Harley Free-Ride Progam

[Whopper]

I ride a 2002 XL1200C and thoroughly enjoy it. It is quick enough for me and very maneuverable. In a "past life" (before kids, mortgages etc.) I rode British bikes, Trumpets, Beezers and a Norton Atlas found its way in the pack. Lucas, the "Prince of Darkness" haunted every one of them.

No one ever told me my sporty was a girlie bike, at least not to my face. But frankly, I really don't care. It is the right bike for me at this stage of my life. A Big Twin may grace my garage at some future date, but I still remember when 650 or 750 ccs was standard and a 74 inch Harley was BIG.

[BlueBob]

I think we may be missing the point. I don't think anyone on this forum thinks Sporties are sissy bikes. I think we can all agree that they are some bad mamma jammas. But no one can argue that there are some ignant folk out there that DO subscribe to that stereotype. I think we all also agree that the free-ride program is a good one. The question is: Does the program perpetuate a stupid stereotype among an audience of first-time-buyers? An audience that is unindoctrinated, and may be more susceptible to believing that stereotype.

[unclepsycho]

Ah, good point Blue,

I don't think the program itself will perpetuate that thought of being a sissy bike at all , I think it will help people on the edge of wanting to ride, but dont want a heavy bike at first. so it should help them make the decision to get the sporty first, so they can learn to ride before they step up to their big bike (Which is what HD s hoping for in the first place). When I had gone and looked at that sporty years ago, I really wanted it. but I let my ego get in the way, I didnt want some guy telling me I was riding my wife's bike! I was younger then and didnt know any better. I had been riding smaller jap bikes then like a 350 honda and a 650 yamaha, so a sporty would have been perfect and logical step up for me.

[BretXL1200C]

My 71 year old dad has a Ultra-Classic and has been riding Harleys for 55 years. He always borrows my 1200 sporty because it reminds him of the old days. So don't let people say that its a girls bike because obviously all they care about is social status, not the ride!

[tschmidtgal]

About that thing of sportster being a "girlly" bike. The president of the Hell's Angels rides a Sportster....I'd like someone to tell him he's riding a girlly bike. hahaha

[Gas Man]

I know I loved this program. Even though it wasn't in play in 2007, this spring I took advantage of it.

Traded in the wife's 883L and got her a new nightster. I threw in my chop trade and went with a new Ultra. As far as HD is concerned it worked perfectly. Her 07 883 was traded in at full retail price $7600. Then the wife ordered a new 09 Nightster which she can also trade in within the next 2 yrs if she so feels she wants to. But hell I love the new sporty. So it will probably stick around, plus she don't like the "big v-twins".

[glenbo]

Sounds like a good program, and I might use it when we're through reconstructing from Hurricane Ike, in which I lost my 07 Nightster. When I went to pick it up with my girlfriend, the buttwipe at the dealership asked if it was for my wife. Typical ignorant jerk attitude, like the moron who calls them "Shirley Davidson". There's always someone who is a nothing and talks down someone else to make himself feel better.

[cyclifli]

I will say that I like the program