Harley: The Brett Favre of Motorcycles?

[derby]

Idk-from what I hear, one can at least take a Harley on a test ride at a dealer.

It's harder to get one on some of the other bikes I've looked at-seriously-I'm going to ride this thing, and you want me to spend how much without letting me see how it feels?

that's really dealer dependent... there are dealers here in LA that'll let you take a ride up angeles crest (like pro-italia) and others that'll give you a bike for a weekend (long beach bmw).

[muskrat]

The problem is at the dealership level. There is little to no training for he sales people/management on the actual sales process. They spend too much time telling you how great HD is and just expecting you to buy one based in the company's history and lifestyle rather than following a sales process.
 There are specific steps to selling anything whether it be a HD or a Ducati or a television. The lack of sales ability in every HD dealership I've ever been in is borderline comical.

I agree but this is a problem across all brands of bikes and believe me everywhere I travel I look for HD and Ducati dealerships to visit and do.  It amazes me how many idiots sell bikes.  Also, my guess is that at least half of all HD buyers buy it for the lifestyle they think they can get by owning the bike not because they are true riders. 

[Grappa]

If they let them test ride the HD's first, they would have too many crashes!      Besides that, for liability reasons, though I don't know for sure, I would think that the dealership would want the test rider to be wearing full gear.  And having to wear full gear would destroy some of the Harley mystique, as many prospective HD riders might be picturing their bad selves barreling down the highway with just jeans, t-shirt, a denim vest, and their shades.      

[greenohawk69]

My current manager was the chrome quality manager for HD before moving to NC.  He talks about all of the bullshit the union creates.  One of the reasons he sought after new employment in a non-union environment.  I doubt they will be very keen on lowering wages.  I wonder if HD knows about the 50 acre land next to where I work?  I wonder if they would mind a Monster parked in their employee parking lot?

One of the recent changes to the union, at least in Milwaukee, is the new peeps start @ $19/hour vs. the $27/hour of peeps with experience. 

HD is aware of the 50 acre lot...it has been discussed in previous articles. 

[greenohawk69]

If they let them test ride the HD's first, they would have too many crashes!      Besides that, for liability reasons, though I don't know for sure, I would think that the dealership would want the test rider to be wearing full gear.  And having to wear full gear would destroy some of the Harley mystique, as many prospective HD riders might be picturing their bad selves barreling down the highway with just jeans, t-shirt, a denim vest, and their shades.      

Wearing full gear...on a Harley?  OMG!  No wonder they laughed at me.  Did it when I first started and when I go on long trips.  Dude...no vest - I leave that for Muskrat.