Launching A Movement

scooterwuf said:
I think the main problem H-D has isn't so much that their product is dated -- which it is, but it's an image problem. Harley riders have such a bad reputation to begin with. Add that to the cliché image that's associated with them -- the old and tired logo design, the denim sleeveless jacket look, and the anti-estaablsihemt vibe that translates (though this isn't true for all Harley riders) into no gear -- helmet-less, jacket-less, with loud pipes that piss more people off than impresses them. That's more of the perceived image than the reality of Harley riders.

I think this perception is a turn off to the new generation of potential riders. Sports bikes may have more of a lure, or a café racer for more of the hipster crowd. Cost, and sustainability are other factors. If a bike doesn't offer better gas milage than a car, and then has nothing more to offer -- cargo space, or ease of use, than it's going to be a hard 'no' for a potential buyer.

Overall riding has suffered from a HUGE lack of any kind of marketing campaign, one that would capture
the love, style and thrill of riding. A lot of people are amazed on how far one can go, how inexpensive (depending on your bike and brand) it is, and how convenient it is to ride, park and maneuver through traffic. We're also living in the internet/Youtube age where there are countless videos on crashes, both fatal and cringeworthy, that may serve to steer people away from riding than lure them in.

Regardless, I think there will always be those who will be attracted to riding and inspired to do so through different sources and means. I've never watched Sons of Anarchy, not because I don't have cable (I don't) but because that rebel/bad boy outlaw image never did anything for me. I never wanted to emulate it. It's not who I want to be associated with as a rider.

- Wuf
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Yeah I'd say that's pretty accurate. I have been seeing quite a bit of people buying Harley's just because they like to ride, not necessarily because of the image. Those people are sadly far and few in between. Most Harley bros are wanna be badasses blaring crappy 80's music that don't hardly know the first thing about riding.

Fuel economy and affordability was one of the reasons I bought a bike in the first place which is way I roll with Honda ;).

The fact that there's not marketing for capturing the joy of riding is exactly what I'm trying to fill. I want to get people excited about riding, the people, the places, and the experiences. I know it's not for everyone but I think it's something people should at least experience
 
I agree. Hey, let me know if you need any help. I'm not interested in promoting any particular brand, but I'd be interested in helping out on any kind of a campaign to ignite interest in riding across brands and bikes -- touring, cruiser, standard, sports, dual sports, sport touring, café, scooters and undertones. There's a wide spectrum of riders that defy the cliché bad rap that riding gets.

- Wuf
 
burlyjack said:
Oh and I've been on an Indian Chieftain and geez you talk about a heavy bike. That thing almost needs power steering or something lol.
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I'm for sure an Indian fan before a Harley Fan lol I agree with Hippo that HD hasn't done anything that innovative to the market in years. Indian seems to be doing well for itself, but if there's any companies I see being able to tap into the Millenial Market it would be Triumph or Ducati respectively. All on the basis of their Scrambler lines. Those styles of bikes really click with the Hipster Culture that my generation loves. Though I personally hope Streetfighter's and Naked Bikes become bigger than they already are ( more for my own guilty pleasures, since I am a huge fan of Naked/StreetFighter styling lol)
 
8BitRider said:
Though I personally hope Streetfighter's and Naked Bikes become bigger than they already are ( more for my own guilty pleasures, since I am a huge fan of Naked/StreetFighter styling lol)
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I kinda hope the nakeds stay where they are at the moment, because I don't want prices of the new bikes to shoot up.
That said, if used prices go up maybe I'll change over quicker.
 
lupin said:
I kinda hope the nakeds stay where they are at the moment, because I don't want prices of the new bikes to shoot up.
That said, if used prices go up maybe I'll change over quicker.
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True, but I think with the introduction of bikes like Yamahas MT/FZ-07 and 09, or KTM's 390 and 690 Dukes into the market, demand might go up. But I'm not a marketing whiz, so all I can do is hope haha
 
Oh demand for the little ones can go up fine. I'm not interested in any of those. Its the larger capacity ones that I want to be cheaper.
 
8BitRider said:
I'm for sure an Indian fan before a Harley Fan lol I agree with Hippo that HD hasn't done anything that innovative to the market in years. Indian seems to be doing well for itself, but if there's any companies I see being able to tap into the Millenial Market it would be Triumph or Ducati respectively. All on the basis of their Scrambler lines. Those styles of bikes really click with the Hipster Culture that my generation loves. Though I personally hope Streetfighter's and Naked Bikes become bigger than they already are ( more for my own guilty pleasures, since I am a huge fan of Naked/StreetFighter styling lol)
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Indian is definitely one of my top picks. Very smooth engines but still have that awesome deep rumble. Plus they're very unique in their design, which kind of hard to do with a cruiser. They definitely stand out!
 
I'm going to make a motovlog this week describing the movement, what it's about, and how to get involved.

The movement is to encourage people to ride and get involved in the motorcycle community, regardless of what you ride or are interested in.

It's about growing our interests as riders, driving new traffic into the Moto market, and reigniting the flame of those who have hung their helmets up.

People can get involved by making (or sharing your vid if you have one you're proud of) similar videos that inspire people to want to ride, get as artistic as you can. Make sure and really try to capture the spirit of why YOU ride, this is about what you enjoy and why you do it, and what interests you about riding, the gear you like, the tech you like, and tech on the bikes you like, the builders you like etc. We can also share photos to our social media sites by using the hashtag #goar (get out and ride)

The needs: I suppose the needs are:
-some sort of dedicated social media site on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or whatever.

-Cool graphics to put on those sites

-Some sort of endorsement by someone with higher subs/following than us. I've emailed Adam Sondoval Rides and Ride My Ride (a cool chick on a Ducati photographing victims of sex trafficking and sharing their story) to get behind this. These are two people I enjoy following. Haven't heard anything back yet.

Is there anything else anyone would like to add or can think of?

Once again it's not about any particular brand, style, or bike, it's just about riding! :D
 
8BitRider said:
I started using it as a HashTag in my Instagram posts. I'll ease into using it in videos and for whatever site you decide to come up with
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I saw them, awesome pics. Thank you! I have been trying to get some pages set up and a vid up but have been really sick all week. Nasty sinus infection.
 
I made a quick video on the way home from work this morning. It's posted in the motovlogging section. I'm going to get started on making a higher production short film advertising it this weekend
 
Honda did it right eons ago.

"You meet the nicest people on a Honda"

stop making motorcycles something for people that wanna cosplay as pirates on the road.
 
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