August 16, 2009

Ruling The Highway With Harley Davidson

By Gregory Paul

What comes to mind when someone mentions the word Harley Davidson? Personally, I think of power, machismo, and anything that is hard core. I imagine somebody with massive arms, scary tattoos of snakes and dragons, long salt and pepper hair, sleeveless black shirt, leather coattails, earrings and all the works. The Harley Davidson is a legendary giant that owns more than 50% of the US motorcycle market and it is a symbol of raw power.

It was a fun surprise when I came across an article about the height of the seat of a hog being a major concern to almost all of their customers. Apparently, the seat height needs to be perfect to assure comfort while atop their monster ride. I had the perception that people take out their hogs on the road for a display of power but most just want 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.

Browsing the history of Harley Davidson, you will note that the scene is dominated by radicals with raked out choppers like Dennis Hopper in the film Easy rider. There are also the temperamental nonconformists who take a hog to the road to escape their awful jobs and unhappy 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.

There is a dramatic change in the clientele demographics of the Harley Davidson apparently because people want to own a hog for different reasons these days. While some are keeping true to the lifestyle, others simply want the prestige it brings.

Whatever their reasons are, one thing is clear. The hog is picked for the reputation it holds. It is power and freedom - an icon. When you are atop a Harley Davidson, you become a legend, and you are part of its rich 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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