Brand loyalty preventing ability to ride...

[ronboskz650sr]

Let me begin by stating, for the record...I like Harleys. I like all bikes, and would have many if I could, all different, all cool. There.

Wednesday at church, a friend of mine looked at one of the bikes in the parking lot, and said.."well that's not a bike, it's a Honda" (it was a Suzuki). Then he pointed at all the bikes, one at a time, and proclaimed their non-bike status (three Kawasakis, and the Suzuli Madura 1200 ). He said, "Ive had'em all and the Harley is the only real bike."

Then came the kicker..."If I ever had another bike, it would have to be a Harley, but I know I never will, because they're just too espensive now." The rest of what he said could start an arguement about American parts content (he is aware, BTW), "Buying the name, not the bike" (His words, not mine, I think Harley has done a great job marketing their product line, kudos to them), and "Putting your _ _ _ on glass" (no polite way to say it...he said, as he said it).

I politely answered, "well, I'm just glad to be riding. My bike is the bike I can afford, and I wouldn't be riding either, otherwise." He said, "I don't mean to offend you or anything, and I replied, "you didn't...I don't really care at all what anybody rides." Then he said.."when are we going to get together and play harmonicas?" We will pretty soon, but isn't it ironic how a brand loyalty keeps him from riding?

We are just now getting enough riders to begin motorcycle ministry group. I'm hoping this might change his mind and get him out there with us.

Again, this is not a Harley bashing post...I think they're great.

[Joe Mc]

Yeah, that's pretty sad when people get so attached to brand names. The other day I saw a car with a big Nike swoosh on the back window.

I'm almost anti-brand name. I go out of my way to find t-shirts that do not have a brand name on them. Or atleast not painted in 6" letters across the chest.

Harely, like many other brands, have done a great job of marketing the brand and lifestyle. I see alot of people wearing Harley t-shirts that have probably never owned one, or even rode a motorcycle for that matter.

They want to be associated with certain brands for some reason unknown to me.

[cb360]

It is mindboggling to me that someone would forego riding altogether for want of a particular brand.

[Keyoke]

If it has 2 wheels and a reasonable engine, i'll ride it.....

brand names never have meant anything to me. My last 3 bikes have all been Yamaha, not because i am loyal to the brand, simply because that's the way it worked out...

[scan]

I've met these guys Ron. I find it comical that they can say they want to ride but won't for that reason. Sound like you don't really want to ride if you can let yourself be limited by the price of a bike and there are cheaper options. I also know I would never say that to a guy who felt this way, since I know they are set in their ways.

I love the way this one guy (Harley lover, bike club member) - sort of a buddy, I guess, responded to my FZ6 (that was my previous bike). I rode up to his house in Michigan and parked in his garage. He came out an proclaimed "See they're all copying Buell". I knew anything I said would fall on deaf ears, but it did make my jaw drop for a second. If anything, Buell has tried to remain unique, and maybe took some cues from the foriegn markets. Clearly no one is trying to copy Buell.

Good luck in converting this guy of your Ron. Maybe you need to keep peppering him with the great times you and your son have (and other members of your church?). He may be forced to rethink this if he is a bud.

[ronboskz650sr]

That's the plan! That Suzuki (spelled right, this time) Madura is an interesting animal. I must admit, that one slipped by me. Must have been in my post college limbo years...Looks like a Magna competitor..Am I right?

[oldnslo]

It must be difficult to relate to your friend. I have never personally met anybody with an attitude faintly resembling what you describe. "I would love to go for a drive in the country, but I won't drive anything if it isn't a Bentley." Strange rationale.
I presume he goes to church for some reason, and maybe you can help him get his head screwed on straight.
I remember a song from the past which said, "if you can't have the one you love, love the one you're with."

[Gummiente]

Let me begin by stating, for the record...I like Harleys. I like all bikes, and would have many if I could, all different, all cool. There.

Even without the disclaimer I wouldn't have viewed your post as another Harley basher. But your friend is a prime example of the type of people who perpetuate the Harley rider stereotype to the point where people like me are prejudged before I get a chance to say I LIKE ALL BIKES. IF IT HAS TWO WHEELS AND AN ENGINE, WHO CARES WHERE IT WAS BUILT??!!

Anyway. It's not a lack of funds that's keeping him from buying another Harley, it's a lack of intelligence. Just imagine how big of a twit he'd be if he ever buys another one.

Apologies for dissing your friend, but attitudes like his tick me off.

[iwannadie]

ive come across these types of people alot. i dont think they Want to ride. seems like they are more into the whole cool image of riding and talking about bikes.

i knew a guy who went on all the time how great harleys were and how hed only ever ride an hd all other bikes were junk. But hes never rode Anything before so it all made no sense to me. at first he talked like he used to ride alot but then hed say dumb stuff like 'you cant use your front brake unless your going Really slow or youll flip it!'. all his 'riding experience' seems to have come from bicycles and he just wanted to talk up a big game and try to show off and latched onto the popular harley name/image. after about a year the guy finally bought a bike, it wasnt an hd it was a honda so....


if you want an hd fine go for it, but if you are really into riding youd have any bike to hold you over untill you could afford an hd.

[oldnslo]

A guy I know who spent $23k on a new Harley last spring now parks it under the front part of a pickup camper in his driveway. Hasn't put a thousand miles on it yet, but when he bought it he was gonna ride it to Sturgis and every place he went. So it lives outside, with no bike cover, at the beach [salt air, if you don't have a good garage down here, you can watch rust form on metal] and seldom rides it.
This is one step beyond the guy who uses the "if it isn't a Harley, I won't ride at all." It's the "I have so little self respect, I will buy what some people would love to have and treat it like a piece of unloved junk."