Gregg,
You must be hanging around the HOG owners group. That is where I found guys with that attitude and a 2 year old bike with 5000 miles on it. (hard core) Most of the older old school guys had sportsters in the 60s and 70s. big twins as I understand were considered your Dads bike. at least around Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit. 71 when the 1st super glides came out started the change.
Maybe it was the windshield that made them think it was a girls bike.