Is that a Harley?

carsixten · 09-30-2013, 10:28 AM

I hear it all the time. So, do you have a Harley? I never know quite what to say. Most are just well meaning but ignorant about motorcycles.
The other day I was stopped at a red light when a car pulled up beside me. I'm on my Nomad, with the extra chrome, whitewalls, and everything. The guy leans out and says "nice bike". Thanks, I say. Then he says,"What is that? Is that a Sportster? That's a Sportster isn't it?"
I didn't even know what to say! I just shook my head no, then drove away.
Really! a Sportster???
Obviously he knows very little about Harleys, or motorcycles, but what do you say? He was trying to give me a compliment, but turned it into an insult. I don't have an answer for these people. Is there an answer? What do you guys say to the ignorant? Sometimes when they ask if I have a Harley, I say "Heck no, I have a good motorcycle". Any advice?

**Kawhead** · 09-30-2013, 10:37 AM

It happens a lot. People are well meaning I just smile and tell them it's Kawasaki 1600 Nomad.

**BudMan** · 09-30-2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kawhead

It happens a lot. People are well meaning I just smile and tell them it's Kawasaki 1600 Nomad.

Same here.

dank · 09-30-2013, 11:02 AM

Nope, haven't had anyone ask.

jandreu · 09-30-2013, 11:32 AM

Instead of being insulted try appreciating that your bike has been admired and educate the uninformed.

Dave · 09-30-2013, 11:48 AM

I get asked that all the time.

davidhollinger · 09-30-2013, 11:51 AM

Happens a LOT here! There are very few Nomads around and when people see my bike they assume its a harley with all the chrome and then they flip because its a 2002. I guess they assume its new. I just say its a Nomad and they have no idea what that is so they just smile and nod....nice bike man!
At a tail-gating party this weekend we were talking about bikes and one guy was going on about his buddy's Harley. He asked about my bike and as soon as he found out it wasnt a Harley, he lost all interest. Shmuck.

Jeffsmountainauto · 09-30-2013, 11:58 AM

I can't hold people responsible for not knowing. Especially around here, as I have only seen one other Nomad. People usually ask what it is though. Not "Is that a Harley". Been asked a few time if it was a victory. I assume that is because of the "V" shaped emblem. Who knows.

Old Bear · 09-30-2013, 12:03 PM

For the unwashed, if it is a V-twin and on two wheels, it's an H-D. It's only an insult if you accept it as such. I chalk it up to lack of knowledge, and an opportunity to educate.

Dave · 09-30-2013, 12:17 PM

It reminds me how at work everyone people refers to the copy machine as a Xerox.

**HwyRider** · 09-30-2013, 12:30 PM

I would have thanked him for the compliment and told him it was a Sportster. It would have made his day.

**canuckrider** · 09-30-2013, 12:59 PM

Coming out of a restaurant one Sunday I've had a guy say "Nice looking Nomad you have there" and I was rather shocked. I looked around and not another motorcycle in the parking lot, only cages.

Obviously he was a fellow Nomad enthusiast who currently or previously owned one and knew the difference.

**Top Cat** · 09-30-2013, 01:18 PM

If they say nice bike, I say Thanks.
If they say nice bike, is that a Harley I say no it is a Kawasaki Nomad.
If they say nice bike, is it a Harley, I say no it is a Kawasaki Nomad and they reply, oh, I thought it was a real bike, then we have a whole different conversation

**schoeney** · 09-30-2013, 01:30 PM

To the ones that asked if my Nomad was an HD I would usually say no....it is a Vulcan....then they really started scratching their head.

You could see the wheels turning....what the *^$##@ is a Vulcan?

**cnc** · 09-30-2013, 02:01 PM

Once had a guy yell out across a busy self serve gas station "nice hog man" and gave me two thumbs up. I was riding a Vstar at the time, I just smiled and said thanks.
These days for those who ask outright if it is a Harley, I say no it has Harley type styling but Japanese engineering, shuts up smart asses and confuses those folks who don't know bikes.

09-30-2013, 10:28 AM	#1
carsixten Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Minnesota Posts: 26	Is that a Harley? I hear it all the time. So, do you have a Harley? I never know quite what to say. Most are just well meaning but ignorant about motorcycles. The other day I was stopped at a red light when a car pulled up beside me. I'm on my Nomad, with the extra chrome, whitewalls, and everything. The guy leans out and says "nice bike". Thanks, I say. Then he says,"What is that? Is that a Sportster? That's a Sportster isn't it?" I didn't even know what to say! I just shook my head no, then drove away. Really! a Sportster??? Obviously he knows very little about Harleys, or motorcycles, but what do you say? He was trying to give me a compliment, but turned it into an insult. I don't have an answer for these people. Is there an answer? What do you guys say to the ignorant? Sometimes when they ask if I have a Harley, I say "Heck no, I have a good motorcycle". Any advice? __________________ CARSIXTEN '04 Nomad 1500Fi 58500 miles Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-30-2013, 10:37 AM	#2
Kawhead Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: 6th Floor up at the The Nervous Hospital up in East Central State, NC Posts: 7,454	It happens a lot. People are well meaning I just smile and tell them it's Kawasaki 1600 Nomad. __________________ ??-Mar.2,2012 "Rocky" My Beloved Dog RIP Mike Tripp VBA#767 '96 800 Vulcan Classic 06 1600 Nomad 07 1600 Nomad "The shoes you buy at the Salvation Army is already been broke in"- Aunt Kawhead
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09-30-2013, 11:02 AM	#4
dank Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,595	Nope, haven't had anyone ask. __________________ Dan K Member #100 2009 ST1300: Performance exceeding even Victory riders' boasts.
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09-30-2013, 11:32 AM	#5
jandreu Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Makawao, Hawaii Posts: 1,409	Instead of being insulted try appreciating that your bike has been admired and educate the uninformed. __________________ James Andreu '07 1600 Red/Silver VBA Member #1356 jandreu@hawaiiantel.net Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-30-2013, 11:51 AM	#7
davidhollinger Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 2,188	Happens a LOT here! There are very few Nomads around and when people see my bike they assume its a harley with all the chrome and then they flip because its a 2002. I guess they assume its new. I just say its a Nomad and they have no idea what that is so they just smile and nod....nice bike man! At a tail-gating party this weekend we were talking about bikes and one guy was going on about his buddy's Harley. He asked about my bike and as soon as he found out it wasnt a Harley, he lost all interest. Shmuck. __________________ I would be patient, but it takes too long!! David Hollinger 2002 Beige 1500 "Hannah2" VBA # 02195
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09-30-2013, 11:48 AM	#6
Dave Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Itchycoo Park Posts: 3,422	I get asked that all the time.
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09-30-2013, 11:58 AM	#8
Jeffsmountainauto Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 416	I can't hold people responsible for not knowing. Especially around here, as I have only seen one other Nomad. People usually ask what it is though. Not "Is that a Harley". Been asked a few time if it was a victory. I assume that is because of the "V" shaped emblem. Who knows. __________________ 2005 1600 nomad
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09-30-2013, 12:03 PM	#9
Old Bear Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 1,434	For the unwashed, if it is a V-twin and on two wheels, it's an H-D. It's only an insult if you accept it as such. I chalk it up to lack of knowledge, and an opportunity to educate. __________________ Jerry "Old Bear" Barker Clarksville, TN Americas Guardians PS MC President, Tennessee 16-A VBA #02203 "Blaze" 2017 Vaquero "Black Magic" 2011 Vaquero, 69k miles, handed down to my son for hopefully many more miles!
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09-30-2013, 12:17 PM	#10
Dave Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Itchycoo Park Posts: 3,422	It reminds me how at work everyone people refers to the copy machine as a Xerox.
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09-30-2013, 12:30 PM	#11
HwyRider Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Shore, MA Posts: 4,629	I would have thanked him for the compliment and told him it was a Sportster. It would have made his day. __________________ VBA # 02424 VROC # 35971 2010 Nomad 1700 Metallic Diablo Black/Metallic Titanium
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09-30-2013, 12:59 PM	#12
canuckrider Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Okotoks, AB, Canada Posts: 1,090	Coming out of a restaurant one Sunday I've had a guy say "Nice looking Nomad you have there" and I was rather shocked. I looked around and not another motorcycle in the parking lot, only cages. Obviously he was a fellow Nomad enthusiast who currently or previously owned one and knew the difference. __________________ "Sun on my face, wind in my hair, sound of my bike in my ears and peace in my soul..." VBA Member #01514 2008 Nomad 1600, Blue & Silver
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09-30-2013, 01:18 PM	#13
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	If they say nice bike, I say Thanks. If they say nice bike, is that a Harley I say no it is a Kawasaki Nomad. If they say nice bike, is it a Harley, I say no it is a Kawasaki Nomad and they reply, oh, I thought it was a real bike, then we have a whole different conversation __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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09-30-2013, 01:30 PM	#14
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	To the ones that asked if my Nomad was an HD I would usually say no....it is a Vulcan....then they really started scratching their head. You could see the wheels turning....what the *^$##@ is a Vulcan? __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
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09-30-2013, 02:01 PM	#15
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Once had a guy yell out across a busy self serve gas station "nice hog man" and gave me two thumbs up. I was riding a Vstar at the time, I just smiled and said thanks. These days for those who ask outright if it is a Harley, I say no it has Harley type styling but Japanese engineering, shuts up smart asses and confuses those folks who don't know bikes. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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