store in Wildwood and loves it. Harley riders can give the wrong impression very easily. They are usually big, very tough looking and the "costume" doesn't help (the exceptions are the new yuppies with the bikes for status). But when they take the riding gear off, they are usually businessmen (builders, plumbers, masons a lot of the time)with hearts of gold and would give you the Harley shirt off their backs. My son informs me the all the leather is to protect them if they crash. Shredded leather instead of shredded skin. That gear can also cost a small fortune.

 

[AMClvsMKY]

You have just described me!! We are on our 2nd harley now and both DH and I always wear Harley gear. For us, anyway, it has nothing to do with thinking we are hip and cool, it is more a feeling of "belonging". Ever notice bikers almost always give the 2 finger "hello" when they pass each other. All the bikers I know hold regular jobs when they aren't riding and just ride because they enjoy it.

Besides, would you really want people to know you drive a Honda van around?? j/k

 

[reddixie]

The biker attire isn't just for fun. The doo rag keeps the sweat out of your face but also the hair out of your eyes. The chaps, vest, gloves, boots, and jeans are for your safety. Someone already mentioned the road rash. Also if you ride at night it can be really cool on a bike even here in Central Fl.. Therefore you also carry a jacket just in case. My dh is a true rider. Most riders now days are non riders and like to ride because they think it looks cool. My dh is a biker through and through. You can look at him and tell. He is terrific though. As for the two finger hello most old timers do that. Newbies don't have enough respect to follow biker code. It isn't just something to play at. Ride safe and enjoy Biketober fest.

 

[Tracey1974]

My Dad has has a Harley since I was little but he doesn't "dress up". Just boots, long pants, his helmet and his jacket. I live in PA and here you don't have to wear helmets here and it always astounds me with the way some bikers drive around like nothing will happen to them while they are driving 60 mph on the highway with just a bandana on their head. I hope not to ever see one of them splattered on the highway because they were too cool for a helmet!

(Sorry if it is too early for gross thoughts)

 

[blowinbubbles]

I have to agree about most of the gear being for comfort and safety reasons. Although I don't ride, a friend of mine got in a wreck when car pulled out in front of him. Talk about a nasty case of road rash. . . when your skin gets rubbed off on the pavement, not only is it nasty and painful, it takes a couple of *months* for it to grow back!

 

[dismom9761]

This is funny.My family and I were just talking about this Sunday.My FIL,2 BILs and 2 SILs all recently bought Harleys.We almost never see them in anything but Harley attire anymore.And it is not because they are always riding.I am glad that they wear full gear when they do ride.

 

[cardaway]

Most of the "costume" is required for safety, so why not fly the colors?

With Harley being one of the last, few, ture American products people are quite proud to wear their gear.

We have Buells and Buell merchadise as well.

 

[jennyl772003]

Well, just keep in mind the OTHER Harley costumes out there, and be glad you are seeing the HD tees, chaps, etc one.

It could be the 50 yo woman in her black halter and chaps with no jeans!

 

[tc]

My husband is a biker and a cyclist, and has the "costume" for both. Yes, he has more black HD t-shirts than he can wear in a month, but he loves them. He thinks that if you don't own a Harley, you shouldn't wear the t-shirt. It's a pride thing. He doesn't wear a do-rag, but he has a great leather jacket, chaps and his helmet.

As for cycling, the "costume" has to do with comfort. The lycra short don't bind and are padded, the tight shirt does not flad in the wind and has pockets for food or tire tools (if you don't have a seat pack.) Even the socks are extra comfortable. Stephen has put over 3,000 miles on his bicycle this year, and when you're in the saddle that long, comfort is key!