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[Red Dragon]

Hey ALL,
I'm a "NEWBIE" here...(hate that term, but of course I'll live with it...THIS IS THE ONLY "FORUM" I am a member of...I am ALL CVO!!! and CVO ONLY!!!), but I can't find anything on here (maybe it's my poor "search" method) about H-D's decision to drop sponsorship from AHDRA, and increase or "extend" sponsorship to NHRA (where the rulesmakers in that series have just made it easier for Harley's to lose in PSM  ). This decision, IMHO, is going to hurt us all. RACING COMPETITION of a motor vehicle brand almost always contributes to sales....and sales keep our passion alive and well. There are more H-D's in this country than any other brand...That's a GOOD thing...    but just sit on the sidelines and watch like most AMERICANS (shameful). Look what has happened to the AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY.

I know that this crappy economy has contributed to lower attendance, but, come on...it's seems like the MOCO can see us thru these hard times and start some kind of campaign to wake some of us up....and get those who don't pay attention to start paying attention. There are some that are ruining everything AMERICA stands for...including the HARLEY-DAVIDSON BRAND...I ain't got no soapbox under me, but I have a heart, and I CARE!

I also think that NASCAR's decision to allow MOM's little family car, (the CAMRY) to compete in an "ALL AMERICAN" series has hurt NASCARS bottom line, but that's another story, completely...

I'm just concerned. I also noticed that the crowds at short track in Daytona this year were basically half of what they used to be. Most of the stands were filled with us "old timers", and I heard many, many negative comments about NO H-D's on the grid anymore...I know, I know....H-D doesn't make a "thumper", but at least the Harley colors were on the Rotax Powered bikes, and the riders leathers back in the day. It's all HONDA's, Kawi's, Yami's, etc. now  ....but the Moco is still the MAJOR sponsor of the series down here...I can see (in the very near future) the stands being empty, and SHORT TRACK going away at bike week. That very much sadens me. My uncle raced back on the beach there many years ago, and I always enjoy short track cuz' it reminds me of those times...The MIDWEST hotbed of Dirt track M/C racing is hard for me to get to from down here where I live.

I guess I'm just "concerned". I know that this bad economy, and the huge number of increased GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS under our current KING is having a huge impact on anything "motorized", but it seem like if we all started questioning some of these decisions, and paying closer attention to what's really going on, we could save the sports that help our passion stay alive. Get involved...Write to H-D management. Write to the NHRA and the Dirt Track Series Management...Don't WAIT until logo's like "SCREAMIN' EAGLE" are distant "I remember when..." memories. I fired off 3 letters to some of 'em this AM...H.O.G. too...and I'm writing another one right now. The "Bean Counters" are NOT ALWAYS THE SMARTEST FOLKS IN THE ROOM...If upper management doesn't know how "WE" feel about certain things, then everything just keeps on sinkin'.
...And when it happens, the "beancounters" get booted and go to work for another global corp. I would bet most of those $$$ geeks don't even ride.

Let me know how y'all feel about this, or just tell me to "go away and forget this crap"...whatever....I'm just sayin'....

[chaos901]

Regarding the NHRA, since H-D has been racing the V-Rods the association has been adjusting the weight that had to be added to the ricers so that a competetive balance could be acheived.  Sometimes more, sometimes less.  Even making adjustments during the season if either the V-Twins or Ricers was dominating. 

H-D won last year so the pendulum has to go back a little.  Nothing wrong with leveling the playing field (IMO).   

[Red Dragon]

OK. Sorry I asked. My bad.

[2k]

OK. Sorry I asked. My bad.

Don't be. What is wrong with having a Harley only racing event. There have been many instances. Toyota Racing Series, WoO, Ledgends, and many local dirt tracks run "Crate Motors" that can't be touched. It appears that Harley is making a payback for the NHRA allowing the Vrod to become competitive with the Ricers.......never could happen without handicaps. And NO I do not ride a Ricer............nor do I pull up beside one at a light.

[dlaws01]

No, not concerned at all. 

[VANAMAL]

Ive seen willy at a couple of nhra events. Big event,huge crowds everyone into anything that goes fast. Everything is always about the dollar.

[grc]

I'd much rather see H-D spend all that money on improving the products they actually sell to the street riders.  You know, better suspensions, better quality components, much improved reliability, lighter weight, etc.  After all, the old auto axiom of "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" doesn't carry much if any weight anymore, and wouldn't have any meaning at all with an all Harley series anyway.  And if racing actually created sales, I wonder why Harley isn't selling V-Rods like hotcakes because they win some races in Pro Stock with a supposed V-Rod.

Jerry

[berniemc]

I would rather see MOCO spend more money and buy American made parts instead of so much Chinese junk.

[Mountainman streetbob]

As I remember it Harley forgot it's roots once already since 85... Seems about time to do it again...

[flhse]

Well, if I remember correctly, the current CEO had to go through riders edge so he could learn to ride.  A number of new hires in the moco do not ride, what does that tell you???

I've pretty much threw in the towel on mother Harley. 

Brad

[Supershooter]

The issue I have with the MoCo sponsorship choice is, UFC. I don't support a sport that has a goal of beating your opponent into submission. I'd rather they spend their ad dollars in a less violent sport with a bigger audience.
Dustin

[screaminCVO]

The issue I have with the MoCo sponsorship choice is, UFC. I don't support a sport that has a goal of beating your opponent into submission. I'd rather they spend their ad dollars in a less violent sport with a bigger audience.
Dustin

x2

[dayne66]

The issue I have with the MoCo sponsorship choice is, UFC. I don't support a sport that has a goal of beating your opponent into submission. I'd rather they spend their ad dollars in a less violent sport with a bigger audience.
Dustin

I concur!  But, the Moco is going after the younger male audience.

[chaos901]

Well, if I remember correctly, the current CEO had to go through riders edge so he could learn to ride.  A number of new hires in the moco do not ride, what does that tell you???

That tells me that it is a business and they are treating it as such.    

I would like it better if the best qualified people were also riders but would settle for the best qualified person.  Obviously some positions require the knowledge that you get from being a rider, but I imagine that the closer you get to the top the less that is relevant.  After all it does get down to dollars at some point, not saying that is right or wrong, just the fact of the matter.  

Certainly there are companies that make women's products that are run by men.  Supposedly they are not using the products that they manufacture either.