Irrespsonsible Advertising

Message

Amdonim · #1 Post by **Amdonim** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:59 am

I'll go ahead and say I have no problem with Harley bikes, though I'm not a huge fan. What I have noticed around Houston that bugs the hell out of me is the rampant amount of advertising from Harley that promote all the wrong things. There's three instances in particular that bug me. The first is a sign that states in giant bold letters "Real Male Enhancement". Another related one I heard on hold at a local shop here. It was basically saying that if you aren't "cool" you can become cool by purchasing a Harley. The last thing the motorcycling world needs is a bunch of squids making the rest of us look like "Donut Holes". The third one is a giant picture of a guy riding in a Harley t-shirt and a bandana. Again, the last thing the motorcycling world needs is companies normalizing not wearing gear. I'm not sure if any other companies do it, but I'm pretty sure most of the Honda ads I've seen picture guys wearing leather riding jackets and full face helmets. What do you guys think? Have you had similar experiences, or do you think I'm being overly critical

zbyrd · #2 Post by **zbyrd** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:39 am

I'm with you 100%. It is the company's responsibility to promote safe riding for riding's sake, not so you will be cooler than all your friends, etc. Endangering your customers by presenting an unsafe habit as "cool" is simply unethical. Doing so in the name of selling a product is even worse.

Harley gets a big "BOOOOOOOO" on this one.

mazer · #3 Post by **mazer** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:03 am

AGREED 100%
You should write a letter to the company.

koji52 · #4 Post by **koji52** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:19 am

1. Eh, it isn't the MoCo's responsibility to promote safe riding. That's taken care of through personal choices and state laws. Why does HD need to promote wearing a helmet when many states do not require it?

You forget that HD is a company owned by thousands of people who want to make a profit. The Company can advertise however it needs to generate the biggest benefit for its shareholders. While wearing gear is smart (i wear gear) it may not be the best advertising strategy. Many ads I see, however, do in fact show guys in leathers and a helmet. Maybe the one you looked at was a local ad issued by the local dealer??? I don't know, but blaming HD for people not wearing gear and riding unsafely based on the images of those ads is just plain dumb in my eyes...it's like blaming McDonalds for using skinny people in their ads and producing fatness in people. Ride without gear and be cool; eat McD's and be happy like these skinny people. It's a personal choice to ride with or without gear or eat ridiculously unhealthy food.

To my knowledge HD does not sell non-DOT approved helmets. The Company sells both half and full-face helmets. If you rent a bike from HD you are required to leave the premises wearing a DOT approved helmet. I just don't see where HD is promoting unsafe riding.

2. There's already an abundant number of squids out there making the rest of us look like jerks.

3. Write a letter to the MoCo? Oh please, write a letter to your Congressman first about helmet laws and the like.

Amdonim · #5 Post by **Amdonim** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:24 am

I know the message on hold was definitely the work of a local shop, I don't know about the billboard. I saw another one in a magazine. It showed a girl getting ready to ride in a bandana and a shirt or something. But at the top in like size 1 font it said something to the tune of "always wear helmets, protective clothing and ensure your passenger does as well". It would be nice if that message made it farther than fine print. Sales or otherwise.

Personally, given the brand loyalty to Harley, I think more exposure in their ads of riders wearing real protective gear and full face helmets might actually convince others to do so as well. You can look seriously badass doing so on a Harley, I've seen it done in magazines.

I really don't like the idea of legislating what should be common sense. I think it's the responsibility of the motorcycling world to try to improve the image and ideas of motorcycling. It's not the 60s anymore. Motorcycling has change since the days when all that was around were over-glorified bicycle helmets and leather vests. Back in the 20s and 30s, no one even thought about safety gear till T.E. Lawrence parked his Brough Superior in a tree and the coroner realized "Hey, this was a preventable death." The times have changed and I think the industry should change with them. Plus, if a rider totals his bike and comes out unscathed, that's anywhere from $10 to $20k of insurance money they're likely to get for a new mount.

Just my two cents.

HYPERR · #6 Post by **HYPERR** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:49 am

They are clearly targeting the mid life crisis facing middle aged male who is considering a motorcycle for the first time; which is a big chunk of the HD demographics.

Gunslinger · #7 Post by **Gunslinger** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:26 pm

I don't know that HD has a duty either ethically or morally to promote safe riding. There are alot of people out there that feel they need to be told what to do. I suppose seeing someone all geared up in a motorcycle ad would push these types in that direction. For myself I just know it's the right thing to do. I see your point Amdomin, and I see HD and non-HD riders without gear all the time. I don't agree with it but I have always said it should be personal choice and not mandated.

You should send a letter to HD, seriously. It would be interesting to see what their position is on their own advertising.

Ryethil · #8 Post by **Ryethil** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 1:36 pm

Okay, step back a minute and look at the facts...

Texas, in its infinite wisdom, decided that helmets (or any safety gear) were not necessary. They instead required all that rode a motorcycle without a helmet to have $10,000 in assets that could be used in case of an accident. The motorcycle could be used as the basis of these assets.

This bill won in both the chambers of the legislature and in the popularity polls of state voters. It was held as constitutional by the State Supreme Court and allowed to stand by tthe US Supreme Court. It was the resounding defeat of several special interest groups and was hailed as a people's freeedom victory.

Now to the present...

Motorcycles are about "freedom" and as the Founding Fathers of the United States said that ( I paraphrase) the right to stupidity was as guarenteed as was the right to wisdom.

For years I have worn gear even when it is 104 or so. I'm alive, though in the hospital, because I had accident that I had no where to go. But I'm alive.

I'm a Paramedic and I deal with a lot of motorcycle accidents. I also keep up with statistics as well as how to deal wiith people severly traumatised by the results of an accident. The group in Texas most likely "NOT" to wear gear is sportbikes with or without squids attached. The group most likely to wear helmets is touring motorcycles which in Texas are predominately Harleys.

Now you say that you are incensed by a Harley billbord that promoted "Male Enhancement". I'm a woman and I find that funny and will still ride Harleys when I get out of this hospital.

When is the last time you saw an advertisement for anything to do with motorcycles in Texas that showed the rider wearing safety gear.

So all this sounds like to me is more Harley bashing. As for why, it's probably by people who are just as company senstive as they say Harley owners are.

BTW, Like I said I was wearing gear. A kneepad failed and I trashed my knee. I don't feel it was the pad's fault. It simply the force of the blow and the luck of the draw. I will still wear gear but something may fail the next time too. It won't stop me from wearing gear and riding motorcycles. For in the end it is up to each of us to take care of ourselves and if we do that, so many less people will be hurt unecessarily.

:rockon:

havegunjoe · #9 Post by **havegunjoe** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:50 am

First I think the “Male Enhancement” add is funny which is what it is meant to be. HD promotes a lifestyle which includes their bikes and all the fashions that go with them. Their bikes for example are loud by design so that everyone knows it is a Harley coming down the road, look at me. The, “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda” adds are out of style. The I’m bad, Sons of Anarchy image is in. Their duty is to make money and I have seen ads of theirs with leather and helmets too. I don’t’ think they have done anything wrong.

Gummiente · #10 Post by **Gummiente** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:42 am

havegunjoe wrote:Their bikes for example are loud by design

No, they are not. The bikes all meet current DOT and EPA regulations for noise and emissions. It's the owners who replace the stock mufflers with loud aftermarket mufflers that make all the noise.