Wondering mind on a snowy morning
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,164
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From: Port Coquitlam B.C.
Wondering mind on a snowy morning
Something I've wanted to throw out for discussion for a while now. My local school district used to have a charity ride every year to raise money for school supplies. It was organized by the school principal and his goal was to raise 100K or 10 years, whichever came first, and then hand it off to someone else. He got his 100K on year 8 but he still did the other 2 years.
The ride consisted of a fund raiser at the high school, then a ride out to a local resort and lunch. There was more fund raising there by the way of 50/50 draws and some things were auctioned off. Once the principal stepped down the local Harley dealership took over the ride.
The first year I got my signup sheet it informed me that Harley was organizing the ride and they were changing some things. The ride now was going to be a poker run that went from pub, to pub, to pub. Then the ride would finish up at the dealership were there would be a 70"s rock band and a "pig roast". I stopped going at that point because I never mix alcohol and riding so going to pubs didn't interest me.
When I went on the ride there was always 200+ bikes. I heard last year there was about 30 and the ride is in danger of being cancelled. So why is it Harley can do something good for the local community and they still have a way of alienating everyone but the hardcore bikers.
The ride consisted of a fund raiser at the high school, then a ride out to a local resort and lunch. There was more fund raising there by the way of 50/50 draws and some things were auctioned off. Once the principal stepped down the local Harley dealership took over the ride.
The first year I got my signup sheet it informed me that Harley was organizing the ride and they were changing some things. The ride now was going to be a poker run that went from pub, to pub, to pub. Then the ride would finish up at the dealership were there would be a 70"s rock band and a "pig roast". I stopped going at that point because I never mix alcohol and riding so going to pubs didn't interest me.
When I went on the ride there was always 200+ bikes. I heard last year there was about 30 and the ride is in danger of being cancelled. So why is it Harley can do something good for the local community and they still have a way of alienating everyone but the hardcore bikers.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Sounds like the dealer tried doing something positive, but misjudged the kind of ride your group prefers. I'm sure the dealer would want to get 200+ riders vs 30. Just a suggestion, but why not speak to the dealer and offer to assist them in planning the event.
Something I've wanted to throw out for discussion for a while now. My local school district used to have a charity ride every year to raise money for school supplies. It was organized by the school principal and his goal was to raise 100K or 10 years, whichever came first, and then hand it off to someone else. He got his 100K on year 8 but he still did the other 2 years.
The ride consisted of a fund raiser at the high school, then a ride out to a local resort and lunch. There was more fund raising there by the way of 50/50 draws and some things were auctioned off. Once the principal stepped down the local Harley dealership took over the ride.
The first year I got my signup sheet it informed me that Harley was organizing the ride and they were changing some things. The ride now was going to be a poker run that went from pub, to pub, to pub. Then the ride would finish up at the dealership were there would be a 70"s rock band and a "pig roast". I stopped going at that point because I never mix alcohol and riding so going to pubs didn't interest me.
When I went on the ride there was always 200+ bikes. I heard last year there was about 30 and the ride is in danger of being cancelled. So why is it Harley can do something good for the local community and they still have a way of alienating everyone but the hardcore bikers.
The ride consisted of a fund raiser at the high school, then a ride out to a local resort and lunch. There was more fund raising there by the way of 50/50 draws and some things were auctioned off. Once the principal stepped down the local Harley dealership took over the ride.
The first year I got my signup sheet it informed me that Harley was organizing the ride and they were changing some things. The ride now was going to be a poker run that went from pub, to pub, to pub. Then the ride would finish up at the dealership were there would be a 70"s rock band and a "pig roast". I stopped going at that point because I never mix alcohol and riding so going to pubs didn't interest me.
When I went on the ride there was always 200+ bikes. I heard last year there was about 30 and the ride is in danger of being cancelled. So why is it Harley can do something good for the local community and they still have a way of alienating everyone but the hardcore bikers.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 401
From: Port Coquitlam B.C.
I don't have kids in the school system so if the ride dies, it dies. The point I was trying to make is why does everything harley gets involved always end up being a pub crawl and pig roast. It's like they are still living in the old days when only the badest of the bad rode their bikes and nobody else is welcome.
They can still have those rides if they choose but when you take over a charity ride for the kids you should make an effort to keep the format that makes all riders on any brand of bike feel welcome. Anything the local dealers do around here is just the opposite.
They can still have those rides if they choose but when you take over a charity ride for the kids you should make an effort to keep the format that makes all riders on any brand of bike feel welcome. Anything the local dealers do around here is just the opposite.
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 248
From: Milton Mills NH
I don't have kids in the school system so if the ride dies, it dies. The point I was trying to make is why does everything harley gets involved always end up being a pub crawl and pig roast. It's like they are still living in the old days when only the badest of the bad rode their bikes and nobody else is welcome.
They can still have those rides if they choose but when you take over a charity ride for the kids you should make an effort to keep the format that makes all riders on any brand of bike feel welcome. Anything the local dealers do around here is just the opposite.
They can still have those rides if they choose but when you take over a charity ride for the kids you should make an effort to keep the format that makes all riders on any brand of bike feel welcome. Anything the local dealers do around here is just the opposite.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 1
From: W. CENT. IL
They changed too much. The general public is scepticle of poker runs and alienates the coffee and wine crowd. Its too bad 100,000 plus in ten years is alot of notebooks and uniforms for the communitys childeren.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 737
Likes: 8
From: Near Atlanta, GA
Why would you expect a Harley dealer's marketing department to host an event that wasn't a "Harley event"? It's what they know...
Sadly, because it's hosted by Harley other brand-owners are going to automatically be put off. So, where's the motivation for Harley to try and do anything other than drawing in their "base" with the type of event that draws in their base?
Of course, other than Harley (and the occasional BMW/Ducati dealer), who else holds local rallies and rides unless a private org. steps up?
Sadly, because it's hosted by Harley other brand-owners are going to automatically be put off. So, where's the motivation for Harley to try and do anything other than drawing in their "base" with the type of event that draws in their base?
Of course, other than Harley (and the occasional BMW/Ducati dealer), who else holds local rallies and rides unless a private org. steps up?
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