| Author | Message | ||
     Chainsaw |
Press Release Source: Progressive You Are What You Ride: Progressive Survey Finds Differences Between Harley and Sport Bike Riders Go Beyond Bike Type Wednesday March 9, 1:33 pm ET Both Dig Body Art But Harley Riders More Likely to Wear What They Ride, Says America's Top Motorcycle Insurer MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2005-- What can you tell about a person by the kind of motorcycle they ride? Plenty, according to a recent countrywide online survey conducted by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, the number one seller of motorcycle insurance in the U.S. The survey finds interesting differences - and similarities - between Harley-Davidson riders and those who ride sport bikes. For example, everyone knows that Harley riders wear their passion for biking on their sleeve... literally. The survey finds Harley riders are three times more likely than those who ride sport bikes to own clothing or artwork that displays the brand of motorcycle they ride (93 percent versus 30 percent, respectively). Harley riders are also more likely to have body art such as tattoos and piercings (52 percent versus 40 percent). The survey also finds that Harley riders are more likely than those who ride sport bikes to plan rides around where they'll eat (32 percent versus 23 percent). Sport bike riders are three times more likely to eat at fast-food restaurants (18 percent versus six percent), while riders of Harleys are nearly four times more likely to pick restaurants with the nicest looking waiters/waitresses (11 percent versus three percent). "At Progressive, many of us involved in our motorcycle business are riders, too, and this survey was a fun, tongue-in-cheek way of getting to know more about our fellow bikers," says Rick Stern, a rider for more than 15 years and one of Progressive's motorcycle product managers. "Motorcycle insurance is a very specialized product, and you never know what bit of information may lead to the next insurance innovation." The survey confirms that both rider groups have much in common, too. For example, both say "freedom" is the number one reason they ride. And though sport bikes are commonly known as "crotch-rockets" or "road-rippers," only six percent of those who ride them say they do so for "speed" while fewer than one percent of Harley riders say the same. Both groups listed the same top excuses for justifying a quick ride: running errands, testing the engine and visiting friends. Progressive's survey also finds that ninety-five (95) percent of all riders acknowledge their fellow bikers while riding. Waving is the preferred method of acknowledgement (37 percent), although Harley riders are nearly twice as likely to acknowledge other riders by pointing two fingers down (29 percent versus 16 percent). Harley riders are six times more likely to only acknowledge those riding the same style bike (18 percent versus three percent). Additional survey results include: An overwhelming majority of riders (88 percent) donate time or money to charities. Two-thirds of Harley riders (67 percent) and one-third of those who ride sport bikes (33 percent) participate in at least one charity ride each year. Sixty-nine (69) percent of all riders daydream at work each day about riding their bike. Eighteen (18) percent of all riders call in sick to work at least once a year to go riding. Women prefer to ride with their significant other (58 percent), while men choose to ride with their friends (63 percent). Adding custom parts that enhance the look of their bikes was the number one choice for Harley riders (73 percent), while adding performance equipment was the top choice for those who ride sport bikes (44 percent). | ||
| Cyclonemick |
They really didn't need a survey to come up with that. That's pretty much common knowledge. But it's interesting I guess someone did a survey. | ||
| Navygunner |
Its time to sell my piece of crap!!!!! | ||
| Ingemar |
I knew that, but 6 times .. geez. I guess the jokes about that ARE true after all. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Its time to sell my piece of crap!!!!! What??? Hmm, it's interesting to see the results though. | ||
| Xring |
Does that two-finger-down wave mean something specific, or is it just meant to be a cool wave? Bill | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I can honestly say that I have "never" been dismissed by another sportbike rider. I think in this area it's partially because of curiosity in that there aren't too many Buell's around the Richmond, VA area and they aren't quite sure what I'm driving so they are much more interested in looking in my direction. Heck, I've already had one guy that had turned around and followed me so that he could get a look at my bike. As for the Harley wave (or lack of), I had kind of noticed it but it didn't mean much to me until I read this survey. I've typically held my hand up or nodded but I had noticed that the Harley guys were always leaving their hand below the handle bar. Hadn't really paid attention to the finger count. I had thought they were doing it to keep the hand closer to the handle bar. Hehe. I feel like I've been let in on some kind of secret handshake. I know that there are a lot of times some of the Harley guys check me out because they see the sport bike look and I think they expect the sport bike sound only to have their bike drowned out by my Jardine induced Buell. | ||
| Taxman |
"two fingers down" means your on two wheels and proud of it basicaly. sometimes its hard to notice, some dont even take their hand off the bar. i have a mixed riding company. sometimes sportbikes, and others harley riders. i must say the sportbike guys are much more openminded to other styles of bikes. not labeling all harley riders... just the ones i seem to meet. i was confused at first because snowmobilers do a similar thing but its the number of fingers to let people know how many are with your group. when you pass a snowmobile and he holds out 3 fingers, you know he has three companions that you will soon pass. kind of a friendly warning to keep an eye out. | ||
| Spiderman |
I got a Buell Tattoo what does that mean ??? | ||
| Ted |
it means, you've already got every bike option / accessory you want ? | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Means you lost your MIND????? | ||
| Bartimus |
It means you wish you could marry your Buell! | ||
| Mikeyp |
I got a Buell tat too, back in 98. What does it mean? I'm a friggin idiot. | ||
| Socoken |
i always thought the harley downward-pointing wave was a scolding for not dragging your feet for an obligatory 2 blocks after starting from a stop. gee, only 6 percent said they ride for speed? one of the top excuses for riding was to "test the engine" while 44 percent of sportbike riders spent most of their money on performance accessories. then again, if my insurance company asked, i would tell them i just run for groceries too. | ||
| Doughnut |
I ride a gorgeous 27 year old brunette, what does that make me?  | ||
| Spiderman |
A liar LMAO | ||
| Doughnut |
 Hope you come to the next "Home Coming" Spiderman. Met you at the 20 with Dull, but did not have a bike of my own. I owe you a drink my friend! Let me know when you come in for it. I mean it! | ||
| Spiderman |
LOL good you knew I was jokin. I am havin some issues with the dates I may have finals that week and Fri is the only date that is a problem. I will have to see if I can take em early or late so i can make the whole week OR just show up for a day or two, Either way I plan on bein there for at least one day. BTW, do they have Stroh's in Wisconsin ??? | ||
| Doughnut |
I work in a liquour store. How much Stroh's do you want?  | ||
| Blake |
I got a Buell tat too, back in 98. What does it mean? I'm a friggin idiot. More likely it means that you are a passionate man who is prone to exhibitionism. Then again, it may also mean that Erik Buell is yo' daddy. | ||
| Spiderman |
how much ya got | ||
| Doughnut |
Let me know when you will pick it up, and I will order it. | ||
| Spiderman |
If beer didn;t go bad I would buy a whole truck load | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Screech don't go bad Spidey!!!! | ||
| Blackbelt |
just makes you go bad there newfie, And you shouldn't have mentioned that you can get Strohs there Doughnut.... Spidy would I.V. that stuff if he could. | ||
| Outrider |
Doughnut...How's Tom (Dullorb) doing with his bike? Got any updates? | ||
| Doughnut |
Dull? Where to begin. I'll REALLY try to get to a meeting (I work the nights the meeting is on, may simply have to use a PH day). He is well, no functional bike, yet. Spid, make sure to remind me about the Strohs as the day gets nearer, I'll hook you up. | ||
| Whatever |
Ummmm what the heck does that article say about people who are both Harley riders and Sport bike riders... dare I call my Buell a Harley and not get shot for it here?  BTW, I have never met a Harley rider I didn't like... and I have never had one of them snub me after I go from 60 mph to 120 mph in 3 seconds on a flat stretch... Who are they kidding??? SPEED IS THE REASON FOR BREATHING WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING... Spidey... what are you going to school for? Tell me??? I am very curious... | ||
| Cataract2 |
I've thus far not met a Harley rider I couldn't sit down and chat with. Same can be said with sportbike riders. | ||
| Tom_b |
The article doesn't cover people who own more than one bike and ride for different reasons. a sportbike for having fun, a cruiser for just riding and a barhopper chopper. I have 2 of those 3 and am working on the 3rd. I just like bikes. By the way I always thought the fingers down wave was just a lazy way of waving. At least that is what me and rider friends do. At the start of the ride we wave, and the longer and more riders you meet the lower it gets. | ||
| Awprior |
Newfie, I've still got a bit of that Screech left, passed a few bottles off to friends, saving the rest for some unknown date. I truthfully have NO idea how much of it I drank that night in St. Johns, other than a WHOLE lot. Didn't look as bas as you the next afternoon, but felt it all. Damn that stuff is good. Spidey, Now that I'm relocated in Iowa and you've changed jobs, I can't visit as often. Get your ••• to Homecoming! Alex | ||
| Paulinoz |
"Then again, it may also mean that Erik Buell is yo' daddy." Mike always struck me as the type that would not know who his daddy was.... |
