Motorcycle advertising.....they're doing it wrong

[williegoat]

I keep seeing this advertisement for a popular motorcycle company on some web pages, and something bothers me.

Besides the fact that the rider looks like he is going out of his way to look like a dweeb of the first order, he has a long chain hanging down, presumably from his wallet, into the rear suspension and (in my opinion) dangerously close to the rear wheel. If they want to appeal to fans of Eric Von Zipper, that's fine; but to me, it falls somewhere between silly and disturbing.

Now, some of you may be old enough to remember the ads that were on the inside rear cover of many motorcycle magazines 40 years ago, but in case you are too young:

This was the way to sell a motorcycle. I still want one (and a Norton, too)

 

[Ozzie]

It's all about the wantabe's. "Pretend a BIKERS"

 

[williegoat]

This is the Norton ad I tried to post:

 

[SilveradoTX]

Referring to the first post... There's a reason they're called ape hangers. Just saying...

 

[burzac]

Motorcycle advertising reinforces the stupid stereotypes of "bikers." Its annoying, yet i also find it humorous. I wish they would try something new, instead of doing the same stupid crap over and over with different "badass" slogans.

 

[J_Undisputed]

Funny thing about the chained wallet. I had one before I got a bike. The second I got a bike, I got rid of it because it kept scratching up the bike. I remember thinking to myself does anyone who rides a bike, actually wear one of these things?

 

[xtremelow]

All the Harley guys I work with have chains, well most of them, but they all have Street Glides, or some other large bike like that.

One guy I work with has a built frame up late 70's early 80's sporty and fits the look of the picture above but still rides with a helmet, boots, gloves, elbow/knee/back protectors under his pants and shirt. He hates the look of full gear but has lost a couple buddies to wearing a brain bucket and nothing else so he gears up but just doesnt look it.

Back to the chain wearing guys I work with, all of them and I mean ALL of them worry more about what their next chrome part will be over saftey hands down. If it wont shine more it isnt worth buying in their eyes.

 

[kman2061]

ALL of them worry more about what their next chrome part will be over saftey

[up]

 

[squidbuellie]

that has been harley's thing sense the 80s "if it don't go, go chrome" im surprised harley doesn't hire jack sparrow to model for them

 

[myronman3]

the harley riders are all trying to be different...the irony is that by "being different" they are being just like every other asshole out there. kinda like conforming to non-conformity. i couldnt take it anymore. sold the harley, bought my third buell, couldnt be happier. i just dont have time for the sillyness anymore.

 

[upthemaiden]

This is the contradiction that baffles me.

No compromises, no cages...... you know, unless it's a special edition, $48k Harley Davidson edition F150. Basically buy one of the biggest cages you can find and slap some HD logos and some black and orange paint, and we'll consider compromising.

 

[myronman3]

some folks will buy anything that says "hd" on it. i remember when harley riders were truely different people. these days they are nothing more than cookie cutters. shows like american chopper make me barf in my mouth; those cunts whine and cry more than an ex wife. and morons out there want to be like that! wtf?

 

[konarider94]

that norton chick almost looks like one of the old bond girls

 

[burzac]

Riding a certain bike doesnt make you like all other people. Yes, many fit the stereotypes, but not every Harley rider whines, wears chains, buys chrome before clothes for their kids, smells, beats their wife, and loves porn.

I think among any riding brand, its hard to distinguish yourself. All the buells looks the same. with the exception of special exhaust and little things, they kinda all blend together. Harley is the same way. Everything is like that. Unless you really custom build your bike, its going to look a lot like every one else's bike.

But that doesnt mean the rider is just like everyone else who rides that style or brand of bike.

 

[Ronin1]

Always remember, your different, just like everyone else.

Jim

 

[ct1200]

Here u go...

And to think what people would call them today...
Really look like 1%ers to me ;-)

 

[2004xb12s]

the advertising is spot on. they know who their product appeals to and guess what its not buell riders. harley is doing a great job advertising all their chrome and crap because apparently it keeps selling. not to us but hey who cares because buell riders are such a small portion of the market

 

[turbines]

These two take the cake for drama queens.
Speaking of throwing up in your mouth...I just did

 

[firefighter1c57]

actual, Harley makes more off apparel than motorcycles or chrome widgets.

 

[buellbradski]

had a harley before my buell ,I went to a dealership near by and they had a bike night.Every wanna be yuppy for miles was in there dressed head to toe in harley gear. I didnt want to look like these fools so out the harley went and the next day i got the buell.theres just to many yuppies out there harley overproduced them now they dont hold there value like they used to.