When someone mentions a Harley Davidson, what comes to mind is machismo, raw power and anything that is hard core. I can see a huge guy with monstrous biceps, decorated in tattoos of writhing snakes and snarling dragons, long gray hair, a Harley black shirt, earrings and all the works. After all, Harley Davidson is a legendary giant in the motorcycle industry and owns more than half the US motorcycle market.
It came as an interesting surprise to me when I found out in an article that the height of a seat of a Harley is a major concern to almost all of its customers. Owners are most concerned of the comfort it brings than any other feature. I thought people take out their hogs for a nasty ride, but apparently they just want a convenient cruise around town.
It makes sense that while on top of a macho ride, it is important to maintain composure. The perfect seat height does give one the confidence of knowing they can be able to lay their feet flat on the ground when needed. A rider desperately reaching for a foothold would not be a commanding sight.
Scanning Harley Davidson scenes from the past, you will see stereotype images of rebels with raked out choppers like Dennis Hopper in the movie Easy Rider. There are also moody iconoclasts who escapes to the road running away from dead end 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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