Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[C2CRider]

Flame me out if you will.  I hate the new HD web page that is “partitioning” riders by gender and race.  I fully know that in this VERY politically correct world no one dares to say anything, but I just do not think this is a very good idea on Harley’s partl.  Damn it, we are ALL riders of a special brand of motorcycle, nothing more.  Knock off the Lady riders and the African-American riders and just put RIDERS on the web page.  My opinion of this matter will most likely get me shut down but I have also HAND written a letter to HD Corporate and Investor Relations.  Will it make any difference, I’m sure it won’t, but is sure does to me.    I know a few very narrow minds will see this as just some racist and gender biased comment, but it’s not.   

[Twolanerider]

Wasn't real sure what you were suggesting.  But you suggested it without enough excitement to get my interest.  Went to the HD website, clicked a few links, even logged in and checked the individual profile but couldn't find a thing.  Share a link to the offending section if you would?

[C2CRider]

HD web site, front page, large top banner...  there is about 5 different topics that show up. 

[Twolanerider]

HD web site, front page, large top banner...  there is about 5 different topics that show up. 

Still not seeing whatever it is that is the concern.  Just looked at the HD homepage again (at least as it presents on my screen).  Only thing I find that "segregates" by any group whatsoever is the drop downs under the "apparel" header.  Admittedly, I'm a major hottie in a little strapless summer thing but even so I don't have a real issue with Mother Harley breaking the clothes down by kids, gals and guys.

[Ironhorse]

Look under the Community Tab.

[Twolanerider]

Look under the Community Tab.

Got it Mark.  Thanks.  Had to dig further than a simple scan as didn't know what an "Iron Elite" or a "Harlista" was until clicking those selections. 

Major marketers market differently to different ethnic, gender and/or racial groups all the time.  So in and of itself what's there isn't anything new nor particularly unusual from a marketing perspective.  From a product perspective, however, it does seem a little odd. 

Even though with things like the different "Bike Week" events we all know there are target audiences that are collectively different some of the time the damn bikes have for such a long time been something whose reach was to an individual no matter who or what that individual was.  And we, mostly, recognize each other as individuals when we find each other out on the open road.  That's as it should be. 

Harley breaking its marketing down so blatantly and so directly isn't something I'd prefer to see.  But I'm a white bread white guy from the midwest so I'm the wrong guy to speak to how such a presentation impacts those the marketing targets.  I know I don't care for it.  I don't care who a rider is, what a rider rides or even who a rider rides so long as they enjoy the ride and don't bug me with their weirdness (if they have any).  But someone who is the target of the break down marketing should be the one to suggest what impression or impact it has on them.

[C2CRider]

Front page, scrolling headliners/topics.   Look at the 6 little orange boxes, click on #6. 

I am a retired EEO investigator for a Fortune 100 company; just don't appreciate any racial stove pipes…. I’m tired of it, it has no purpose or place, is inclusive only to those highlighted, exclusive to all others, that is all I’m saying. 

[miker]

I just checked "other" then wrote in Human...I think I am right, others may argue. 

[Twolanerider]

I just checked "other" then wrote in Human...I think I am right, others may argue. 

I wanted to check "Pacifist."  They didn't have that either.

[Midnight Rider]

It is a bit odd that HD is doing this, although "women riders" have been a specific target for a while now, with specific models being geared towards them, more because of stature than anything else, IMO.  That they are further segregating groups is a little personally distasteful, though sometimes members of those groups tend to segregate themselves...that is their choice, not mine.

Having worked in HRM for a very large University, I have seen it all.  Not always pleasant.  Obviously, marketing studies have suggested that HD pursue this method of advertising.  Time will tell how effective it is.

I do not personally care who the rider is, what they ride, or what they might stand for in their personal beliefs, as long as they keep those beliefs to themselves and don't try to shove it down my throat or anyone elses.

[Buy early]

Isn't the marketing of the CVO brand another form or partitioning? I realize that all races and genders can purchase one but it is marketing to a specific target isn't it? Sorry, I see a flame, I gotta throw some gas on it.

[Midnight Rider]

Isn't the marketing of the CVO brand another form or partitioning? I realize that all races and genders can purchase one but it is marketing to a specific target isn't it? Sorry, I see a flame, I gotta throw some gas on it.

Yea...but they don't have a "Total Lunatics that want to spend way too much money on a motorcycle" catagory. 

[hotroadking]

Isn't the marketing of the CVO brand another form or partitioning? I realize that all races and genders can purchase one but it is marketing to a specific target isn't it? Sorry, I see a flame, I gotta throw some gas on it.

Not really, any woman, man, white, black, hispanic, asian, muslim non english speaking person with
enough money and or credit can buy one...

[CVOJOE]

I just checked "other" then wrote in Human...I think I am right, others may argue. 

 

Love it Miker! I think their marketing consultants is clearly targeting specific groups, not unusual these days, but not welcome to a great many of us. Such is the quest for the almighty buck.

 

[hotroadking]

There are only so many old white guys that ride. You have to play all the markets.

It's just part of the deal these days


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk