Re: Just more reasons to not like
This is a really good point. I live in Virginia, about 10 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bikers seem to be pretty well respected by most in this region -- riders bring a lot of money to businesses along the Parkway. The only time I think people really get pissed is when riders greatly exceed the 45 MPH Parkway speedlimit (I try only to do this when it is deserted).
However, I think the bike does have something to do with how you are perceived. When my wife and I rode our HD Electra Glide Ultra Classic (Harley's big touring bike with stereo, intercom, etc.), we would get the royal treatment wherever we went. When we visited Buffalo, Niagara, Vermont, etc., parking lot attendants would often let us park up front. People driving Toyota Camries would ask us about our trip. When I ride my Buell, however, I get a lot more dirty looks. No front parking spaces, to say the least. The only people that seem interested are motorcycle guys and teenage males that want to know how fast it goes.
Even when I rode the Harley solo, I got less positive treatment than I did with my wife. My point is this: people are scared of the unknown. When they saw my wife and I on a luxury touring bike -- especially when we pulled a trailer behind it -- they saw us as a couple on vacation. When I ride my Buell, I am seen as a hooligan. The problem with gang incidents is that it informs the public that bikers are hooligans, not normal people enjoying a different mode of transportation. Single males on cruisers with straight pipes or own sport bikes would seem to be the ones that would engender the most fear. I think this is ridiculous, but to counter it I go out of my way to be nice to people when I am on my bike.