Interesting point of view from a Harley rider

[mcgalinmd]

I had this same conversation with my hubby who used to ride HD's (now has a BMW K1200LT).  I told him I would not buy any Ducati gear because I didn't want to look like a Harley "poser", even though I own a Ducati.

I teach MSF classes, and we have SOOOO many students come to class all decked out in HD S@#$#T, and they've never sat on a bike.  We had a guy today in all the HD gear from head to toe, and proceeded to t-bone another rider, damaging two bikes and injuring the other rider.  What a tard....And they call metric bikes (starter bikes).  It really gets me pissed off. 

I have two Ducati t-shirts, a jacket (that's part of a suit; texport with the Cagiva Elephant on back), and one hat that I have no idea where the heck it went.  I can't fit into womens Ducati gear unless they remove 1/2 of me. 

Anyway, did you ever hear about the Harley Davidson Tampons that they've got for sale now??? They all leak.   

[mstevens]

Anyway, did you ever hear about the Harley Davidson Tampons that they've got for sale now??? They all leak.   

LOL!

I wasn't trying to criticize anyone in starting the thread. The main point was the belief that some people have that if the bikes are good, the gear must be good. That just doesn't make sense to me on the face of it. The secondary point was the belief that there's some point in "supporting" a bike manufacturer by wearing branded gear.

I've driven BMW cars for nearly a quarter-century. My dad keeps giving me BMW belt buckles, T-shirts, hats, books, etc. In all this time he's never figured out that I'm just interested in the actual cars and not the other stuff. He'd be a GREAT Harley customer, since he's the kind of guy that needs to have one of everything and they certainly do seem to have nearly everything (the tampons must be new, and maybe he would skip those. If BMW sold tampons, I'm certain he'd buy my wife some).

[Kyna]

Ehh, I don't see much difference between people wearing HD gear with logos all over than people wearing GAP, A&F, or AE shirts.  A lot of people wear clothing that has a brand logo all over it.  Each brand it trying to portray some image.  Whatever makes them happy.  It doesn't really impact me.  They'd probably have the same attitude regardless of what brand clothing they wore.

[sno_duc]

Personally I don't care what another riders gear has plastered on it as long as it is GOOD gear. ( nike tennis shoes, cut-off levis, A&F t-shirt, and oakley sunglasses don't cut it in my book )
A couple things H D has done right; their jeans are actually good jeans if you can catch em on sale, their less gaudy belts are good quality, and every H D dealership I've been in sells t-shirts unique to that dealership.
The comments on carrharts is right on, they aren't what they where 15- 20 years ago.

[DoubleEagle]

I was a Harley rider long before I knew anything about Ducatis. I still have 5 Harley Jackets including alot of the 100th Anniversary swag . Jacket, Vest , Gloves, Chaps, and everything still looks pretty much as new.                                                                                                                                                                                                         


When I fell in love with Ducatis , the Harley gear stayed in the closet and there it remains unless I sell it. I love Dainese leather and collect it now. Since they make Ducatis's leather I have bought several Ducati leather Jackets as well.                                                                                                                                                   

Since I never wore a helmet when I rode my Harley's , when I bought a couple of BMWs ,especially the one I still have and then the Ducatis , I went on a Helmet collecting binge. I've got more Arais and Shoeis than fingers on both hands . I love variety and wearing something different each time I ride. My brother says I should have been a woman the way I buy clothing.                                                                                                                                                                                                           

I feel like I am part and parcel to the brand and I definitly go for function over style when it comes to motorcycle gear. It just so happens that I think Dainese looks good too.I see nothing wrong w/ wearing the brand of Bike's leather Jacket but I generally wear 3 or 4 different brands (Helmet ) ( Safety Jacket + Jacket) ( Pants )  (Gloves + Boots ) .I wouldn't wear every piece of the same brand gear if it had the name in large letters unless someone was paying me like a pro racer on the track.

[bigiain]

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

Duc-Stew, pickin' up the MILFS....

I'm glad _somebody_ posted this... (I'm far to dignified to _post_ it, I just _thought_ it and laughed out loud!)

big

[ArguZ]

If you are getting to fat to fit in the nice Ducati leather its time to buy a Harley   
At least they have the XXXL gear on display.
I have problems closing my Dainese , but it will last one more year 

[Hank]

But I try not to look like a billboard when I head out.

Even though you have a Ducati helmet, jacket, t-shirt, belt and pants.  I'm sure you have more too 
I have a Ducati watch though.  Bet you ain't got one of those.

[Super T.I.B]

I have a Ducati watch though.  Bet you ain't got one of those.

Yep. I watch my Ducati in my shed when I'm having a beer. 

[Taz Duc]

At least Harley treats lady riders right with providing a nice selection of gear that fits REAL women.  Another thing I found out lately is I prefer my local Hog dealership over my local Ducati.  It might not mean anything to all you guys, but at my age I will not tolerate anymore sexism or lack of concern in making my Duc riding experience enjoyable.  Before you jump in and say I'm too sensitive, my hubby also felt the same negative vibes independent from me saying anything to him.

My bottom line, Harely welcomes women riders/customers and Ducati not so much.

[DucPete]

My bottom line, Harely welcomes women riders/customers and Ducati not so much.

This thread is choke full of generalisms.  I'm also guilty of what you're doing here.  Taking one experience and labeling everything else based on it.  I was actually thinking about this to myself today regarding some overseas travel.

My Ducati Dealer seems to be very gender neutral, and open to anyone who walks in the door.  My experience with a local HD dealer was less than good.  First of all it seemed more like a department store, with all of the branded gear.  The store was 85% non motorcycle stuff.  We were in the 15% bikes and gear area and while I wasn't about to buy a bike, no one said anything to us.  Didn't seem very warm.

[mitt]

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.

was it bobspapa?       

mitt

[mitt]

My bottom line, Harely welcomes women riders/customers and Ducati not so much.

It could be a lot of things besides the brand.  Could be demographics, age, type of shop, etc.  It could also be that HD has had more sales training to be more inclusive.

I think that HD intentionally includes women more, cause a lot of cruiser riders take their spouses along, and they have to get spousal permission to buy that $20k chrome horse.  Ducs don't really fall into that category.  I imagine a lot of riders here (me included) have spouses that really don't care about the monster, or moto shop or duc clothes, and will probably never go on another pillion ride with me while I own a monster.

mitt

[Triple J]

My bottom line, Harely welcomes women riders/customers and Ducati not so much.

You need to find another dealer.  My wife has never not felt welcome at our local dealer. 

[Statler]

I think a lot of you folk spend entirely too much time being concerned about what others are wearing/riding/doing/saying/thinking.

Life is much more relaxing when you don't give a make the beast with two backs about the other guy and try to live your own life to the fullest.