Posts Tagged ‘Harley Davidson motorcycles’

Impact of Harley-Davidson’s Woke Image: Rider Sentiments and Loyalty Reevaluation

Posted: September 9, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, Uncategorized
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As I noted in a previous post, in August we attended the Wild and Wonderful Harley Owners Group (HOG) regional rally, centered in Charleston, West Virginia.

I had to ask “the” question!

Across Harleydom many riders are not happy with the direction of the MoCo and their devotion to woke ideology. Many have debadged or are covering the logos on their motorcycles, others are discarding branded clothing.  I have seen that on bikes rolling through my town of Front Royal heading to or from Skyline Drive.  I did not see any debaging/masking at the HOG rally in West Virginia.

My question…. What do you think about all this?

At the rally, I asked many of the attendees their thoughts on this controversy engulfing Harley Davidson.  That HD has gone full woke while also disregarding their customers’ feelings. Not too suprising, many had not heard of of the controversy.

Disappointment was the main feeling of almost all riders I spoke with. No one said that they were going to trade in their motorcycle today. A few stated that they would not buy anymore Harley clothing until this was resolved in a favorable manner.

Rethinking their loyalty. A majority of those I talked with did say that if Harley did not make a turn around that they would consider a new brand when it did come time to get a new bike

My thoughts after all this.

Harley really needs to get a new CEO and Board of Directors.  How did this CEO even get appointed?  He ran a tennis shoe company and proclaimed that he is the Taliban for promoting woke.  Neither of which fit with the brand.

I fit in with many of the people I talked to at the rally.  When I need a new bike, I will look at another brand unless this controversy is resolved in the manner the customers want.

Motorcycle Book Review: Ride Free by Willie G. Davidson

Posted: November 14, 2023 in Motorcycle advocacy, Product Reviews, vintage motorcycle
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“Ride Free” is a memoir by Willie G. Davidson, the grandson of one of the founders of Harley-Davidson. The book is a personal history of Harley-Davidson and a man who poured his life force into it. It is more than an autobiography, as it also provides insight into the company’s history, told from Davidson’s unique perspective. He does a wonderful job recounting his memories of family and events that shaped his life and the Harley Davidson motorcycles and the company.

Ride Free is an intimate, personal history of Harley-Davidson and a man who poured his life force into it. The first-person account of how the motorcycles evolved and how the company survived and thrived are riveting at times. His role in changing how the company designed and built motorcycles and his role in advancing the technology of the company.

His point of view tale of how Harley Davidson survived under AMF and how they bought the company away from AMF provided a version of the story I had not heard before.  That alongside stories of the development of iconic motorcycles like the “Wide Glide” and “Fat Boy” make the book a page turner.

Whether or not you are a fan of Harley Davison this is an enjoyable read.  The story of a man that dedicated his life to his family business, started by his grandfather and uncle, and sustained by his father, is worth your time.