Technoir: Now, I know lots of motorcyclists who are safe, responsible riders. I'm getting my M-Class license this summer. Already shopping for a good used cruiser/hog.

From personal experience/observation, I've seen far fewer cruiser riders acting like idiots on the road, than young kids on sport bikes. I've never seen a fat dude on a big ole Harley trying to squeeze between lanes of congested traffic on the highway... I've never seen a guy on a Goldwing going 200+ KPH...

Just sayin' that the sport bike appeals to a particular personality type: people who like to drive fast and get the adrenalin rush that comes with knowing that a small mistake in judgement could kill them.

Like cruisers, sport riders have their own highly-visible brand of douchebag. We don't like them any more than you do, and derisively refer to them as "squids."

However, as a group I find non-cruiser riders to be an overall more educated lot. Especially Harley people. Most Harley folk believe form follows function, while the opposite is the case of that guy on a Ducati who just lane-split on his way to work. In short, the guy on the Ducati probably knows more about how his machine handles, exit strategies, maintenance, gear, etc. It's a troll-tastic comment to make, but I've spent nearly 20 years of daily riding interacting with riders of all stripes, and that's the impression that's almost constantly confirmed by daily anecdotes.

Maybe the fat accountant weekend-warrior on the Harley is putting along at only 35mph, but he's also leaving a Hooters happy hour and not wearing a helmet. To me that is infinitely more irresponsible than what I typically see douchebags do at 90 mph. And then that same helmet-less assflower has the nerve to explain to me that "loud pipes save lives." Since when were any of you concerned about safety? Oh right...when it gives you an excuse to be a loud attention whore.

the_vicious_fez: In South Carolina, it's too damn hot for leathers, so the cruiser guys and their gals tend to be more prevalent.

People need to try out the newer mesh gear. Good protection and all the airflow of being naked :)

I find it's actually a bit cooler sometimes to wear a mesh jacket than to go without because it keeps the sun off (and my skin reacts to sunlight like ISO4000 film).

Polish Hussar: My sister-in-law is a medical examiner, one of the items on her list of tips for avoiding ending up on her table is "don't ride motorcycles"

Are you sure she didn't say 'donorcycles'? Because that's one that never gets old.