Here's the actual quote, from page 53 of Sonny Barger's biography "Hell's Angel".
"It's always been important for Hell's Angels to ride American-made machines. In terms of pure workmanship, personally I don't like Harleys. I ride them because I'm in the club, and that's the image, but if I could I would seriously consider riding a Honda ST1100 or a BMW.
We really missed the boat not switching over to the Japanese models when they began building bigger bikes. I'll usually say, "F*** Harley-Davidson. You can buy an ST1100 and the motherf***** will do 110 miles per hour right from the factory all day long ...
While it's probably too late to switch over now, it would have been a nice move because Japanese bikes today are so much cheaper and better built. However, Japanese motorcycles don't have as much personality."
This quote flies in the face of the Hell's Angels image. It's hard to imagine Sonny and the rest of the Angels riding into town on BMW GT's or Honda ST1100's.
Harley owners cringed, and BMW and Honda owners grinned, at this unexpected endorsement.
As a Honda owner, I'd like to frame this quote:
"Japanese bikes are so much cheaper and better built (than Harley Davidsons)"
And of course, my Harley-owning friends (not to mention spouse) would likely lift this quote:
"Japanese bikes don't have as much personality (as Harleys)"
Which, I suppose, defines the argument. Do you prefer personality or quality?
Do you agree with the premise?
There will be those who don't. Some will argue that Harleys are well built. Or, that Hondas have personality.
And there will be those who agree with the premise, but place a different value on the equation. Those that buy a Harley because personality matters most. Those who buy a Honda because quality matters most.
Would Sonny be welcome in the Honda crowd?
Sure, Sonny. Put on your gear and let's ride.
as a lifelong honda rider, i think sonny would have loved my old vtx1800c. it was manufactured and assembled in ohio. it's last dyno reading was 100 hp and 118 ft/lbs.
ReplyDeletehonda has discontinued the 1800, closed the ohio bike manufacturing shop, and they're cranking out 1300 models that get 60hp. yawn.
sonny has been riding a victory for years. american name and built, and he's sonny barger, so he gets away with it.
but mister barger has it right. maybe somebody ought to build him something wicked and rideable out of a vtx1800. give one of those bikes a chain drive instead of a shaft and i will get 150 ft/lbs of torque and 120 hp, if not more. it will be comfy and look monstrous and probably scare the hell out of him.
i rode my bike at 150 more than once, and still had throttle left. who wouldn't respect that? certainly not sonny barger.
god bless him.
You can't put a quantity to a personality, only a quality. Everyone and every bike gets one personality, it just so happens that some personalities are friendly, reliable and cooperative, and some are obnoxious, boastful, and ultimately incompetent.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Ceolwulf. Personality is a qualitative, not a quantitative measure.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Toecutter & gang all rode Kawis.
ReplyDeleteWow excellent post ever seen. really its informative information about Honda ST's.
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