Daily Slideshow: 7 Reasons People Are Still Getting into Harley-Davidson These Days
People have been naysaying Harley-Davidson's future success for years, but there still are new customers being made each day.
1. Expressing rebellion... the traditional way
Harley-Davidson hasn't been at the forefront of pop culture and identity for decades now. The idea of the "typical Harley rider" nowadays is a less James Dean and a greater part "middle-aged dad with an enthusiastic weekend hobby." The fact that Harley-Davidson's core ridership has grown up is another way of saying it's been institutionalized-- it's no longer a symbol of youthful rebellion if there's the risk a teenager's parent will ask if they can take their hog along for the ride too.
Unlike the classic era where the Harley-Davidson could be rebellious for its counter-generational appeal, Harleys today, if anything, seem "uncool" by that same dynamic. Yet it's that uncoolness that somehow makes them rebellious again. Between the portrayal in classic movies to the romanticized ideal people have in their heads riding down the highway, the Harley-Davidson is a tradition that suddenly becomes quite attractive to young people who feel maligned by contemporary culture.
>>Join the conversation about folks finally getting into HD right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
2. Keeping it in the family
On the other hand, what's least rebellious but to take a leaf from your family? One perk for the younger generations is that they might not need to discover the joys of a motorcycle on their own. It's not so uncommon for the parents' interest in biking to pass to their kids. There's practically no way to make a Harley bike seem uncool.
>>Join the conversation about folks finally getting into HD right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
3. All-American wheels and a trusted brand
Regardless, the fact that Harley-Davidson is American will be enough for some people. Given the freedom and independence the Harley brand represents to the public, it comes as little surprise that the company would be closely associated with America. There are some people out there that find the national background arbitrary, but Harley riders tend to be romantics at heart, and there's a special joy to be had in riding a machine your proverbial neighbor could have built at work.
>>Join the conversation about folks finally getting into HD right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
4. They're not intimidating to work on
Purchasing any vehicle is going to come with the understanding that maintenance is part of the package. The more of it a rider can do at home by themselves, the better. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are reputed for their accessibility and robust design. This makes them a breeze to work on when compared to some of the tricky Japanese performance models.
>>Join the conversation about folks finally getting into HD right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
5. Different Harleys for different settings
The market analysts are always quick to point to the smaller Japanese bikes as the culprits that are "killing" the Harley-Davidson. There's some debating to be had as to the extent of this, or whether it's the interest in motorcycles as a whole that's to blame. Outsiders often draw the misconception that Harleys are uniformly wide, cumbersome hogs when there's actually a fairly impressive range of bikes to choose from. Smaller editions like this custom street special offer a more manageable size for shorter trips and city use.
>>Join the conversation about folks finally getting into HD right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
6. Culture, community and the legendary ride
Someone might get into Harley-Davidsons on account of friends who ride. Another rider-to-be might just as well get interested after hearing about one of those immortal cross-country treks Harley riders love to talk about. It's not just a bike after all; it's a lifestyle, and the benefits that surround Harley ownership can be enough to swing someone towards taking the plunge.
>>Join the conversation about folks finally getting into HD right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
7. Because they look cool and feel right
Would a vibrant culture have risen up around Harley-Davidson if their bikes didn't feel good to ride? A better question still; would we even be talking about them today if they weren't as cool as they claim?
There's a certain "X Factor" that draws people to a Harley bike, and we count ourselves lucky we're not referring to the reality show. Some people will feel the call long before they know to pin it on a motorcycle. Whether someone has their Harley as secondary recreational fare or their daily driver, we think there's an adventurous tinge you've got to have in order to feel that impulse. Harley-Davidsons, plainly put, are cool. For most of us, that by itself could have been enough to hop on.
>>Join the conversation about folks finally getting into HD right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
For help with service and maintenance of your bike, check out the how to section of HDForums.com
