Harley Free-Ride Progam - Harley Forum

BlueBob · #1 01-22-2009, 03:21 PM

I'll say right up front that it's a great way to get folks on a Sportster... But does anyone else think this is a little degrading to the XL? I mean, it already suffers a rediculous and baseless image problem as a "girly" bike (as my co-worker just mentioned). Seems to me that this kinda fuels the fire by saying, "Hey... we know it's not a REAL Harley. So we'll take it back once you're done learning to ride!"

What say you?

Tbone · #2 01-22-2009, 07:55 PM

Perception is in the mind of the beholder. I think there are people who would try a Sportster to see if that's what they want to do and later be glad for the offer unless they decide that cycling is not for them. There are the midget minded who never pass up a chance to belittle something in order to make themselves feel superior and they will never go away. Dismiss them. Politely at first.

BlueBob · #3 01-22-2009, 08:08 PM

I will say that I like the program. That's what landed me on my first Harley... although I didn't trade in until four years later. Just curious if there isn't a better way to do it.

unfknblvbl · #4 01-22-2009, 08:10 PM

I think it's a little degrading. I always told my wife that if I ever bought a brand new bike I would not buy a sportster. Why? Not because it has the image of "girly" bike, but because I knew I would outgrow it, want more out of a bike rather sooner than later. I would love to have a sportster, a 1200 set up right can be a quick and nimble bike. I tried for years to buy my old mans 73 off of him, but no such luck. However, the day before my wedding he offered to give me his Sporty if I didn't get married.

The Nightster is a sweet looking bike and I would ride the hell out of one. One of the guys I work with has a 883 and he always referencing to his bike as a "girly" bike. To me what damn difference does it make. You're on a Harley, you have the ability to ride and there are many people out there who only dream of owning a bike, even if it is a Sportster and they'd be more than happy to ride yours. Another guy I work with has a Nightster and he's barely got 600 miles. I think it's a damn shame to see that nice looking bike, sitting in the weather, and never being rode. He's had his Nightster longer than I've had my train and I'm creeping up on 5k miles here real fast.

milindh · #5 01-22-2009, 08:54 PM

When I saw this title I thought it referred to what somebody posted a few days back, that Harley Davidson was applying for some of that good bailout money. It seems they are in dire straghts. Or so they say.

Wrightturn · #6 01-22-2009, 10:08 PM

My first HD was a 1966 XLCH. They were kick only and and I only met one woman who could start it. We were dead even arm wrestling.

All Harleys are girlie bikes. The day they took off the kicker and put electric starters on it was all over. No more macho.

For 3yr my 115lb daughter rode a 350ci Boss Hoss. The ultimate "chic bike".

unclepsycho · #7 01-22-2009, 10:15 PM

Yeah, What Tbone said,

Every spring for several years back in the early 90's I wanted to get another bike. I saw a harley for sale, went to look at it, it was a Sporty. the price was nice and low for a Harley I thought, the Seller himself asked me if I was getting it for my wife

I just looked at him and shook my head as I walked away. I ended up buying a work truck. Unfortunalely at that time it was the smart move for me. It would be a couple more years before I got to get another bike. I never saw anything wrong with a man riding a sportster, they ride fine..... oh well. Midget minded is a good way to put it.

unfknblvbl · #8 01-22-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milindh

When I saw this title I thought it referred to what somebody posted a few days back, that Harley Davidson was applying for some of that good bailout money. It seems they are in dire straghts. Or so they say.

Their stocks are in the dumps right now. They're down 30 dollars a share from 6 months ago. Good for us, bad for them....I'm not a financial guy so at least it seems bad for them.

evoKENevo · #9 01-23-2009, 08:40 AM

One way to think of this is that H.D. needs to move iron...any & all iron... right now...and that they're giving the consumer who may want a B.T. (but can't afford it now) the option to start smaller (now) knowing that a large percent of those buying the Sportster will (like Blue mentioned) find that they really like what H.D. knows is a good machine and stick with it at least until the offered trade-in time-limit expires...or will lose interest in riding all together and just sell the bike out right...noting that the full purchase price offer only applies towards the purchase of a new B.T...which the other buyers just might trade-up to in an H.D. win-win situation.

Yeah,and, in the meantime the more guys seen riding Sportsters...the less they'd be consided as "girlie-bikes",by the fools who think that way...bringing their resale value up that much more...maybe !!!

Besides...no matter what model they sell you the real $$$$$$ are made on the back-end...service,parts,finance,insurance,etc.

shovelmike · #10 01-23-2009, 10:21 AM

Back in June '85 I bought my 85 XLX, the last of the Ironheads. I paid $4350 which was about the same as many of the Japanese imitators. In July Harley released the 86 883 Sporty for $3995 and soon introduced the "883 Ride Free Guarantee", same basic deal as the current program, except that it is my understanding that the deal applies to 1200 Sporties as well. In spite of having the option of receiving their MSRP toward a big twin, many kept their Sporties (many who didn't miss them when they feel the urge to romp around their stomping grounds on a light, nimble bike). Although the Sportster's competitive price makes it a great starting point, it is much more than a "girl's bike" or a "beginner's bike. Think about it: For decades the big twins were 1200's (the venerable 74), put that size engine in a bike that is 100 pounds lighter than the big twin and it makes for big fun!
So......Yeah, the ride free guarantee idea has been around a while and appears to be a very good program for the MOCO, a loss leader concept that usually wins converts who stay in it for the long haul.