# Harley bashing & Coldfire **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 20, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037 "2004-04-20T15:09:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bandanaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ab097/32.png) [@Bandanaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bandanaman)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/1 "2004-04-20T15:09:23Z")
Y’know, I’m getting quite sick of your repeated attacks on Harley’s, and the riders of them. Let it go, dickweed. We all understand that you can’t afford one, but that’s no reason to slam the _real_ bikers on this board. Enjoy your Jap crap, but keep your biased opinions to yerself. And on a final note, go clog yourself. I would link, but why waste bandwidth. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/2 "2004-04-20T15:12:34Z")
Hey, put a muffler on that piece of shit so you don’t deafen the entire neighborhood and you can play with whatever testosterone loaded two wheel deathtrap you feel like – it’s all the same to me. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/3 "2004-04-20T15:15:23Z")
How about getting off the car with two wheels and giving us a link cruiser boy 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/4 "2004-04-20T15:24:36Z")
It’s hard _not_ to bash Harleys. And I’m an American, and tend to gravitate towards 4-wheeled vehicles. Harleys are poorly built, poorly engineered, loud pieces of shit. The most popular place to find “real bikers” is on the side of the freeway, staring blankly at a backfiring, mistimed engine that won’t get out of its own fucking way. Jap and Italian bikes however, are faster, smoother running, fast as hell and lots of them come with FI and electronic ignitions, so many of the disadvantages of having a carbed bike disappear. I do however like custom bikes that **don’t** use the standard S&S Harley engine…how boring. Buell is the only exception there-the rice bike for America. 😃 Be honest with yourself and admit that most Harleys and the “real bikers” that ride them are bashable. Sam ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/5 "2004-04-20T15:26:09Z")
I stumbled across it in [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=251429&page=1) thread. ---
**Author:** ![RAWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@RAWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RAWDuke)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/6 "2004-04-20T15:28:07Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > Jap and Italian bikes however, are faster, smoother running, fast as hell and lots of them come with FI and electronic ignitions, so many of the disadvantages of having a carbed bike disappear. > Sam Not to mention that you could buy 3 loaded copies of them for the price of one basic Hardly. ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/7 "2004-04-20T15:30:53Z")
Well, I’ll be the first to admit I know diddly about motorcycles mechanically, but I sure know a [pretty one](http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/machines/custompaint/) when I see it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/8 "2004-04-20T15:35:09Z")
Uh, guys, not to be a junior mod but with the recent discussions regarding hate speech, you might want to watch how you refer to the Japanese. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/9 "2004-04-20T15:39:12Z")
Is Jap hate speech? It’s very common over here to refer to Jap imports etc when talking about cars. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/45deac/32.png) [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/10 "2004-04-20T15:43:10Z")
> [@Bandanaman](#): > > that’s no reason to slam the _real_ bikers on this board A perfect example of the attitude that amuses those of us capable of functioning as cooperative members of society. It may be necessary for some people to tie their self-esteem to the volume of their motorcycle or for them to feel like a badass when people roll their eyes at them when they make enough noise to be heard four blocks away. I hate to break it to you and your brethren, but the rest of us do not look at you in longing awe when you ride by. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/11 "2004-04-20T15:44:41Z")
> [@](#): > > Is Jap hate speech? Typically it’s used as a pejorative in the U.S. This doesn’t count in the Mod Pit Standing does it? It’s more directed at **Coldie** as a poster than a Mod. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/12 "2004-04-20T15:48:37Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > Is Jap hate speech? It is generally considered to be offensive slang. I don’t know if the Mods would put it on the same level as other verboten words but it’s probably best to avoid using it. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/13 "2004-04-20T15:50:21Z")
\*\*Cerri \*\* thanks for that but surely to God that’s not the reason for this pitting? Aren’t bikers meant to be a bit hard? If this guy can’t take that well I worry for him in real life. Lucky he has a bandana to wipe the tears away 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Balduran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Balduran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balduran)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/14 "2004-04-20T15:50:45Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > Is Jap hate speech? > > It’s very common over here to refer to Jap imports etc when talking about cars. I cringe everytime I hear it. Just as many UK’ers (and others) would not say “Pahki”, many Americans wouldn’t say “Jap”. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/15 "2004-04-20T15:51:13Z")
Just a note that though Jap isn’t racist in UK/Eire it is much worse when used in USA. A bit like the opposit idea that Paki is racist in UK/Eire but quite innoffensive in USA (or Pakistan so I hear). Harley’s are often annoyingly noisy, and totally impractical. But they are big bikes, and a big man riding a small bike looks silly ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/16 "2004-04-20T15:53:38Z")
Fair enough chaps I’ll be careful. Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/17 "2004-04-20T15:54:10Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > \*\*Cerri \*\* thanks for that but surely to God that’s not the reason for this pitting? > > Aren’t bikers meant to be a bit hard? If this guy can’t take that well I worry for him in real life. > > Lucky he has a bandana to wipe the tears away 😃 _chuckles_ I thought the reaction was WAY out of proportion to what Coldie myself, but it was the only thing I’ve run across that seemed to fit the bill in the absence of the OP deigning to enlighten us. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/18 "2004-04-20T15:55:31Z")
> [@Cerri](#): > > Well, I’ll be the first to admit I know diddly about motorcycles mechanically, but I sure know a [pretty one](http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/machines/custompaint/) when I see it. 😃 My Stepfather worked for Indian Motorcycle. Neat idea, poorly executed and poorly assembled. Also, the same S&S Harley engine that everyone else has. They were supposedly in the process of releasing their own engine design, but went belly-up before they could release it. Jeff Olsen- If the Mods wish to ban me over using the terms “jap” and “rice” in describing Asian-made bikes and cars, they may do so. It would prove certain things I’ve suspected direction of the moderation of the boards for some time. Sam ---
**Author:** ![Amok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f17d59/32.png) [@Amok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amok)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/19 "2004-04-20T16:03:25Z")
> [@Jeff Olsen](#): > > It is generally considered to be offensive slang. I don’t know if the Mods would put it on the same level as other verboten words but it’s probably best to avoid using it. Yeah. [American Heritage](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=jap) says: ```auto n. Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person of Japanese birth or descent. ``` It doesn’t list it as U.S. only, but I wouldn’t be suprised if it is like “pahki” (paki?) in the U.K., or “eskimo” in Canada, a racial slur in one country that wouldn’t draw a second look in different english-speaking countries. Of course, that’s using “jap” as a noun, not an adjective. It doesn’t list that usage at all. But the adjectival usage still grates on my ears, especially when used by Americans. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037/20 "2004-04-20T16:08:23Z")
> [@Balduran](#): > > I cringe everytime I hear it. Just as many UK’ers (and others) would not say “Pahki”, many Americans wouldn’t say “Jap”. I don’t know where this comes from. It is EXTREMELY common and accepted in my geographical location to refer to an asian import vehicle or bike as a “jap” or “rice” bike. It’s just a normal descriptor these days with no real connotation to it. Furthermore, Paki isn’t really considered offensive here, either. I wouldn’t refer to anyone on the street as a “Jap”(except for mom, and she’s a J.A.P., not a Japanese person 😃 ), but to refer to wheeled hardware as “jap” wouldn’t be considered patently offensive in my community(which has a huge asian population and an even larger population of Asian Import vehicles). Sam [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harley-bashing-coldfire/241037.md?page=2)