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Streetwise: Most American men want a Harley
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Friday, April 23, 2004 | Lauren Rudd

Posted on 04/23/2004 10:13:44 AM PDT by Willie Green

What do men want more than anything else? No, not that ... well maybe that also; but that is not the topic of today's column. According to a survey of 1,000 men nationwide, besides wanting more money and keeping their wives happy, six out of 10 men dreamed of owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Steve Piehl, Harley-Davidson communication director, said, "When asked why they had not bought one, there were some interesting answers such as, 'My wife won't let me,' 'I don't have the time' and the one that really drives us crazy, 'Don't they cost at least $20,000?' "

The survey revealed that 75 percent of the respondents thought a Harley was too expensive. Not true, says Harley. "What we're finding out is that people know owning a Harley is cool, but they just do not have the facts. If they did, they'd have one in their garage right now," Piehl said.

(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: harleydavidson; harleys; hd; motorcycles
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To: Bikers4Bush
A (cop) acquaintance dumped one in a subdivision while a homeowner was washing his car. He couldn't even pick it up. He had to radio in for help. lol Luckily, he wasn't hurt, and when he told me about it, he even laughed. He sure was embarrassed, though.
61 posted on 04/23/2004 11:15:04 AM PDT by IamHD
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
No, but you're inference was that a lot of men wouldn't want a Harley because they could lay it down.

From the looks of that picture the guy was on a crotch rocket traveling at a high rate of speed.
62 posted on 04/23/2004 11:24:38 AM PDT by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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To: Dead Corpse
My dream bike is this Velocette Venom.


63 posted on 04/23/2004 11:25:34 AM PDT by MineralMan (godless atheist)
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To: IDontLikeToPayTaxes
My wife said 'dont even think about it...'
64 posted on 04/23/2004 11:28:52 AM PDT by LearnsFromMistakes (I will vote Democrat over my dead body. Then I will probably vote 3 or 4 times...)
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To: Bikers4Bush
No, but you're inference was that a lot of men wouldn't want a Harley because they could lay it down.

You can't lay a Harley down?

65 posted on 04/23/2004 11:30:05 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Drug prohibition laws help fund terrorism.)
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To: Bikers4Bush
Reminds me of a guy I saw trying to pick up a Valkyrie in the middle of an intersection.
66 posted on 04/23/2004 11:30:37 AM PDT by Tijeras_Slim (From each according to his inability, to each according to his misdeeds - DNC Motto)
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To: Bikers4Bush
I used to ride a Harley via my husband (now my ex). I miss the Harley.
67 posted on 04/23/2004 11:30:46 AM PDT by zlala (The fact that no one understands you doesn't make you an artist.)
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To: Dead Corpse
I think I'd like a Shadow


68 posted on 04/23/2004 11:31:08 AM PDT by CyberCowboy777 (I am in school, studying and working 10-12 hours a day. So you might not get a response quickly.)
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To: LearnsFromMistakes
Of course they want Harlys, they want to recieve the county subsidie for helping oil the roads!:>)
69 posted on 04/23/2004 11:31:23 AM PDT by eastforker (The color of justice is green,just ask Johny Cochran!)
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To: Duke809
Of course, some folks just don't like Harley's no matter what. It's a matter of taste I suppose.

The thing I find disturbing about Harleys - and it really isn't HD's fault - is their relative lack of sophistication. But that's what sells.

How can cast iron, steel, pushrods, and 50hp/liter sell for TWICE as much money as titanium, magnesium, DOHC and 180hp/liter?

A new Japanese sportbike is the two wheel equivalent of a Formula One car, with so much technology, advanced materials and engineering development it makes your head hurt just thinking about it.

A new Harley OTOH, from a performance perspective, is pretty much on par with one 20 years old.

It's just bizarre.

70 posted on 04/23/2004 11:31:25 AM PDT by xsrdx (Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Most guys on Harleys don't do over 100mph on a crowded freeway inviting death.
71 posted on 04/23/2004 11:31:55 AM PDT by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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To: Gator113
I would love a 'Glide. In fact, it has crossed my mind many times to give up my '59 Triumph in favor of a Harley. I just can't bring myself to do it, though. I've never ridden a Harley, but I loved my VT100 Shadow. I can't see the Harley making up for the $9000 price difference. Like I said, though, I've never ridden a Harley.
72 posted on 04/23/2004 11:32:05 AM PDT by T.Smith
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To: Shaun_MD
They did and they went out of business again.
73 posted on 04/23/2004 11:32:14 AM PDT by bikerman
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To: IamHD
The guy washing his car didn't give him a hand?
74 posted on 04/23/2004 11:32:27 AM PDT by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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To: Tijeras_Slim
Lol, two little words that would make that situation even funnier....Boss Hoss.
75 posted on 04/23/2004 11:33:12 AM PDT by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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To: xsrdx
No doubt. Apparently HD thinks "loud and obnoxious" is a good enough substitute for "powerful", because a typical Hog will lose a drag race with a minivan.

Ahem, I have to take issue with you on your point of horsepower. I have a 2000 Buell Lightning. Buell is a newer sportbike made by Harley. Mine has a Sportster 1200 and boasts 102 horsepower. This baby has more low-end getup and go than any of my old Jap Bikes: KZ-1000, Ninja 750, CBR 600 and CBR 1000.

My Buell

76 posted on 04/23/2004 11:33:25 AM PDT by Buell_X1-1200 (Isn't it spring yet?)
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To: Willie Green
My grandpa worked for the Milwaukee Police Department in the 1920s and '30s. It was standard issue for the motorcycle police to ride a Harley. I need to get that picture of grandpa on his Harley enlarged.
77 posted on 04/23/2004 11:33:28 AM PDT by HungarianGypsy
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Its not a Harley.
78 posted on 04/23/2004 11:34:09 AM PDT by bikerman
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To: MineralMan
That doesn't look very comfortable.

How much does it go for?

79 posted on 04/23/2004 11:34:20 AM PDT by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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To: zlala
LOL!!!!
80 posted on 04/23/2004 11:34:41 AM PDT by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Write in Tancredo in 04'!)
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