Freedom or Engaged?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 181
Likes: 39
From: Delaware
Any lifestyle equipment vendor, e.g. motorcycles, boats, sports cars, need to associate their product with a desirable abstraction to separate the potential buyer from their money. Particularly so with costly lifestyle activities. Back in the late 90's when boating was going great guns it was all about family time. Sure, it's tons of money, but you get to spend so much time with family and friends. How could you put a price on that? HD really pushes the "freedom" angle. Put-near in every advertisement that they run. They show bros running on a beach, behind silhouettes of the motorcycles that got them there; riding out in the middle of nowhere with no equipment, and so on. The OP noted some fallacies to the notion of freedom. Add to that, the fact that many also take on notes to purchase said motorcycle and now are slaves to a paycheck to cover that cost. Not to mention the extra burden of owning, storing, and maintaining whatever your choice of escapism may be. "Freedom" my a**.
"Freedom" resonates. It's a loaded term that garners thoughts of mom, apple pie, and frankly, a time that never existed. As long as there are people building toys, they'll find ways to tug at our heart string to sell them.
Sorry for sounding cynical and above it all. For the record, I have owned my share of boats and have several bikes and cars in my garage. Can't take it with you and need some fun while on this rock. But the whole idea of "freedom" by buying an expensive motorcycle just seems like pandering, to me.
"Freedom" resonates. It's a loaded term that garners thoughts of mom, apple pie, and frankly, a time that never existed. As long as there are people building toys, they'll find ways to tug at our heart string to sell them.
Sorry for sounding cynical and above it all. For the record, I have owned my share of boats and have several bikes and cars in my garage. Can't take it with you and need some fun while on this rock. But the whole idea of "freedom" by buying an expensive motorcycle just seems like pandering, to me.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 5,890
From: Syracuse NY
And I do have the freedom to make decisions. Like right now I'm deciding to NOT take Hyundai up on their approx. $300 per year subscription plan to use your phone for a remote start and the car's onboard GPS, amongst other things.
And that HD lovers, is coming to HD, like all vehicle manufacturers. Subscription services for turning on components in vehicles like the heated seats and steering wheel.
HD will start charging a subscription for the GPS service in their head units on future models. You can bet on it!
My phone has GPS and I like using maps.
(Okay, it's a tangential observation. But I didn't derail this thread.)
And that HD lovers, is coming to HD, like all vehicle manufacturers. Subscription services for turning on components in vehicles like the heated seats and steering wheel.
HD will start charging a subscription for the GPS service in their head units on future models. You can bet on it!
My phone has GPS and I like using maps.
(Okay, it's a tangential observation. But I didn't derail this thread.)
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 1,846
From: Albuquerque, NM
No tech on my bike, and I'm not interested in listening to music while riding either, and I'm a paper map kind of guy. I don't care if others want or use that techy stuff, it doesn't impact me. I do find it weird that so many people using that stuff get so hung up on it, either unable to function without it, or all bent out of shape when it doesn't work the way that they want it to.
None of that crap in my pickup either, except for a radio.
None of that crap in my pickup either, except for a radio.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,208
From: Ohio
Any lifestyle equipment vendor, e.g. motorcycles, boats, sports cars, need to associate their product with a desirable abstraction to separate the potential buyer from their money. Particularly so with costly lifestyle activities. Back in the late 90's when boating was going great guns it was all about family time. Sure, it's tons of money, but you get to spend so much time with family and friends. How could you put a price on that? HD really pushes the "freedom" angle. Put-near in every advertisement that they run. They show bros running on a beach, behind silhouettes of the motorcycles that got them there; riding out in the middle of nowhere with no equipment, and so on. The OP noted some fallacies to the notion of freedom. Add to that, the fact that many also take on notes to purchase said motorcycle and now are slaves to a paycheck to cover that cost. Not to mention the extra burden of owning, storing, and maintaining whatever your choice of escapism may be. "Freedom" my a**.
"Freedom" resonates. It's a loaded term that garners thoughts of mom, apple pie, and frankly, a time that never existed. As long as there are people building toys, they'll find ways to tug at our heart string to sell them.
Sorry for sounding cynical and above it all. For the record, I have owned my share of boats and have several bikes and cars in my garage. Can't take it with you and need some fun while on this rock. But the whole idea of "freedom" by buying an expensive motorcycle just seems like pandering, to me.
"Freedom" resonates. It's a loaded term that garners thoughts of mom, apple pie, and frankly, a time that never existed. As long as there are people building toys, they'll find ways to tug at our heart string to sell them.
Sorry for sounding cynical and above it all. For the record, I have owned my share of boats and have several bikes and cars in my garage. Can't take it with you and need some fun while on this rock. But the whole idea of "freedom" by buying an expensive motorcycle just seems like pandering, to me.
If I had to think of a single word adjective to associate with the sense I get while traveling on my Harley it would br adventure. For me, its a better description than freedom even though I am not going off road or adventure riding per se. I suppose for many of us who work in an office we need some adventure in our lives and this is satisfied in part by traveling on the bike. I also like tent camping, hiking and backpacking where you get a sense of adventure. Anyway, good discussion and recognition of how marketing can influence us as consumers.