need opinions, maybe I'm overreacting?!

[richtazz]

I participated in a fundraiser ride for breast cancer this past Saturday (6-20-09). We were one of the first bikes there, and I parked my bike where they asked me to, then went into the dealership to do a little browsing/shopping to kill some time.

When I came out, my bike had been moved. When I say moved I don't mean a couple of feet, I'm talking about 100 ft from where I originally parked it! This was done without my permission or without trying to contact me inside. I was so pissed, that when one of the organizers approached me, I told him I better not find out who moved it or I'll put him in the hospital. I also told him to make sure whomever did it keeps his mouth shut and doesn't try to explain or apologize unless he wants me to kick his A$$. Luckily, it wasn't damaged or someone would be dead and I'd be in jail! If it wasn't a cause I so strongly support (both my aunt and sister are breast cancer survivors, plus as a man I love boobies...) I would have demanded my money back and left.

Now it's always been an unwritten rule in my book that you don't touch another man's wife or motorcycle (with some guys not necessarily in that order). Am I wrong or am I justified in having wanted some vengence here (it's water under the bridge now so I'm over it)? All opinions are welcome.

[aussieidiot]

I'd agree, but I think some people will see it as over reacting.

I wouldn't move anything that belongs to someone else without permission.

As it was a bike related function, they should have known not to touch it but may have thought it was ok because it was a charity function and "we're all bikers".

As for another mans wife..... well thats common practice these days apparently. Just ask my ex wife!

[quick69gto]

I'd have to agree with your response to what happened.
I would be pissed also.

[speediva]

I would have been seriously cheesed off if someone touched my shit without my permission. I think I'm overprotective of my bike because when I have gone to Harley rallies with my boyfriend, he always tells me "just leave it here, no one will touch anything, and if anyone does something to a bike here, they get their ass kicked"... But your story right here is just reinforcement.

[MagicRat]

I completely understand your feelings, but realistically, life is too short to dwell on it much.
Frankly, the worst part about it is to find a big empty spot where your bike used to be.

FWIW you can't change the past, but you can change your feelings about it. Why worry/be angry/develop an ulcer about a past event you can't change. (or someone with a sick sense of humor).
Just learn from the event and use a steering lock. Use a lock to immobilize a wheel (or drive sprocket, given your solid wheels.) if you can't lock it to a solid object.

Over the years, I have had lots of my stuff stolen, including, once, $100,000 worth of construction equipment. All that stuff, including your bike, are just things that can be replaced. It really is not worth stressing yourself over stuff or else you will drive yourself crazy with anger and worry.
FWIW

[jeffcoslacker]

The thing that pisses me off is that it seems to some people that motorcycles aren't "true" vehicles. You see people move them, sit on them to "try it out" without permission or even knowing who owns it...back into them and knock them over, then drive away...etc...

Moving a motor vehicle without the owner's permission is tampering with a motor vehicle, and is a felony. Tell them to chew on that....

One time I came back to a parking lot to find a guy putting his kid on my bike...and the kid dragged his shoe over my Sporty's tank and made a mark across it. I witnessed that from a distance as I walked towards the bike.

When I walked up, helmet in hand, the guy nervously said something like "Sorry...hope it's OK...?" I took a seat on the hood of his Camry and set my helmet down on it kinda hard and said "No...take your time..."

I think he learned something there...

[aussieidiot]

I had a similar situation.

I was getting changed in my workshop with my bike parked at the door. The workshop was in the carpark for the Exhibition centre and The Motor Show was on.

I saw a guy put his kid on my bike and I hit the roof. I abused him and followed him to his car. As he unlocked the car to put his kid in the back seat I jumped in the drivers seat of a very fancy BMW and started playing with everything and not being to careful where I dragged my boots or what the door hit.

Not many people wanna fuck with a 6'4, 220lbs leather clad nutjob!

[richtazz]

At 5'9" and 195 lbs, the nickname Taz fits me. I used to be a fighter, and have taken down men much bigger than myself (hence the nickname). I don't have the intimidation factor of being tall, but I do shave my head and must have a look (especially when I'm pissed) because people have a tendency to give me room when I'm ticked off. Back in my younger days, I'd have tracked this idiot down and gut stomped him. I wouldn't have let it go until I either found him or was escorted out by the police. Luckily, I've matured a bit and didn't take it to that extreme, as there was no damage done to my bike and nothing missing.

I'm not still pissed to the point of being stressed or anything like that, it's just rediculous that someone did this at a biker event when everyone should know better and I wanted some input from others. Thanks for all that have contributed, and keep 'em coming.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by aussieidiot

I saw a guy put his kid on my bike and I hit the roof. I abused him ....

Not many people wanna fuck with a 6'4, 220lbs leather clad nutjob!

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

One time I came back to a parking lot to find a guy putting his kid on my bike...and the kid dragged his shoe over my Sporty's tank and made a mark across it......

I think he learned something there...

If an adult is messing with your bike, sure, go ahead and teach him some manners.

But, imho, children and bikes is a bit different ....... I had a small boy attempt to climb on my bike once when his dad was not looking. I was about 30 ft away, and did not intervene. The dad eventually noticed and was horrified and yelled at the kid. I went over and told him it was okay. I put the boy on the bike and I talked to the kid and dad about the bike and about riding.

Do you know why? Because that little kid obviously liked bikes, but did not have any exposure to them. It was a great way to introduce the kid to bikes and motorcycling in a favorable way. That kid could well be a future rider..... one of us, likely something nobody in his family is. His interest in bikes should be encouraged, and not crushed.

As a father of a young boy who is obsessed with vehicles of all types, I can tell you it was likely not the dad's idea to get the kid on your bikes, the kid started whining and demanding.

Sure, the dads should not have done this and there is NO excuse for his behavior..... but if you make an issue of this, the kid will remember the negative image of a biker for a long time. I don't think its handy for the boy (or, perhaps the dad) to have an image of an angry, intimidating biker as his first strong impression of all riders.

Frankly, there are enough motorcycle-haters out there as it is, we don't need any more.

Finally, take it as a complement...... the kids obviously found your bikes very attractive

Just my

[jeffcoslacker]

I agree to a point, but teaching kids a lack of respect for other's property is wrong, and kids getting the idea that bikes can be climbed onto is bad, not that I want to discourage them, but there is also the very real dangers of getting crushed or burned by one while climbing on.

It also pisses me off when people lean against, sit on, or put items on my car while I'm talking to them. That might have been fine in 1965 when cars were rolled thick, but modern ones dent, crease and scratch with ease. Those days of using the car for a lounge/table are OVER...

I transport cars for a living now, and can't believe how rare common sense about this stuff is. I delivered a 2005 'Vette yesterday to a dealer, and the people in MY CREW came over and started dropping their clipboards on the back of it and leaning against it...I went slightly ballistic...and it wasn't even my car! If the dealer had seen it he would have thought we were a bunch of retards...

The general lack of common sense and respect for other people's stuff drives me crazy sometimes.

Quick funny story. I took my wife to Walgreen's to pick up some stuff once. While there, a lady parked next to me, got out, and hit my car with her door. That was strike one. I grumbled but stayed calm.

When she came back out, she swung the door into my car again, and began putting items in the car, and I could hear her door grating on the side of my car as she leaned in to put stuff on the passenger's side. I finally lost it, put my window down and said "HEY! GET YOUR [very bad word] DOOR OFF MY CAR!!!"

She smiled and gave me the "Just a minute" gesture and continued loading her car.

I was beginning to feel homicidal. Just then my wife came out and got in. The lady was now in her car, preparing to back out. Just out of aggravation, I said "Hit that bitch's car with your door"

To my surprise my wife FLUNG the door open hard, and bashed it into the other car, so hard it made that lady jump in surprise. I was so busy laughing my ass off it didn't even matter that it probably hurt my car worse than the original insult. Then she says "Was that OK? Why'd we do that?"

I didn't think she'd actually do it instantly...it was more of a conversation starter to tell her about what just happened

I'm more careful of what I say to her now...

[jeffcoslacker]

But more to your point...if ANY kid wanted to climb on and check it out WITH PERMISSION...I'd be glad to oblige...and I'd show them the correct way to get on without damaging anything, what's too hot ever trust on a bike, what would make it fall off the stand, etc.

I was riding down in the city one day and this little black kid was following me down the block on his bike and kept saying "Hey...give me ride, man! I wanna ride!"

I told him to ask his mom or dad...he rode furiously back to his house with me following, and asked his mom. She said it was ok, and I ran him around the block a few times. He was screaming and laughing the whole way, and making sure everyone he knew saw him...it was hilarious. I just about had to pry him off the bike when we were done....

Seemed kinda surreal to me...would you let your 8 year old kid get on a bike with a stranger? I must look harmless.....

[richtazz]

I've seen a picture of you Larry, you look like a serial killer....

Seriously though, I would not trust a person I don't know with my child these days no matter how warm and cuddly they look. Remember, Ted Bundy didn't look the part of a serial killer, but......

I have to be extra watchful with kids around my bike. They seem to be attracted to all the chrome, and I'd hate to see them get burned on the pipes. I've let kids sit on it as long as they are calm, well behaved, and ask please. I'm big on respect, of other people and their property.

[aussieidiot]

The day I brought my Blade home, the neighbour just picked her kid up and put him on the bike. No asking first. No asking from the child. Just up and on.
The problem was he just walked through gravel and stones were in his shoe grip. He slid his feet over the tank. Now WTF do you do? Your brand new bike now has hefty scratches in the paint. I was furious and the neighbour just didn't see the issue.

I'll try to find a video on you tube of a couple of drunk sluts trying to sit on some harleys and knocking them over.

[MagicRat]

Good points everyone, and good stories, too

Originally Posted by jeffcoslacker

...would you let your 8 year old kid get on a bike with a stranger? I must look harmless.....

Well, plenty of parents let their kids hang out with Michael Jackson, even after the bad publicity.

Of course, most parents never would do this, but some people (who may not read too many newspapers) grew up in a much more permissive, care-free environment, and thus pass it along to their kids.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by richtazz

I have to be extra watchful with kids around my bike. They seem to be attracted to all the chrome, and I'd hate to see them get burned on the pipes.

Not just kids...

When I had the 1500 Vulcan with single wall drag pipes, they were a bit blue near the head (didn't get the mix quite fat enough initially)...I was at a 7-11, just started it up and was getting my helmet on when this old drunk dude started asking questions about the bike...

He pointed to the blue on the pipes and said "That must get real hot there, huh?" and before I could even say anything, he touched the pipe with the finger he was pointing with ...you could hear it sear the skin, and he jumped back in pain...what a dipshit...

I had that assclown's fingerprint permanently in the pipe finish after that....every time I looked at it, I had to laugh...