[Bikers] Harley Story

[Mark Feit]

Seen on st-owners.com (Wherever you see a "#", think British pounds):

		      Appearences are deceptive

Just a quick story for you...

I decided to take a ride on my ST (02, A2, Red) up and over the Black
Mountains here in Wales (UK) on a cracking sunny day.

Halfway to the start of the mountains, there's a little Bus station
cafe where lots of riders meet for a munch, chat and a cuppa.  I
parked up close to an HD Sportster in an almost empty parking lot and
went for the usual burger and coffee.

I sat there enjoying the sun when 4x 05 Silver ST's turned up and
riders dismounted and headed over. they ordered their food and took
the table opposite and started slating the Harley almost
instantly. After 5 mins or so of HD jokes/derision/laughter, one of
the riders turned round and asked in a real ''holier than thou''
manner how my bike had managed to get to the cafe (obviously thinking
mine was the HD because i have the stereo typical long hair, tattoo's
and unshaven facial features).

Deciding to keep quiet and play along, My response was "She's not as
new as yours, but she'll handle anything yours can at equal or better
pace."  Instant laughter from the toffee nosed snobs started to boil
my blood and i spout "#50 from each of you if i start the run behind
you and end up here first, cash held by cafe owner."  (George is used
to holding betting money.)

Snobs agree so i write the bet form: My bike to finish first to win
all on production of "visit stamps" from fuel stations (notice the
word "bike" NOT HD.  Snobs agree, sign and part with cash.  They
prepare and start off a full 5 mins in front of me, i get going when
they are well out of the way and red line the bike in every gear to
catch sight of them, i catch them riding at a steady 60mph (probably
correct in thinking th HD wouldn't even get to 60!) and get waved past
and keep going to the first petrol station where i pay the 50pence for
the ticket and zip off again.  Across the mountains, they don't even
appear in my mirrors, so i decide to chill out, ease off the revs and
enjoy the views.

I arrived back at the cafe 1hr 35 mins and 4 stamps later and take up
the same seat and await the arrival of the Silver snobs.  They turn up
a good 30 mins behind me and pull in close to the seating area where
they start laughing and saying that "my" HD prob hadn't even started
and it was like taking candy rom a baby"" and approach George. I walk
up and hand over my stamps and the look on their faces when i'm
pronounced the winner and get handed £400 including my cover of #200
(4x#50) They started honking loudly so George says read the bet again
My "bike" to finish first to win all on production of "visit stamps"
from fuel stations.  Snob 1 starts on about the HD not even passing
them anywhere along the run.  George says to me "Go get your lid and
jacket for me."  I walk to my ST, unlock pannier, remove helmet and
walk back to gob smacked Silver St'ers with a smile the size of a
madman.  My first comment to them cut them dead, "See, Red ones ARE
faster."

After they had calmed down a bit and given up on the "we were conned
bit" they started talking jobs, turns out they all were given the ST's
as part of a bonus from a law firms 5 year profit share scheme. They
asked me what i did for a living and i replied "i'm unemployed, not
worked for 10 months, make that 11 thanks to your #200 (i actually got
made redundant 10 months ago and got a huge payout for it so bought my
ST, paid 3 years off my mortgage and ex wife got her dream of a brand
new car, so dont need to work or claim benefits) Snobs were even more
depressed when i told them i'd only passed my test 5 weeks ago and
only had the bike for 4.  As the title, appearances can be deceptive
and can be turned into a benefit.