Dale gets it.........

If you want a good laugh head down to your local watering hole that caters to the " biker crowd " on karaoke night.
Count how many of them have a leather vest on for no reason other than to try and imitate the look of a member of a three piece patch club.It's true entertainment........

Now, all I was trying to say is once any company changes to try and attract the masses they risk alienating their core followers period

Sure all companies other than the ones propped up by the feds feel the pinch...

but look in the stands ( not the garage ) of a Nascar race that is not a traditional track lots of empty seats..... Hence the term fad fade.

verticaltwin wrote:

QUOTE:
Whats all this nonsense about? HD is fine! They just had an ad in our newspaper about how they aren't like the corporate losers, they will still loan a hard working American money so he can buy a Harley!! The bottom line said "Screw it, lets ride!"

They got our backs... B)

Kyle#44x

The issue is the shrinking base of Hard Wroking American's, and most of the baby boomers already have their favorite FUN toys. And the kids left behind want performance, milage and FUN.. And the closest Harley has come to the fun factor is come from Eric and the Buell's

WildWill wrote:

QUOTE:
You can't be cool unless you wear Nike shoes, smoke Marlboro's and drink imported beer.
_________________________________________________

Wow So My Wife Is cool because she smokes Marlboros,
my Grandkids are Cool because They wear Nikes,
and My daughter is Cool becuase she drinks imported Beer.

There in lies my COOL Problem.

I smoke Sport Lights Cigarettes (Cheap)
I wear shoes from Walmart (Cheap)
and I drink Dr. Pepper, (Cheap)

Oh Well Got to save money somewhere so they can Smoke those Marlboros, wear the Nikis and Drink That Imported Beer.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Willard Kelley
aka
Wild Will

WW you need to stay way clear of WalMart??? I know you wouldn't want to live or work under the conditions then people do that made those shoes, now would you??? Where was your favorite lawn mower racer made???

Lineaweaver wrote:

QUOTE:
Hi Tor,
I estimate 80% of my road bike clientele are posers attempting to portray a lifestyle. ( primarlily HD and sport-bike owners. )

It takes many of my clients a block to get the landing gear up ( their feet shod in giant white tennis shoes )

Most of said bikes get ridden less than a thousand miles each year.

In my opinion these people have simply purchased a lifestyle in order to fit in.

HD Motor-clothes and HD brand trinkets come to mind.
I believe more profit is turned via such items than bikes and replacement parts combined.

Of course it works. Just not for me.

QUOTE:
What would be wrong with a world where you "can't be cool unless you wear a" Springfield Mile shirt?

Variety is cool! Being a clone is not. ( my opinion )

QUOTE:
If they did, Dale, you would be able to get the sponsors you would like to have for your BMW effort. Because those sponsors are NOT INTERESTED IN THE PURITY OF FLAT TRACK, they are interested in the guy with the beer belly and the chicks that dig flat track

.

Very true!
However, Such is not for me and goes against my personal moral code of ethics.

( Such is why I am a mechanical engineer and not in sales and / or marketing )

Note:
I loved Sturgis when it was like an old west cow town!
Now such is simply a theme park complete with baby change stations.

Believe it or not, once upon a time, Daytona was actually about racing.
On the beach no less. :ohmy:

Now such appears to be more about fake boobs, unrideable motorcycles and drunken spring break college brats.

Respectfully
Dale

Ouch you hit your nail smack on the head, and it was myhead!!! I'm still trying to figure out my inheritance, my brother's HUGE 800+ pound Harley Road King Screaming Eagle.. I even bought a Harley jacket in my size and an open face helmet, haven't worn one of them since 1970 or so?? Just trying to tune my Harley persona But I have the felling it's not my thing?? Next Spring will tell, maybe the Harely will have to go, cause I don't think riding an 800 pound rock is my style??? Maybe I'm just refusing to grow old???

Lineaweaver wrote:

QUOTE:


113" Nitrous Roadking.

Less than one thousand miles each year.

Looks cool sitting in the garage or out in front of the local pub.

Great $100,000.00 conversation piece.

Wealthy man?
Nope. Simply a working class hero.

Dale

Some how I don't thnk I would want to pull the trigger on that bomb.. The attached photo is of my brother on his beloved Road King on one of his last rides on it..

Bultacoslider wrote:

QUOTE:
WildWill wrote:

QUOTE:
You can't be cool unless you wear Nike shoes, smoke Marlboro's and drink imported beer.
_________________________________________________

Wow So My Wife Is cool because she smokes Marlboros,
my Grandkids are Cool because They wear Nikes,
and My daughter is Cool becuase she drinks imported Beer.

There in lies my COOL Problem.

I smoke Sport Lights Cigarettes (Cheap)
I wear shoes from Walmart (Cheap)
and I drink Dr. Pepper, (Cheap)

Oh Well Got to save money somewhere so they can Smoke those Marlboros, wear the Nikis and Drink That Imported Beer.:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Willard Kelley
aka
Wild Will

WW you need to stay way clear of WalMart??? I know you wouldn't want to live or work under the conditions then people do that made those shoes, now would you??? Where was your favorite lawn mower racer made???

:S

But Ray, When I buy My Shoes at Walmart They last longer than My Grandkids Nikis, which I also Bought.

Mine were made in China, and their Nikis were made in India so what's the difference.

But The difference in Price I can Buy enough gas to go to Two VDTRA Races.

Pure Economics to me, after all I only wear the Walmart shoes until I put my racing gear on Anyway,
and I am not trying to pick up Chics.

Oh yes, and My Favorite racing Lawnmower is a SNAPPER and was Made in The USA a Long time ago. lol

Willard Kelley
aka
Wild Will

Hi Ray,
Don't get me wrong.

A well tuned HD RK is an excellent motorcycle for it's intended purpose.

One may ride in comfort for hours simply enjoying the world around them.

Such being said a fair percentage of folks do indeed purchase motorcycles to fit in and / or use as a status symbol. Many owners don't even enjoy riding...

The HD RK really is a joy to liesurely ride through the countryside.
Spirited riding is a completely different matter. LOL

Give your late brothers beloved HD a chance.
You may fall in love with it.

Cheers!
Dale

Ray, I gotta chime in with Dale here: The RK will suck until you get it rolling...who wants to baslance 800#? Once she's rolling it's a completely different thing.

Roll up VT100 at 55-60 mph, or across US 2 or 4, you will get it pretty quick: it will go where you want, is so stable and comfy that you will get to enjoy the world around you. Enjoy.

Canyon carver? No way! The floorboards and crash bars will be scrapin before you get any joy. Who cares? Enjoy it for what it is: geezermobile for rubberneckin thru this beautiful world....lol. Nothing wrong with getting old...the alternative is what sux.