Interesting point of view from a Harley rider

[mstevens]

I went to the ICU the other evening to do a consult. Since I was finished in the office and would be riding home next, I was already wearing my boots and carried my gloves in my helmet along with my jacket.

As often happens, this started a conversation along the lines of "oh, you have a motorcycle" with one of the nurses who wanted to know what a Ducati was. After I said a little about my bike, another nurse piped up with "if Ducatis are any good, why aren't you wearing the gear?"

This confused me. After all, there was all my gear right there to be seen. She went on to say "Harley riders only wear Harley stuff," which made her first question more clear. I tried explaining that Ducati made pretty good motorcycles but that I didn't think that meant they made good socks. That didn't seem to get me anywhere so I tried clarifying that while there was some very good gear sold by Ducati, they didn't actually make any of it themselves, and that I figured I might as well buy the gear that was best for me irrespective of the label. I also pointed out that while there was probably tons of Harley gear that would fit me, hardly any Ducati-branded stuff would (I'm NOT built like an Italian teenager).

This is why my heart sinks a tiny bit every time I see a Ducati-branded Tumi backpack (as incredibly good as Tumi is) or Sandisk memory card, or whatever; for many people, Harley is about branding more than anything else. Motorcycles these days just happen to be one of the things that carries the brand. Ducati is still (for now) about motorcycles and all the other stuff bearing the name or logo is secondary. For now.

[Tangerine Dream]

You are correct sir. That is an interesting point of view. People are suckers for marketing and brands. We all are to a degree. And I do have plenty of Ducati branded gear    But I try not to look like a billboard when I head out. Oddly enough it was a Harley rider that drove this point home for me on a recent trip. I was at the airport in Nashville waiting to board and the guy walked up to get in line. He looked like a Harley threw up on him    Bandana, glasses, shirt, vest, belt, pants, boots, watch, etc.  All were Harley branded. The impression it left on me has caused me to pick only a single Ducati branded piece (if any) when I open the closet before a ride.

Ducati is certainly working on the brand.  And I'm perfectly fine with that. If it gives them the resources to continue to kick butt in Moto GP and develop new and improved moto's every year; more power to them 

[hooligan machinist]

  I'm with ya mstevens,
My gear is a mix of Shoei, joe rocket & a-stars. Whatever i could find that would fit me.
The only thing i own that says Ducati on it is the bike. And the helmet is the only thing with a "large" logo.

[weemonster]

at least most of the ducati merchandise is useful or classy.

I havent seen a ducati  whatever you call those thing you put yer beer bottle in so yer hand doesnt make it warm.

[Triple J]

at least most of the ducati merchandise is useful or classy.

I havent seen a ducati  whatever you call those thing you put yer beer bottle in so yer hand doesnt make it warm.

That's a beer cozy man!  Classy?  Maybe not.  Useful...hell yeah!!

[hyphen]

Personally, I think it's funny seeing a guy decked out in branded gear.  For instance, I was at a car show last month with my girlfriend and I saw a nice 1098 parked.  We were browsing the cars and I saw this guy in his mid 40s wearing a ducati backpack, ducati t-shirt and ducati leathers.  I was thinking to myself, "wow...really?"  I went up and asked him if that was his 1098 parked outside (obviously it was).  And he just scoffed and was like "Yeah, heh" and walked off.

Same thing with Harley logo whores.  In my msf class there were at least 2 guys that wore Harley beanies, t-shirts and jackets when they either didn't even own one yet or didn't know shit about their bikes.  I know this because I asked one of the guys what model he has.  He simply said "a '98".  Wow...okay, because a '98 HD is totally a model.

I personally like supporting companies or brands I like.  I bought a shirt from my jiujitsu gym and wear it all the time.  And I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing branded gear.  Just don't try too hard or wear it just to be cool.  And definitely don't wear it if it isn't comfortable or doesn't fit.

[calscrazy]

you should try working with six of those die hard harley branders. we have technicians that wear harley work boots. it's a little over the top for me but whatever makes them fell special go right on ahead. i ran into a guy who was decked out in harley gear once but was riding a honda.......go figure. there are guys at bike night around here wearing nothing but (insert prefered bike here) gear.

[sbrguy]

remember that harley davidson is probably one of the best branded and marketed companies ever, so the fact that its a great branded item is saying the obvious almost no other product is as world known except maybe coca cola and maybe nike... that's it.

that being said i think personally that ducati has never tried very hard or done a good job at selling the brand of ducati when it comes to clothing, they dont' have the "hook" of harley with the "harley attitude" and the sixties "harley biker gang" thing going on.. that is how harley gets most of their branding right there.  then if you notice harley also puts out pretty subdued clothing all basiclly very classic designs they don't change much.

honestly a lot of the ducati stuff is ugly, though the whole borgnale line has heritage unelss you like the italian colors all over everything its frankly ugly.  i think if ducati made a bit more subtle things then maybe they could sell their gear better, but they will never have the same brand recognition of the harley davidson.

me i like the bmw gear, fits well and not a lot of bmw stuff on the outside.

[Super T.I.B]

Judas Priest like there Harley gear too.......

[OwnyTony]

Personally, I think it's funny seeing a guy decked out in branded gear.  For instance, I was at a car show last month with my girlfriend and I saw a nice 1098 parked.  We were browsing the cars and I saw this guy in his mid 40s wearing a ducati backpack, ducati t-shirt and ducati leathers.  I was thinking to myself, "wow...really?"  I went up and asked him if that was his 1098 parked outside (obviously it was).  And he just scoffed and was like "Yeah, heh" and walked off.

At times like that (which has never happened to me because Ducs are rare here; nor do I act like that to others) is when I wish I had a desmosedicci.  In which case, i would park it next to the 1098, find the guy in the car show, complement him on his bike (knowing that he will respond like an ass) and cock slap him in the face before he walks off  by pointing out you parked your bike next to his.

so insecure to respond like that.  If people are going to complement you, atleast take it with some grace and find a way to return the complement. Something like, "Oh, thank you for noticing" with a smile and a friendly tone of voice.

[hyphen]

At times like that (which has never happened to me because Ducs are rare here; nor do I act like that to others) is when I wish I had a desmosedicci.  In which case, i would park it next to the 1098, find the guy in the car show, complement him on his bike (knowing that he will respond like an ass) and cock slap him in the face before he walks off  by pointing out you parked your bike next to his.

so insecure to respond like that.  If people are going to complement you, atleast take it with some grace and find a way to return the complement. Something like, "Oh, thank you for noticing" with a smile and a friendly tone of voice.

if only I made that kind of money :/

[psycledelic]

you should try working with six of those die hard harley branders.

Try working with about 30.  Most of which come pull in looking like Hell's Angel's and magically convert to IT personel, purchasing reps, and/or payroll when they enter the building.  I am talking head to toe Harley representatives.  The really funny thing is, they will also deck completely out and drive then drive their truck to work.  I guess that is acceptable because of the HD tag on the front and the Bright Orange HD decal that takes up the entire back window. 

[lauramonster]

What's it say about their view of themselves?  Trying to cover themselves in something so they can pretend they're something they're not?  I try to stay away from those decked out in labels. 

[c_rex]

wear what you like.  who cares what anyone else thinks?  you don't like matching head to toe.  don't buy it.  /shrug

[Duck-Stew]

I ride a Harley & a Ducati while wearing the same jacket.....  A retro Ducati jacket I got on clearance from MotoWheels.  Why?  Because I don't give a damn about the name on the gear.  I'm a motorcyclist not a brand-snob.

I throw high-signs to soccer-moms on Vespas too, btw.