Harley tours

I gotta' say, some of the other manufacturers could take
a page out of the Harley marketing manual(s).

They(Harley) certainly are pushing the whole experience
with tours of various plants, domestic/international locale,
and company sponsored rentals(can you say FHA) for
further promotion of sales.

Maybe it's because, as far as I know, Harley doesn't
make anything other than motorcycles. Of course, they
manufacture/license everything from underwear to sun-
glasses emblazoned with the HD logo. But, unlike Honda
and Suzuki who also make automobiles, as well as Kaw-
asaki Industries who makes everything from bullet trains
to enormous construction equipment, Harley's business
model is focused only on motorcycles.

Of course, Yamaha also has a wide diversity of business
also.

I've also gotta' admit that the model seems to work well
for Harley, regarding customer loyalty. No scientific poll
here but, based on the experiences related to me by many
Harley owners, concerning dealership treatment, I just
can't seem to understand why they return.

However, they still do return. I saw 3 brand new Harley's
just this evening. They were all dolled up with the latest
accessories in chrome and various finishes. The bikes
are absolutely gorgeous.

I can say that my neighbors are unknowingly grateful that
I don't ride a Harley. As people who generally judge a
motorcyclist as the typical criminal element, I can imagine
what type of reception I'd receive if I were to come roar-
ing around generating the typical Harley exhaust note.

I don't know if Harley allows riders of other makes on
their guided tours. My sense says no, but it certainly may
be possible.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Motorcycle_Tours/guided_tours.jsp?locale=en_US

 

It does show the ignorance of the american people.

 

I dunno', I kinda' think that those that grew up on the
Harleys are hard to move to another brand. Not that
they would/should have to, but they've certainly gone
through some tuff times in the past(AMF?).

I guess I'm quite similar. I grew up on UJM's(Honda),
and generally not too open to another make. Like all
here(I suspect), I've also experienced dealer antics
that probably should have diminished my loyalty, but
didn't.

I've certainly been "ragged on" relentlessly to buy Harley
at times, by my Harley buddies. But, I just can't cross
that bridge.

As far as I can tell, there's really no financial incentive
to purchase an upscale UJM opposed to an upscale
Harley, these days.(reference Goldwing vs. Harley
counterpart?)


Thanks,

Gary

 

gary walker said (in part)
''I can say that my neighbors are unknowingly grateful that I don't ride
a Harley.
As people who generally judge a motorcyclist as the typical criminal
element,
I can imagine what type of reception I'd receive if I were to come roar-
ing around generating the typical Harley exhaust note.




Gary, Gary..... I disagree about the insenuation that the public judges
us as typical criminals''.
Not any more, not since Honda came to town. ''Remember their first
slogan...''You meet the nicest people on a Honda''.....and not since
''Judges, lawyers, welders, insurance salesmen, minsters, doctors,
plumbers, barbers, air craft techs, computer techs/nerds,walmart
greeters,railroad retirees, and you name 'em''; started buying
motorcycles, and wearing the bike gear, with a smile----------yep, we're
part of society. We're looked up to, actually.
Gary, you do indeed need to go on a bike tour, see for yourself, how
you would be accepted and even admired.
(its the truth, my good man) ---chuckle--

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
03Valk-&-98 Magna
Have a Dandy Day--

 

--Gary respond to Ed; ''I dunno', I kinda' think that those that grew up
on the Harleys are hard to move to another brand.
Not that they would/should have to, but they've certainly gone through
some tuff times in the past(AMF?).

I guess I'm quite similar. I grew up on UJM's(Honda), and generally not
too open to another make. Like all here(I suspect), I've also
experienced dealer antics that probably should have diminished my
loyalty, but didn't.

I've certainly been "ragged on" relentlessly to buy Harley at times, by
my Harley buddies. But, I just can't cross that bridge.
As far as I can tell, there's really no financial incentive to purchase
an upscale UJM opposed to an upscale Harley, these days.(reference
Goldwing vs. Harley counterpart?)
Thanks,
Gary



It all boils down to personal preference. It has always been that way..
I know guys who are ate up with the notion, it has gotta be a
ford.-----period.

They are gonna drive some kind of Ford.

Same with Chevy, Dodge, whatver.

Those types wouldnt dare own a ''foreign'' made vehicle.

Thats the American way....say what you want, and buy what ya' want.

-----Reminds Me of:------
Of A friend who was a ''Union Electrician'' for 35 years. He was, a,
Union, man.

He said he's seen Guys, rip up, turn over, bang up, a new guys Foreign
vehicle, when the feller showed up at a Job Site.

(I dont think it was quite that extreme, but he did say they did mess
with his Foreign Truck enough that guys like that either quit, or got
rid of the Foreign truck, and got 'ema Ford or something USA made)

(anyway, this popped into me little mind)
<g>

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
03Valk-&-98 Magna
Have a Dandy Day--

 

I was raised to buy smart,think about your decissions and don't make the
same mistake twice or the one others make.I was a "GM" person for years but
switched because of quality.Everyone is not like me.I understand that.We all
live with our decisions.Life goes on.

 

And BJ tries tyo convince Gary that he is not a hoodlum.

 

Oh yeah? Ride a bike to a business meeting, funeral, a
job interview, a wedding(yours <g>), and see what type
of reception is afforded you, albeit covert.

Add a typical Harley exhaust, a couple of rebel flags or
bandanas, and throw in some strategically installed skull-
craft, and I think you get the picture.

Gary

 

--
Ed Hart
The supreme irony of life is that hardly
anyone gets out of it alive.

old Harley stereotype is gone.All kinds of people ride bikes.BUT,we have to
look our best for others in public.

 

Business meetings with Pablo Escobar types do not count

 

Those old stereotypes of riders died a long time ago.

Like you, I often ride to business meetings and on many occasions I am
not the only one showing up on a bike.

I have ridden to job interviews, funerals and weddings. The weddings
and funerals were not my own. Never have I received a negative
response. Quite the opposite in fact.

Bear in mind I do not dress up in a typical biker wannabe clown
costume when I ride. My riding gear is chosen for comfort and
protection. Function over form.


--


24 hours in a day
&
24 beer in a case

Coincidence?

I think not

 

I'm really glad to hear that. Although my business meeting
experience is a little dated, your experience is much differ
ent than I recall.

 

Thanks, for your comments.


Gary

 

Ed, me two
I was raised to give it one more day, to think about, especially if it
involves over $100. Yor’ folks raised a pretty good feller, in my
estimation.
heh-heh

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
03Valk-&-98 Magna
Have a Dandy Day--

 

We were that way because we were always broke.Not much money to raise a
family on.

--
Ed Hart
The supreme irony of life is that hardly
anyone gets out of it alive.

Ed, me two
I was raised to give it one more day, to think about, especially if it
involves over $100. Yor' folks raised a pretty good feller, in my
estimation.
heh-heh

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
03Valk-&-98 Magna
Have a Dandy Day--

 

said (in Part)

-Gary, you do indeed need to go on a bike tour, see for yourself, how
you would be accepted and even admired.
(its the truth, my good man)   ---chuckle--
B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
03Valk-&-98 Magna
Have a Dandy Day--


~GaryWalker shares this with BJAY:
Oh yeah? Ride a bike to a business meeting, funeral, a job interview, a
wedding(yours <g>), and see what type of reception is afforded you,
albeit covert.

Add a typical Harley exhaust, a couple of rebel flags or bandanas, and
throw in some strategically installed skull- craft, and I think you get
the picture.
Gary)




Gary,
hail' yeah, I've seen all that at "rallys''.

Shoot, the way I dress when I go to them Rallys you'd swear that-
''there's an old Motorcycle thug'', (look at him)
''and'' hes got 'em a Bitch on the back. (chuckle)

Nah, you still dont get it Gary, you need to ride off somewhere, and get
away from them Sonics.

The riders you described above dont ride on ''no'' real Rides, they just
congregate.

LOL.

over?

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
03Valk-&-98 Magna
Have a Dandy Day--

 

Big (goodlooking) Ed said:
old Harley stereotype is gone.All kinds of people ride bikes.BUT,we have
to look our best for others in public.


That's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me
Honda.

(Shoot Ed, you on that goodlooking ''scooter' of yours, I imagine every
walk of life would look upon it, as a work of God.)

We've had little ol' ladies walk up and really look over our Motorcycle,
and brag, and say ''shore' is shinny'' son.

Even though I did have a do'do' rag on.

hehehehehehe, I'll d'clare.

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
03Valk-&-98 Magna
Have a Dandy Day--

 

Damn glad I wasnt raised that way..If I wait one more day, that would
screw up my pre-buy deal and I would only have one of everything
instead of two or four.

Redshad

 

Calgary adds: ''Bear in mind I do not dress up in a typical biker
wannabe clown costume when I ride. My riding gear is chosen for comfort
and protection. Function over form.




You were doing well Don, till you typed
''biker wannabe clown' costume'.

You should meet MorganKane, and others of us on here. Then pardner, I
bet you'd smile when you say that.

my nickels worth.

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
03Valk-&-98 Magna
Have a Dandy Day--

 

GaryWalker goes on to say"
MorganKane,I'm really glad to hear that. Although my business meeting
experience is a little dated, your experience is much differ ent than I
recall.


business meeting of plumbers, or stockbrokers, probably wouldnt make any
difference these days, IMO.

B. Jay Kana--
NETexas
03Valk-&-98 Magna
Have a Dandy Day--