Where Image is Everything

[Voltaire]

Probably the best merchandised motorcycle shop in Auckland. Its a nice experience to go there.

Lots of overpriced extras ...but had to order in a couple of common Triumph Thruxton gaskets..... whilst there I saw a nice Triumph jacket ......for $800.00

I bought 2......on the net, landed and customs for under $650.00....that was a nice experience.

[Fatt Max]

Can’t miss the Lion Red induced waistline hanging over the faux bull denim jeans

Well, at least he was fat....

[Maha]

Did they have half face helmets and Johnny rebs? if not they're missing parts of the uniform

Poka Dot Bandanna's were on show, coupled with the John Wayne swagger...
And that was just the female!!
Even a Cartoonist would draw a Harley Biker Couple as per the description in post one..

[Zamiam]

You're all just jealous.

Harley Davidson > 100 years building antiquated two wheeled tractors!

[Paul in NZ]

End of the day - regardless of what you think HD is giving people what they want. I can't think of another maker that goes to the lengths they do to provide a total customer experience. Everything from the HOG club through to the bikes is utterly brilliant really. Its a model of how to sell to a target audience and stay involved with them.

Don't get me wrong - I don't have one and am unlikely (at this point) to buy one BUT to laugh at them and call them junk isnt true.

[Flip]

End of the day - regardless of what you think HD is giving people what they want. I can't think of another maker that goes to the lengths they do to provide a total customer experience. Everything from the HOG club through to the bikes is utterly brilliant really. Its a model of how to sell to a target audience and stay involved with them.

Don't get me wrong - I don't have one and am unlikely (at this point) to buy one BUT to laugh at them and call them junk isnt true.

When I see somebody with a Kawasaki tattoo on their arm or a Honda tat on their ass I will know that the japs have got their marketing right. Until then a jap bike is just another disposable appliance that moves you from point A to point B. Not that I am biased.

[Oscar]

When I see somebody with a Kawasaki tattoo on their arm or a Honda tat on their ass I will know that the japs have got their marketing right. Until then a jap bike is just another disposable appliance that moves you from point A to point B. Not that I am biased.

As long as you don't get marketing mixed up with taste or quality...

[ducatilover]

When I see somebody with a Kawasaki tattoo on their arm or a Honda tat on their ass I will know that the japs have got their marketing right. Until then a jap bike is just another disposable appliance that moves you from point A to point B. Not that I am biased.

Never seen the Harley appeal myself.

But I do like strange shit anyway.

[Flip]

As long as you don't get marketing mixed up with taste or quality...

Never seen the Harley appeal myself.

But I do like strange shit anyway.

Me thinks you both do protest too much.

[Virago]

Often those who scoff about such "image" provide the best giggles.

Strutting around in their race-brand rubber romper-suits, proudly displaying their carefully scraped knee-sliders on each trip down to the corner shop - with such scrapes usually achieved by hanging precariously off the side of the bike at the local suburban roundabout.

Longer trips involve stopping every 50kms or so, to check the progress on the chicken-strips - and to check out everyone else's.

They fall off - frequently. But somehow that doesn't count.

They wear their biking prowess as a status symbol - and pour scorn on "lesser" mortals.

The irony is delicious...

[shafty]

I was in AMPs yesterday (friend looking at a triumph) and after a while, I followed my two female companions through to the Dark Side…yes, the ‘Arley display.
What first caught my eye was the Stereotyped Harley Couple..
He = Big grey/orange moustache (grey because of his age and orange because he still smokes Park Drive)
The leather vest/jacket with 856 badges attached from the 856 events he has attended over the years.
Can’t miss the Lion Red induced waistline hanging over the faux bull denim jeans which barely cover the 1970’s etched Tan leather cowboy boots.

She = Ashen/Skinny and wearing arseless chaps.

I did however, buy a Harley T Shirt..

Haha, you've gotta laugh aye, - a Mate bought a Harley on the weekend - 1st bike in a couple of Decades, by Sunday he was already 50% stauncher, lol, I'll recheck the level mid week

What about the poster for Sons of Anarchy? Everyone staunching out the camera - what are they thinking? "Need more chrome, wonder if the Missus will agree?" lol

During a 2 year stint in Bahrain, I did some work for Yamaha - and observed huge numbers of Harleys being sold, - they would stack the newly arrived crates in the courtyard out the back (hardly ever rains there) - and registration figures confirmed the numbers.

Riders would be adorned with bandana's, HD bags strapped to their legs, false tatto sleeves and all - but the great irony which kept me smiling, is Bahrain is an island only 48 km long, LOL, Great Marketing? Sure, but

[Laava]

End of the day - regardless of what you think HD is giving people what they want. I can't think of another maker that goes to the lengths they do to provide a total customer experience. Everything from the HOG club through to the bikes is utterly brilliant really. Its a model of how to sell to a target audience and stay involved with them.

Don't get me wrong - I don't have one and am unlikely (at this point) to buy one BUT to laugh at them and call them junk isnt true.

Retro is always in vogue too.

[Paul in NZ]

Retro is always in vogue too.

Really? I must get a copy....

[Paul in NZ]

As long as you don't get marketing mixed up with taste or quality...

You would find it hard to knock HD on quality these days. The paint / chrome / reliability is right up there.

Hey - we all work on some kind of image at some time in our life, the classic HD couple are no different to any other group really...

[Zedder]

Let's have an indepth thread about beer brands and the people who drink them next.