Harley Used To Be About Bikes Not Lifestyle
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
...and of course HD never backed away from the war effort or celebrities to promote the brand...
So...when you look at your patches consider this, HD isn't just a bike, an image or a lifestyle, it is about a life and a lifestyle (and a means of livelihood for many). Newspapers, magazines (like Life Magazine and Easyriders) created images of bikes and the "biker' lifestyle. The movie industry capitalized on it. The TV industry of today poularized it.
Good or bad, true or not, MoCo found a way to turn it to their advantage and profit from it. Capitalism at its best I suppose.
So...when you look at your patches consider this, HD isn't just a bike, an image or a lifestyle, it is about a life and a lifestyle (and a means of livelihood for many). Newspapers, magazines (like Life Magazine and Easyriders) created images of bikes and the "biker' lifestyle. The movie industry capitalized on it. The TV industry of today poularized it.
Good or bad, true or not, MoCo found a way to turn it to their advantage and profit from it. Capitalism at its best I suppose.
Last edited by panz4ever; Nov 26, 2016 at 11:45 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 15,434
Likes: 14,310
From: Illinois
Mine too. I have been riding since 1978-79 and just got my first HD in 2015. Had everything I wanted and looked good. Lifestyle was never a factor.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 56
From: Milwaukee
I never got my official HD Badass start up kit when I bought my bike. Sure theres guys who buy a Harley and overpriced clothes to act like a tough guy but why blame HD. Personally for me and most of my riding friends , we went the complete opposite direction as far as attitude after getting Harleys.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Here's my "lifestyle".
I've been riding motorcycles since I was 10; that's 47 years at this point.
When I was 11, I started working for the sole purpose of paying for motorcycles, parts, gas and oil.
I had a motorcycle operators license before I had a license to drive a car. (I still have that paper license. They didn't even take your picture then.)
Any girl or woman who did not abide with my love of motorcycles and riding soon found themselves looking for a new companion.
All of my children took their first motorcycle ride sitting in front of me holding onto the tank (and yet none were killed or maimed).
I rode a Shovelhead at my job as a motor officer.
I have ridden all over the world as well as the North American continent and it still isn't enough. Every time I thumb the starter on one of my bikes and it fires, I get giddy as I did when I was a kid.
The Haul Road
I live in a 990 square foot house so I can pay cash for any motorcycle I want. My pickup has a rubber floor and roll up windows for the same reason.
In 2008 and 2009 I rode my motorcycle to cancer treatments and appointments.
In 2008, when I was not expected to survive, all I wanted was another ride on my motorcycle. Some of my friends, who truly know me, obliged by coming to my house and putting me on my bike. I wasn't afraid of dying, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to ride my motorcycle anymore.
I'm the skinny one toward the right side of the picture in full leathers.
I will ride any brand of motorized two wheeler. If one day, I go bust and all I can afford is a pink Chinese scooter with a milk crate strapped on the back; that is what I will ride. This definition is mine and mine alone; it's neither right or wrong. It's no better or more "authentic" than next guy or gal's version of being a rider.
That's the "lifestyle" I bought into.
I've been riding motorcycles since I was 10; that's 47 years at this point.
When I was 11, I started working for the sole purpose of paying for motorcycles, parts, gas and oil.
I had a motorcycle operators license before I had a license to drive a car. (I still have that paper license. They didn't even take your picture then.)
Any girl or woman who did not abide with my love of motorcycles and riding soon found themselves looking for a new companion.
All of my children took their first motorcycle ride sitting in front of me holding onto the tank (and yet none were killed or maimed).
I rode a Shovelhead at my job as a motor officer.
I have ridden all over the world as well as the North American continent and it still isn't enough. Every time I thumb the starter on one of my bikes and it fires, I get giddy as I did when I was a kid.
The Haul Road
I live in a 990 square foot house so I can pay cash for any motorcycle I want. My pickup has a rubber floor and roll up windows for the same reason.
In 2008 and 2009 I rode my motorcycle to cancer treatments and appointments.
In 2008, when I was not expected to survive, all I wanted was another ride on my motorcycle. Some of my friends, who truly know me, obliged by coming to my house and putting me on my bike. I wasn't afraid of dying, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to ride my motorcycle anymore.
I'm the skinny one toward the right side of the picture in full leathers.
I will ride any brand of motorized two wheeler. If one day, I go bust and all I can afford is a pink Chinese scooter with a milk crate strapped on the back; that is what I will ride. This definition is mine and mine alone; it's neither right or wrong. It's no better or more "authentic" than next guy or gal's version of being a rider.
That's the "lifestyle" I bought into.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Nov 27, 2016 at 09:53 AM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,540
Likes: 1,836
From: Albuquerque, NM
........I will ride any brand of motorized two wheeler. If one day, I go bust and all I can afford is a pink Chinese scooter with a milk crate strapped on the back; that is what I will ride. This definition is mine and mine alone; it's neither right or wrong. It's no better or more "authentic" than next guy or gal's version of being a rider.
That's the "lifestyle" I bought into.
That's the "lifestyle" I bought into.
That's exactly my attitude. On the other hand, I think I'd be able to find some beater Yamaha 400 that needs work for the same price as the pink scooter and ride that.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,767
Likes: 8,641
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Very inspirational post there Max - good job summing up how a lot of us feel.
As for wearing Harley branded merchandise, I pity the person who makes a snide comment about me wearing a Harley shirt my Dad bought for me before he passed from cancer.
As for wearing Harley branded merchandise, I pity the person who makes a snide comment about me wearing a Harley shirt my Dad bought for me before he passed from cancer.