With all the negativity toward motorcyclists that we face around the country I am really surprised that HD released something like this. Or am I just getting old?
www.livingbyit.com
Linda
Ya, you probably are getting old, but what is your point? They are advertising individuality in numbers, and using the reputation of 1%er's to sell their product. It's a costume party. They even got the bitches riding their own bikes.
I thought is a little corny, but true is some ways.
Realistically, I suspect the only people who will see it are motorcycle riders.
Of course, I also ride a Harley, so.........
Originally written by gregbenner on 9/28/2006 4:12 PM
I thought is a little corny, but true is some ways.
Realistically, I suspect the only people who will see it are motorcycle riders.
Of course, I also ride a Harley, so.........
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Greg, My first bike was a Harley, I love'm, IMO it was irrisponsible advertising. As I said before, so many folks individually and through organizations are working hard to put a positive light on the motorcycle industry and then you see this negative advertising. It concerns me. It's over the top IMO. I admit, I have very loud pipes, I wear a beanie, I'm not a poster child but this was extreme IMO. Thats all.
OK, I listened to it again. Assuming we are listening to the same thing, its just voices saying they beleive in freedom and independence, dislike for the system. Melodramatic I think, but didn't ssem like it would offend anyone?
Not so much disagrreing with you, just not sure why you think it puts motorcycling in a poor light.
Actually Hsrley seems to be taking some positive steps, apparantly they will no longer sell the loud pipe for their bikes. Nt a big deal, but at least a start.
As well as the fact it's apparently only on the H-D web site so aimed at a targeted audience, those who go to the site in search of things Harley. Not intended for prime time TV. But regardless of that, it isn't about turning people into hoodlums or 1%ers any more than the Marlboro man was about turning people into cowboys... It's about making money for the Motor Company and some ad agency thought this might work...
Well my intent in posting it wasn't to start bantering by any means. I have come to realize though, I must be more conservative than I thought and apparently some of my old timer HD rider friends who were taken a back by it, which surprised even me... That video would have been good with their version of a "HD bikers prayer" up to the point that they said "Stick it to the Man", that is where I felt it was irresponsible and not to be so cool any longer.
I'm glad we live in a free country so we can have this conversation and agree to disagree. That makes life good.
Regards
Linda
Originally written by OlBroad on 9/28/2006 6:33 PM
Well my intent in posting it wasn't to start bantering by any means. I have come to realize though, I must be more conservative than I thought and apparently some of my old timer HD rider friends who were taken a back by it, which surprised even me... That video would have been good with their version of a "HD bikers prayer" up to the point that they said "Stick it to the Man", that is where I felt it was irresponsible and not to be so cool any longer.
I'm glad we live in a free country so we can have this conversation and agree to disagree. That makes life good.Regards
Linda
You aren't alone. I'm old enough to remember when the Harley Dealers would make us to park modified bikes around the corner from the shop because they didn't want people driving by to get the wrong impression about bikers. And when those same dealers would lecture us on scored cylinders and warped valves for altering our exhaust systems. The times are a changing.
Originally written by SidecarMike on 9/28/2006 7:37 PM
Originally written by OlBroad on 9/28/2006 6:33 PM
Well my intent in posting it wasn't to start bantering by any means. I have come to realize though, I must be more conservative than I thought and apparently some of my old timer HD rider friends who were taken a back by it, which surprised even me... That video would have been good with their version of a "HD bikers prayer" up to the point that they said "Stick it to the Man", that is where I felt it was irresponsible and not to be so cool any longer.
I'm glad we live in a free country so we can have this conversation and agree to disagree. That makes life good.Regards
Linda
You aren't alone. I'm old enough to remember when the Harley Dealers would make us to park modified bikes around the corner from the shop because they didn't want people driving by to get the wrong impression about bikers. And when those same dealers would lecture us on scored cylinders and warped valves for altering our exhaust systems. The times are a changing.
When I heard the part about "sticking it the man" I took it as a spoof on the cell phne add ((Ithink it was a cell phone)where the executive says he likes sticking it to the man and the junior exec reminds him he is the man...
Funny how sometimes different people can interpret things so differently..
In any case, I agree with your conclusions...
harley has "sold out" a long time ago and now is trying to "cash in" on the original customer base that they had abandoned for wall street. this video is a prime example of their bs marketing. look at the boutique style harley shops that are like mcdonalds from city to city. all the same. look at the new riders that buy a new fatboy and ride around in shorts and penny loafers. it makes me want to puke. i ride a hd/hd rig. my next bike will not be a twin from the motor co. i am through with them.
shortcut, took you long enough to get it. I ride in tennis shoes and sandals so I see you got a stuck idea there. The point is you are not practicing Individuality by riding the same thing as every one else and going to the same place, at twice the price. I know some old timers that still play the costume bit, they just don't know you can change your mind from the way you thought when you were 12-18. Whatever makes you feel good I say.
Hey, what's wrong with wearing what you want when you're riding. I thought riding was about being free! Who makes the rules that dictate what you have wear to ride? If you ride a motorcycle, you're a motorcyclist. The kind of bike you ride, or how much money you have doesn't matter.
Harley is in business to make money, period. Ha, they are one of the best there is at marketing. All kinds of dummies(IMHO) pay big bucks to advertise for them when they buy all the clothes and other crap that Harley sells with its name on them. But hey, you can't blame them for selling what people are willing to buy at ten times+ its real value.
You really don't have to be an outlaw to ride a Harley!
Connie sez: "Harley is in business to make money."
I sez: "Unlike every other Marque? Have you priced all the other Moto Co's. accessories and collectables?"
Connie sez: "You really don't have to be an outlaw to ride a Harley."
I sez: "No, and you don't have to be a Cowboy to wear chaps, but it sure helps."
Too bad the Motor Company doesn't get a rake off on Harley tatoos. They'd make a killing there.
I almost got a foot torn off when T-boned by a '78 Chrysler 15 years ago so I'm a firm believer in boots. The wreck even scratched my HA Beanie while I was skidding along the pavement and tore up a perfectly good (licensed) Harley T-shirt along with a hunk of my back. Luckily my Langlitz 10 pocket jacket wasn't damaged. Safely bungeed to my luggage rack. Those things are pricey.
Smiling,
Lonnie
I was at the M/c shop some years ago and few drunken HD riders pulled up. I knew a couple of them. One kid on a sportster saw my HD watch cap and says "that ain't a Harley." This was after the stars went out of my eye's, and I bought a Royal Star, This clown is aways in Jail so I know he never rides anywhere, except the bar.
While we are on the subject I still have a few dealership T's that did not rot off my body if anyone is in the market.
Connie sez, "Lonnie you had better be smiling!"
You can get things torn off even if you aren't riding a Harley! My husband nearly lost a leg in a dispute with a Rambler. He wasn't riding a Harley, it was a Triumph. The first bike that I was ever on was a Harley, but it wasn't the only bike. Harley is a choice, but not the only choice, and definitely not the only or best motorcycle. They are, however, about the best there is at selling all kinds of other junk having nothing whatsoever to do with motorcycling for exorbitant prices (IMHO). Hey, I like Harleys, but I don't worship them! I ride a Goldwing, but I don't have anything about Goldwings tattooed on my body or written on my underwear. I do have one shirt with Goldwing embroidered on the pocket; a shirt which was given to me by a friend. I own my motorcycle, my motorcycle doesn't own me, and neither does the company that makes it. Connie sez while exiting with tongue in cheek!
