Kinda Embarrassed :(

Kinda Embarrassed :(

by Laura
(PA)

Hi everyone, I have been riding for 4 years, have been riding alone all this time, mostly to work and back and short rides on weekends. I have no desire to even get the bike out. I love to ride but can't get the motivation up to get out there. I feel embarrassed to ride my bike, because its not a Harley or bigger bike, I have a Vulcan 500, it's a nice ride. Has anyone else felt this and what if anything did you do? Do I take this as a sign to take time off, all these what ifs. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated.

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Kinda Embarrassed :(

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Sep 06, 2011

just ride
by: Linda

I am a newbie rider - my first season with my Honda Rebel. I am 5' tall and the bike fits me perfectly. I feel comfortable on it and handle it well. I get teased by some of my friends about it but its all good natured. They are happy for me that I have bike and can ride with confidence. When I can twirl it on my finger - I might be ready for something a little bigger and faster - but for now - its all good. I have never felt embarrassed by my bike. I am doing my thing - and getting better all the time. Stopped at a red light one day I was surrounded by 3 guys on big old Harleys. I got a nod and a wave as they flew past me when the light turned. I smiled and went my merry way. There is room on the road for all of us.
Peace!!

May 26, 2011

Vulcans
by: Randi

Don't be embarrassed about your bike those are great bikes. Believe it or not, even most Harley people really do admire some of the other brands (though they may not admit it). Each brand has its pluses and minuses. Harley's are fat heavy things that are stubborn in introducing newer breaking systems (such as ABS). If you know your bike well enough to spout off the stats on it any hardcore biker will talk to you forever about those things no matter the brand. I admit I have an HD 883 but I absolutely adore the V-Star customs. I think they are so sleek and sexy. Besides a lot of these other brands are really starting to come equal to Harley if not surpass in style and design. Finally it should really be about how you feel when you are riding not how you think others see you. Just go out there and try to relax into the ride. If you can get past that then you are golden.

May 12, 2011

Kinda
by: Anonymous

So Buy A Harley, if it will make you feel better. But I agree with the others Harley is a brand and your self-esteem has to come from within not the bike you ride. I ride a v-star 650, I have looked at the Harley's and I haven't found one that works for me, I mean size and weight. I like the Vulcan's and the Honda Shadow's. I even like the Ninja's. Maybe you are not that into riding and that's ok to.

May 06, 2011

Wish We Were Closer
by: Dawn

I wish you lived closer. I would ride with you and we could motivate each other. I am sort of shy and hate the fact that when I ride I stick out. But I really like riding. I just have more fun in a group where I can blend into the crowd.

I ride a Honda Shadow 600 cc. Silver and I have pink and black saddlebags. So I know the embarrassment of not having a Harley, add the pink accessories and I get tons of crap from the Harley crowd. But the hubby defends my honor when we are together, telling the buddies that I can reach the ground, and it fits me. I found that for me, I have to do the whole fake smile until we hit the road, then the embarrassment passes because I'm comfortable in the saddle.

May 03, 2011

WHAT You Ride Doesn't Make You Cool, It's THAT You Ride
by: Ashley - Sydney, Australia

If you truly don't love your bike then you should get a new one (and put lots of research into it) but remember, Motorcyclists obsessed with image will never truly be great riders because they don't realize that being on a bike is about freedom and not giving a stuff about what others think.

May 03, 2011

Just Ride
by: Lynn - Florida

Don't ever be embarrassed about what you ride. I ride anything on 2 wheels and love it. I sometimes ride with our local Harley chapter and they don't mind. Although the men seem to like to poke fun at non-Harley riders, the women are all fine. My cruising bike is a 1100 VStar and my recent purchase is a 250 Ninja for my short commute to work and around town. If someone tries to make you feel inferior about your bike, it is THEIR problem! Keep your head up and be proud to ride!

May 03, 2011

Kinda Embarrassed
by: Anonymous

O.K. you must stop caring what others think of your bike. If you are one with it and love riding it then do it.

I was the same way until I joined a Ladies Riding Group. I have the smallest bike in the pack a VStar 1100 and the only one that is not a Harley. I can handle my bike in any situation. U-turns, pushing it backwards, parking on a incline, not scare to ride on gravel. Her and I are one. I watch the other Ladies all short ride big ass Harley's and every single one of them before a ride has to post what they can not do with their bike. Like parking and not being able to push it backwards, parking on a incline and many other things. I told my Hubby after watching them with their struggles that I will never ride a bike that is really to big for me to really enjoy. Why would I want to turn every ride into a struggle? Not me I want to enjoy every ride not worry about what I can or can not do because of the size of my Bike. Some of the Ladies have over spent on their big Harley's also just so they can say they own a Harley. Putting them into a uncomfortable financial situation. WHY? It almost seems like children on the playground who wants to fit in. It is really crazy that grown adults think that way.

May 02, 2011

Go Ride!!
by: Lisa

I just bought a Vulcan 500 on tax day - 4/15 and I LOVE IT! I'm new to this website but so thankful it exists :)

Anyway, some day I may promote myself to a larger bike but for now, this one just feels right and I take it everywhere - to the gym, to the grocery store, out riding to no where....I'm still in my break-in period but can't wait to get over that hump and then head up north to escape the Phoenix heat! And, I'm the biggest dork on the roadway because I have a full-face helmet and no one out here rides with one - just me it seems but I don't care.

I know there's a huge I-Must-Have-A-Harley bike 'thing' but I don't give that a 2nd thought and neither should you! I still wave to the riders on Harley's and they look at me and ignore me (because 1) I'm not on one myself and 2) I'm the dork in the helmet, remember?!!! but I just giggle to myself. I think it's funny!

Pull that thing outta your garage and ride!! Flaunt the fact that it's a smaller bike. When people ask what I have I say "A Vulcan 500 - cute as a BUTTON!" :) It's all good sister! :)

Namaste,

Lisa

May 02, 2011

Ride On
by: Ms. B

A Vulcan 500 is a nice bike. It looks nice and it's affordable. As someone stated earlier, not everyone is interested in owning a Harley. If people can't ride with you because you're not on a Harley, then don't ride with them. Most true bikers just care that you ride. Plus gas prices are out of this world. Just imagine how much you could save towards your new bike by riding your current Kaw. I have a Vulcan 900 and when I get a bigger touring bike, more than likely it will be another Kaw. They look good, last a long time, and I can afford it without breaking my bank.

May 02, 2011

Don't let it bug you...
by: Shannon

I drive around town on a Yamaha 250 Dual Sport...talk about silly! :) You have to stop worrying about what other people think - if and when someone says something to me I will be more than happy to take them to some of the narrow, winding single track dirt trails I ride and see if they are up to the challenge. Heck - I will let them ride my dirt bike - we can race for pinks!

The thing that I have discovered about the people we know that ride and even some that I have never met is it is not the bike that you are on, but the fact that you are on it. Get out there and ride!

May 02, 2011

Embarrassed
by: Anonymous

The Vulcan is a great bike, not everyone has to or wants to ride a Harley.

Actually it sounds like you need some riding buddies, so try to find others to ride with that will encourage you to ride other place beside just to work. There is a great big world out there to ride in.

HAVE FUN and don't let anyone make you feel embarrassed about what you ride.

May 01, 2011

Not in Love
by: Anonymous

It seems to me that you got the wrong bike. You need to find a bike that you love, cause if you love it, then you wont be embarrassed by it.

May 01, 2011

Ride with Pride
by: Anonymous

Oh no Girl, just ride the Vulcan, that is an awesome bike. The Vulcan 500 was my first bike back in the days and it is a beautiful bike. I had it for 3 years and was always very proud and got plenty of attention on it. I got rid of it because I took a Ducati for a test ride and fell in love with the Ducati. Could not afford both bikes at the time, otherwise I would still have my Vulcan. It is a very sexy bike and don't allow anyone to tell you otherwise. Ride......

May 01, 2011

It's Not the Size that Counts
by: Anonymous

Sorry you feel a bit down about your bike. It sounds like it's a great one! As the old saying goes, it's not the size that counts, it's how you can move that brings the satisfaction! Hmm. Seems like I've heard that somewhere else before! Ha! Have a blast while the sun's shinin!

May 01, 2011

Why?
by: Anonymous

Why are you allowing another persons thoughts or opinion of your bike prevent you from enjoying yourself? You stated that your bike is nice, so I assume it is rideable. I can't fathom depriving myself in this short lived summer season because I don't have something as nice as someone else. Be thankful that you have a bike, the ability to ride, and the physical ability to enjoy yourself, and get out and enjoy the wind and the sun. Besides there is always going to be someone who has something nicer and bigger than you whether it is a bike, a home, or a car. If continue on this path, then you will be setting yourself up for misery. Enjoy your summer!

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