You Are What You Ride: Progressive Survey Finds Differences Between Harley and Sport Bike Riders Go Beyond Bike Type

What can you tell about a person by the kind of motorcycle they ride? Plenty, according to a recent countrywide online survey conducted by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, the number one seller of motorcycle insurance in the U.S. The survey finds interesting differences - and similarities - between Harley-Davidson riders and those who ride sport bikes.

For example, everyone knows that Harley riders wear their passion for biking on their sleeve... literally. The survey finds Harley riders are three times more likely than those who ride sport bikes to own clothing or artwork that displays the brand of motorcycle they ride (93 percent versus 30 percent, respectively). Harley riders are also more likely to have body art such as tattoos and piercings (52 percent versus 40 percent).

The survey also finds that Harley riders are more likely than those who ride sport bikes to plan rides around where they'll eat (32 percent versus 23 percent). Sport bike riders are three times more likely to eat at fast-food restaurants (18 percent versus six percent), while riders of Harleys are nearly four times more likely to pick restaurants with the nicest looking waiters/waitresses (11 percent versus three percent).

"At Progressive, many of us involved in our motorcycle business are riders, too, and this survey was a fun, tongue-in-cheek way of getting to know more about our fellow bikers," says Rick Stern, a rider for more than 15 years and one of Progressive's motorcycle product managers. "Motorcycle insurance is a very specialized product, and you never know what bit of information may lead to the next insurance innovation."

The survey confirms that both rider groups have much in common, too. For example, both say "freedom" is the number one reason they ride. And though sport bikes are commonly known as "crotch-rockets" or "road-rippers," only six percent of those who ride them say they do so for "speed" while fewer than one percent of Harley riders say the same. Both groups listed the same top excuses for justifying a quick ride: running errands, testing the engine and visiting friends.

Progressive's survey also finds that ninety-five (95) percent of all riders acknowledge their fellow bikers while riding. Waving is the preferred method of acknowledgement (37 percent), although Harley riders are nearly twice as likely to acknowledge other riders by pointing two fingers down (29 percent versus 16 percent). Harley riders are six times more likely to only acknowledge those riding the same style bike (18 percent versus three percent).

Additional survey results include:

-- An overwhelming majority of riders (88 percent) donate time or money to charities. Two-thirds of Harley riders (67 percent) and one-third of those who ride sport bikes (33 percent) participate in at least one charity ride each year.

-- Sixty-nine (69) percent of all riders daydream at work each day about riding their bike.

-- Eighteen (1 percent of all riders call in sick to work at least once a year to go riding.

-- Women prefer to ride with their significant other (58 percent), while men choose to ride with their friends (63 percent).

-- Adding custom parts that enhance the look of their bikes was the number one choice for Harley riders (73 percent), while adding performance equipment was the top choice for those who ride sport bikes (44 percent).

I'm 5 for 5 of that last bunch of statistics ... as a sport bike rider, that is.

Maaaaaate!!! Hey - reckon you've probably 'nailed it' there, cos a fair bit of that is my thoughts too, with the following to consider as well (& yes Skins - some of my Harley comments were a little bit tongue in cheek sorta stuff........)

For me, regardless of what I ride or own - i consider myself a motorcyclist - I learnt to ride when aged 8, & have been passionate about bikes for as long as I can remember - (have even been employed at various bike shops as a mechanic).

One of the things that I admire about the American people, is the way that they are so passionate & patriotic about their country, & also the products that are manufactured there. Couple this with a strong Marine environment, who see bike riding as the ultimate form of 'freedom', & Harley Davidson have a recipe for success, no matter what the product is like. And hey - I have no problem with that at all - I think it is truely great!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: As such, I believe that the 'Black Ribbon' rides that happen in the States, are absolutely amazing, & I stand in awe of the people that are involved. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Where things come unstuck a bit in my thoughts, are when Harley's are seen purely as a status symbol - I believe the bulk of sales, certainly on this side of the world, have that association attached to them. They are mostly brought by people that could'nt ride their way outa a wet paper bag, but think the 'chromed up Harley' looks great parked outside the cafe on a Sunday.
Verification of this statement, is found by the number of low-mileage late model Harleys currently for sale. The middle-aged wannabes (accountants/lawyers etc) have moved onto the next yuppie 'in thing'.
To be fair, Ducati have also had their times when ownership of their product was driven by these types of buyers. The advantage is that once the fad is over, there are bargins to be had by 'real' motorcyclists.
Seems ironic, the amount of motorcycle accidents there are these days, by people who are aged 40-55.........................

Well, some of your opinions are quite understandable, but perhaps I can make my position clearer by explaining that my concern is for the machine - the poor old Harley Davidson. (Actually I think in some ways I like machines more than people, but I suspect that may be a bit unhealthy, so I better leave that there).

Anyway, if the Harley survival rate is 80 per cent, the machine deserves some respect for that.

They are almost always much louder than they should be - but that is not the machine's fault. Do I have to explain why?

The riding position is up to the rider.

A certain proportion of Harley riders are nasty people - but that is not the machines fault.

I understand they vibrate badly - but many machines do. Even a Ducati will vibrate badly if not tuned properly. (And I reckon many Ducati riders have no idea how smooth their machines could be if carefully tuned. Many owners and mechanics do not have the time to get the best out of them).

The only race on a twisty road I've had with a Harley, I was left for dead. (But I reckon the guy must have known the road, and I didn't).

Anyway, I say: take it easy on the poor old Harley (the machine, that it)

When I was in the Australian defence forces I worked with a guy that owned a Harley. Now as a member of the ADF there are strick grooming regulations inforced therefore our hair was always very short & neatly groomed. Anyway, I got on alright with this guy at work. I knew he had a Hog, he knew I was a BMW rider, we talked GP races & stuff, i called him a mate not just a work collegue. Then one toy run I ran into him, did not really notice him at first because he had a hat on that had this huge platt out the back down to his plumbers crack & this long hair hanging down all round the sides of it. He had the denim vest with patches & all the right tatoos up his arm. I had a bit of a chuckle to myself before I decided it was definately him & casually strolled over to say "G'day" When I did this I was told very definately to F**K OFF! Well you don't need to tell me twice so I called him a wanker & left. I saw him at work the next day all nicely groomed & spik'n'span again. I did not bother talking with him after that, I told him I don't care what a person is as long as they are genuine & not a tryhard that is aiming to fit a stereo-typed mould to be cool or what ever.

Be yourself not your brand image! :screwy: