07-07-2014, 05:30 AM
It's been said already, but HD has done an incredible job of reinventing themselves. I went with a buddy to the local Harley palace to pick up some parts, and the selection of aftermarket parts and farkles is just astonishing. Not to mention the HD branded boots (made in China), jackets (combination of China and Pakistan mfg.), t-shirts, belts, buckles, gloves, do-rags, pre-ripped denim vests, yadda yadda yadda. Oh, and more skulls than a fleet of pirate ships. They are selling an image, and clearly it resonates with a good 75-80% of riders in NE IL.
Just for fun while waiting, i tried counting the number of "Harley Davidson", "HD", or shield logos I could find on my buddy's ride (2013 sportster 1200--yes, it does look like a nicely made bike, good attention to detail in most places). Stopped at 43 (tank, guages, analog clock, mirrors, windscreen, headlight, seat, foot pegs, engine cases, license plate bolts, shock absorber bolt covers, and little shield logos in the rubber of the tires, every 5" or so for the circumference of both front and back.
Just for fun while waiting, i tried counting the number of "Harley Davidson", "HD", or shield logos I could find on my buddy's ride (2013 sportster 1200--yes, it does look like a nicely made bike, good attention to detail in most places). Stopped at 43 (tank, guages, analog clock, mirrors, windscreen, headlight, seat, foot pegs, engine cases, license plate bolts, shock absorber bolt covers, and little shield logos in the rubber of the tires, every 5" or so for the circumference of both front and back.