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.
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 does make sense how a perfect seat height can lend composure while on top of a hog. It does give a boost of confidence to the rider knowing he can easily plant his feet flat on the ground when he needs to. Someone desperately trying to reach the ground with his foot is a pretty funny picture.
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.
These days, you’ll be amazed at the diversity of Harley owners. You will see a guy who leaps off his hog and excitedly opens his laptop to check and update his facebook account. You’ll probably find a sexy clean cut woman who dials her cell phone to check how her kids are doing in college.
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 the reasons may be, a hog is picked mainly for the reputation it represents. It is an icon of power and freedom. When you own a Harley Davidson, you are a legend, and you become 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.