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Funny incident at a HD dealership

2K views 24 replies 18 participants last post by  TennesseeZ 
#1 ·
Yesterday after a several hour ride in pretty hot weather, I decided that despite my vow to never do so I would buy a pair of fingerless gloves that would be at least a bit cooler in this weather than the gloves I had been using. Knowing that I could find such gloves at the local HD dealership, I stopped and parked my Goldwing right in front of the shop. There were six or seven other motorcycles all parked there as well, all HD's of course. As I walked through the front door, a couple who were looking at new bikes commented to me that they liked the fairing on my bike. The woman said "I've not seen that type fairing on other Harleys before", and asked if it were aftermarket or something new from HD. I guess if you are into Harleys, a Goldwing is something so unfamiliar as to be thought of as a new model Harley. I told her the whole bike was aftermarket, from a company called Honda. She laughed and wished me a safe ride, as I did for her and her partner.

And by the way, I bought some really nice ventilated, fingerless gloves that I hope will make summer riding more tolerable on my hands.
 
#2 ·
At the dealership I frequent numerous other bikes besides Harleys show up. All well received. 2 wheels is 2 wheels. Especially enjoy an older gentleman on a triumph. I figure that we are all in this together. Even beemers reply about how well they are received.
 
#3 ·
I rode a Triumph for the past 6 years, first an America, then a Thunderbird. I always found that Harley riders, or even BMW riders were friendly and interested in the Triumphs. Years ago, when I started riding, and had only Japanese bikes, I felt an obvious sense of hostility from riders of many non-Japanese brands. Maybe it was my imagination, but especially in those years when HD was making, let us say, less than really reliable bikes, the riders who were loyal to them seemed resentful that Japanese brands had come to dominate the motorcycle industry in the U.S. and that the metric bikes were clearly more advanced technologically and better in terms of reliability (and everything else in my opinion, other than the sound of the motor).

My local HD dealer is very welcoming and friendly, and in many ways is the most modern and retail-store like of any motorcycle dealer that I know. They even have a diner attached to the showroom that gets a fair amount of business, from riders and non riders alike. This dealer, after I demo rode a new Ultra Limited recently, signed me up at their expense to a year's subscription to "American Iron" (I guess they were hoping that this tipped me over the edge to make the decision to buy a Harley). I really liked the bike, but found I liked the Goldwing better, but I can still sort of enjoy the magazine.

So even as a Honda rider, I feel very comfortable looking for gear and clothing at the Harley dealership.
 
#5 ·
That is pretty funny. I too use fingerless gloves most of the year here in Florida for the same reasons, and because of my touch screens on my devices. When I had a Goldwing, on occasion I rode with a small group of local Wingers on lunch or breakfast rides. They use to comment or make little jabs about my fingerless gloves and said that they offered no protection. I told them that if I crash, my least worry would be my fingertips being scuffed up in an accident. The palms and the back of my hand is what really needed to be protected.
 
#6 ·
Just a few weeks ago I switched to my old leather Harley finger less gloves and it was immediately more comfortable until a 'June Bug' committed suicide on my index finger knuckle:frown:

Sam:71baldboy:
 
#7 ·
I tried the leather fingerless at walmart, largest size they had, I got them on but getting them off was the problem. I walked over to the weight lifting section and for half the price got a pair of Gold's Gym stretchy fabric fingerless gloves, undo the velcro and pull on the finger tab and they pop right off.
 
#18 ·
I have the fingerless perforated leather gloves from walmart. What they have now look exactly the same, same brand "Fuel", but xl/xxl is too tight. I got mine a couple yrs ago, glad I did, because they are great gloves, too bad they started making them smaller.
 
#8 ·
I've been wearing finger less leather gloves recently when touring, not for the heat but so I can work the GPS screen while riding. I have the same problem, can't get the damn things off my knuckles without a fight. I see some have pull loops built in, I couldn't imagine why till I tried ones without them. My next pair I'm looking for that feature.

When not needing to use tech stuff I have been wearing perforated leather, I found it was just as comfortable even in the heat as the mesh gloves I also have. The mesh was comfortable but they are starting to fall apart at the seams so I don't think they are much protection anymore.
 
#9 ·
I've now worn the fingerless gloves for a couple of rides and they are a keeper! They keep my hands noticably cooler than the so-called mesh textile gloves that I had been wearing. Getting them off is a bit of a chore, but the little finger pulls make it much simpler. I know that the protection is much less than with traditional motorcycle gloves, but I make compromises with protection almost every time I ride. In hot weather I never wear any jacket at all, just a t-shirt. I wear regular jeans rather than the much hotter Kevlar lined riding jeans that I own. I wear "shorty" Icon boots that are more like high-top sneakers than motorcycle boots. And I wear an open face helmet rather than my regular Shoei modular.

I prefer riding in the Spring and Fall when it is cool enough to wear reasonable protective gear and still be comfortable. But rather than giving up summer riding, or being miserably hot and sweaty for the entire ride, I give up some safety and gain a lot of enjoyment. Life is risky; I just accept that.
 
#10 ·
Finger less gloves also make picking your nose a lot easier:biggrin:

Now if they could make a full face helmet that would allow you to spit, I'd buy it!:biggrin:

How about a large PORT on each side of the helmet, where a finger could be put through there to scratch those itching ears!:biggrin:

Sam:71baldboy:
 
#11 ·
I tried fingerless but had so much trouble getting them off that I stopped wearing them and went back to regular leather gloves. Because I tried the "cool" mesh gloves and found them much MUCH hotter than leather. Total rip-off they are!!!!!
 
#20 ·
I went and took another look at the fingerless leather gloves at walmart.

1. They are no longer xl/xxl they are just xl
2. The pair I tried on before was still there, they are on an xl card, the tag inside the glove says L........no wonder I had a hard time getting them on and off, the xl fit fine and I bought a pair.

3. They are not exactly the same, the new ones have a lot more holes but they are smaller holes, will they do ust as good as the others? I don't know

4. The new ones have a larger gel pad in the palm.

The old ones I have had for years, they are really good gloves.
 
#21 ·
I've been wearing these "mechanics gloves" from Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-gloves-x-large-62429.html
While I'm sure they wouldn't stand up to abrasion as good as leather gloves, they do fit well and keep my hands warm. With the velcro closure around the wrist, they are easy on, easy off.
And they're cheap, especially if you wait 'til they're on sale. I think I paid $3.99 for 'em.
They'll do until I find myself a nice pair of leather ones, preferable deer skin.
 
#23 ·
I visit my local HD dealer on occasion for cleaning products and such. My winter jacket and riding boots are both HD branded although I doubt they actually make either one. One of the salesmen there dated my daughter in high school and he always comes out to greet me when I show up on my Vision.
 
#24 ·
I visit my local HD dealer on occasion for cleaning products and such. My winter jacket and riding boots are both HD branded although I doubt they actually make either one. One of the salesmen there dated my daughter in high school and he always comes out to greet me when I show up on my Vision.
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You "doubt" they actually make one of their 800 branded products?

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