Several times now in the last few months I have heard people talking about one of their friends say things like “He’s got his wild side - he rides a Harley-Davidson”
And I have never heard this said about anyone younger than 40. Why? Because NOBODY younger than that still thinks Harleys are some “symbol” of anything! Hell, I don’t know anyone younger than 40 who can even afford a Harley! They stopped being a “symbol” of anything except good marketing when their average price edged over $10,000 per!
So, Baby Boomers, cut it out! YOU are the only ones impressed by Harleys anymore, because YOU are the only ones who can even afford to buy them. When I start seeing people young enough to NOT be my parents driving them around, then maybe they’ll mean something again.
The most important add-on for Harley riders nowadays seems to be the web-enabled mobile phone.
Maybe it’s just me but something tells me that when the cost of accessorising actually begins to exceed the cost of the original machine, and when Harley makes more money out of said add-ons then someone is missing the point of it all.
I know a lot of cycle riders. A LOT of them. For the most part, good hearted, intelligent folks.
But a lot of them seem to think that riding is, in and of itself, some sort of symbol re their individuality and independence. The rebel spirit, if you will. But then they all go and act and dress alike. WTF??? Here’s a hint, if your wearing ‘club’ colors, you are wearing a uniform. If you feel the need to have Harley T-shirts and decals when you ride, you’re still pretty much wearing a uniform.
Not that’s a bad thing. But you’ve joined a group rather than asserted your individuality, IMO. Wanna be a rebel? Don’t dress like all the other riders. Wear purple, wear orange, wear something besides black Harley T’s and black leather.
I love to telling this joke to my CPA, who just got a Harley Sportster.
There was a monkey walking throught the jungle one day when he happened upon an elephant stuck in the quick sand. The elephant said to the monkey, “Oh please Mr Monkey can you help me? I will so endebted to you if you could just help me out.” The monkey said "Sure! I can help you out. The monkey turned and left and was gone a great deal of time causing the elephant to wonder if he was going to return. Sure enough after a bit the monkey pulled up in a nice Harley with a rope attached and placed the rope around the elephant and pulled him out of the quick sand. The elephant was so relieved and told the monkey “I am endebted to you. Anytime you need anything, just let me know.”
Sure enough, 3 days go by and the elephant is walking through the jungle and happens upon the monkey sinking in the quick sand. He says to the elephant, “Please Mr Elephant, can you please help me out of this quick sand.” The elephant responded and said “Sure!”. He proceeded over to the monkey stradling the quick sand pit, lowering his penis in and telling the monkey to grab on. The monkey grabs on and the elephant pulls him to safety.
In a sense, any motorbike is about individuality. No passengers (preferably - well they can be nice, at times, but you know what I mean), the wide open road, the direct contact with the surroundings, the communication with the tarmac… it’s all there on any bike.
I’ve riden a Harley for a day. It definitely isn’t “me”. Too much noise in comparison with its poor performance, bad seating position, BAAAD brakes. But hey, if it works for someone else, more power to them.
No, they’re not a symbol of rebellion, and yes, they are very overprices. So are many Italian sports bikes, BTW. But I could see myself buying one of those, because I happen to think they’re the bee’s knees. Or perhaps the dog’s bollocks, even.
Back when my father was going through his midlife crisis, he decided that like all good babyboomers, it was time to buy himself a motorcycle. Like any good daughter, I felt it was my duty to tag along on this trip. To offer moral support, guidance, and, you know, laugh at him. He strides proudly and stridently onto the lot, skillfully appraising the bikes parked in lines all around him. A big burly man walks up to him, eyes his military haircut and his military-issued black glasses and sneers, “May I help you, sir?” Dad calmly replies, “I wanna buy a bike, man.”
“What kind of bike do you want, sir?”
“A Harley. Or else a Hog.”
That was an 883 Sportster, Coldy. Poor excuse for a Harley Davidson. I hope you have learned your lesson. Big Twin or walk (or in your case, sport bike).
But a Harley Davidson is an American Motorcycle with nearly 100 years behind it. Status symbol, not rebellion. Unless you are a One Percenter, of course.
Yeah! That’s what I want to do, communicate with tha tarmac. (When I feel that need, I’ll wear thin-soled shoes and walk across it rather than putting myself in a position to kiss it.)
UncleBill, I know I rode the lowliest of Harleys. But the points about the seating position, the unwillingness to corner, and the poor brakes are -at least to an extent- somewhat universal for Harleys. Doesn’t make it a bad bike per se, but it DOES make it unsuitable to the way I like to ride. Again, it is in direct comparison with what I normally ride: a Yamaha Diversion (Seca II). Hardly an R1, but a lot more “fun” to me.
Kinda like you wouldn’t fully enjoy the scream of a four cilinder Jap redlining under full acceleration.
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I have to agree with the OP that Harley Davidson is no longer the symbol of rebellion. On the other hand Harley Davidson the company has done a brilliant job of marketing themselves. They have turned a company that was on the brink of disaster into a money making machine. At the same time they have given up their rebel image for the image of a painted whore who will put its name on silk boxers, teddy bears, and Eau du Toillete.
But hey, the plant is still open, they employ lots of people and contribute in that way.
BTW I ride and maintain my 1979 Triumph Bonneville 750. I wouldn’t be able to do the same on a new Harley, and don’t care to even try.
My only beef with Harley Riders is that some - not all by a long shot - look down on other bikes and their riders with disdain. I’m not sure that it is justified. If it is about the quality of the bikes, well, the Harley is a decent bike, but the Europeans do a pretty damn good job (seen those Ducatis lately?), and if you want reliability, Japanese bikes are the tops. If it’s about the image…as in “You can’t be a bad ass if you’re not on a Harley”…well fuck you loser go put on your Eau du Toilette. I heard that there were Aromatherapy Candles that Harley licensed, but I couldn’t find them on the web.
Just because you drive a Harley does not mean you are a Hell’s Angel.
Have a nice day everybody and keep the rubber on the road.
