Friday, July 31, 2009

The Harley Davidson Lifestyle

By Gregory Paul

The slight mention of Harley Davidson brings to mind raw power, oozing machismo, and anything that is extremely hard core. One imagines a powerful man with bulging arms, decked with tattoos of poisonous snakes and fearsome dragons, long hair, a muscle shirt,piercings and all the works. The Harley Davidson after all is a legendary giant in the motorcycle industry that rakes in more than half the US market customer share.

Imagine my surprise, when I came across an article about how the seat height of a Harley Davidson is a major issue to most buyers. Apparently, hog riders are most concerned about the comfort while atop their monster ride. Contrary to common perception, these peoples Harleys are not for display of power, but more for a convenient cruise.

It is understandable though that a rider maintain a show of composure. With the perfect height, riders can be confident that they would be able to plant their feet on the ground when its needed. A hog owner reaching for the ground desperately could be a funny sight.

When you scan Harley Davidson history, it is clearly dominated by rebel images with raked out choppers like Dennis Hopper in Easy Rider, or moody nonconformists who take to the open road to escape boring jobs and loveless marriages.

It is surprising to note that today, there is a huge diversity of Harley Davidson owners. It could be a guy jumping from a Harley and flipping open his laptop to excitedly check on his facebook account. Across the road a woman is talking on her cellphone checking out how her kids are doing in college and then speed off on her hog.

The clientele of harley Davidson is changing as various people want to own one for different reasons. Some want to live the lifestyle and take it out for days, while others just want to own one because it lends the owner a degree of prestige.

Whatever their reasons are, they pick a hog for the reputation it invokes. It is still a symbol of power and freedom. It is an icon in its class. When you are on a Harley, you are part of its legend, and part of its history.

In the motorcycle world, the Harley is in a league of its own. It is classic and will always represent strength and craftsmanship. It symbolizes freedom and will always be king of the road.

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