Harley-Davidson says "screw fuel mileage"
America, please don't buy a Harley because it gets 50 mpg. MPG describes riding like biology describes sex. History has shaped this tank, not the whims of foreign oil. American workers pour their soul into it. Lets chase sunsets whether gas is 6 bucks or 6 red cents. Let's ride to parties like rock stars. Let's fill the tank that gives back more than we put in. So screw it, let's ride.Click on the pic on the right to enlarge. Yeah, so that's a new ad for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Some of us here are motorcycle riders who have been riding since gas was cheap and who continue to ride now that it isn't. We still believe in the virtues that good gas mileage brings. We also don't recommend riding a motorcycle solely to save money on fuel, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Although we understand what Harley is saying with this particular advertisement (while also slyly mentioning that its bikes do get good mileage), we still wonder if it's the best message to send.
[Source: Motorcycles.About.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
gorr 11:10AM (9/07/2008)
I don't know if it make more mpg with regular mufflers or with strait pipes. I hope it make more mpg with regular mufflers because very often im annoyed by their big noise.
Reply
Peekoyle 11:20AM (9/07/2008)
Yeh, and screw those poor soldiers sent to die so that we can have cheap gas.
Reply
stevefazek 11:59AM (9/07/2008)
USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA VROOOOOM VROOOOOOM VROOOOOOOM VROOOOOOOM VROOOOOOOMM USA USA USA USA USA USA
Thats what the average Harley rider will do when anyone questions Bush
Steve 12:17AM (9/08/2008)
Peekoyle blathered: "Yeh, and screw those poor soldiers sent to die so that we can have cheap gas."
Unless you have been or are currently in the military, don't pretend to speak on behalf of our men and women proudly wearing an American uniform.
The longest contract is 6yr active/2yr IRR split. Discussions of invading Iraq begin during the summer of 2002. That means every soldier in the military today voluntarily enrolled or reinlisted while knowing full well they could be sent to, or assigned to support, the effort in Iraq.
And every single US service men and women bristles at your notion that are they are capable of is being "sent to die." They train extensively for the missions they're sent to complete, and are the most capable soldiers in the history of the world. Your dismissive view of them is a horrible disservice to both their capabilities and your judgement.
And I've never heard anyone, /anyone/, successfully argue that we're in Iraq for "cheap gas" or that our military action would lower the price of oil... which incidentally, saw its biggest price increases two and a half years after the invasion, for reasons far outside of the borders of Iraq.
Think before you type. Pithy and delusional one-liners are hard to defend and impossible take back.
meme 12:58PM (9/08/2008)
"That means every soldier in the military today voluntarily enrolled or reinlisted while knowing full well they could be sent to, or assigned to support, the effort in Iraq."
Don't give me that. I had a friend whose MOS was a lab tech -- i.e., no overseas deployment. His job was to analyze medical samples, things like biopsies. They changed him to a combat medic without his consent (as well as everyone he worked with) and sent him to LSA Anaconda. The only other person I've known whose been in the military in recent years was told when he was recruited that he'd be serving in Germany; that's why he joined. He's already completed one tour in Iraq.
This notion of "they knew what they were in for when they joined" pretends that the military hasn't used every piece of deception and fine print in the book to boost their combat numbers. They have.
Ziv 11:56AM (9/07/2008)
I don't think there are a lot of Harley owners that ride because of the cost of gas. These bikes are expensive to buy and maintain, my friends that own them love them for what they bring to the ride, the sound, the feel and the places they go. And, to be honest, the way people view a Harley is different than any other motorcycle out there.
Reply
stevefazek 12:53PM (9/07/2008)
God i hate those bikes, Over priced under engineered. They tend to try to cover up how much they suck with more chrome.
Reply
Chris M 3:53PM (9/07/2008)
Harleys are like Harley owners: Loud, Obnoxious, and Unreliable!
David Fox 11:58PM (9/07/2008)
"Harleys are like Harley owners: Loud, Obnoxious, and Unreliable! " Here Hear! A neighbor regularly wakes me at 5.50am starting his freaking Harley. How come these folks get a free ticket to disturb the peace? aaauuugghhh!
Trev 12:13PM (9/07/2008)
HAHA! Great ad!
Reply
Joseph 12:22AM (9/08/2008)
This is some really clever advertising.
Reply
gorr 1:43PM (9/07/2008)
Harley bikes are a icon and a way of life of the 1950's era and represent feelings of that great and peaceful yet exciting era, so by respect of that tradition they should sell the gasoline at the price of that era at approximatelly 25 cents\gallon.
Reply
mike 4:38PM (9/07/2008)
don't buy that harley because the POOR QUALITY CASES CRACK and it leaks 12 quarts oil to ride 900 miles wrecking havoc on the environment the whole way and don't buy it cause because in the real world it gets 30 to 42 miles to the gallon... buy it because its a 5,000 dollar bike that costs 20,000......... oh yea and for the sound????? ahhh nostalgia of owning a dinosaur
Reply
tankd0g 9:59PM (9/07/2008)
Stuck in 1982 much?
James 3:07PM (9/07/2008)
Harleys are truly over rated motorcycles My Honda was $2,000.00 less then a simlar size Harley and is a far better bike by far.
Reply
MikeInNC 4:06PM (9/07/2008)
Some of you guys don't really get it do you? That ad was obviously a way to tell you what great fuel mileage an HD gets while making a statement that you don't ride it for the (great) mileage. It's an obvious attempt to have it both ways and from the way most are responding, I'd say they got exactly what they wanted.
Great mileage and great style. HD's aren't my cup of tea but as any car freak will attest, it's not always logic that makes you but the car you really want. If it is, then maybe you aren't the enthusiast you think.
Reply
Matt 4:34PM (9/07/2008)
News flash for yuppie Harley owners (most of them nowadays): You're NOT a rock star, nor Jesse James, regardless of how you arrive at the party/play-date/kiddie soccer game. Please stop assaulting the rest of us with loud pipes in the guise of safety. Most people grow out of needing to be the center of attention in adolescence, too many of those that don't seem to ride rediculously loud bikes.
Reply
RJ 8:15PM (9/07/2008)
I have never really had much interest in owning a Harley. Seeing that ad, I have even less interest now. Personally, I would much rather have a Honda. I have had several and they are great!
Reply
Steve 9:24PM (9/07/2008)
"we still wonder if it's the best message to send"
It is indeed the best message message to send. Well, maybe second to 'don't buy Harley because you're having a midlife crisis and haven't ridden a motorcycle in 30 years, if ever, and will be putting yourself and everyone else around you in danger due to your lack of experience and commonsense'
Seriously though, the savings of gas costs over total transportation costs of driving a motorcycle are negligable at best, especially considering the high price tag of a new motorcycle. And the last thing I(*) want to see is more clueless, inexperienced drivers on /any/ make of motorcycle.
For the past several decades, Harley has promoted a lifestyle image as much (if not moreso) than a product, and that's exactly what they're latest ad is about.
To the commenters who read so much into it as to use the ad as an excuse to mock American patriotism, middle America, or Bush voters or whatnot, go suck an egg. You're missing the point... your contempt for (and lack of understanding of, and inability to communicate with) your neighbors may very well cost your favored candidate the election.
(I = speaking as the owner of one very reliable Harley, two Suzukis, two Kawasakis and a Yamaha)
Reply
stevefazek 8:18AM (9/08/2008)
USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA