I do.
I have HD shirts and jeans and socks and jackets.
So that’s a problem for you somehow?

edit: and hats and belt buckles, wallet. Lmao

 

I've only been to one stand alone H-D clothing store (Eureka Springs, Arkansas). Since this area of the country is a very popular motorcycle destination because of all the nice twisty and hilly roads, I assume H-D saw this as an opportunity to sell t-shirts and other souvenirs, and they did seem to have a pretty good selection of other H-D gear, though probably not as much as some large dealerships. There is a dealership in the area about 50 miles away.

 

I have no problem with what you pay for or how you dress up I just don't know what the big deal is with doing their advertiseing for them.

 

It works both ways. Here's an experience I had while "advertising for them".

A couple of months ago, I was sitting at a sidewalk table while having a cold adult beverage. This area of town is a popular tourist destination because it's in a historical district of town and there are many one-off shops and eating establishments. It was crowded that day, as it usually is during the tourist season. An elderly gentleman walked up and sat at a table next to me. I sort of glanced at him when he sat down. I had no intention of striking up a conversation with him as I usually just sit there and people watch, while sipping on my beer. I guess he noticed my authentic H-D t-shirt, so he asked me if I rode a Harley-Davidson. Of course, I told him I rode a Harley and I pointed out to him my bike parked further down the street. We shared pleasantries for a few minutes and then he asked if I would like to look at some photographs of his motorcycles. I said, "Sure!"

Some of the photographs were of him and his wife back in the day in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I mentioned that he was elderly, so I'm guessing he was probably in his late 70s to early 80s and I noticed when he walked up that he was hobbling and moving rather slowly, so I knew he hadn't ridden in years. Nevertheless, the photographs were of analog prints that he had taken shots of with his phone. As he was scrolling through the photographs, a photograph of an old Indian racer caught my eye. It had the number 38 mounted on the handlebars. He told me it was an Indian Scout that Ed Kretz had raced during the 30s and 40s. He went on to show more photographs of that bike and many other photographs of other vintage Indians and Harleys that he collected, along with photographs of other motorcycle collectors and their vintage bikes.

I had long finished my beer and my parking time had expired, but I was fixated and fascinated looking at the photographs and listening to the stories that went along with them. If I had not been advertising for H-D, I don't think I would have ever had that experience. Many, many other people have asked if I rode a Harley because I was wearing an H-D dealer t-shirt. So, you see wearing Harley gear is a pretty big deal. At least to me it is and I'm sure there are many others who agree with me.

 

I have chatted with more than one person about Harleys and bikes in general due to my HD shirts! Those are conversations I love to have!

 

HarleyD Inc., does offer to dealers, an "ARO" option. ARO= Alternate Retail Outlet.

These are dealership owned, and DO NOT have units for sale. These are usually boutiques that are in the same city as the parent dealership. Clothing/apparel are all they pretty much have . Maybe a quart of oil, but I kinda doubt it. Usually, it's anything/everything in the "motorclothes" catalog.

For instance: San Diego HD has an ARO in Seaport Village, a few miles from the dealership.

 

Same with my Moscow shirt , 2 for $20 US at the street fairs. No way I was going even look in a dealer there.

 

I agree. It also keeps the brotherhood alive.
I don't think of it as advertising but more as a statement of choice. Not buy a HD rather I like / own HD.

 

Got some fake ones from Japan and Jamaica...

 

most dealers have an ARO in their local airport, so you can grab a HD t-shirt for the grumpy old man you know, who is watching HD stock plummet while his M8 transfer oil on to his number 13 patch, and trying to figure out how to bend his clutch lever.

Charleston has one in the airport, and one downtown in tourist district. mostly womens cloths & t shirts (guessing most grumpy old men dont want to shuffle thru all them young whippersnappers to buy a $30 tee?)

rumor is Myrtle Beach HD could pay the bills just in t shirt sales.