Hey, bikers! Do you know what 1% means?

[Troll]

I'm not that old, but I've been around and read my fair share of Hell's Angels BS. I started riding when I was 5 (1976) mostly dirtbikes and then onto sportbikes when I got my license. I sold my '99 CBR900 a few years ago. I still get the itch every few seconds. I try to substitute the gearhead urge with the Stang, but the handlebars and 2 wheels still call my name. I can't make the step into a Harley yet. I think Harley owners nowadays are a bunch of 60-year-old white-haired retired dudes that look lucky enough to make it to wherever I see them. NOT SO OUTLAW ANYMORE!!!

Any way, I was talking to 2 younger guys tonight at the bar. They both own 2006/07 Softails. Somehow, the Hell's Angels came up in conversation and I asked them (jokingly) if they had any 1% patches on their junk. They both looked at me like WTF? And I said, "You guys don't know WTF 1% means do you?" They didn't... so here it is.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrob...d=oid%3A366345

[Silverhatch]

I knew of the 1%rs. What makes me laugh is that people wear "Hollister" without really knowing what it stands for.

[One Sweet Day]

I never knew that, not that I'm into bikes or anything but very interesting read.

[BoneCrusher]

Yeah those dudes are hard core.

[phillysrt4]

I sold my '99 CBR900 a few years ago. I still get the itch every few seconds. I try to substitute the gearhead urge with the Stang, but the handlebars and 2 wheels still call my name. I can't make the step into a Harley yet.

I dont blame you. I wouldnt want to make that step so far down from a CBR either nomatter how old I was.

[Ares]

I never heard of the Bandidos. Hells Angels, Pagans I know of and wouldn't want either pissed at me. Let alone be in the same room with both groups since it gets ugly real fast when they are together.

[Twin01cobra]

I know a couple hardcore old school biker dudes, still don't want to mess with them;)

[bgblockelcamino]

I know a couple hardcore old school biker dudes, still don't want to mess with them;)

that is for sure

but when i used to hang out in mon city the lone wolfs were prob crazier than the pagans
although they have died off quite a bit

[2001GTTT]

There are alot of people that ride harleys.....young and old....i see them everyday....but alot and im talking like 90% dont do it to be "badass" or look cool.....they ride because they enjoy it......and if you think going from a cbr to a harley is a downgrade.....try riding a VRod then tell me what you think

[scott5]

I would love to have a harley, but i am still young and need the thrill of a crotch rocket.

[Troll]

There are alot of people that ride harleys.....young and old....i see them everyday....but alot and im talking like 90% dont do it to be "badass" or look cool.....they ride because they enjoy it......and if you think going from a cbr to a harley is a downgrade.....try riding a VRod then tell me what you think

I said, "I don't think I can make the step into a Harley yet."

Lots of mental, physical and emotional items there to deal with.

Philly said, "I wouldn't want to make that step so far down."

Are you speaking to me when you say, "If you think... yada yada yada" ?

What do you do there? Are you in sales? This isn't a good method if you are.

[altoona]

I think Harley owners nowadays are a bunch of 60-year-old white-haired retired dudes that look lucky enough to make it to wherever I see them. NOT SO OUTLAW ANYMORE!!!

Hey you must be talking about me! I'm almost 60, hair's work'in on turning white, sometimes I walk into a room and can't remember what I went in there for, and never really was much of an outlaw, if truth be told. Unfortunately I'm not retired yet.

Anyways this has been an interesting thread, seeing other people viewpoints. I've been on two wheels for a long time and have had my Sportster for the last 20 years. I don't care what they ride, I consider all bikers as friends, unless they prove otherwise. I've known some real a-holes that ride sport bikes, but I've known some that ride Harleys too. It's not what you ride, but who you are inside that matters.

I will say that the performance of the modern day sport bikes is nothing less than amazing. At the test and tune last week there were a lot of sportbikes present and I had one lined up against my car several times. I could usually get them out of the hole, but around the 1/8 mile mark they would pass me by. That a 600 cc bike can run the quarter in the 11's just blows my mind. The fastest vehicle at the track that day was a bike, a turbo 'Busa. I don't remember his et, but he was trapping 174 mph in the quarter. That guy had way more balls than I ever did.

[2001GTTT]

was this out your way?? j/w because a guy that comes into the shop has a turbo busa, amazing.

[Troll]

Hey you must be talking about me!

Nah! Sounds like you've been riding forever. I don't mean to knock anybody, but I'm referring to the guys who have never rode in their life, they're 50 or 60 and now they can afford a new Harley so they go get one.

[Troll]

began in 1947, in the wake of a Fourth of July weekend brawl

looks like we're coming up on the 61st anniversary.

[altoona]

The turbo 'Busa was at Beaver Springs this past Saturday. I've seen that same bike there before. I think his et's were in the 7's! Even in my younger days I never had the nerve to ride a bike at 174 mph. The only cars I've seen at BSD during test and tune days that were faster were rails, and they weren't that much faster.