| Author | Message | ||
     Hkwan |
Well, you get palm prints.... First time riding the XB12R to my new job (2 wks new). Parked it in the parking lot. Right before lunch a co-worker tells me that I have lots of admiraters around my bike. Actually even during the morning, people coming over asking "is that your bike..." and I go yeah... I just assume they are talking about the XB since that's like the only bike that catches attention in the lot (there were only 3 other bikes there). Anyway, I am sure none of them are bikers. Just bunch of engineers. Anyway, this evening before I claimed on to go home, I saw palm prints. If you guys did see people touching your bike heavily (as in not just touching, but putting entire palm onto the bike and may be trying to move the handle bar a bit)because of how interested with the bike, what do you guys do? And how do you politely tell these people to not do that? | ||
| Dago |
I give them the ole', politely expressed, "Eeeeasy Tiger." My thought is that I don't want to hack anyone off by being too rude. Enthusiasm could turn into spite all too easily. And what's a few hand prints in the grand scheme of things anyway? (at least that's what I try to remember)  | ||
| Izzinya |
trying to sit on my bike is like trying to "SIT" on my wife id tell them politely to GO TO H*LL not realy though i do work at a shop and have had people "not thinking " and get on my bike (like they were sales bikes) i did let them know that it wasnt a sales bike and it was mine all good Izzinya or something like that Izzinya (Message edited by izzinya on August 19, 2005) | ||
| Hkwan |
Palm prints are definitely no big deal at all. Just don't want that to escalate to sitting on the bike when I'm not around... | ||
| Metalstorm |
If they're too touchy feely I try to be as polite as possible & ask them not to do that. I just tell them she's my baby. So far they've all nodded with understanding and abided by my wishes. If they touch her lightly & leave a print or two I'm cool with that. Prints wash off. I try to turn their interest into total Buell enthusiasm. I've been known to let people sit on my bike many a time(By invitation) to really plant the Buell seed in them. | ||
| Skyguy |
Not long ago I was at lunch when a (so I hear) guy thought it would be ok to sit on my bike without permission. He proceeded to tip it over and was last seen running away. NOT COOL! One footpeg, one handlebar, one turn signal, one bar end, one clutch lever and some scratched paint. Sit on my bike without permission and just watch/duck the reaction...... | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
This is precisely why I want an alarm with the perimeter sensor! I think it would ward of most admirers as soon as the alarm chirped or gave a verbal warning. My post regarding alarm installation only got one reply (thanks by the way) so I am assuming that there aren't many Buells' that have been outfitted with alarms. Once I get some funds together maybe I will be the test subject. | ||
| Gearhead998 |
Dude, Uninvited butts being planted on my seat are grounds for azz reaming. Its like someone just sitting in your car because they thought it was cool. I know that bikes are exposed but come on, how about some common sense. Some people are just stupid. | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
You can slip in a kind offer to let them sit on it, but only when you're there- Or find a coworker that isn't as nice who can plant the thought... "Dude! you shouldn't touch or sit on anyone's bike unless they let you!" | ||
| 2hogs |
When I park in certain areas, I just put the bike cover on it. Most folks will leave it alone. If this isn't enough add one of those cable locks. I'd bet the same people that think touching/sitting on a stranger's bike is ok would have a fit it someone left hand prints on their windshield or sat on the hood of their car? | ||
| Emscityx |
I second the use of a bike cover. Mine fits in the Buell tail pack. Lotsa benefits to using it- keeps off dust, rain, prying eyes....and palm prints. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
My '79XLH attracted the most of this unwanted attention of any other vehicle I have ever owned. It was common for me to find that it was shifted into a random gear when I came off of work. This is why to this day, I will not hit the starter until I am geared up and on the bike. Almost every time my poor old sporster tipped over was from the tranny being engaged when I pushed the starter. Also, since it had an accelerator pump, people would flood it my pumping the gas. When My X1 was new, it would attract admirers but they would seldom touch it. | ||
| Chainsaw |
It does seem silly to me that people would hop onto a bike uninvited, but would never think of jumping behind the wheel of some strangers parked convertible. | ||
| Hkwan |
Bike cover is good idea but on the XB the cover will get burnt by the header if you put it on right after you ride. | ||
| Blake |
Anyone who wants to sit on or touch my bike is welcome to do so anytime. Good grief, it's just a thing. The grins and giggles are worth a little re-polishing of the tank. Nothing much beats seeing a youngster admiring your bike and watching little eyes bug out when you ask if he/she would like to sit on the bike and crank it up. Just please be sure to keep the clutch disengaged in case the little guy/girl accidentally bumps the gear shift lever. And if you have exposed hot headers, be careful that they don't burn themselves. People first, stuff third.  | ||
| Blake |
Henry, Those lightweight half-covers work great to keep the sun off your bike during the day parked at work. | ||
| Midmofirebolt |
hey blake, what's second? | ||
| Statik |
I am a skateboarder and I still skate (32 yrs old). I was parked at the local skatespot. One of the skaters got on my bike. So I started walking over. He puts the kickstand up and starts rolling it back and forth. had to be like 17 yrs old. I was like WTF you doing mang? got him off of it, etc. people are nuts. I would never do that. (Message edited by statik on August 20, 2005) | ||
| Frausty_void |
He'd have caught a truck to the head if it were mine. I don't "mind" people looking or touching, or the occasional sitting on it, as long as I'm there when they sit on it, and the kickstand stays down. I think most people don't realize there's an unwritten code for bikers, your bike, is like your woman. No one rides it but you, and its a hands-off "look at" only. For someone to get on a strangers bike, and proceed to put the kickstand up and roll it back and forth?!?!?! Thats like sitting in someones convertible when it's parked with the top down. Common sense tells you not to that! | ||
| Lovematt |
I try to help out other riders by being polite about them looking and checking it out...and then at the end take a minute to explain most riders are sensitive about strangers getting onto their bike. I usually give the analogy of a car and if someone were to sit in their car while they came up to drive away and how they might feel. Although bikes are exposed the emotional tie to the vehicle is still similar and more so since it is easier to damage a bike in a tip over. I also consider liability if the bike were to tip over when someone else is on it...I just don't need the trouble. Only exception is another rider who I know or trust... | ||
| Blake |
"Hey blake, what's second?" Doggies of course. | ||
| Blake |
"He'd have caught a truck to the head if it were mine." And you'd probably end up in jail. How'd that be workin' for ya?  I'd certainly be put-off by a stranger brazenly hopping on my bike like Statik describes. That is just plain rude and pretentious; kinda suspicious too. I certainly don't put anywhere near the same kind of value on any motorcycle as I do my wife or any person for that matter. | ||
| Tahoe_xbuelligan |
I have asked to take their wife for a test spin, "to see how it feels". If asked I have always said yes providing they would gguarantee it with their credit card. They usually get the point. | ||
| Blake |
I'll ask those I don't know well and who are bold enough to request a test ride if their driver's license includes the required "motorcycle" classification. Actually I've not had anyone ever be so bold. I think the bellering beast with rear-sets and clip-ons intimidates most would-be test riders. The GP shifting is another detractor for some. | ||
| Kandie |
I think it's disrespectful to be touching other people's stuff.  I have told parents they should keep their kids back so they don't touch something and get burned, that usually works. A guy knocked my bike over once, I wanted to say "Do you mind? I didn't just go pick this off the FXR2 tree!!" I guess I'm not as nice as Blake. Just like alot of things, you can look but don't touch! | ||
| Prof_stack |
Or you could put "BANDITO motorcycle" sticker on it, like our WA state biker gang does on theirs. When they're not getting busted, they look very capable of causing a world of hurt. Reminds me of the "Insured by Smith & Wesson" stickers I used to see. Seriously though, Blake is right on: people first, dogs (and pets) second, etc. | ||
| Daves |
Maybe people with a brain first. The stupid ones, not so much. No one better let me catch them sitting on any of my bikes without my permission. That is just wrong. When and how did people get so dumb all of the sudden? Didn't their parents teach them anything? If it doesn't belong to you, you do not touch it. Why do they have to touch it to look at it? Do they have eyes in the ends of their fingers? I don't. I can look at a bike,admire it,notice the features and custom stuff on it all without touching it. Seems pretty simple to me. I guess I'm not as nice as Blake either. I am mean like Kandie. | ||
| Frausty_void |
Yeah blake, it might have landed me in jail, likewise it'd have taught old boy a lesson. (Not that I'd assault someone over touching my bike, but if they were sitting on it, rolling it whatever. The thought WOULD cross my mind to be honest) Guess you're just a swell dude  | ||
| Blake |
A big ol' wet willy might be in order, but then the jerk might very well drop the bike. LOL! Thank you; I am swell.  Doc says it will go down in a few days though. ba-dum-bum  | ||
| Frausty_void |
Lmao, that reminds me of the cellphone commercial "It's just a little bug bite" (Coming from a guy his faced swell up like a soccerball) Ahh yes... the wet willy... good tactic.  |
